Airworthiness Directives; LET a.s. Model Blanik L-13 AC Sailplanes

[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 78 (Monday, April 25, 2005)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 21134-21136]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-7990]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2003-CE-57-AD; Amendment 39-14066; AD 2005-08-14]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; LET a.s. Model Blanik L-13 AC 
Sailplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: The FAA adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all LET 
a.s. (formerly LET n.p.) (LET) Model Blanik L-13 AC sailplanes. This AD 
requires you to replace the original control bridge with the new 
strengthened control column mounting bridge. This AD is the result of a 
report of one case of cracks in the attachment of control levers on the 
control bridge. We are issuing this AD to correct cracks in the bedding 
of the front and rear control levers, which could result in failure of 
the control bridge for the sailplane. This failure could lead to loss 
of sailplane control.

DATES: This AD becomes effective on June 6, 2005.
    As of June 6, 2005, the Director of the Federal Register approved 
the incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in the 
regulation.

ADDRESSES: You may get the service information identified in this AD 
from LET a.s., Kunovice 686 04, Czech Republic; telephone: +420 572 817 
650; facsimile: +420 572 617 653.
    You may view the AD docket at FAA, Central Region, Office of the 
Regional Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket No. 2003-CE-57-AD, 901 
Locust, Room 506, Kansas City, Missouri 64106. Office hours are 8 a.m. 
to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Greg Davison, Aerospace Engineer, FAA, 
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 Authority (CAA), which is the airworthiness 
authority for the Czech Republic, recently notified FAA that an unsafe 
condition may exist on certain LET Model Blanik L-13 AC sailplanes. The 
CAA reports one case of cracks in the attachment of control levers on 
the control bridge (Drawing No. A71 210N) on a Model Blanik L-13 AC 
sailplane after 130 hours time-in-service (TIS) of aerobatics. The 
cracks are because of material fatigue.

What Is the Potential Impact if FAA Took No Action?

    Failure of the control bridge for the sailplane could lead to loss 
of sailplane control.

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 
LET a.s. (formerly LET n.p.) (LET) Model Blanik L-13 AC sailplanes. 
This proposal was published in the Federal Register as a notice of 
proposed rulemaking (NPRM) on March 9, 2004 (69 FR 10939). The NPRM 
proposed to require you to repetitively inspect the bedding of the 
front and rear control levers for cracks, and, if any cracks are found, 
replace with parts found free of cracks.
    You would have to do the proposed actions following Letecke Zavody 
Mandatory Bulletin No.: L13/095a, dated October 18, 2001.
    Since issuance of the NPRM, LET has issued the new Letecke Zavody 
Mandatory Bulletin No.: L13AC/014a, dated July 17, 2003. This service 
bulletin removes the repetitive inspection, requires the replacement of 
parts, and changes the serial numbers affected.
    The CAA has not amended the Czech AD to reflect this service 
information. However, FAA has evaluated the new service information and 
determined that the NPRM should be changed to reflect the requirements 
in the new LET service bulletin.
    A supplemental NPRM proposal was published in the Federal Register 
on October 7, 2004 (69 FR 60106). The supplemental NPRM proposed to 
require you to replace the original control bridge with the new 
strengthened control column mounting bridge.

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 Sailplanes Does This AD Impact?

    We estimate that this AD affects 5 sailplanes in the U.S. registry.

What Is the Cost Impact of This AD on Owners/Operators of the Affected 
Sailplanes?

    We estimate the following costs to do the replacement:

[[Page 21135]]



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                                                                                  Total cost for   Total cost on
                           Labor cost                               Parts cost     each airplane  U.S. operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
7 workhours x $65 for each hour = $455..........................          $2,000          $2,455         $12,275
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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 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 ``AD 
Docket No. 2003-CE-57-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:

2005-08-14 LET a.s. (Formerly LET n.p.): Amendment 39-14066; Docket 
No. 2003-CE-57-AD.

When Does This AD Become Effective?

    (a) This AD becomes effective on June 6, 2005.

What Other ADs Are Affected by This Action?

    (b) None.

What Sailplanes Are Affected by This AD?

    (c) This AD affects Model Blanik L-13 AC sailplanes, serial 
numbers 988601, 988603, 008605, 008606, and 028902, that are 
certificated in any category.

What Is the Unsafe Condition Presented in This AD?

    (d) This AD is the result of a report of one case of cracks in 
the attachment of control levers on the control bridge. The actions 
specified in this AD are intended to correct cracks in the bedding 
of the front and rear control levers, which could result in failure 
of the control bridge for the sailplane. This failure could lead to 
loss of sailplane control.

What Must I Do To Address This Problem?

    (e) To address this problem, you must do the following:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
           Actions                 Compliance            Procedures
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Replace the original      Within the next 25    Follow the WORK
 control bridge (Drawing No.   hours time-in-        PROCEDURE paragraph
 A741 210N) with the new       service (TIS) after   of LET Letecke
 strengthened control column   June 6, 2005 (the     Zavody Mandatory
 mounting bridge (Drawing      effective date of     Bulletin No.: L13AC/
 No. A740 370N).               this AD), unless      014a, dated July
                               already done.         17, 2003.
(2) Do not install any        As of the effective   Not Applicable.
 original control bridge       date of this AD.
 (Drawing No. A741 210N).
------------------------------------------------------------------------

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, FAA. 
For information on any already approved alternative methods of 
compliance, contact Greg Davison, Aerospace Engineer, FAA, Small 
Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, Missouri 
64106; telephone: (816) 329-4130; facsimile: (816) 329-4090.

Does This AD Incorporate Any Material by Reference?

    (g) You must do the actions required by this AD following the 
instructions in LET Letecke Zavody Mandatory Bulletin No.: L13AC/
014a, dated July 17, 2003. 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. You may get a 
copy from LET a.s., Kunovice 686 04, Czech Republic; telephone: +420 
572 817 650; facsimile: +420 572 617 653. You may review copies at 
FAA, Central Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, 901 Locust, 
Room 506, Kansas City, Missouri 64106; or at the National Archives 
and Records Administration (NARA). For information on the 
availability of this material at NARA, call (202) 741-6030, or go 
to: http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html.

[[Page 21136]]

Is There Other Information That Relates to This Subject?

    (h) Czech Airworthiness Directive CAA-AD-090/2001, dated October 
25, 2001, also addresses the subject of this AD.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on April 14, 2005.
Nancy C. Lane,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 05-7990 Filed 4-22-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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