[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 110 (Tuesday, June 9, 1998)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 31372-31374]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-15201]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 98-CE-49-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; S.N. Centrair 101 Series Sailplanes.

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 all S.N. Centrair (Centrair) 101 series 
sailplanes. The proposed AD would require replacing the airbrake 
control circuit with one of improved design. The proposed AD is the 
result of mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) issued 
by the airworthiness authority for France. The actions specified by the 
proposed AD are intended to prevent loss of the airbrake control 
system, which could result in an inadvertent forced landing.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before July 17, 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-49-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 S.N. Centrair, Aerodrome, 36300 Le Blanc, France; telephone: 
02.54.37.07.96; facsimile: 02.54.37.48.64. This information also may be 
examined at the Rules Docket at the address above.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Mike Kiesov, Project Officer, 
Sailplanes/Gliders, FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft 
Certification Service, 1201 Walnut, suite 900, Kansas City, Missouri 
64106; telephone: (816) 426-6934; facsimile: (816) 426-2169.

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-49-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-49-AD, Room 1558, 601 E. 12th Street, Kansas 
City, Missouri 64106.

Discussion

    The Direction Generale de l'Aviation Civile (DGAC), which is the 
airworthiness authority for France, recently notified the FAA that an 
unsafe condition may exist on Centrair 101 series sailplanes. The DGAC 
reports that the airbrake control system has malfunctioned on one of 
these Centrair 101 series sailplanes. Following an investigation, the 
DGAC found that the airbrake control circuit had cracked, which 
consequently failed during flight.
    This condition, if not corrected, could result in an inadvertent 
forced landing.

Relevant Service Information

    S.N. Centrair has issued Service Bulletin (SB) No. 101-16, Revision 
2, dated September 10, 1997, which

[[Page 31373]]

specifies procedures for inspecting the airbrake control system for 
cracks, and if cracks are found, replacing the airbrake control system 
with a reinforced airbrake control system. Sailplanes equipped with a 
manual aileron and airbrake control would replace the existing airbrake 
control system with a reinforced airbrake control system, part number 
(P/N) $YO57D. Sailplanes equipped with an automatic aileron and 
airbrake control system would replace the existing airbrake control 
system with a reinforced airbrake control system, P/N $Y818E. This 
service information also specifies repeating the inspection for cracks 
at the annual inspection.
    The DGAC classified this service bulletin as mandatory and issued 
French AD 95-261(A)R1, dated November 20, 1996, in order to assure the 
continued airworthiness of these sailplanes in France.

The FAA's Determination

    This sailplane model is manufactured in France 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 DGAC has kept the FAA informed 
of the situation described above.
    The FAA has examined the findings of the DGAC; reviewed all 
available information, including the service information referenced 
above; and 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 Centrair 101 series sailplanes of the same 
type design registered in the United States, the FAA is proposing AD 
action. The proposed AD would require replacing the existing airbrake 
control system. Accomplishment of the proposed replacement would be in 
accordance with the appropriate Centrair maintenance manual and FAA 
Advisory Circular (AC) 43.13-1A: Acceptable Methods, Techniques, and 
Practices--Aircraft Inspection and Repair.

Proposed Compliance Time

    The compliance time of the proposed AD is in calendar time instead 
of hours time-in-service (TIS). The average monthly usage of the 
affected sailplanes ranges throughout the fleet. For example, one owner 
may operate the sailplane 25 hours TIS in one week, while another 
operator may operate the sailplane 25 hours TIS in one year. In order 
to ensure that all of the owners/operators of the affected sailplane 
have replaced the airbrake control system within a reasonable amount of 
time, the FAA is proposing a compliance time of 3 calendar months.

Cost Impact

    The FAA estimates that 41 sailplanes in the U.S. registry would be 
affected by the proposed AD, that it would take approximately 4 
workhours per sailplane to accomplish the proposed action, and that the 
average labor rate is approximately $60 an hour. Parts cost 
approximately $100 per sailplane. Based on these figures, the total 
cost impact of the proposed AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be 
$13,940, or $340 per sailplane.

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:

S.N. Centrair: Docket No. 98-CE-49-AD.

    Applicability: Models 101, 101A, 101P, 101AP sailplanes, all 
serial numbers, certificated in any category.

    Note 1: This AD applies to each sailplane 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 sailplanes 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 loss of the airbrake control system, which could 
result in an inadvertent forced landing, accomplish the following:
    (a) Replace the existing airbrake control system in accordance 
with the appropriate Centrair maintenance manual and FAA Advisory 
Circular (AC) 43.13-1A: Acceptable Methods, Techniques, and 
Practices-Aircraft Inspection and Repair, as follows:
    (1) For sailplanes equipped with manual aileron and airbrake 
control systems, install Centrair part number (P/N) $YO57D or an 
FAA-approved equivalent part number.
    (2) For sailplanes equipped with an automatic aileron and 
airbrake control system, install Centrair P/N $Y818E or an FAA-
approved equivalent part number.
    (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 sailplane 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, 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.


[[Page 31374]]


    (d) 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 French AD 95-
261(A)R1, dated November 20, 1996

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on June 1, 1998.
Ronald K. Rathgeber,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 98-15201 Filed 6-8-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U