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[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 43 (Friday, March 4, 2016)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 11473-11475]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-04542]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2016-4233; Directorate Identifier 2016-CE-003-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; Blanik Limited Gliders

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

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for 
Blanik Limited Models L-13 Blanik and L-13 AC Blanik gliders (type 
certificate previously by LET Aeronautical Works) that would supersede 
AD 99-19-33. This proposed AD results from mandatory continuing 
airworthiness information (MCAI) originated by an aviation authority of 
another country to identify and correct an unsafe condition on an 
aviation product. The MCAI describes the unsafe condition as lack of 
distinct color marking of the elevator drive. We are issuing this 
proposed AD to require actions to address the unsafe condition on these 
products.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by April 18, 2016.

ADDRESSES: You may send comments by any of the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
     Fax: (202) 493-2251.
     Mail: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket 
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590.
     Hand Delivery: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket 
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590, between 9 a.m.

[[Page 11474]]

and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
    For service information identified in this proposed AD, contact 
Blanik Limited, 2nd Floor Beaux Lane House, Mercer Street Lower, Dublin 
2, Republic of Ireland; phone: +420 733 662 194; email: 
info@blanik.aero; Internet: http://www.blanik.aero/%EF%BB%BFcustomer_support. You may review this referenced service 
information at the FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Kansas 
City, Missouri 64106. For information on the availability of this 
material at the FAA, call (816) 329-4148.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2016-
4233; 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 this proposed AD, 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.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jim Rutherford, Aerospace Engineer, 
FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, 
Missouri 64106; telephone: (816) 329-4165; fax: (816) 329-4090; email: 
jim.rutherford@faa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

    We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or 
arguments about this proposed AD. Send your comments to an address 
listed under the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2016-4233; 
Directorate Identifier 2016-CE-003-AD'' at the beginning of your 
comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this proposed AD. We 
will consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend 
this proposed AD because of those comments.
    We will post all comments we receive, without change, to http://regulations.gov, including any personal information you provide. We 
will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact we 
receive about this proposed AD.

Discussion

    On November 8, 1999, we issued AD 99-19-33, Amendment 39-11320 (64 
FR 50440; September 17, 1999) (``99-19-33''). That AD required actions 
intended to address an unsafe condition on BLANIK LIMITED Models L-13 
Blanik gliders and was based on mandatory continuing airworthiness 
information (MCAI) originated by the Civil Aviation Authority, which is 
the aviation authority for the Czech Republic. That MCAI (AD CAA-AD-4-
099/98, dated December 30, 1998) was issued to correct an unsafe 
condition for EVECTOR, spol. s.r.o. Models L 13 SEH VIVAT and L 13 SDM 
VIVAT gliders and BLANIK LIMITED Models L-13 Blanik and L-13 AC Blanik 
gliders. The MCAI states:

    Colour marking of elevator drive is not inspected or re-painted 
during sailplane operation. The elevator drive is asymmetrical and 
improper installation causes significant elevator deflection 
changes.

    You may examine the MCAI on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2016-
4233.
    A review of records since issuance of AD 99-19-33 revealed that the 
FAA inadvertently did not address this MCAI for the EVECTOR, spol. 
s.r.o. Models L 13 SEH VIVAT and L 13 SDM VIVAT gliders and the BLANIK 
LIMITED Model L-13 AC Blanik gliders. This proposed AD would supersede 
AD 99-19-13 to add the BLANIK LIMITED Model L-13 AC Blanik gliders to 
the applicability of the AD.
    The FAA will address the EVECTOR, spol. s.r.o. Models L 13 SEH 
VIVAT and L 13 SDM VIVAT gliders in another AD action.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    LET Aeronautical Works has issued LET Mandatory Bulletin MB No.: 
L13/082a, dated December 10, 1998. The service information describes 
procedures for painting the left arm of the elevator drive. This 
service information is reasonably available because the interested 
parties have access to it through their normal course of business or by 
the means identified in the ADDRESSES section of this NPRM.

FAA's Determination and Requirements of the Proposed AD

    This product has been approved by the aviation authority of another 
country, and is approved for operation in the United States. Pursuant 
to our bilateral agreement with this State of Design Authority, they 
have notified us of the unsafe condition described in the MCAI and 
service information referenced above. We are proposing this AD because 
we evaluated all information and determined the unsafe condition exists 
and is likely to exist or develop on other products of the same type 
design.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD will affect 124 products of U.S. 
registry. We also estimate that it would take about 1 work-hour per 
product to comply with the basic requirements of this proposed AD. The 
average labor rate is $85 per work-hour. Required parts would cost 
about $10 per product.
    Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of the proposed AD on 
U.S. operators to be $11,780, or $95 per product.

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 proposed AD would not have federalism 
implications under Executive Order 13132. This proposed AD would 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 proposed 
regulation:
    (1) Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive 
Order 12866,
    (2) Is not a ``significant rule'' under the DOT Regulatory Policies 
and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979),
    (3) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and

[[Page 11475]]

    (4) 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.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

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

The Proposed Amendment

    Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the FAA proposes to amend 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 removing Amendment 39-11320 (64 FR 
50440; September 17, 1999), and adding the following new AD:

Blanik Limited: Docket No. FAA-2016-4233; Directorate Identifier 
2016-CE-003-AD.

(a) Comments Due Date

    We must receive comments by April 18, 2016.

(b) Affected ADs

    This AD replaces AD 99-19-33, Amendment 39-11320 (64 FR 50440; 
September 17, 1999) (``AD 99-19-33'').

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to BLANIK LIMITED Models L-13 Blanik and L-13 AC 
Blanik gliders (type certificate previously by LET Aeronautical 
Works), all serial numbers, certificated in any category.

(d) Subject

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

(e) Reason

    This AD was prompted by mandatory continuing airworthiness 
information (MCAI) originated by an aviation authority of another 
country to identify and correct an unsafe condition on an aviation 
product. The MCAI describes the unsafe condition as lack of distinct 
color marking of the elevator drive. We are issuing this AD to 
prevent inadvertent backward installation of the elevator drive, 
which could cause significant elevator deflection changes and lead 
to loss of control.

(f) Actions and Compliance

    Unless already done, do the following actions in paragraphs 
(f)(1) and (f)(2) of this AD, including all subparagraphs:
    (1) Model L-13 Blanik gliders:
    (i) Within the next 3 calendar months after November 8, 1999 
(the effective date retained from AD 99-19-33), paint the elevator 
drive mechanism using a contrasting color (such as red) following 
the procedures in LET Mandatory Bulletin MB No.: L13/082a, dated 
December 10, 1998.
    (ii) As of November 8, 1999 (the effective date retained from AD 
99-19-33), only install an elevator bellcrank that has been painted 
as specified in paragraph (f)(1)(i) of this AD and that has been 
properly oriented to make sure it is not being installed backward.
    (2) Model L-13 AC Blanik gliders:
    (i) Within the next 3 calendar months after the effective date 
of this AD, paint the elevator drive mechanism using a contrasting 
color (such as red) following the procedures in LET Mandatory 
Bulletin MB No.: L13/082a, dated December 10, 1998.
    (ii) As of the effective date of this AD, only install an 
elevator bellcrank that has been painted as specified in paragraph 
(f)(2)(i) of this AD and that has been properly oriented to make 
sure it is not being installed backward.

 (g) Other FAA AD Provisions

    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: Jim Rutherford, Aerospace Engineer, FAA, Small 
Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, Missouri 
64106; telephone: (816) 329-4165; fax: (816) 329-4090; email: 
jim.rutherford@faa.gov. 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.

(h) Related Information

    Refer to MCAI Civil Aviation Authority AD CAA-AD-4-099/98, dated 
December 30, 1998, for related information. You may examine the MCAI 
on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and 
locating Docket No. FAA-2016-4233. For service information related 
to this AD, contact Blanik Limited, 2nd Floor Beaux Lane House, 
Mercer Street Lower, Dublin 2, Republic of Ireland; phone: +420 733 
662 194; email: info@blanik.aero; Internet: http://www.blanik.aero/%EF%BB%BFcustomer_support. You may review this referenced service 
information at the FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, 
Kansas City, Missouri 64106. For information on the availability of 
this material at the FAA, call (816) 329-4148.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on February 24, 2016.
Robert P. Busto,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2016-04542 Filed 3-3-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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