Airworthiness Directives; Aircraft Industries, a.s. (Type Certificate No. G24EU Formerly Held by LETECKÉ ZÁVODY a.s. and LET Aeronautical Works) Model L-13 Blanik Gliders

[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 231 (Monday, December 3, 2007)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 67841-67843]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-23222]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2007-28980 Directorate Identifier 2007-CE-071-AD; 
Amendment 39-15282; AD 2007-25-01]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Aircraft Industries, a.s. (Type 
Certificate No. G24EU Formerly Held by LETECK[Eacute] Z[Aacute]VODY 
a.s. and LET Aeronautical Works) Model L-13 Blanik Gliders

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of 
Transportation (DOT).

ACTION: Final Rule.

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SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for the 
products listed above. This AD results from mandatory continuing 
airworthiness information (MCAI) issued by an aviation authority of 
another country to identify and correct an unsafe condition on an 
aviation

[[Page 67842]]

product. The MCAI describes the unsafe condition as:

    This Airworthiness Directive (AD) is prompted by the discovery 
of cracks on L13 BLANIK sailplanes in zones where the forward and 
aft control sticks are attached to the connecting rod, designated as 
``control bridge'' in the relevant Illustrated Parts Catalogues 
(IPC). If left uncorrected, cracks could propagate and lead to 
failure of the connecting rod with subsequent loss of control of the 
sailplane.

We are issuing this AD to require actions to correct the unsafe 
condition on these products.

DATES: This AD becomes effective January 7, 2008.
    On January 7, 2008, the Director of the Federal Register approved 
the incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in this 
AD.

ADDRESSES: You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov or in person at Document Management Facility, U.S. 
Department of Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30, West Building 
Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 
20590.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Greg Davison, Glider Program Manager, 
FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, 
Missouri 64106; telephone: (816) 329-4130; fax: (816) 329-4090.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

    We issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR 
part 39 to include an AD that would apply to the specified products. 
That NPRM was published in the Federal Register on October 4, 2007 (72 
FR 56700). That NPRM proposed to correct an unsafe condition for the 
specified products. The MCAI states:

    This Airworthiness Directive (AD) is prompted by the discovery 
of cracks on L13 BLANIK sailplanes in zones where the forward and 
aft control sticks are attached to the connecting rod, designated as 
``control bridge'' in the relevant Illustrated Parts Catalogues 
(IPC). If left uncorrected, cracks could propagate and lead to 
failure of the connecting rod with subsequent loss of control of the 
sailplane.
    For the reasons described above, this AD requires an inspection 
of the control bridge to detect cracks and replacement, if 
necessary. In addition, this AD requires an update of the aircraft 
Maintenance Manual (MM) to incorporate repetitive inspections of the 
control bridge.

Comments

    We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing 
this AD. We received no comments on the NPRM or on the determination of 
the cost to the public.

Conclusion

    We reviewed the available data and determined that air safety and 
the public interest require adopting the AD as proposed.

Differences Between This AD and the MCAI or Service Information

    We have reviewed the MCAI and related service information and, in 
general, agree with their substance. But we might have found it 
necessary to use different words from those in the MCAI to ensure the 
AD is clear for U.S. operators and is enforceable. In making these 
changes, we do not intend to differ substantively from the information 
provided in the MCAI and related service information.
    We might also have required different actions in this AD from those 
in the MCAI in order to follow FAA policies. Any such differences are 
highlighted in a NOTE within the AD.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD will affect 190 products of U.S. registry. 
We also estimate that it will take about 2 work-hours per product to 
comply with basic requirements of this AD. The average labor rate is 
$80 per work-hour.
    Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of this AD to the U.S. 
operators to be $30,400 or $160 per product.
    In addition, we estimate that any necessary follow-on actions would 
take about 7 work-hours and require parts costing $2,000, for a cost of 
$2,560 per product. We have no way of determining the number of 
products that may need these actions.

Authority for This Rulemaking

    Title 49 of the United States Code specifies the FAA's authority to 
issue rules on aviation safety. Subtitle I, section 106, describes the 
authority of the FAA Administrator. ``Subtitle VII: Aviation 
Programs,'' describes in more detail the scope of the Agency's 
authority.
    We are issuing this rulemaking under the authority described in 
``Subtitle VII, Part A, Subpart III, Section 44701: General 
requirements.'' Under that section, Congress charges the FAA with 
promoting safe flight of civil aircraft in air commerce by prescribing 
regulations for practices, methods, and procedures the Administrator 
finds necessary for safety in air commerce. This regulation is within 
the scope of that authority because it addresses an unsafe condition 
that is likely to exist or develop on products identified in this 
rulemaking action.

Regulatory Findings

    We determined that this AD will not have federalism implications 
under Executive Order 13132. This AD will not have a substantial direct 
effect 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.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify this AD:
    (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.
    We prepared a regulatory evaluation of the estimated costs to 
comply with this AD and placed it in the AD Docket.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov; or in person at the Docket Management Facility 
between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal 
holidays. The AD docket contains the NPRM, the regulatory evaluation, 
any comments received, and other information. The street address for 
the Docket Office (telephone (800) 647-5527) is in the ADDRESSES 
section. Comments will be available in the AD docket shortly after 
receipt.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by 
reference, Safety.

 Adoption of the Amendment

0
Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the Administrator, 
the FAA amends 14 CFR part 39 as follows:

PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES

0
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]

0
2. The FAA amends Sec.  39.13 by adding the following new AD:

2007-25-01 Aircraft Industries, a.s. (Type Certificate No. G24EU 
formerly held by Letecke Zavody a.s. and LET

[[Page 67843]]

Aeronautical Works): Amendment 39-15282; Docket No. FAA-2007-28980; 
Directorate Identifier 2007-CE-071-AD.

Effective Date

    (a) This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective January 
7, 2008.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to Model L-13 Blanik gliders, all serial 
numbers, certificated in any category.

Subject

    (d) Air Transport Association of America (ATA) Code 27: Flight 
Controls.

Reason

    (e) The mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) 
states:
    This Airworthiness Directive (AD) is prompted by the discovery 
of cracks on L13 Blanik sailplanes in zones where the forward and 
aft control sticks are attached to the connecting rod, designated as 
``control bridge'' in the relevant Illustrated Parts Catalogues 
(IPC). If left uncorrected, cracks could propagate and lead to 
failure of the connecting rod with subsequent loss of control of the 
sailplane.
    For the reasons described above, this AD requires an inspection 
of the control bridge to detect cracks and replacement, if 
necessary. In addition, this AD requires an update of the aircraft 
Maintenance Manual (MM) to incorporate repetitive inspections of the 
control bridge.

Actions and Compliance

    (f) Unless already done, do the following actions:
    (1) Within the next 3 months after January 7, 2008 (the 
effective date of this AD) and repetitively thereafter at intervals 
not to exceed 12 months, inspect the control bridge for cracks. 
Follow the procedures in LET Aircraft Industries, a.s. Mandatory 
Bulletin MB No.: L13 / 105a, dated May 22, 2007, except use a 10X 
magnifier and do a dye penetrant inspection following the procedures 
in chapter 5, section 5, of FAA Advisory Circular AC 43.13-1B CHG 1, 
dated September 27, 2001.
    (2) If cracks are found during any inspection in paragraph 
(f)(1) of this AD, before further flight, install a new control 
bridge Dwg. No. (part number (P/N)) A740 370 N or Dwg. No. (P/N) 
A401 001N following the procedures in LET Aircraft Industries, a.s. 
Mandatory Bulletin MB No.: L13 / 105a, dated May 22, 2007.

FAA AD Differences

    Note: This AD differs from the MCAI and/or service information 
as follows:

    (1) The service information requires a visual inspection with a 
6X magnifier. We are requiring a dye penetrant inspection and a 10X 
magnifier to detect cracks that could go undetected using only a 6X 
magnifier.
    (2) The MCAI requires updating the maintenance manuals to add 
``type A based'' repetitive inspections of the control bridge. Since 
the maintenance manual is only one way of establishing a maintenance 
program, the only way we can mandate these repetitive inspections is 
through an AD action.

Other FAA AD Provisions

    (g) The following provisions also apply to this AD:
    (1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager, 
Standards Office, FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs for this 
AD, if requested using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. Send 
information to ATTN: Greg Davison, Glider Program Manager, FAA, 
Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, 
Missouri 64106; telephone: (816) 329-4130; fax: (816) 329-4090. 
Before using any approved AMOC on any airplane to which the AMOC 
applies, notify your appropriate principal inspector (PI) in the FAA 
Flight Standards District Office (FSDO), or lacking a PI, your local 
FSDO.
    (2) Airworthy Product: For any requirement in this AD to obtain 
corrective actions from a manufacturer or other source, use these 
actions if they are FAA-approved. Corrective actions are considered 
FAA-approved if they are approved by the State of Design Authority 
(or their delegated agent). You are required to assure the product 
is airworthy before it is returned to service.
    (3) Reporting Requirements: For any reporting requirement in 
this AD, under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 
U.S.C. 3501 et seq.), the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has 
approved the information collection requirements and has assigned 
OMB Control Number 2120-0056.

Related Information

    (h) Refer to MCAI European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD No. 
2007-0212, dated August 7, 2007; and LET Aircraft Industries, a.s. 
Mandatory Bulletin MB No.: L13 / 105a, dated May 22, 2007, for 
related information.

Material Incorporated by Reference

    (i) You must use LET Aircraft Industries, a.s. Mandatory 
Bulletin MB No.: L13 / 105a, dated May 22, 2007, to do the actions 
required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise.
    (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the 
incorporation by reference of this service information under 5 
U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
    (2) For service information identified in this AD, contact 
Aircraft Industries, a.s., Na Z[aacute]honech 1177, 686 04 Kunovice, 
Czech Republic; phone: +420 572 817 660; fax: +420 572 816 112; e-
mail: [email protected].
    (3) You may review copies at the FAA, Central Region, Office of 
the Regional Counsel, 901 Locust, Room 506, Kansas City, Missouri 
64106; or at the National Archives and Records Administration 
(NARA). For information on the availability of this material at 
NARA, call 202-741-6030, or go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on November 23, 2007.
Steven W. Thompson,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
 [FR Doc. E7-23222 Filed 11-30-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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