[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 230 (Wednesday, December 1, 2010)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 74608-74610]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-29461]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2010-0735 Directorate Identifier 2010-CE-030-AD; 
Amendment 39-16529; AD 2010-24-10]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; CENTRAIR Models 101, 101A, 101P, and 
101AP 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 product. The MCAI describes the unsafe condition as:


    Damages to the rudder bar locking adjustment tube of a non-
reinforced version have been reported to Soci[eacute]t[eacute] 
Nouvelle (SN) Centrair. This tube had been reinforced in 1984 with a 
modification. Gliders produced before the introduction of this 
modification have not been systematically retrofitted.
    In case of rudder bar locking adjustment tube breaking in flight 
when adjusting the rudder pedals position, it might interfere with 
the rudder pedals which could lead to rudder jam or a restricted 
rudder movement and consequently, to reduced 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 5, 2011.
    On January 5, 2011, 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 service information identified in this AD, contact 
Soci[eacute]t[eacute] Nouvelle CENTRAIR, Aerodome--36300 Le Blanc, 
France; telephone: +33 (0)254 370796; fax: +33 (0)54. 374864; Internet: 
http://www.societe.com. You may review copies of the 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.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Greg Davison, Aerospace Engineer, 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 July 23, 2010 (75 FR 
43103). That NPRM proposed to correct an unsafe condition for the 
specified products. The MCAI, issued on May 26, 2010, states:

    Damages to the rudder bar locking adjustment tube of a non-
reinforced version have been reported to Soci[eacute]t[eacute] 
Nouvelle (SN) Centrair. This tube had been reinforced in 1984 with a 
modification. Gliders produced before the introduction of this 
modification have not been systematically retrofitted.
    In case of rudder bar locking adjustment tube breaking in flight 
when adjusting the rudder pedals position, it might interfere with 
the rudder pedals which could lead to rudder jam or a restricted 
rudder movement and consequently, to reduced control of the 
sailplane.
    For the reason described above, this AD requires inspecting the 
rudder bar locking adjustment tube and, if necessary, replacing it.

You may obtain further information by examining the MCAI in the AD 
docket.

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

[[Page 74609]]

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 52 products of U.S. registry. 
We also estimate that it will take about 1 work-hour per product to 
comply with the basic requirements of this AD. The average labor rate 
is $85 per work-hour.
    Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of this AD on U.S. 
operators to be $4,420 or $85 per product.
    In addition, we estimate that any necessary follow-on actions will 
take about 1 work-hour and require parts costing $51, for a cost of 
$136 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:

2010-24-10 CENTRAIR: Amendment 39-16529; Docket No. FAA-2010-0735; 
Directorate Identifier 2010-CE-030-AD.

Effective Date

    (a) This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective January 
5, 2011.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to CENTRAIR Models 101, 101A, 101P, and 
101AP 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:
    Damages to the rudder bar locking adjustment tube of a non-
reinforced version have been reported to Soci[eacute]t[eacute] 
Nouvelle (SN) Centrair. This tube had been reinforced in 1984 with a 
modification. Gliders produced before the introduction of this 
modification have not been systematically retrofitted.
    In case of rudder bar locking adjustment tube breaking in flight 
when adjusting the rudder pedals position, it might interfere with 
the rudder pedals which could lead to rudder jam or a restricted 
rudder movement and consequently, to reduced control of the 
sailplane.
    For the reason described above, this AD requires inspecting the 
rudder bar locking adjustment tube and, if necessary, replacing it.

Actions and Compliance

    (f) Unless already done, do the following actions in accordance 
with Soci[eacute]t[eacute] Nouvelle Centrair Service Bulletin No. 
101-29, dated July 30, 2009:
    (1) Within the next 30 days after January 5, 2011 (the effective 
date of this AD), inspect the rudder bar locking adjustment tube to 
determine if it has been reinforced and to determine if it has been 
damaged.
    (2) If the results of the inspection required in paragraph 
(f)(1) of this AD show that the rudder bar locking adjustment tube 
has not been reinforced and is not damaged, replace it with a 
reinforced rudder bar locking adjustment tube, part number (P/N) 
$Y186A, at the next scheduled maintenance event after January 5, 
2011 (the effective date of this AD) but no later than 12 months 
after January 5, 2011 (the effective date of this AD).
    (3) If the results of the inspection required in paragraph 
(f)(1) of this AD show that the rudder bar locking adjustment tube 
has not been reinforced but is damaged, replace it with a reinforced 
rudder bar locking adjustment tube, P/N $Y186A, before further 
flight.

FAA AD Differences

    Note: This AD differs from the MCAI and/or service information 
as follows: No differences.

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, Aerospace Engineer, 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 glider 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.

[[Page 74610]]

    (3) Reporting Requirements: For any reporting requirement in 
this AD, a federal agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person 
is not required to respond to, nor shall a person be subject to a 
penalty for failure to comply with a collection of information 
subject to the requirements of the Paperwork Reduction Act unless 
that collection of information displays a current valid OMB Control 
Number. The OMB Control Number for this information collection is 
2120-0056. Public reporting for this collection of information is 
estimated to be approximately 5 minutes per response, including the 
time for reviewing instructions, completing and reviewing the 
collection of information. All responses to this collection of 
information are mandatory. Comments concerning the accuracy of this 
burden and suggestions for reducing the burden should be directed to 
the FAA at: 800 Independence Ave., SW., Washington, DC 20591, Attn: 
Information Collection Clearance Officer, AES-200.

Related Information

    (h) Refer to MCAI European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD No. 
2010-0099, dated May 26, 2010; and Soci[eacute]t[eacute] Nouvelle 
Centrair Service Bulletin No. 101-29, dated July 30, 2009, for 
related information.

Material Incorporated by Reference

    (i) You must use Soci[eacute]t[eacute] Nouvelle Centrair Service 
Bulletin No. 101-29, dated July 30, 2009, 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 
Soci[eacute]t[eacute] Nouvelle CENTRAIR, Aerodome--36300 Le Blanc, 
France; telephone: +33 (0)254 370796; fax: +33 (0)54. 374864; 
Internet: http://www.societe.com.
    (3) You may review copies of the service information 
incorporated by reference for this AD at the FAA, Central Region, 
Office of the Regional Counsel, 901 Locust, Kansas City, Missouri 
64106. For information on the availability of this material at the 
Central Region, call (816) 329-3768.
    (4) You may also review copies of the service information 
incorporated by reference for this AD 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/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on November 17, 2010.
Patrick R. Mullen,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2010-29461 Filed 11-30-10; 8:45 am]
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