[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 13 (Friday, January 19, 1996)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 1279-1281]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-481]
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[[Page 1280]]
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 95-CE-06-AD; Amendment 39-9486; AD 96-02-01]
Airworthiness Directives; S.N. CentrAir Model 201 (All Types)
Sailplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.
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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) that
applies to S.N. CentrAir Model 201 (all types) sailplanes. This action
requires replacing all aileron balancing mass screws made of brass with
screws made of steel, inspecting all steel screws for tightness,
replacing any loose screws, and applying a normal screw thread safety
bond. Incorrect fastening of the aileron balancing mass found on a
Model 201 sailplane in France prompted this action. The actions
specified in this AD are intended to prevent aileron failure and
flutter caused by incorrect fastening of the aileron mass balance,
which, if not detected and corrected, could result in loss of control
of the sailplane.
DATES: Effective February 29, 1996.
Comments for inclusion in the Rules Docket must be received on or
before March 29, 1996.
ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), Central Region, Office of the Assistant Chief
Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket 95-CE-06-AD, Room 1558, 601 E. 12th
Street, Kansas City, Missouri 64106.
Service information that applies to this AD may be obtained from
S.N. CentrAir, Aerodome, 36300 Le Blanc, France. This information may
also be examined at the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Central
Region, Office of the Assistant Chief Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket
No. 95-CE-06-AD, Room 1558, 601 E. 12th Street, Kansas City, Missouri
64106; or at the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol
Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Herman Belderok, Project Officer,
FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 1201 Walnut, suite 900, Kansas City,
Missouri 64106; telephone (816) 426-6932; facsimile (816) 426-2169.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 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 certain S.N.
CentrAir Model 201 (all types) sailplanes. The DGAC reports that the
aileron balancing mass was found incorrectly fastened on a Model 201
sailplane. This condition, if not corrected, could adversely affect the
controllability of the sailplane.
S.N. CentrAir has issued Service Bulletin (SB) No. 201-11, dated
February 26, 1992. This service bulletin references disassembly of each
aileron, replacement of all aileron balancing mass screws made of brass
with screws made of steel, inspection of all steel screws for correct
tightness, and application of a normal screw thread safety bond.
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 21.19) 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, and determined that AD
action is necessary for products of this type design that are
certificated for operation in the United States.
Since an unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to
exist or develop on other S.N. CentrAir Model 201 (all types)
sailplanes of the same type design registered in the United States,
this AD requires replacing all aileron balancing mass screws made of
brass with screws made of steel, inspecting all steel screws for
tightness, replacing any loose screws, and applying a normal screw
thread safety bond. Accomplishment of these actions would be in
accordance with the applicable maintenance or service manual.
None of the Model 201 sailplanes affected by this action are on the
U.S. Register. All sailplanes included in the applicability of this
rule currently are operated by non-U.S. operators under foreign
registry; therefore, they are not directly affected by this AD action.
However, the FAA considers this rule necessary to ensure that the
unsafe condition is addressed in the event that any of these subject
sailplanes are imported and placed on the U.S. Register.
Should an affected sailplane be imported and placed on the U.S.
Register, accomplishment of the required replacement and inspection
would take approximately 4 workhours at an average labor charge of $60
per workhour. Parts cost approximately $10 per sailplane. Based on
these figures, the total cost impact of this AD would be $250 per
sailplane that would become registered in the United States.
Since this AD action does not affect any sailplane that is
currently on the U.S. register, it has no adverse economic impact and
imposes no additional burden on any person. Therefore, notice and
public procedures hereon are unnecessary and the amendment may be made
effective in less than 30 days after publication in the Federal
Register.
Comments Invited
Although this action is in the form of a final rule and was not
preceded by notice and opportunity for public comment, comments are
invited on this rule. Interested persons are invited to comment on this
rule by submitting such written data, views, or arguments as they may
desire. Communications shall identify the Rules Docket number and be
submitted in triplicate to the address specified under the caption
ADDRESSES. All communications received on or before the closing date
for comments will be considered, and this rule may be amended in light
of the comments received. Factual information that supports the
commenter's ideas and suggestions is extremely helpful in evaluating
the effectiveness of the AD action and determining whether additional
rulemaking action would be needed.
Comments are specifically invited on the overall regulatory,
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the rule that might
suggest a need to modify the 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
AD will be filed in the Rules Docket.
Commenters wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their
comments submitted in response to this rule must submit a self-
addressed, stamped postcard on which the following statement is made:
``Comments to Docket No. 95-CE-06-AD.'' The postcard will be date
stamped and returned to the commenter.
The regulations adopted herein will 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 final
rule does not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant the
preparation of a Federalism Assessment.
[[Page 1281]]
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) 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 final evaluation has been prepared for this action
and it is contained in the Rules Docket. A copy of it may be obtained
from 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.
Adoption of the Amendment
Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration amends 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 USC 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:
96-02-01 S.N. Centrair: Amendment 39-9486. Docket 95-CE-06-AD.
Applicability: Model 201 (all types) 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 prior to further flight after the
effective date of this AD, unless already accomplished.
To prevent aileron failure and flutter caused by incorrect
fastening of the aileron mass balance, which, if not detected and
corrected, could result in loss of control of the sailplane,
accomplish the following:
(a) Using procedures in the applicable maintenance or service
manual, disassemble the aileron of each wing and accomplish the
following:
(1) Replace all aileron balancing mass screws made of brass
with screws made of steel, F/90 M4 x 16 (available at S.N. CentrAir
under reference 400047).
(2) Inspect all steel aileron balancing mass screws for
tightness, and replace any loose screws with F/90 M4 x 16 screws
(available at S.N. CentrAir under reference 400047).
(3) Apply a normal screw thread safety bond.
Note 2: CentrAir Service Bulletin No. 201-11, dated February
26, 1992, refers to this subject. The procedures for accomplishing
this action are included in the applicable maintenance or service
manual.
(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, FAA, 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 3: Information concerning the existence of approved
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be
obtained from the Small Airplane Directorate.
(d) All persons affected by this directive may obtain copies of
the document referred to herein upon request to S.N. CentrAir,
Aerodome, 36300 Le Blanc, France; or may examine this document at
the FAA, Central Region, Office of the Assistant Chief Counsel, Room
1558, 601 E. 12th Street, Kansas City, Missouri 64106.
(e) This amendment (39-9486) becomes effective on February 23,
1996.
Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on January 5, 1996.
Michael Gallagher,
Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 96-481 Filed 1-18-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U
