[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 83 (Thursday, April 30, 1998)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 23685-23686]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-11439]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 98-CE-27-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Aeromot-Industria Mecanico Metalurgica 
Ltda. Model AMT-200 Powered Gliders

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: This document proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive 
(AD) that would apply to certain Aeromot-Industria Mecanico Metalurgica 
Ltda. (Aeromot) Model AMT-200 powered gliders. The proposed AD would 
require replacing certain flexible hoses in the engine oil system with 
flexible hoses with a larger internal diameter. The proposed AD is the 
result of mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) issued 
by the airworthiness authority for Brazil. The actions specified by the 
proposed AD are intended to prevent inefficiency of the engine 
lubricating system because of ineffective flexible hoses, which could 
result in an in-flight engine shutdown with consequent loss of powered 
glider controllability.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before June 9, 1998.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Central Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 98-CE-27-AD, Room 1558, 601 E. 12th Street, 
Kansas City, Missouri 64106. Comments may be inspected at this location 
between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, holidays excepted.
    Service information that applies to the proposed AD may be obtained 
from Grupo Aeromot, Aeromot-Industria Mecanico Metalurgica Ltda., Av. 
das Industries-1210, Bairro Anchieta, Caixa Postal 8031, 90200-Porto 
Alegre-RS, Brazil. This information also may be examined at the Rules 
Docket at the address above.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Curtis Jackson, Aerospace 
Engineer, FAA, Atlanta Aircraft Certification Office, One Crown Center, 
1895 Phoenix Blvd., suite 450, Atlanta, Georgia 30349; telephone: (770) 
703-6083; facsimile: (770) 703-6097.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

    Interested persons are invited to participate in the making of the 
proposed rule by submitting such written data, views, or arguments as 
they may desire.
    Communications should identify the Rules Docket number and be 
submitted in triplicate to the address specified above. All 
communications received on or before the closing date for comments, 
specified above, will be considered before taking action on the 
proposed rule. The proposals contained in this notice may be changed in 
light of the comments received.
    Comments are specifically invited on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the proposed rule. All 
comments submitted will be available, both before and after the closing 
date for comments, in the Rules Docket for examination by interested 
persons. A report that summarizes each FAA-public contact concerned 
with the substance of this proposal will be filed in the Rules Docket.
    Commenters wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments 
submitted in response to this notice must submit a self-addressed, 
stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments 
to Docket No. 98-CE-27-AD.'' The postcard will be date stamped and 
returned to the commenter.

Availability of NPRMs

    Any person may obtain a copy of this NPRM by submitting a request 
to the FAA, Central Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, Attention: 
Rules Docket No. 98-CE-27-AD, Room 1558, 601 E. 12th Street, Kansas 
City, Missouri 64106.

Discussion

    The Centro Tecnico Aeroespacial (CTA), which is the airworthiness 
authority for Brazil, notified the FAA that an unsafe condition may 
exist on certain Aeromot Model AMT-200 powered gliders. The CTA reports 
that the steel piping in the engine oil system on the above-referenced 
powered gliders was replaced with flexible hoses that have a smaller 
internal diameter. These smaller diameter hoses lead to inefficiency of 
the engine lubricating system.
    This condition, if not corrected in a timely manner, could result 
in an in-flight engine shutdown with consequent loss of powered glider 
controllability.

Relevant Service Information

    Aeromot has issued Service Bulletin (SB) B.S. No. 200-79-036, Issue 
Date: January 30, 1997, which specifies procedures for replacing any 
engine oil system hose, part number 10702, 10703, or 10704; with a hose 
with a larger internal diameter, part number 10706, 10707, or 10708.
    The CTA classified this service bulletin as mandatory and issued 
Brazilian AD 97-04-02, dated April 8, 1997, in order to assure the 
continued airworthiness of these gliders in Brazil.

The FAA's Determination

    This powered glider model is manufactured in Brazil and is type 
certificated for operation in the United States under the provisions of 
section 21.29 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 21.29) and 
the applicable bilateral airworthiness agreement. Pursuant to this 
bilateral airworthiness agreement, the CTA has kept the FAA informed of 
the situation described above.
    The FAA has examined the findings of the CTA; reviewed all 
available information, including the service information referenced 
above; and

[[Page 23686]]

determined that AD action is necessary for products of this type design 
that are certificated for operation in the United States.

Explanation of the Provisions of the Proposed AD

    Since an unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to 
exist or develop in other Aeromot Model AMT-200 powered gliders of the 
same type design registered in the United States, the FAA is proposing 
AD action. The proposed AD would require replacing any engine oil 
system hose, part number 10702, 10703, or 10704; with a hose with a 
larger internal diameter, part number 10706, 10707, or 10708. 
Accomplishment of the proposed installation would be in accordance with 
Aeromot SB B.S. No. 200-79-036, Issue Date: January 30, 1997.

Cost Impact

    The FAA estimates that 18 powered gliders in the U.S. registry 
would be affected by the proposed AD, that it would take approximately 
7 workhours per powered glider to accomplish the proposed replacements, 
and that the average labor rate is approximately $60 an hour. Based on 
these figures, the total cost impact of the proposed AD on U.S. 
operators is estimated to be $7,560, or $420 per powered glider.

Regulatory Impact

    The regulations proposed herein would 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 
proposal would 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) if promulgated, 
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 draft regulatory evaluation 
prepared for this action has been placed 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, Safety.

The Proposed Amendment

    Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration proposes to amend 
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:

Aeromot-Industria Mecanico Metalurgica Ltda.: Docket No. 98-CE-27-
AD.

    Applicability: Model AMT-200 powered gliders, serial numbers 
200.046 through 200.066, certificated in any category.

    Note 1: This AD applies to each powered 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 powered 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 (d) 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 50 hours time-in-service 
(TIS) after the effective date of this AD, unless already 
accomplished.
    To prevent inefficiency of the engine lubricating system because 
of ineffective flexible hoses, which could result in an in-flight 
engine shutdown with consequent loss of powered glider 
controllability, accomplish the following:
    (a) For powered gliders with a serial number in the range of 
200.046 through 200.058: Replace any engine oil system hose, part 
number 10702; with a hose with a larger internal diameter, part 
number 10706. Accomplish the replacement in accordance with Aeromot 
Service Bulletin B.S. No. 200-79-036, Issue Date: January 30, 1997.
    (b) For powered gliders with a serial number in the range of 
200.059 through 200.066: Replace any engine oil system hose, part 
number 10702, 10703, or 10704; with a hose with a larger diameter, 
part number 10706, 10707, or 10708. Accomplish the replacement in 
accordance with Aeromot Service Bulletin B.S. No. 200-79-036, Issue 
Date: January 30, 1997.
    (c) 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.
    (d) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the 
compliance times that provides an equivalent level of safety may be 
approved by the Manager, Atlanta Aircraft Certification Office 
(ACO), One Crown Center, 1895 Phoenix Blvd., suite 450, Atlanta, 
Georgia 30349. The request shall be forwarded through an appropriate 
FAA Maintenance Inspector, who may add comments and then send it to 
the Manager, Atlanta ACO.

    Note 2: Information concerning the existence of approved 
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be 
obtained from the Atlanta ACO.

    (e) Questions or technical information related to Aeromot 
Service Bulletin B.S. No. 200-79-036, Issue Date: January 30, 1997, 
Grupo Aeromot, Aeromot-Industria Mecanico Metalurgica Ltda., Av. das 
Industries-1210, Bairro Anchieta, Caixa Postal 8031, 90200-Porto 
Alegre-RS, Brazil. 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.

    Note 3: The subject of this AD is addressed in Brazilian AD 97-
04-02, dated April 8, 1997.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on April 23, 1998.
Marvin R. Nuss,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 98-11439 Filed 4-29-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U