Airworthiness Directives; EXTRA Flugzeugbau GmbH Models EA-300 and EA-300/S Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 24 (Thursday, February 5, 1998)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 5881-5882]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-2775]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 97-CE-85-AD; Amendment 39-10307; AD 98-03-14]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; EXTRA Flugzeugbau GmbH Models EA-300 
and EA-300/S Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) that 
applies to EXTRA Flugzeugbau GmbH Models EA-300 and EA-300/S airplanes. 
This AD requires inspecting the upper longeron cutout bridge for 
cracks, repairing any cracks found, and modifying this area. This AD is 
the result of mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) 
issued by the airworthiness authority for Germany. The actions 
specified by this AD are intended to prevent structural damage to the 
fuselage caused by cracks in the upper longeron cutout bridge, which, 
if not detected and corrected, could result in loss of control of the 
airplane.

DATES: Effective March 16, 1998.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of March 16, 1998.

ADDRESSES: Service information that applies to this AD may be obtained 
from EXTRA Flugzeugbau GmbH, Flugplatz Dinslaken, 46569 Hunxe, Germany. 
This information may also be examined at the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Central Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 97-CE-85-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. Karl Schletzbaum, Aerospace 
Engineer, FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 1201 Walnut Street, suite 
900, Kansas City, Missouri 64106; telephone: (816) 426-6934; 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 to EXTRA Flugzeugbau 
GmbH Models EA-300 and EA-300/S airplanes was published in the Federal 
Register as a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) on November 5, 1997 
(62 FR 59826). The NPRM proposed to require inspecting the upper 
longeron cutout bridge for cracks, repairing any cracks found, and 
modifying this area. Accomplishment of the proposed actions as 
specified in the NPRM would be required in accordance with EXTRA 
Service Bulletin No. 300-3-93, dated January 12, 1994.
    The NPRM was the result of mandatory continuing airworthiness 
information (MCAI) issued by the airworthiness authority for Germany.
    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 68 airplanes in the U.S. registry will be 
affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 13 workhours 
(Inspection: 3 workhours; Modification: 10 workhours) per

[[Page 5882]]

airplane to accomplish the required action, and that the average labor 
rate is approximately $60 an hour. Parts cost approximately $200 per 
airplane. Based on these figures, the total cost impact of this AD on 
U.S. operators is estimated to be $66,640, or $980 per airplane.

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, Incorporation by 
reference, 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:

98-03-14  Extra Flugzeugbau GMBH: Amendment 39-10307; Docket No. 97-
CE-85-AD.

    Applicability: The following models and serial number airplanes, 
certificated in any category:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Model                            Serial numbers          
------------------------------------------------------------------------
EA-300.............................  V1 and 01 through 50.              
EA-300/S...........................  01 through 17.                     
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Note 1: This AD applies to each airplane 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 airplanes that have 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 as indicated in the body of this AD, unless 
already accomplished.
    To prevent structural damage to the fuselage caused by cracks in 
the upper longeron cutout bridge, which, if not detected and 
corrected, could result in loss of control of the airplane, 
accomplish the following:
    (a) Upon accumulating 1,000 hours time-in-service (TIS) on the 
upper longeron or within the next 100 hours TIS after the effective 
date of this AD, whichever occurs later, inspect the upper longeron 
cutout bridge for cracks in accordance with the Instructions section 
of EXTRA Service Bulletin No. 300-3-93, dated January 12, 1994.
    (b) Prior to further flight after the inspection required by 
paragraph (a) of this AD, accomplish the following in accordance 
with the Instructions section of EXTRA Service Bulletin No. 300-3-
93, dated January 12, 1994:
    (1) Repair any cracks found in the upper longeron cut-out 
bridge; and
    (2) Modify the upper longeron cut-out bridge.
    (c) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with 
sections 21.197 and 21.199 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 
CFR 21.197 and 21.199) to operate the airplane to a location where 
the requirements of this AD can be accomplished.
    (d) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the 
compliance time that provides an equivalent level of safety may be 
approved by the Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, 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 the Small Airplane Directorate.

    (e) Questions or technical information related to EXTRA Service 
Bulletin No. 300-3-93, dated January 12, 1994, should be directed to 
EXTRA Flugzeugbau GmbH, Flugplatz Dinslaken, 46569 Hunxe, Germany. 
This service information may be examined at the FAA, Central Region, 
Office of the Regional Counsel, Room 1558, 601 E. 12th Street, 
Kansas City, Missouri.
    (f) The inspections, repairs, and modifications required by this 
AD shall be done in accordance with EXTRA Service Bulletin No. 300-
3-93, dated January 12, 1994. This incorporation by reference was 
approved by the Director of the Federal Register in accordance with 
5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. Copies may be obtained from EXTRA 
Flugzeugbau GmbH, Flugplatz Dinslaken, 46569 Hunxe, Germany. Copies 
may be inspected at the FAA, Central Region, Office of the Regional 
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.

    Note 3: The subject of this AD is addressed in German AD No. 94-
043, dated October 21, 1994.
    (g) This amendment (39-10307) becomes effective on March 16, 
1998.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on January 28, 1998.

Terry L. Chasteen,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 98-2775 Filed 2-4-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U

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