05-16529. Airworthiness Directives; CENTRAIR 101 Series Gliders

AGENCY:

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION:

Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

SUMMARY:

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all CENTRAIR 101 Series gliders. This proposed AD would require you to make pen and ink changes to the Limitations Section of the glider maintenance manual to eliminate contradictory information concerning the structural life limit. This proposed AD results from a review by FAA of the Limitations Section of the CENTRAIR Model 101AP glider maintenance manual that revealed conflicting information concerning the structural life limit. We are issuing this proposed AD to assure that the published life limit is adhered to and to prevent structural failure of the glider once this life limit is reached.

DATES:

We must receive any comments on this proposed AD by September 26, 2005.

ADDRESSES:

Use one of the following to submit comments on this proposed AD:

• DOT Docket Web site: Go to http://dms.dot.gov and follow the instructions for sending your comments electronically.
• Government-wide rulemaking Web site: Go to http://www.regulations.gov and follow the instructions for sending your comments electronically.
• Mail: Docket Management Facility; U.S. Department of Transportation, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Nassif Building, Room PL-401, Washington, DC 20590-001.
• Fax: [phone].
• Hand Delivery: Room PL-401 on the plaza level of the Nassif Building, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Washington, DC, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.

To get the service information identified in this proposed AD, contact CENTRAIR, Aerodome B.P.N. 44, 36300 Le Blanc, France; telephone: [phone]; facsimile: 02.54.37.48.64.

To view the comments to this proposed AD, go to http://dms.dot.gov. This is docket number FAA-2005-21951; Directorate Identifier 2005-CE-39-AD.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

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

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

How do I comment on this proposed AD? We invite you to submit any written relevant data, views, or arguments regarding this proposal. Send your comments to an address listed under ADDRESSES. Include the docket number, “FAA-2005-21951; Directorate Identifier 2005-CE-39-AD” at the beginning of your comments. We will post all comments we receive, without change, to http://dms.dot.gov,, including any personal information you provide. We will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact with FAA personnel concerning this proposed rulemaking. Using the search function of our docket Web site, anyone can find and read the comments received into any of our dockets, including the name of the individual who sent the comment (or signed the comment on behalf of an association, business, labor union, etc.). This is docket number FAA-2005-21951; Directorate Identifier 2005-CE-39-AD. You may review the DOT's complete Privacy Act Statement in the Federal Register published on April 11, 2000 (65 FR 19477-78) or you may visit http://dms.dot.gov.

Are there any specific portions of this proposed AD I should pay attention to? We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this proposed AD. If you contact us through a nonwritten communication and that contact relates to a substantive part of this proposed AD, we will summarize the contact and place the summary in the docket. We will consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend this proposed AD in light of those comments and contacts.

Docket Information

Where can I go to view the docket information? You may view the AD docket that contains the proposal, any comments received, and any final disposition in person at the DMS Docket Offices between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. (eastern time), Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The Docket Office (telephone [phone]) is located on the plaza level of the Department of Transportation NASSIF Building at the street address stated in ADDRESSES. You may also view the AD docket on the Internet at http://dms.dot.gov. The comments will be available in the AD docket shortly after the DMS receives them.

Discussion

What events have caused this proposed AD? A review by FAA of the Limitations Section of the CENTRAIR Model 101AP glider maintenance manual revealed conflicting information concerning the structural life limit. Page 5.1 of this manual specifies inspection criteria upon accumulating 3,000 hours time-in-service (TIS). However, page 5.01 of the manual identifies a structural life limit of 3,000-hour TIS. CENTRAIR has verified that all the 101 series gliders delivered to the United States have a 3,000-hour life limit with no current extension.

Cumulative fatigue damage and fatigue cracking damage would sufficiently reduce residual strength of the airframe and result in failure of the airframe.

What is the potential impact if FAA took no action? If this situation is not corrected, the published life limit may not be adhered to and the structural integrity of the glider could be compromised.

FAA's Determination and Requirements of This Proposed AD

What has FAA decided? We have evaluated all pertinent information and identified an unsafe condition that is likely to exist or develop on other products of this same type design. For this reason, we are proposing AD action.

What would this proposed AD require? This proposed AD would require you to, using pen and ink, change Section 5.1 of the Limitations Section of the CENTRAIR Gliders CENTRAIR 101—101 P—101 A—101 AP Maintenance Manual under “General Inspection,” to read, “The general inspection should be executed every 5 years until the 3,000-hour time-in-service structural life limit is met.”

The above change enforces the 3,000 hours structural life limit set out in page 5.01—Life Limits of the maintenance manual.

How does the revision to 14 CFR part 39 affect this proposed AD? On July 10, 2002, we published a new version of 14 CFR part 39 (67 FR 47997, July 22, 2002), which governs FAA's AD system. This regulation now includes material that relates to altered products, special flight permits, and alternative methods of compliance. This material previously was included in each individual AD. Since this material is included in 14 CFR part 39, we will not include it in future AD actions.

Costs of Compliance

How many gliders would this proposed AD impact? We estimate that this proposed AD affects 51 gliders in the U.S. registry.

What would be the cost impact of this proposed AD on owners/operators of the affected gliders? We estimate the following costs to do this proposed change of the maintenance manual:

Labor cost	Parts cost	Total cost per glider	Total cost on U.S. operators
1 work hour × $65 = $65	Not Applicable	$65	$3,315

Authority for This Rulemaking

What authority does FAA have for issuing this rulemaking action? 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 AD.

Regulatory Findings

Would this proposed AD impact various entities? We have 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.

Would this proposed AD involve a significant rule or regulatory action? For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this proposed AD:

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); 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 summary of the costs to comply with this proposed AD (and other information as included in the Regulatory Evaluation) and placed it in the AD Docket. You may get a copy of this summary by sending a request to us at the address listed under ADDRESSES. Include “AD Docket FAA-2005-21951; Directorate Identifier 2005-CE-39-AD” in your request.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

• Air transportation
• Aircraft
• Aviation safety
• Safety

The Proposed Amendment

Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration proposes to amend 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 adding the following new airworthiness directive (AD):

CENTRAIR: Docket No. FAA-2005-21951; Directorate Identifier 2005-CE-39-AD.

When Is the Last Date I Can Submit Comments on This Proposed AD?

(a) We must receive comments on this proposed airworthiness directive (AD) by September 26, 2005.

What Other ADs Are Affected by This Action?

(b) None.

What Gliders Are Affected by This AD?

(c) This AD affects Models 101, 101A, 101AP, and 101P gliders, all serial numbers, certificated in any category.

What Is the Unsafe Condition Presented in This AD?

(d) This AD is the result of a review by FAA of the Limitations Section of the CENTRAIR Model 101AP glider maintenance manual that revealed conflicting information concerning the structural life limit. The actions specified in this AD are intended to assure that the published life limit is adhered to and to prevent structural failure of the glider once this life limit is reached.

What Must I Do To Address This Problem?

(e) To address this problem, you must do the following:

Actions	Compliance	Procedures
Using pen and ink, change Section 5.1 of the Limitations Section of the CENTRAIR Gliders CENTRAIR 101-101 P-101 A-101 AP Maintenance Manual under “General Inspection,” to read, “The general inspection should be executed every 5 years until the 3,000-hour time-in-service structural life limit is met.” The above change enforces the 3,000-hour structural life limit set out in page 5.01—Life Limits of the maintenance manual	Within the next 30 days after the effective date of this AD	The owner/operator holding at least a private pilot certificate as authorized by section 43.7 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 43.7) may modify the maintenance manual as specified in paragraph (e) of this AD. Make an entry into the aircraft records showing compliance with this portion of the AD following section 43.9 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 43.9).
Note: Section 5.0 of the Limitations Section of the CENTRAIR Gliders CENTRAIR 101-101 P-101 A-101 AP Maintenance Manual, date of approval, December 16, 1983, references 14 CFR Section 91.163. The Code of Federal Regulations has changed. The correct reference is Section 91.403.

May I Request an Alternative Method of Compliance?

(f) You may request a different method of compliance or a different compliance time for this AD by following the procedures in 14 CFR 39.19. Unless FAA authorizes otherwise, send your request to your principal inspector. The principal inspector may add comments and will send your request to the Manager, Standards Office, Small Airplane Directorate, FAA. For information on any already approved alternative methods of compliance, contact Greg Davison, Aerospace Engineer, FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, Missouri 64106; telephone: [phone]; facsimile: [phone].

May I Get Copies of the Documents Referenced in This AD?

(g) To get copies of the documents referenced in this AD, contact CENTRAIR, Aerodome B.P.N. 44, 36300 Le Blanc, France; telephone: [phone]; facsimile: 02.54.37.48.64. To view the AD docket, go to the Docket Management Facility; U.S. Department of Transportation, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Nassif Building, Room PL-401, Washington, DC, or on the Internet at http://dms.dot.gov. This is docket number FAA-2005-21951; Directorate Identifier 2005-CE-39-AD.

Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on August 15, 2005.

Terry L. Chasteen,

Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.