Airworthiness Directives; HOAC Austria Model DV 20 Katana Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 27 (Tuesday, February 10, 1998)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 6633-6634]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-3225]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 97-CE-84-AD; Amendment 39-10315; AD 98-04-02]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; HOAC Austria Model DV 20 Katana 
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 HOAC Austria Model DV 20 Katana airplanes. This AD requires 
replacing the nose wheel leg of the nose landing gear (NLG) with a part 
of improved design. This AD is the result of mandatory continuing 
airworthiness information (MCAI) issued by the airworthiness authority 
for Austria. The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent 
NLG collapse caused by cracks in the welding of the nose wheel tappet 
of the NLG, which could result in the inability to control the airplane 
during landing, takeoff, and other ground operations.

EFFECTIVE DATE: March 24, 1998.

ADDRESSES: Service information that relates to this AD may be obtained 
from Diamond Aircraft Industries, G.m.b.H., N.A. Otto-Strabe 5, A-2700, 
Wiener Neustadt, Austria. This information may also be examined at the 
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Central

[[Page 6634]]

Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket No. 97-
CE-84-AD, Room 1558, 601 E. 12th Street, Kansas City, Missouri 64106.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Roger P. Chudy, Aerospace 
Engineer, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service, 
FAA, 1201 Walnut, 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 HOAC Austria Model DV 
20 Katana airplanes was published in the Federal Register as a notice 
of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) on November 7, 1997 (62 FR 60183). The 
NPRM proposed to require replacing the nose wheel leg of the NLG with a 
part of improved design, nose wheel leg version ``B'', in accordance 
with the applicable maintenance manual.
    The NPRM was the result of mandatory continuing airworthiness 
information (MCAI) issued by the airworthiness authority for Austria.
    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 20 airplanes in the U.S. registry will be 
affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 1 workhour per 
airplane to accomplish the required replacement, and that the average 
labor rate is approximately $60 per hour. Parts cost approximately $900 
per airplane. Based on these figures, the total cost impact of this AD 
on U.S. operators is estimated to be $19,200, or $960 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, 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:

98-04-02  Hoac Austria: Amendment 39-10315; Docket No. 97-CE-84-AD.

    Applicability: Model DV 20 Katana airplanes, serial numbers 
20.005 through 20.160, certificated in any category.

    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 (c) 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 100 hours time-in-service 
(TIS) after the effective date of this AD, unless already 
accomplished.
    To prevent nose landing gear (NLG) collapse caused by cracks in 
the welding of the nose wheel tappet of the NLG, which could result 
in the inability to control the airplane during landing, takeoff, 
and other ground operations, accomplish the following:
    (a) Replace the nose wheel leg of the NLG with a part of 
improved design, nose wheel leg version ``B'', in accordance with 
the applicable maintenance manual.

    Note 2: Diamond Aircraft Industries Service Bulletin No. 20-32, 
dated April 5, 1996, specifies the replacement required by this AD 
for the HOAC Austria Model DV 20 Katana airplanes.

    (b) 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.
    (c) 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 3: Information concerning the existence of approved 
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be 
obtained from the Small Airplane Directorate.

    (d) Questions or technical information related to Diamond 
Aircraft Industries Service Bulletin No. 20-32, dated April 5, 1996, 
should be directed to Diamond Aircraft Industries G.m.b.H., N.A. 
Otto-Strabe 5, A-2700, Wiener Neustadt, Austria. 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.

    Note 4: The subject of this AD is addressed in Austrian AD No. 
86, dated May 29, 1996.

    (e) This amendment (39-10315) becomes effective on March 24, 
1998.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on February 2, 1998.
Carolanne L. Cabrini,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 98-3225 Filed 2-9-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U

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