Airworthiness Directives; Przedsiebiorstwo Doswiadczalno-Produkcyjne Szybownictwa “PZL-Bielsko” Model SZD-50-3 “Puchacz” Gliders

[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 243 (Tuesday, December 20, 2005)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 75390-75392]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-23896]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2005-21836; Directorate Identifier 2005-CE-36-AD; 
Amendment 39-14415; AD 2005-25-22]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Przedsiebiorstwo Doswiadczalno-
Produkcyjne Szybownictwa ``PZL-Bielsko'' Model SZD-50-3 ``Puchacz'' 
Gliders

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: The FAA adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all 
Przedsiebiorstwo Doswiadczalno-Produkcyjne Szybownictwa ``PZL-Bielsko'' 
Model SZD-50-3 ``Puchacz'' gliders. This AD requires you to perform a 
visual inspection of the turnbuckle link for cracks or wear and replace 
if cracks or wear is found. This action only applies to those gliders 
where the turnbuckle is directly connected to the pedal. This AD 
results from mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) 
issued by the airworthiness authority for Poland. We are issuing this 
AD to detect and correct cracks in the turnbuckle link, which could 
result in failure of the rudder cable. This failure could lead to loss 
of control of the glider.

DATES: This AD becomes effective on January 27, 2006.
    As of January 27, 2006, the Director of the Federal Register 
approved the incorporation by reference of certain publications listed 
in the regulation.

ADDRESSES: To get the service information identified in this AD, 
contact Allstar PZL Glider Sp. z o.o., ul.Ciexzynska 325, 43-300 
Bielsko-Biala, Poland; telephone: 43 33 812 50 26; facsimile: 48 33 812 
37 39; Web site: http://www.szd.com.pl.
    To view the AD docket, go to the Docket Management Facility; U.S. 
Department of Transportation, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Nassif Building, 
Room PL-401, Washington, DC 20590-001 or on the Internet at http://dms.dot.gov. The docket number is FAA-2005-21836; Directorate 
Identifier 2005-CE-36-AD.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Gregory Davison, Aerospace Engineer, 
ACE-112, Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, 
Missouri 64106; telephone: (816) 329-4130; facsimile: (816) 329-4090.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

    What events have caused this AD? The Civil Aviation Office, which 
is the airworthiness authority for Poland, recently notified FAA that 
an unsafe condition may exist on all Przedsiebiorstwo Doswiadczalno-
Produkcyjne Szybownictwa ``PZL-Bielsko'' Model SZD-50-3 ``Puchacz'' 
gliders. The Civil Aviation Office reports a broken turnbuckle on a 
glider performing rudder operations in flight. Specifically, material 
fatigue caused the end of the turnbuckle that connects the rudder cable 
with rear seat, right-side pedal to break. Occupants, because of glider 
design, may have stepped on the rudder cable while entering or exiting 
the glider, putting stress on the turnbuckle link. This may have 
contributed to the material fatigue.
    What is the potential impact if FAA took no action? Cracks or wear 
in the turnbuckle link could result in failure of the rudder cable. 
This failure could lead to loss of control of the glider.
    Has FAA taken any action to this point? We issued a proposal to 
amend part 39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) to 
include an AD that would apply to all ``PZL-Bielsko'' Model SZD-50-3 
``Puchacz'' gliders. This proposal was published in the Federal 
Register as a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) on August 10, 2005 
(70 FR 46439). The NPRM proposed to detect and correct cracks in the 
turnbuckle link that could result in failure of the rudder cable. This 
failure could lead to loss of control of the glider.

Comments

    Was the public invited to comment? We provided the public the 
opportunity to participate in developing this AD. We received no 
comments on the proposal or on the determination of the cost to the 
public.

Conclusion

    What is FAA's final determination on this issue? We have carefully 
reviewed the available data and determined that air safety and the 
public interest require adopting the AD as proposed except for minor 
editorial corrections. We have determined that these minor corrections:

--Are consistent with the intent that was proposed in the NPRM for 
correcting the unsafe condition; and
--Do not add any additional burden upon the public than was already 
proposed in the NPRM.

Changes to 14 CFR Part 39--Effect on the AD

    How does the revision to 14 CFR part 39 affect this AD? On July 10, 
2002, the FAA published a new version of 14 CFR part 39 (67 FR 47997, 
July 22, 2002), which governs the FAA's AD system. This regulation now 
includes material that relates to altered products, special flight 
permits, and alternative methods of compliance. This material 
previously was included in each individual AD. Since this material is 
included in 14 CFR part 39, we will not include it in future AD 
actions.

Costs of Compliance

    How many gliders does this AD impact? We estimate that this AD 
affects 8 gliders in the U.S. registry.
    What is the cost impact of this AD on owners/operators of the 
affected gliders? We estimate the following costs to do this 
inspection:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                             Total cost
                 Labor cost                    Total cost      on U.S.
                                               per glider     operators
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1 workhour x $65 = $65......................          $65          $520
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    We estimate the following costs to do any necessary replacements 
that would be required based on the results of this inspection. We have 
no way of determining the number of gliders that may need this repair/
replacement:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                             Total cost
                 Labor cost                    Parts cost    per glider
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1 workhour x $65 = $65......................          $20           $85
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Authority for This Rulemaking

    What authority does FAA have for issuing this rulemaking action? 
Title 49 of the United States Code specifies the FAA's authority to 
issue rules on aviation safety. Subtitle I, section 106 describes the 
authority of the FAA Administrator. Subtitle VII, Aviation Programs, 
describes in more detail the scope of the agency's authority.
    We are issuing this rulemaking under the authority described in 
subtitle VII, part A, subpart III, section 44701, ``General 
requirements.'' Under that section, Congress charges the FAA with 
promoting safe flight of civil aircraft in

[[Page 75391]]

air commerce by prescribing regulations for practices, methods, and 
procedures the Administrator finds necessary for safety in air 
commerce. This regulation is within the scope of that authority because 
it addresses an unsafe condition that is likely to exist or develop on 
products identified in this AD.

Regulatory Findings

    Will this AD impact various entities? We have determined that this 
AD will not have federalism implications under Executive Order 13132. 
This AD will not have a substantial direct effect on the States, on the 
relationship between the national government and the States, or on the 
distribution of power and responsibilities among the various levels of 
government.
    Will this AD involve a significant rule or regulatory action? For 
the reasons discussed above, I certify that this AD:
    1. Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive Order 
12866;
    2. Is not a ``significant rule'' under the DOT Regulatory Policies 
and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979); and
    3. Will not have a significant economic impact, positive or 
negative, on a substantial number of small entities under the criteria 
of the Regulatory Flexibility Act.
    We prepared a summary of the costs to comply with this AD (and 
other information as included in the Regulatory Evaluation) and placed 
it in the AD Docket. You may get a copy of this summary by sending a 
request to us at the address listed under ADDRESSES. Include ``Docket 
No. FAA-2005-21836; Directorate Identifier 2005-CE-36-AD'' in your 
request.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by 
reference, Safety.

Adoption of the Amendment

0
Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the Administrator, 
the Federal Aviation Administration amends part 39 of the Federal 
Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) as follows:

PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES

0
1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows:

    Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701.


Sec.  39.13  [Amended]

0
2. FAA amends Sec.  39.13 by adding a new AD to read as follows:

2005-25-22 Przedsiebiorstwo Doswiadczalno-Produkcyjne Szybownictwa 
``PZL-Bielsko'': Amendment 39-14415; Docket No. FAA-2005-21836; 
Directorate Identifier 2005-CE-36-AD.

When Does This AD Become Effective?

    (a) This AD becomes effective on January 27, 2006.

What Other ADs Are Affected by This Action?

    (b) None.

What Gliders Are Affected by This AD?

    (c) This AD affects Model SZD-50-3 ``Puchacz'' gliders, all 
serial numbers, that are certificated in any category.

What Is the Unsafe Condition Presented in This AD?

    (d) This AD is the result of a turnbuckle link breaking in 
flight. The actions specified in this AD are intended to detect and 
correct cracks in the turnbuckle link, which could result in failure 
of the rudder cable. This failure could lead to loss of control of 
the glider.

What Must I Do To Address This Problem?

    (e) To address this problem, you must do the following on 
gliders where the turnbuckle is directly connected to the pedal:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
           Actions                 Compliance            Procedures
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Visually inspect the      Initially within 25   Follow Allstar PZL
 turnbuckle end for cracks     hours time-in-        Glider Ltd.
 or wear. Use a 10X            service (TIS) after   Bulletin No. BE-054/
 magnifying glass. The         January 27, 2006      SZD-50-3/2003
 magnifying power in this AD   (the effective date   ``Puchacz,'' as
 takes precedence over the     of this AD), and      approved by Civil
 magnifying power stated in    repetitively          Aviation Office
 Allstar PZL Glider Ltd.       thereafter at         Airworthiness
 Bulletin No. BE-054/SZD-50-   intervals not to      Directive No. SP-
 3/2003 ``Puchacz.''           exceed 50 hours TIS.  0012-2004-A, dated
 Inspection is not required                          February 5, 2004.
 on gliders where additional
 short cables between the
 rear seat pedal and
 turnbuckle have been
 installed.
(2) If cracks or wear is      Prior to further      Follow the
 found during any inspection   light after the       procedures in the
 required by this AD,          inspection where      maintenance manual.
 replace the turnbuckle end.   cracks or wear is
 The turnbuckle must have a    found.
 steel end and support a
 maximum load of 6,100
 newtons (converts to 1,371
 pounds of force), following
 Allstar PZL Glider Ltd.
 Bulletin No. BE-054/SZD-50-
 3/2003 ``Puchacz.''
------------------------------------------------------------------------

May I Request an Alternative Method of Compliance?

    (f) You may request a different method of compliance or a 
different compliance time for this AD by following the procedures in 
14 CFR 39.19. Unless FAA authorizes otherwise, send your request to 
your principal inspector. The principal inspector may add comments 
and will send your request to the Manager, Standards Office, Small 
Airplane Directorate, FAA. For information on any already approved 
alternative methods of compliance, contact Gregory Davison, 
Aerospace Engineer, ACE-112, Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, 
Room 301, Kansas City, Missouri 64106; telephone: (816) 329-4130; 
facsimile: (816) 329-4090.

Is There Other Information That Relates to This Subject?

    (g) Allstar PZL Glider Ltd. Bulletin No. BE-054/SZD-50-3/2003 
``Puchacz'' and Civil Aviation Office Airworthiness Directive No. 
SP-0012-2004-A, dated February 5, 2004, also address the subject of 
this AD.

Does This AD Incorporate Any Material by Reference?

    (h) You must do the actions required by this AD following the 
instructions in Allstar PZL Glider Ltd. Bulletin No. BE-054/SZD-50-
3/2003 ``Puchacz,'' as approved by Civil Aviation Office 
Airworthiness Directive No. SP-0012-2004-A, dated February 5, 2004. 
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of this service bulletin in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 
552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. To get a copy of this service information, 
contact Allstar PZL Glider Sp. z o.o., ul.Ciexzynska 325, 43-300 
Bielsko-Biala, Poland; telephone: 43 33 812 50 26; facsimile: 48 33 
812 37 39; Web site: http://www.szd.com.pl. To review copies of this 
service information, go to the National Archives and Records 
Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of this 
material at NARA, go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html or call (202) 
741-6030. To view the AD docket, go to the Docket Management 
Facility; U.S. Department of Transportation, 400 Seventh Street, 
SW., Nassif Building, Room PL-401, Washington,

[[Page 75392]]

DC 20590-001 or on the Internet at http://dms.dot.gov. The docket 
number is FAA-2005-21836; Directorate Identifier 2005-CE-36-AD.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on December 5, 2005.
James E. Jackson,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 05-23896 Filed 12-19-05; 8:45 am]
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