Airworthiness Directives; Louis L'Hotellier, S.A., Ball and Swivel Joint Quick Connectors

[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 69 (Thursday, April 10, 1997)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 17537-17539]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-9164]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 92-CE-41-AD; Amendment 39-9994; AD 97-08-06]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Louis L'Hotellier, S.A., Ball and 
Swivel Joint Quick Connectors

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) that 
applies to Louis L'Hotellier S.A. (L'Hotellier) ball and swivel joint 
quick connectors installed on gliders and sailplanes that are not 
equipped with a ``Uerling'' sleeve or an LS-safety sleeve. These 
connectors allow the operator of the gliders and sailplanes to quickly 
connect and disconnect the control

[[Page 17538]]

systems during assembly and disassembly for storage purposes. This 
action requires enlarging the safety pin guide hole diameter, and 
fabricating and installing a placard that specifies a check of the 
security of the connectors prior to each flight. Several in-flight 
accidents involving inadvertent disconnection of these connectors that 
are installed on certain gliders and sailplanes prompted this action. 
The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent the connectors 
from becoming inadvertently disconnected, which could result in loss of 
control of the sailplane or glider.

DATES: Effective June 2, 1997.

ADDRESSES: This AD may be examined at the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Central Region, Office of the Assistant Chief 
Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket 92-CE-41-AD, Room 1558, 601 E. 12th 
Street, Kansas City, Missouri 64106; or at the Office of the Federal 
Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. J. Mike Kiesov, Project Officer, 
Sailplanes/Gliders, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service, FAA, 1201 Walnut, suite 900, Kansas City, Missouri 64106; 
telephone (816) 426-6932; facsimile (816) 426-2169.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Events Leading to the Issuance of This AD

    A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 
CFR part 39) to include an AD that would apply Louis L'Hotellier S.A. 
(L'Hotellier) ball and swivel joint quick connectors was published in 
the Federal Register on November 21, 1996 (61 FR 59203). The action 
proposed to require the following actions for gliders and sailplanes 
utilizing the L'Hotellier ball and swivel joint quick connectors, and 
that are not equipped with a ``Uerling'' sleeve or an LS-Safety sleeve:

--Enlarge the safety pin guide hole diameter to a minimum of 1.2 mm 
(0.05 in.) to accommodate a safety wire or pin, as applicable.
--Fabricate a placard (using \1/8\ inch letters) with the following 
words:
    ``All L'Hotellier control system connectors must be secured with 
safety wire, pins, or safety sleeves, as applicable, prior to 
operation.''
--Install this placard in the glider or sailplane within the pilot's 
clear view.

    Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate 
in the making of this amendment. No comments were received on the 
proposed rule or the FAA's determination of the cost to the public.

The FAA's Determination

    After careful review of all available information related to the 
subject presented above, the FAA has determined that air safety and the 
public interest require the adoption of the rule as proposed except for 
minor editorial corrections. The FAA has determined that these minor 
corrections will not change the meaning of the AD and will not add any 
additional burden upon the public than was already proposed.

Cost Impact

    The FAA estimates that 1,100 sailplanes and gliders, with an 
average of 4 connectors per sailplane, in the U.S. registry would be 
affected by this AD, that it would take less than 4 workhours per 
sailplane or glider to accomplish the action (less than 1 workhour per 
connector), and that the average labor rate is approximately $60 an 
hour. Based on these figures, the total cost impact of this AD on U.S. 
operators is estimated to be $264,000. This cost is figured for the 
estimated time it would take for an authorized mechanic to enlarge the 
safety pin guide hole diameter. An owner/operator who holds a private 
pilot's certificate, as authorized by sections 43.7 and 43.11 of the 
Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 43.7 and 43.11), can fabricate and 
install the placard. This $264,000 figure is based on the assumption 
that all of the affected owners/operators of the affected sailplanes 
and gliders do not have the guide pin hole already enlarged, a safety 
sleeve installed, or the placard installed.

Compliance Time

    The compliance time of this AD is in calendar time instead of hours 
time-in-service (TIS). The average monthly usage of the affected 
sailplanes and gliders ranges throughout the fleet. For example, one 
owner may operate the sailplane or glider 25 hours in one week, while 
another operator may operate the sailplane or glider 25 hours in one 
year. For this reason, the FAA has determined that, in order to ensure 
that all of the owners/operators of the affected sailplanes and gliders 
incorporate the required actions within a reasonable amount of time, a 
calendar compliance time is required.

Regulatory Impact

    The regulations adopted herein will not have substantial direct 
effects 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. Therefore, in 
accordance with Executive Order 12612, it is determined that this final 
rule does not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant the 
preparation of a Federalism Assessment.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this action (1) is 
not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive Order 12866; 
(2) is not a ``significant rule'' under 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. A copy of the final evaluation prepared for this 
action is contained in the Rules Docket. A copy of it may be obtained 
by contacting the Rules Docket at the location provided under the 
caption ADDRESSES.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Safety.

Adoption of the Amendment

    Accordingly, pursuant to 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

    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]

    2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding a new airworthiness directive 
(AD) to read as follows:

97-08-06  Louis L'Hotellier, S.A. Ball and Swivel Joint Quick 
Connectors: Amendment 39-9994; Docket No. 92-CE-41-AD.

    Applicability: All quick connectors installed in, but not 
limited to, the following gliders and sailplanes that are not 
equipped with a ``Uerling'' sleeve or an LS-Safety sleeve:

[[Page 17539]]



------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Manufacturer                            Models           
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Alexander Schleicher......................  ASK21, ASK23, ASW12, ASW15, 
                                             ASW15B, ASW17, ASW19,      
                                             ASW19B, ASW24, ASW24B,     
                                             AS12, AS-K13, AS-K13, Ka 6,
                                             Ka 6 B, Ka 6 BR, Ka 6 C, Ka
                                             6 CR, Ka 6 CR-Pe, Ka 6 E,  
                                             K7, Ka2B, K 8, K 8 B, and  
                                             Rhonlerche II.             
Centrair, S.N.............................  101, 101A, 101P, 101AP, and 
                                             201B.                      
Eiravion..................................  PIK 20, PIK 20B, and PIK    
                                             20D.                       
Glaser Dirks..............................  DG100, DG400, and DG-500M.  
Burkhart Grob.............................  G102 Astir CS, G102 Club    
                                             Astir III, G102 Club Astir 
                                             IIIb, G102 Standard Astir  
                                             III, G102, G103 Twin Astir,
                                             G103 Twin II, G103A Twin II
                                             Acro, G103C Twin III Acro, 
                                             G103C Twin III SL, G109,   
                                             and G109B.                 
Intreprinderea ICA (Lark).................  IS-28B2 and IS-29D2.        
Rolladen Schneider........................  LS1-f and LS3-a.            
Schempp-Hirth.............................  Cirrus, Std Cirrus, Nimbus  
                                             2, Nimbus 2B, Mini-Nimbus  
                                             HS-7, Mini-Nimbus B, Janus,
                                             Discus a, Duo-Discus,      
                                             Standard Austria-S,        
                                             Standard Austria-SH,       
                                             Standard Austria-SH1,      
                                             Ventus, Ventus-a, and      
                                             Ventus-a/16.6.             
Schweizer.................................  2-33 and 1-26.              
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Note 1: This AD applies to the product identified in the 
preceding applicability provision, regardless of whether it has been 
modified, altered, or repaired in the area subject to the 
requirements of this AD. For the product that has been modified, 
altered, or repaired so that the performance of the requirements of 
this AD is affected, the owner/operator must request approval for an 
alternative method of compliance in accordance with paragraph (d) of 
this AD. The request should include an assessment of the effect of 
the modification, alteration, or repair on the unsafe condition 
addressed by this AD; and, if the unsafe condition has not been 
eliminated, the request should include specific proposed actions to 
address it.

    Compliance: Required within the next 30 calendar days after the 
effective date of this AD, or upon installation of the quick 
connectors, whichever occurs later, unless already accomplished.
    To prevent the quick connectors from becoming inadvertently 
disconnected, which could result in loss of control of the sailplane 
or glider, accomplish the following:
    (a) For quick connectors that have a safety pin guide hole, 
enlarge the hole in the lock plate to a minimum diameter of 1.2 mm 
(0.05 in.) to accommodate a safety wire or pin.
    (b) Fabricate and install a placard (using 1/8 inch letters) in 
the glider or sailplane, within the pilot's clear view, with the 
following words: ``All L'Hotellier control system connectors must be 
secured with safety wire, pins, or safety sleeves, as applicable, 
prior to operation.''
    (c) Fabricating and installing the placard as required by 
paragraph (b) of this AD may be performed by the owner/operator 
holding at least a private pilot certificate as authorized by 
section 43.7 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 43.7), and 
must be entered into the sailplane's or glider's records showing 
compliance with this AD in accordance with section 43.9 of the 
Federal Aviation Regulations.
    (d) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the 
compliance times that provides an equivalent level of safety may be 
approved by the Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft 
Certification Service, FAA, 1201 Walnut, suite 900, Kansas City, 
Missouri 64106. The request shall be forwarded through an 
appropriate FAA Maintenance Inspector, who may add comments and then 
send it to the Manager, Small Airplane Directorate.

    Note 2: Information concerning the existence of approved 
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be 
obtained from Small Airplane Directorate.

    (e) Copies of this AD may be inspected at the FAA, Central 
Region, Office of the Assistant Chief Counsel, Room 1558, 601 E. 
12th Street, Kansas City, Missouri, or at the Office of the Federal 
Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.
    (f) This amendment (39-9994) becomes effective on June 2, 1997.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on April 2, 1997.
Michael Gallagher,
Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 97-9164 Filed 4-9-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U

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