[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 150 (Tuesday, August 5, 1997)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 42045-42047]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-20316]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 97-CE-66-AD; Amendment 39-10098; AD 97-15-07]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Aeromot-Industria Mecanico Metalurgica
Ltda. Model AMT-200 Powered Sailplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.
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SUMMARY: This document publishes in the Federal Register an amendment
adopting Airworthiness Directive (AD) 97-15-07, which was sent
previously to all known U.S. owners and operators of Aeromot-Industria
Mecanico Metalurgica Ltda. (Aeromot) Model AMT-200 powered sailplanes.
This AD requires immediately inspecting, using non-destructive testing
(NDT) methods, the forward horizontal stabilizer front bolt, P/N 53451,
for defects (scratches, damaged threads, or surface cracks, etc.), and
replacing the bolt immediately if found defective or at a certain time
period if not found defective. This AD was the result of a failure of
the forward horizontal stabilizer bolt, part number (P/N) 53451, on one
of the affected powered sailplanes. This failure was caused by a low
cycle fatigue crack that was induced by overtorquing the bolt. The
actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent failure of the
forward horizontal stabilizer bolt, which could result in separation of
the horizontal stabilizer from the powered sailplane and consequent
loss of control.
DATES: Effective August 15, 1997, to all persons except those to whom
it was made immediately effective by priority letter AD 97-15-07,
issued July 11, 1997, which contained the requirements of this
amendment.
The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as
of August 15, 1997.
Comments for inclusion in the Rules Docket must be received on or
before September 30, 1997.
ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), Central Region, Office of the Assistant Chief
Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket 97-CE-66-AD, Room 1558, 601 E. 12th
Street, Kansas City, Missouri 64106.
Service information that applies to this AD may be obtained from
Grupo Aeromot, Aeromot-Industria Mecanico Metalurgica Ltda., Av. das
Industries-1210, Bairro Anchieta, Caixa Postal 8031, 90200-Porto
Alegre-RS, Brazil. This information may also be examined at the Rules
Docket at the address above, or at the Office of the Federal Register,
800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Curtis Jackson, Aerospace
Engineer, FAA, Atlanta Aircraft Certification Office, Campus Building,
1701 Columbia Avenue, suite 2-160, College Park, Georgia 30337-2748;
telephone (404) 305-7358; facsimile (404) 305-7348.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Events Leading to This AD
The Centro Tecnico Aeroespacial (CTA), which is the airworthiness
authority for Brazil, notified the FAA that an unsafe condition may
exist on certain Aeromot Model AMT-200 powered sailplanes. The CTA of
Brazil reported a failure of the forward horizontal stabilizer bolt,
part number (P/N) 53451. This failure was caused by a low cycle fatigue
crack that was induced by overtorquing the bolt.
The horizontal stabilizer bolts on the Aeromot Models AMT-100 and
AMT-200 powered sailplanes are torqued with a special wrench provided
by the manufacturer at delivery of the powered sailplane. When this
special wrench is utilized, overtorquing of these bolts is impossible.
When the forward horizontal stabilizer bolt on the eight Aeromot Model
AMT-200 powered sailplanes affected by this priority letter AD were
torqued at the factory, this special wrench was not used and these
forward horizontal stabilizer bolts were overtorqued.
Relevant Service Information and CTA Action
Aeromot has issued Service Bulletin S.B. No. 100-53-042, Issue
Date: June 6, 1997; Revision Date: REV.1, July 3, 1997. This service
bulletin includes procedures for inspecting and replacing the forward
horizontal stabilizer front bolt on the affected Aeromot Model AMT-100
powered sailplanes.
The CTA for Brazil classified this service bulletin as mandatory
and issued CTA EAD No. 97-07-01, in order to assure the continued
airworthiness of these airplanes in Brazil.
The FAA's Determination and Explanation of the AD
Since an unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to
exist or develop in other Aeromot Model AMT-200 powered sailplanes of
the same type design, the FAA issued priority letter AD 97-15-07, dated
July 11, 1997, to prevent failure of the forward horizontal stabilizer
bolt, which could result in separation of the horizontal stabilizer
from the powered sailplane and consequent loss of control. The AD
requires immediately inspecting, using non-destructive testing (NDT)
methods, the forward horizontal stabilizer front bolt, P/N 53451, for
defects (scratches, damaged threads, or surface cracks, etc.), and
replacing the bolt immediately if found defective or at a certain time
period if not found defective.
Accomplishment of the required inspection and replacement is in
accordance with Aeromot Industria Ltda Service Bulletin S.B. No. 100-
53-042, Issue Date: June 6, 1997; Revision Date: REV.1, July 3, 1997.
This AD also allows the option of replacing the bolt immediately
instead of accomplishing the NDT inspection.
Sections 61.107 (d)(1) and 61.127 (d)(1) of the Federal Aviation
Regulations (14 CFR 61.107 (d)(1) and 14 CFR 61.127 (d)(1)) give flight
proficiency requirements for pilots, including the assembly and
disassembly of gliders and sailplanes. Therefore, the pilot is
authorized to accomplish the bolt replacement required by this AD.
Determination of the Effective Date of the AD
Since it was found that immediate corrective action was required,
notice and opportunity for prior public comment thereon were
impracticable and contrary to the public interest, and good cause
existed to make the AD effective immediately by individual letters
issued on July 11, 1997, to all
[[Page 42046]]
known U.S. operators of Aeromot Model AMT-200 powered sailplanes. These
conditions still exist, and the AD is hereby published in the Federal
Register as an amendment to section 39.13 of the Federal Aviation
Regulations (14 CFR 39.13) to make it effective as to all persons.
Comments Invited
Although this action is in the form of a final rule that involves
requirements affecting immediate flight safety and, thus, was not
preceded by notice and opportunity to 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 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 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. 97-CE-66-AD.'' The postcard will be date stamped and
returned to the commenter.
Regulatory Impact
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.
The FAA has determined that this regulation is an emergency
regulation that must be issued immediately to correct an unsafe
condition in aircraft, and is not a ``significant regulatory action''
under Executive Order 12866. It has been determined further that this
action involves an emergency regulation under DOT Regulatory Policies
and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979). If it is determined
that this emergency regulation otherwise would be significant under DOT
Regulatory Policies and Procedures, a final regulatory evaluation will
be prepared and placed in the rules docket. A copy of it, if filed, 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, Incorporation by
reference, 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:
97-15-07 Aeromot-Industria Mecanico Metalurgica LTDA.: Amendment
39-10098; Docket No. 97-CE-66-AD.
Applicability: Model AMT-200 powered sailplanes, serial numbers
200.057, 200.058, 200.059, 200.063, 200.065, 200.066, 200.071, and
200.072, certificated in any category.
Note 1: This AD applies to each powered 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 powered 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 (e) 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 as indicated after the effective date of
this AD, unless already accomplished, except to those operators
receiving this action by priority letter issued July 11, 1997, which
made these actions effective immediately upon receipt.
To prevent failure of the forward horizontal stabilizer bolt,
which could result in separation of the horizontal stabilizer from
the powered sailplane and consequent loss of control, accomplish the
following:
(a) Prior to further flight after the effective date of this AD,
inspect, using non-destructive testing (NDT) methods, the forward
horizontal stabilizer front bolt, part number (P/N) 53451, for
defects (scratches, damaged threads, or surface cracks, etc.). If
any defects are found, prior to further flight, replace the bolt
with a new one of the same part number. Accomplish the inspection
and replacement in accordance with the instructions in Aeromot
Industria Ltda Service Bulletin S.B. No. 100-53-042, Issue Date:
June 6, 1997; Revision Date: REV.1, July 3, 1997.
(b) Within 25 hours time-in-service (TIS) after the effective
date of this AD, unless already accomplished as required by
paragraph (a) of this AD, replace the forward horizontal stabilizer
front bolt, P/N 53451, with a new one of the same part number.
Accomplish the replacement in accordance with the instructions in
Aeromot Industria Ltda Service Bulletin S.B. No. 100-53-042, Issue
Date: June 6, 1997; Revision Date: REV.1, July 3, 1997.
(c) The replacement required by this AD may be accomplished
prior to further flight after the effective date of this AD in place
of the inspection required by paragraph (a) of this AD.
(d) Sections 61.107 (d)(1) and 61.127 (d)(1) of the Federal
Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 61.107 (d)(1) and 14 CFR 61.127 (d)(1))
give flight proficiency requirements for pilots, including the
assembly and disassembly of gliders and sailplanes. Therefore, the
bolt replacement required by this AD may be performed by the powered
sailplane owner/operator holding at least a private pilot
certificate as authorized by section 43.7 of the Federal Aviation
Regulations (14 CFR 43.7), and must be entered into the aircraft
records showing compliance with this AD in accordance with section
43.11 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 43.11).
(e) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the
compliance time that provides an equivalent level of safety may be
approved by the Manager, Atlanta Aircraft Certification Office
(ACO), Campus Building, 1701 Columbia Avenue, suite 2-160, College
Park, Georgia 30337-2748. The request shall be forwarded through an
appropriate FAA Maintenance Inspector, who may add comments and then
send it to the Manager, Atlanta ACO.
(f) The inspection and replacement required by this AD shall be
done in accordance Aeromot Industria Ltda Service Bulletin S.B. No.
100-53-042, Issue Date: June 6, 1997; Revision Date: REV.1, July 3,
1997. This incorporation by reference was approved by the Director
of the Federal Register in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR
part 51. Copies may be obtained from Grupo Aeromot, Aeromot-
Industria Mecanico Metalurgica Ltda., Av. das
[[Page 42047]]
Industries-1210, Bairro Anchieta, Caixa Postal 8031, 90200-Porto
Alegre-RS, Brazil. Copies may be inspected at the FAA, Central
Region, Office of the Assistant Chief Counsel, Room 1558, 601 E.
12th Street, Kansas City, Missouri, or at the Office of the Federal
Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW, suite 700, Washington, DC.
(g) This amendment (39-10098) becomes effective on August 15,
1997, to all persons except those persons to whom it was made
immediately effective by priority letter AD 97-15-07, issued July
11, 1997, which contained the requirements of this amendment.
Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on July 21, 1997.
Michael Gallagher,
Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 97-20316 Filed 8-4-97; 8:45 am]
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