[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 240 (Wednesday, December 13, 2000)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 77774-77776]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-30903]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 2000-CE-48-AD; Amendment 39-12029; AD 2000-24-22]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; S.N. CENTRAIR Model 201B Gliders
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) that
applies to all S.N. CENTRAIR Model 201B gliders. This AD requires you
to modify the rear canopy emergency release system. This AD is the
result of mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) issued
by the airworthiness authority for France. The actions specified in
this AD are intended to prevent the rear canopy retaining strap from
not releasing properly during the emergency egress procedure because of
the current design of the rear canopy emergency release system. This
condition, if not corrected, will not allow the rear canopy to
completely separate from the glider and could result in potential
injury to the pilot during an emergency egress.
DATES: This AD becomes effective on January 27, 2001.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of certain publications listed in the regulations as of
January 27, 2001.
ADDRESSES: You may get the service information referenced in this AD
from S.N. CENTRAIR, Aerodome--36300 Le Blanc, France; telephone:
02.54.37.07.96; facsimile: 02.54.37.48.64. You may examine this
information at the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Central
Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket No.
2000-CE-48-AD, 901 Locust, Room 506, 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: Mike Kiesov, Aerospace Engineer, FAA,
Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, Missouri
64106; telephone: (816) 329-4144; facsimile: (816) 329-4090.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Discussion
What events have caused this AD? 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
all S.N. CENTRAIR Model 201B gliders. The DGAC reports an incident
where a Model 201B rear canopy strap did not properly release during an
actual emergency egress.
The DGAC advises that the problem is related to the unreliability
of the rear canopy in completely separating from the glider during an
emergency egress procedure.
What are the consequences if the condition is not corrected? If the
rear canopy retaining strap does not release properly during the
emergency egress procedure, the rear canopy will not completely
separate from the glider. This could result in potential injury to the
pilot during an emergency egress.
Has FAA taken any action to this point? We issued a proposal to
amend part 39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) to
include an AD that would apply to all S.N. CENTRAIR Model 201B gliders.
This proposal was published in the Federal Register as a notice of
proposed rulemaking (NPRM) on September 29, 2000 (65 FR 58495). The
NPRM proposed to require you to install a mechanism that automatically
releases the rear canopy strap when the emergency canopy lever is
actuated.
Was the public invited to comment? Interested persons were afforded
an opportunity to participate in the making of this amendment. No
comments were received on the proposed rule or the FAA's determination
of the cost to the public.
The FAA's Determination
What is FAA's Final Determination on this Issue? After careful
review of all available information related to the subject presented
above, we have determined that air safety and the public interest
require the adoption of the rule as proposed except for minor editorial
corrections. We determined that these minor corrections:
--will not change the meaning of the AD; and
--will not add any additional burden upon the public than was already
proposed.
Compliance Time of this AD
What is the compliance time of this AD? The compliance time of this
AD is ``within the next 3 months after the effective date of this AD.''
Why is the compliance time presented in calendar time instead of
hours time-in-service (TIS)? Although the rear canopy retaining strap
not releasing properly during the emergency egress
[[Page 77775]]
procedure occurs during flight, the condition is not a direct result of
glider operation. The chance of this situation occurring is the same
for a glider with 10 hours TIS as it would be for a glider with 500
hours TIS. A calendar time for compliance will assure that the unsafe
condition is addressed on all gliders in a reasonable time period.
What are the differences between the French AD and this AD?
The French AD requires installation of a mechanism that
automatically releases the rear canopy strap when the emergency canopy
lever is actuated. The French AD also requires a visual inspection to
ensure that the modification is incorporated correctly.
The FAA does not require this inspection because we believe that
the procedures are adequate to allow the maintenance personnel to
accomplish the action correctly.
Cost Impact
How many gliders does this AD impact? We estimate that this AD
affects 41 gliders in the U.S. registry.
What is the cost impact of this AD on owners/operators of the
affected gliders? We estimate the following costs to accomplish the
modification:
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Total cost
Labor cost Parts cost Total cost per glider on U.S.
Operators
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4 workhours x $60 per hour = $240.. $150 per glider.............. $390 per glider.............. $15,990
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Regulatory Impact
Does this AD impact various entities? The regulations adopted
herein 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. Therefore, it is determined that this final rule does not
have federalism implications under Executive Order 13132.
Does this AD involve a significant rule or regulatory action? 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 copy
of the final evaluation prepared for this action is contained in the
Rules Docket. A copy of it may be obtained by contacting 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, under 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 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701.
Sec. 39.13 [Amended]
2. FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by adding a new AD to read as follows:
2000-24-22 S.N. Centrair: Amendment 39-12029; Docket No. 2000-CE-
48-AD.
(a) What gliders are affected by this AD? This AD affects Model
201B gliders, all serial numbers, certificated in any category.
(b) Who must comply with this AD? Anyone who wishes to operate
any of the above gliders must comply with this AD.
(c) What problem does this AD address? The actions specified in
this AD are intended to prevent the rear canopy retaining strap from
not releasing properly during the emergency egress procedure because
of the current design of the rear canopy emergency release system.
This condition, if not corrected, will not allow the rear canopy to
completely separate from the glider and could result in potential
injury to the pilot during an emergency egress.
(d) What actions must I accomplish to address this problem? To
address this problem, you must accomplish the following:
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Actions Compliance times Procedures
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(1) Install a mechanism that Within the next 3 Follow the
automatically releases the months after procedures in S.N
rear canopy strap when the January 27, 2001 Centrair Process
emergency canopy lever is (the effective date Sheet for Fitment
actuated. of AD). of the Release Unit
for the Rear Canopy
Strap on Glider
Centrair 201
``Marianne'', dated
March 17, 1999 (or
the instructions
provided with the
modification kit).
The document
specified above is
referenced in S.N.
CENTRAIR Service
Bulletin No. 201-
16, Revision 1,
dated December 12,
1999. The
inspection
referenced in the
service bulletin is
not required by
this AD.
(2) Do not install a rear As of January 27, Not Applicable.
canopy emergency release 2001 (the effective
system without date of this AD).
incorporating the
modification referenced in
paragraph (d)(1) of this AD.
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(e) Can I comply with this AD in any other way? You may use an
alternative method of compliance or adjust the compliance time if:
(1) Your alternative method of compliance provides an equivalent
level of safety; and
(2) The Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, approves your
alternative. Submit your request through an FAA Principal
Maintenance Inspector, who may add comments and then send it to the
Manager, Small Airplane Directorate.
Note 1: This AD applies to each glider identified in paragraph
(a) of this AD, regardless of whether it has been modified, altered,
or repaired in the area subject to the requirements of this AD. For
gliders 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)
[[Page 77776]]
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 you have not eliminated the unsafe
condition, specific actions you propose to address it.
(f) Where can I get information about any already-approved
alternative methods of compliance? Contact Mike Kiesov, Aerospace
Engineer, FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301,
Kansas City, Missouri 64106; telephone: (816) 329-4144; facsimile:
(816) 329-4090.
(g) What if I need to fly the glider to another location to
comply with this AD? The FAA can issue a special flight permit under
sections 21.197 and 21.199 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14
CFR 21.197 and 21.199) to operate your glider to a location where
you can accomplish the requirements of this AD.
(h) Are any service bulletins incorporated into this AD by
reference? Actions required by this AD must be done in accordance
with S.N. CENTRAIR Service Bulletin No. 201-16, Revision 1, dated
December 12, 1999, and S.N Centrair Process Sheet for Fitment of the
Release Unit for the Rear Canopy Strap on Glider Centrair 201
``Marianne'', dated March 17, 1999 (including photo 1A added to page
3 or November 8, 1999). The instructions provided with the
modification kit also include these procedures. The Director of the
Federal Register approved this incorporation by reference under 5
U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. You can get copies from S.N.
CENTRAIR, Aerodome 36300 Le Blanc, France; telephone:
02.54.37.07.96; facsimile: 02.54.37.48.64. You can look at copies at
the FAA, Central Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, 901 Locust,
Room 506, Kansas City, Missouri, or at the Office of the Federal
Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW, suite 700, Washington, DC.
(i) When does this amendment become effective? This amendment
becomes effective on January 27, 2001.
Note 2: The subject of this AD is addressed in French AD 1999-
055(A)R1, dated February 5, 2000.
Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on November 28, 2000.
William J. Timberlake,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 00-30903 Filed 12-12-00; 8:45 am]
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