E8-9578. Airworthiness Directives; Przedsiebiorstwo Doswiadczalno-Produkcyjne Szybownictwa “PZL-Bielsko” Model SZD-50-3 “Puchacz” Gliders

AGENCY:

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

ACTION:

Final rule.

SUMMARY:

We are superseding an existing 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:

On the pre-flight check of a SZD-50-3 glider, the Right Hand (RH) wing airbrake was found impossible to retract. Investigation revealed that the occurrence was caused by a loose bolt of the “V” shape airbrake bellcrank, named hereafter intermediate control lever. The Left Hand (LH) wing lever also presented, to a lesser extent, a loose bolt.

We are issuing this AD to require actions to correct the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES:

This AD becomes effective June 5, 2008.

As of February 1, 2008 (73 FR 3623), the Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of Allstar PZL Glider Sp. z o. o. Service Bulletin No. BE-059/SZD-50-3/2007 “PUCHACZ,” dated October 15, 2007, listed in this AD.

ADDRESSES:

You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov or in person at the Docket 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 FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Greg Davison, Aerospace Engineer, FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, Missouri 64106; telephone: [phone]; fax: [phone].

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 February 26, 2008 (73 FR 10188), and proposed to supersede AD 2008-02-09, Amendment 39-15339 (73 FR 3623, January 22, 2008).

AD 2008-02-09 was issued as an interim action in order to address the need for the immediate inspection for loose attachment bolts in the left-hand and right-hand wing airbrake intermediate control lever requirement and replacement if loose attachment bolts were found.

The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of the European Community, issued Emergency AD No. 2007-0275-E, dated October 24, 2007 (referred to after this as “the MCAI”), to correct an unsafe condition for the specified products.

The EASA AD allows for repetitive inspections at intervals not to exceed 100 hours time-in-service or 12 months, whichever occurs first after the initial inspection if no loose bolts are found. The EASA AD also requires replacing the split helical spring lock washers with tab washers and the M8x34 bolts with M8x32 bolts on both wings at the next 1,000-hour inspection after the effective date of the AD.

The Administrative Procedure Act does not permit the FAA to “bootstrap” a long-term requirement into an urgent safety of flight action where the rule becomes effective at the same time the public has the opportunity to comment. The short-term action and the long-term action were analyzed separately for justification to bypass prior public notice.

We are issuing this AD to address the repetitive inspections and mandatory parts replacement issues.

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 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 about 6 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 $80 per work-hour.

Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of this AD on U.S. operators to be $480, or $80 per product.

In addition, we estimate that any necessary follow-on actions will take about 12 work-hours and require parts costing $40, for a cost of $1,000 per product.

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 [phone]) 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

Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the Administrator, the FAA amends 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.

§ 39.13

[Amended]

2. The FAA amends § 39.13 by removing Amendment 39-15339 ( 73 FR 3623, January 22, 2008), and adding the following new AD:

2008-09-08 Przedsiebiorstwo Doswiadczalno-Produkcyjne Szybownictwa “PZL-Bielsko”: Amendment 39-15489; Docket No. FAA-2008-0216; Directorate Identifier 2008-CE-004-AD.

Effective Date

(a) This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective June 5, 2008.

Affected ADs

(b) This AD supersedes AD 2008-02-09, Amendment 39-15339.

Applicability

(c) This AD applies to Model SZD-50-3 “Puchacz” gliders, all serial numbers up to and including B-2207, 503199327, 503A04001, 503A05002, and 503A05003, 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:

On the pre-flight check of a SZD-50-3 glider, the Right Hand (RH) wing airbrake was found impossible to retract. Investigation revealed that the occurrence was caused by a loose bolt of the “V” shape airbrake bellcrank, named hereafter intermediate control lever. The Left Hand (LH) wing lever also presented, to a lesser extent, a loose bolt.

This AD requires inspection of the LH and RH wing airbrake intermediate control levers for loose attaching bolts and subsequent repetitive inspections and corrective actions, as necessary. As a terminating action, replacement of the bolts and their associated washers is required.

These actions are intended to address the identified unsafe condition so as to prevent loss of the airbrake control system which could result in an inadvertent forced landing with consequent sailplane damage and/or passenger injury.

Requirements Retained From AD 2008-02-09

(f) Do the following unless already done:

(1) Inspect the left-hand (LH) and the right-hand (RH) wing airbrake intermediate control levers for loose attaching bolts within 10 days after February 1, 2008 (the effective date of AD 2008-02-09), following Allstar PZL Glider Sp. z o. o. Service Bulletin No. BE-059/SZD-50-3/2007 “PUCHACZ,” dated October 15, 2007.

(2) If any loose bolt is found during the inspection required in paragraph (f)(1) of this AD, replace the split helical spring lock washers with tab washers and replace the M8x34 bolts with M8x32 bolts on both wings before further flight following Allstar PZL Glider Sp. z o. o. Service Bulletin No. BE-059/SZD-50-3/2007 “PUCHACZ,” dated October 15, 2007. After doing this replacement, no further action is required by this AD.

New Requirements of This AD: Actions and Compliance

(g) Do the following unless already done:

(1) If a loose bolt is not found during the initial inspection required in paragraph (f)(1) of this AD, repetitively inspect thereafter at intervals not to exceed 100 hours time-in-service (TIS) or 12 months, whichever occurs first, until you are required to do the replacement specified in paragraph (g)(2) or (g)(3) of this AD. Do the inspections following Allstar PZL Glider Sp. z o. o. Service Bulletin No. BE-059/SZD-50-3/2007 “PUCHACZ,” dated October 15, 2007.

(2) If any loose bolt is found during any inspection required in paragraph (g)(1) of this AD, replace the split helical spring lock washers with tab washers and replace the M8x34 bolts with M8x32 bolts on both wings before further flight following Allstar PZL Glider Sp. z o. o. Service Bulletin No. BE-059/SZD-50-3/2007 “PUCHACZ,” dated October 15, 2007. After doing this replacement, no further action is required by this AD.

(3) Replace the split helical spring lock washers with tab washers and replace the M8x34 bolts with M8x32 bolts on both wings within the next 1,000 hours TIS after June 5, 2008 (the effective date of this AD), following Allstar PZL Glider Sp. z o. o. Service Bulletin No. BE-059/SZD-50-3/2007 “PUCHACZ,” dated October 15, 2007. After doing this replacement, no further action is required by this AD.

FAA AD Differences

Note:

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

Other FAA AD Provisions

(h) 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: [phone]; fax: [phone]. Before using any approved AMOC on any airplane 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.

(3) Reporting Requirements: For any reporting requirement in this AD, under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.), the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has approved the information collection requirements and has assigned OMB Control Number 2120-0056.

Related Information

(i) Refer to MCAI European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) Emergency AD No. 2007-0275-E, dated October 24, 2007; and Allstar PZL Glider Sp. z o. o. Service Bulletin No. BE-059/SZD-50-3/2007 “PUCHACZ,” dated October 15, 2007, for related information.

Material Incorporated by Reference

(j) You must use Allstar PZL Glider Sp. z o. o. Service Bulletin No. BE-059/SZD-50-3/2007 “PUCHACZ,” dated October 15, 2007, to do the actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise.

(1) On February 1, 2008 (73 FR 3623), the Director of the Federal Register previously approved the incorporation by reference of Allstar PZL Glider Sp. z o. o. Service Bulletin No. BE-059/SZD-50-3/2007 “PUCHACZ,” dated October 15, 2007.

(2) For service information identified in this AD, contact ALLSTAR PZL GLIDER Sp. z o.o., ul. Cieszynska 325, 453-300 Bielsko-Biala.

(3) You may review copies at the FAA, Central Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, 901 Locust, Room 506, Kansas City, Missouri 64106; or 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/​cfr/​ibr-locations.html.

Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on April 18, 2008.

David R. Showers,

Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.