Federal Register: February 17, 2004 (Volume 69, Number 31)
DOCID: FR Doc 04-3352
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
CFR Citation: 14 CFR Part 39
Docket ID: [Docket No. 2003-CE-62-AD]
RIN ID: RIN 2120-AA64
NOTICE: PROPOSED RULES
ACTION: Airworthiness directives:
DOCUMENT ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
SUBJECT CATEGORY:
Airworthiness Directives; Glasflugel Models Mosquito and Club Libelle 205 Sailplanes
DATES: We must receive any comments on this proposed AD by March 22, 2004.
DOCUMENT SUMMARY:
The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Glasflugel Models Mosquito and Club Libelle 205 sailplanes. This proposed AD would require you to replace the rudder actuator arm with an improved design rudder actuator arm. This proposed AD is the result of mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) issued by the airworthiness authority for Germany. We are issuing this proposed AD to prevent the rudder attachment actuator arm from failing due to ground handling damage. This failure could eventually result in reduced or loss of sailplane control.
SUMMARY:
Glasflugel,
SUPPLEMENTAL 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 ``AD Docket No. 2003CE62AD'' in the subject line of your comments. If you want us to acknowledge receipt of your mailed comments, send us a self addressed, stamped postcard with the docket number written on it. We will datestamp your postcard and mail it back to you.
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.
Discussion
What events have caused this proposed AD? The LuftfahrtBundesamt (LBA), which is the airworthiness authority for Germany, recently notified FAA that an unsafe condition may exist on all Glasflugel Models Mosquito and Club Libelle 205 sailplanes. The LBA reports incidents of rudder actuator arm failure. This failure is occurring through lifting the fuselage by the rudder.
Glasflugel has manufactured a new improved design rudder actuator arm that is less susceptible to such damage.
What are the consequences if the condition is not corrected? Rudder attachment actuator arm failure could eventually result in reduced or loss of sailplane control.
Is there service information that applies to this subject? Glasflugel has issued Technical Note No. 20522 and No. 20621, dated October 14, 2002 (German original dated October 11, 2002). The technical note includes procedures for replacing the rudder actuator arm with an improved design rudder actuator arm.
What action did the LBA take? The LBA classified this technical note as mandatory and issued German AD No. 2003004, effective date: January 9, 2003, to ensure the continued airworthiness of these sailplanes in Germany.
Did the LBA inform the United States under the bilateral airworthiness agreement? These Glasflugel Models Mosquito and Club Libelle 205 sailplanes are manufactured in Germany and are type certificated for operation in the United States under the provisions of section 21.29 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 21.29) and the applicable bilateral airworthiness agreement.
Under this bilateral airworthiness agreement, the LBA has kept us informed of the situation described above.
FAA's Determination and Requirements of This Proposed AD
What has FAA decided? We have examined the LBA's findings, 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 the unsafe condition described previously is likely to exist or develop on other Glasflugel Models Mosquito and Club Libelle 205 sailplanes of the same type design that are registered in the United States, we are proposing AD action to prevent the rudder attachment actuator arm from failing due to ground handling damage. This failure could eventually result in reduced or loss of sailplane control.
What would this proposed AD require? This proposed AD would require you to incorporate the actions in the previouslyreferenced technical note.
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 sailplanes would this proposed AD impact? We estimate that this proposed AD affects 80 sailplanes in the U.S. registry.
What would be the cost impact of this proposed AD on owners/
operators of the affected sailplanes? We estimate the following costs to accomplish this proposed replacement:
Total cost on
Labor cost Parts cost Total cost per sailplane U.S. operators
3 workhours at $65 per hour = $195...... $90 per sailplane......... $285 per sailplane........ $22,800 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
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT
Greg Davison, Aerospace Engineer, FAA,
Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, Missouri 64106; telephone: (816) 3294130; facsimile: (816) 3294090.
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