Document ID: FAA-2015-0951-0001
Agency: faa
Document Type: Proposed Rule
Title: Airworthiness Directives: Przedsiebiorstwo Doswiadczalno-Produkcyjne Szybownictwa PZL-Bielsko Sailplanes
Posted Date: 2015-04-17T04:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 74 (Friday, April 17, 2015)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 21191-21193]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-08733]

 ========================================================================
 Proposed Rules
                                                 Federal Register
 ________________________________________________________________________
 
 This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains notices to the public of 
 the proposed issuance of rules and regulations. The purpose of these 
 notices is to give interested persons an opportunity to participate in 
 the rule making prior to the adoption of the final rules.
 
 ========================================================================
 

  Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 74 / Friday, April 17, 2015 / 
Proposed Rules  

[[Page 21191]]

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2015-0951; Directorate Identifier 2015-CE-007-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; Przedsiebiorstwo Doswiadczalno-
Produkcyjne Szybownictwa ``PZL-Bielsko'' Sailplanes

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

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for 
Przedsiebiorstwo Doswiadczalno-Produkcyjne Szybownictwa ``PZL-Bielsko'' 
Model SZD-50-3 ``Puchacz'' sailplanes. 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 detachment of the rudder cable fitting block from the 
fuselage. 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 June 1, 2015.

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. and 5 p.m., 
Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
    For service information identified in this proposed AD, contact 
Allstar PZL Glider, Sp. z o. o., ul. Cieszynska 325, 43-300 Bielsko-
Biala, Poland; telephone: +48 33 812 50 26; fax: +48 33 812 37 39; 
email: techsupport@szd.com.pl; Internet: http://szd.com.pl/en/products/szd-50-3-puchacz. 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. It is also available on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2015-
0951.

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-2015-
0951; 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-2015-0951; 
Directorate Identifier 2015-CE-007-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

    The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the Technical 
Agent for the Member States of the European Community, has issued AD 
No.: 2015-0046, dated March 16, 2015 (referred to after this as ``the 
MCAI''), to correct an unsafe condition for the specified products. The 
MCAI states:

    An occurrence was reported involving a SZD-50-3 ``Puchacz'' 
sailplane, where a rudder cable fitting block, located in the 
forward part of the fuselage, detached after application of a high 
load on the steering pedal during spin recovery operation. 
Subsequent investigations determined that the failure was either 
caused by a manufacturing deficiency or originated by a crack.
    This condition, if not detected and corrected, could lead to 
further cases of rudder cable fitting block detachment, resulting in 
reduced control of the sailplane.
    To address this unsafe condition, Allstar PZL issued Service 
Bulletin (SB) No. BE-063/SZD-50-3/2014, to provide inspection and 
reinforcement instructions.
    For the reasons described above, this AD requires accomplishment 
of a one-time inspection of both (right hand (RH) and left hand 
(LH)) rudder cable fitting blocks to verify proper attachment to the 
fuselage shell and, depending on finding(s), a repair. This AD also 
requires reinforcement of the affected structural area.

    You may examine the MCAI on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2015-
0951.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR part 51

    Allstar PZL Glider has issued Mandatory Service Bulletin No. BE-
063/SZD-50-3/2014 ``Puchacz'', dated December 14, 2014. The service 
bulletin describes procedures for inspecting the area around the left-
hand and right-hand rudder cable fitting blocks for cracks and 
detachment and making all necessary repairs. This service information 
is reasonably available because the interested parties have access to 
it through their normal course

[[Page 21192]]

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 5 products of U.S. 
registry. We also estimate that it would take about 1 work-hour per 
product to comply with the inspection requirement of this proposed AD. 
The average labor rate is $85 per work-hour.
    Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of the proposed 
inspection requirement of this proposed AD on U.S. operators to be 
$425, or $85 per product.
    In addition, we estimate that it would take about 2 work-hours per 
product to comply with the modification requirement of this proposed AD 
and would require parts costing $100.

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
    (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 adding the following new AD:

Przedsiebiorstwo Doswiadczalno-Produkcyjne Szybownictwa ``PZL-
Bielsko'': Docket No. FAA-2015-0951; Directorate Identifier 2015-CE-
007-AD.

(a) Comments Due Date

    We must receive comments by June 1, 2015.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Przedsiebiorstwo Doswiadczalno-Produkcyjne 
Szybownictwa ``PZL-Bielsko'' Model SZD-50-3 ``Puchacz'' sailplanes, 
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 detachment of 
the rudder cable fitting block from the fuselage. We are issuing 
this AD to prevent detachment of the rudder cable fitting block from 
the fuselage, which if not detected and corrected, could result in 
reduced control.

 (f) Actions and Compliance

    Unless already done, do the following actions:
    (1) Within 30 days after the effective date of this AD, inspect 
the area around both the left-hand (LH) and the right-hand (RH) 
rudder cable fitting blocks following paragraph 3.1. of the 
INSTRUCTIONS section in Allstar PZL Glider Mandatory Service 
Bulletin No. BE-063/SZD-50-3/2014 ``Puchacz'', dated December 14, 
2014.
    (2) If, during the inspection required in paragraph (f)(1) of 
this AD, any crack or fitting block detachment is found, before 
further flight, repair and reinforce the attachment of both the LH 
and RH rudder cable fitting blocks. Do this repair and reinforcement 
following paragraph 3.2. of the INSTRUCTIONS section in Allstar PZL 
Glider Mandatory Service Bulletin No. BE-063/SZD-50-3/2014 
``Puchacz'', dated December 14, 2014.
    (3) Unless already done following the requirement in paragraph 
(f)(2) of this AD, within the next 12 months after the effective 
date of this AD, reinforce the attachment of both the LH and RH 
rudder cable fitting blocks. Do this reinforcement following 
paragraph 3.2. of the INSTRUCTIONS section in Allstar PZL Glider 
Mandatory Service Bulletin No. BE-063/SZD-50-3/2014 ``Puchacz'', 
dated December 14, 2014.

(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 
sailplane 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 European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD No.: 
2015-0046, dated March 16, 2015, for related information. You may 
examine the MCAI on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by 
searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2015-0951. For service 
information related to this AD, contact Allstar PZL Glider, Sp. z o. 
o., ul.

[[Page 21193]]

Cieszynska 325, 43-300 Bielsko-Biala, Poland; telephone: +48 33 812 
50 26; fax: +48 33 812 37 39; email: techsupport@szd.com.pl; 
Internet: http://szd.com.pl/en/products/szd-50-3-puchacz. 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 April 8, 2015.
Earl Lawrence,
Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2015-08733 Filed 4-16-15; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P