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

[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 27 (Tuesday, February 10, 1998)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 6635-6636]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-3226]



[[Page 6635]]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 97-CE-93-AD; Amendment 39-10314; AD 98-04-01]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; EXTRA Flugzeugbau GmbH Model 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 certain EXTRA Flugzeugbau GmbH Model EA-300/S airplanes. 
This AD requires modifying the canopy latches or replacing the canopy 
latches with parts of improved design. 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 failure of the canopy while the airplane is in 
flight because of cracked canopy latches, which could result in loss of 
the canopy and possible loss of control of the airplane.

DATES: Effective March 24, 1998.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of March 24, 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-93-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 certain EXTRA 
Flugzeugbau GmbH Model EA-300/S airplanes was published in the Federal 
Register as a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) on November 5, 1997 
(62 FR 59827). The NPRM proposed to require modifying the canopy 
latches or replacing the canopy latches with parts of improved design, 
part number (P/N) PC-23303.8P1 for both front latches and the rear 
right; and P/N PC-23303.8P2 for the rear left. Accomplishment of the 
proposed actions would be in accordance with EXTRA Service Bulletin No. 
300-3-94, dated August 3, 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 25 airplanes in the U.S. registry will be 
affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 3 workhours per 
airplane to accomplish the modifications or replacements, and that the 
average labor rate is approximately $60 an hour. Parts cost 
approximately $100 per airplane. Based on these figures, the total cost 
impact of this AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $7,000, or $280 
per airplane.

Differences Between the German AD, the Service Bulletin, and This 
AD

    German AD 94-258, dated August 25, 1994, and EXTRA Service Bulletin 
No. 300-3-94, dated August 3, 1994, both give the owners/operators of 
certain Model EA-300/S airplanes the option of (1) repetitively 
inspecting the canopy latches until cracks are found, and then 
modifying or replacing (with parts of improved design) any cracked 
latches; or (2) immediately modifying the existing latches or replacing 
the latches with parts of improved design.
    The FAA's policy is to provide corrective action that will 
eliminate the need for repetitive inspections. The FAA has determined 
that long-term operational safety will be better assured by design 
changes that remove the source of the problem, rather than by 
repetitive inspections or other special procedures.
    Because the modification or replacement (with parts of improved 
design) of the canopy latches eliminates the need for repetitive 
inspections, this AD differs from the service bulletin and the German 
AD in that it will mandate either modification or replacement of the 
canopy latches regardless of condition.

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.

[[Page 6636]]

Sec. 39.13  [Amended]

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

98-04-01  Extra Flugzeugbau GMBH: Amendment 39-10314; Docket No. 97-
CE-93-AD.

    Applicability: Models EA-300/S airplanes, serial numbers 01 
through 24, 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 failure of the canopy while the airplane is in flight 
because of cracked canopy latches, which could result in loss of the 
canopy and possible loss of control of the airplane, accomplish the 
following:
    (a) Modify all canopy latches or replace all canopy latches with 
parts of improved design, part number (P/N) PC-23303.8P1 for both 
front latches and the rear right; and P/N PC-23303.8P2 for the rear 
left. Accomplish the modifications or replacements in accordance 
with the Instructions section of EXTRA Service Bulletin No. 300-3-
94, dated August 3, 1994.
    (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 2: 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 EXTRA Service 
Bulletin No. 300-3-94, dated August 3, 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.
    (e) The modifications or replacements required by this AD shall 
be done in accordance with EXTRA Service Bulletin No. 300-3-94, 
dated August 3, 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 94-258, 
dated August 25, 1994.

    (f) This amendment (39-10314) 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. 98-3226 Filed 2-9-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U

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