Airworthiness Directives; S.N. CENTRAIR 101 Series Gliders

[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 79 (Monday, April 26, 1999)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 20152-20153]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-10167]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 98-CE-50-AD; Amendment 39-11140; AD 99-09-07]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; S.N. CENTRAIR 101 Series Gliders

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) that 
applies to all S.N. CENTRAIR (CENTRAIR) 101 series gliders that have 
modification 101-24 (major cockpit configuration equipped on all 
gliders manufactured since 1990) incorporated, and do not have 
modification 101-21 (minor modifications to this cockpit configuration) 
incorporated. This AD requires installing an attachment lug to the 
supporting bracket in order to secure the battery discharge warning 
device. This AD is the result of mandatory continuing airworthiness 
information (MCAI) issued by the airworthiness authority for France. 
The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent elevator 
flight control interference caused by an unsecured battery discharge 
warning device, which could result in reduced or loss of glider 
control.

DATES: Effective June 7, 1999.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of June 7, 1999.

ADDRESSES: Service information that applies to this AD may be obtained 
from S.N. CENTRAIR, Aerodome--36300 Le Blanc, France; telephone: 
02.54.37.07.96; facsimile: 02.54.37.48.64. This information may also be 
examined at the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Central Region, 
Office of the Regional Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket No. 98-CE-50-
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. Mike Kiesov, Aerospace Engineer, 
FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 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 all CENTRAIR 101 
series gliders that have modification 101-24 (major cockpit 
configuration equipped on all gliders manufactured since 1990) 
incorporated, and do not have modification 101-21 (minor modifications 
to this cockpit configuration) incorporated was published in the 
Federal Register as a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) on January 
5, 1999 (64 FR 441). The NPRM proposed to require installing an 
attachment lug (part number $Y986A or an FAA-approved equivalent part 
number) to the supporting bracket in order to secure the battery 
discharge warning device.
    Accomplishment of the proposed action as specified in the NPRM 
would be required in accordance with CENTRAIR Service Bulletin No. 101-
19, Revision 1, dated May 20, 1997.
    The NPRM was the result of mandatory continuing airworthiness 
information (MCAI) issued by the airworthiness authority for France.
    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.

Compliance Time of This AD

    Although the elevator flight control interference caused by an 
unsecured battery discharge warning device would only be unsafe during 
flight, the unsafe condition is not a result of the number of times the 
glider is operated. The chance of the battery discharge warning device 
becoming unsecure is the same for a glider with 50 hours time-in-
service (TIS) as it would be for a glider with 500 hours TIS. For this 
reason, the FAA has determined that a compliance based on calendar time 
should be utilized in this AD in order to assure that the unsafe 
condition is addressed on all gliders in a reasonable time period.

Cost Impact

    The FAA estimates that 63 gliders in the U.S. registry will be 
affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 4 workhours per 
glider to accomplish this action, and that the average labor rate is 
approximately $60 an hour. Parts cost approximately $15 per glider. 
Based on these figures, the total cost impact of this AD on U.S. 
operators is estimated to be $16,065, or $255 per glider.

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)

[[Page 20153]]

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:

99-09-07  S.N. Centrair: Amendment 39-11140; Docket No. 98-CE-50-AD.

    Applicability: Models 101, 101A, 101P, and 101AP gliders, all 
serial numbers, certificated in any category, that have modification 
101-24 (major cockpit configuration equipped on all gliders 
manufactured since 1990) incorporated, and do not have modification 
101-21 (minor modifications to this cockpit configuration) 
incorporated.

    Note 1: This AD applies to each glider 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 gliders 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 3 calendar months after the 
effective date of this AD, unless already accomplished.
    To prevent elevator flight control interference caused by an 
unsecured battery discharge warning device, which could result in 
reduced or loss of glider control, accomplish the following:
    (a) Secure the battery discharge warning device by installing an 
attachment lug (part number $Y986A or an FAA-approved equivalent 
part number) to the supporting bracket. Accomplish this installation 
in accordance with CENTRAIR Service Bulletin No. 101-19, Revision 1, 
dated May 20, 1997.
    (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 glider 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, Aircraft 
Certification Service, 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 CENTRAIR 
Service Bulletin No. 101-19, Revision 1, dated May 20, 1997, should 
be directed to S.N. CENTRAIR, Aerodome--36300 Le Blanc, France; 
telephone: 02.54.37.07.96; facsimile: 02.54.37.48.64. 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 64106.
    (e) The modification required by this AD shall be done in 
accordance with S.N. CENTRAIR Service Bulletin No. 101-19, Revision 
1, dated May 20, 1997. 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 S.N. CENTRAIR, 
Aerodome--36300 Le Blanc, France. 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 French AD 97-
149(A), dated July 16, 1997.

    (f) This amendment becomes effective on June 7, 1999.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on April 15, 1999.
Michael Gallagher,
Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 99-10167 Filed 4-23-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U

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