Airworthiness Directives; BLANIK LIMITED Gliders

Federal Register, Volume 81 Issue 107 (Friday, June 3, 2016)

Federal Register Volume 81, Number 107 (Friday, June 3, 2016)

Rules and Regulations

Pages 35581-35583

From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov

FR Doc No: 2016-12608

Page 35581

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

Docket No. FAA-2016-4231; Directorate Identifier 2015-CE-042-AD; Amendment 39-18537; AD 2016-11-10

RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; BLANIK LIMITED Gliders

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

ACTION: Final rule.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: We are superseding airworthiness directive (AD) 2000-20-11 for BLANIK LIMITED Models L-13 Blanik and L-13 AC Blanik gliders (type certificate previously held by LET Aeronautical Works). 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 insufficient material strength of the tail-fuselage attachment fitting. We are issuing this AD to require actions to address the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective July 8, 2016.

The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of a certain other publication listed in this AD as of November 27, 2000 (65 FR 60845, October 13, 2000).

ADDRESSES: You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2016-

4231; 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 service information identified in this AD, contact BLANIK LIMITED, 2nd Floor Beaux Lane House, Mercer Street Lower, Dublin 2, Republic of Ireland; phone: +420 733 662 194; email: info@blanik.aero; Internet: http://www.blanik.aero/%EF%BB%BFcustomer_support. You may view this referenced service information at the FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Kansas City, Missouri 64106. For information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call (816) 329-4148. It is also available on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for Docket No. FAA-2016-4231.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jim Rutherford, Aerospace Engineer, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, Missouri 64106; telephone: (816) 329-4165; fax: (816) 329-4090; email: jim.rutherford@faa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

We issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to BLANIK LIMITED Models L-13 Blanik and L-13 AC Blanik gliders. That NPRM was published in the Federal Register on March 3, 2016 (81 FR 11134), and proposed to supersede AD 2000-20-11, Amendment 39-11922 (65 FR 60845; October 13, 2000).

The NPRM proposed to correct an unsafe condition for the specified products and was based on mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) originated by an aviation authority of another country. The MCAI states that:

To prevent destruction of tail-fuselage attachment fitting which can lead to loss of control of the sailplane. This destruction could be caused due to lower strength of the material used during production.

The MCAI can be found in the AD docket on the Internet at: https://www.regulations.gov/#!documentDetail;D=FAA-2016-4231-0003.

A review of records since issuance of AD 2000-20-11 revealed that the FAA inadvertently did not address this MCAI for the EVEKCTOR, spol. s.r.o. Model L 13 SDM VIVAT gliders and the BLANIK LIMITED Model L-13 AC Blanik gliders. This AD supersedes AD 2000-20-11 to add the BLANIK LIMITED Model L-13 AC Blanik gliders to the applicability of the AD.

The FAA is addressing the EVEKTOR, spol. s.r.o. Model L 13 SDM VIVAT gliders in another AD action.

Comments

We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing this AD. We received no comments on the NPRM (81 FR 11134, March 3, 2016) or on the determination of the cost to the public.

Conclusion

We reviewed the relevant data and determined that air safety and the public interest require adopting the AD as proposed except for minor editorial changes. We have determined that these minor changes:

Are consistent with the intent that was proposed in the NPRM (81 FR 11134, March 3, 2016) for correcting the unsafe condition; and

Do not add any additional burden upon the public than was already proposed in the NPRM (81 FR 11134, March 3, 2016).

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

LET Aeronautical Works has issued LET Mandatory Bulletin No.: L13/

085a, dated November 17, 1999. The service information describes procedures for testing the material strength of attachment fitting part number A 102 021 N and instructions for contacting the manufacturer for replacement information if necessary. This service information is reasonably available because the interested parties have access to it through their normal course of business or by the means identified in the ADDRESSES section of the AD.

Costs of Compliance

We estimate that this AD will affect 124 products of U.S. registry. We also estimate that it would take about 4 work-hours per product to comply with the basic requirements of this AD. The average labor rate is $85 per work-hour.

Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of the AD on U.S. operators to be $42,160, or $340 per product.

In addition, we estimate that any necessary follow-on actions would take about 16 work-hours and require parts costing $500, for a cost of $1,860 per product. We have no way of

Page 35582

determining the number of products that may need these actions.

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 the DOT Regulatory Policies and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979),

(3) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and

(4) 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.

Examining the AD Docket

You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2016-

4231; 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 (800) 647-5527) 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

0

  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

    0

  2. The FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by removing Amendment 39-11922 (65 FR 60845; October 13, 2000) and adding the following new AD:

    2016-11-10 BLANIK LIMITED: Amendment 39-18537; Docket No. FAA-2016-

    4231; Directorate Identifier 2015-CE-042-AD.

    (a) Effective Date

    This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective July 8, 2016.

    (b) Affected ADs

    This AD supersedes AD 2000-20-11, Amendment 39-11922 (65 FR 60845; October 13, 2000) (``AD 2000-20-11'').

    (c) Applicability

    This AD applies to BLANIK LIMITED Models L-13 Blanik and L-13 AC Blanik gliders (type certificate previously held by LET Aeronautical Works), all serial numbers, certificated in any category.

    (d) Subject

    Air Transport Association of America (ATA) Code 53: Fuselage.

    (e) Reason

    This AD was prompted by mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) originated 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 insufficient material strength of the tail-fuselage attachment fitting. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct tail-fuselage fittings with insufficient material strength, which if left uncorrected could result in detachment of the tail from the fuselage with consequent loss of control.

    (f) Actions and Compliance

    Unless already done, do the following actions in paragraphs (f)(1) and (f)(2) of this AD, including all subparagraphs:

    (1) Model L-13 Blanik gliders:

    (i) Within the next 60 days after November 27, 2000 (the effective date retained from AD 2000-20-11), inspect the tail-

    fuselage attachment fitting, part number (P/N) A 102 021 N, for damage and material hardness following the procedures in LET Mandatory Bulletin No.: L13/085a, dated November 17, 1999.

    (ii) If you find the tail-fuselage attachment fitting is damaged or the material does not meet the hardness requirements specified in the service bulletin during the inspection required in paragraph (f)(1)(i) of this AD, before further flight, you must contact the manufacturer to obtain an FAA-approved replacement part for P/N A 102 021 N and FAA-approved installation instructions and install the replacement part. Use the contact information found in paragraph (i)(4) to contact the manufacturer.

    (iii) As of November 27, 2000 (the effective date retained from AD 2000-20-11), do not install, on any glider, a P/N A 102 021 N attachment fitting that has not passed the inspection required in paragraph (f)(1)(i) of this AD.

    (2) Model L-13 AC Blanik gliders:

    (i) Within the next 60 days after July 8, 2016 (the effective date of this AD), inspect the tail-fuselage attachment fitting, P/N A 102 021 N, for damage and material hardness following the procedures in LET Mandatory Bulletin No.: L13/085a, dated November 17, 1999.

    (ii) If you find the tail-fuselage attachment fitting is damaged or the material does not meet the hardness requirements specified in the service bulletin during the inspection required in paragraph (f)(2)(i) of this AD, before further flight, you must contact the manufacturer to obtain an FAA-approved replacement part for P/N A 102 021 N and FAA-approved installation instructions and install the replacement part. Use the contact information found in paragraph (i)(4) to contact the manufacturer.

    (iii) As of July 8, 2016 (the effective date of this AD), do not install, on any glider, a P/N A 102 021N attachment fitting that has not passed the inspection required in paragraph (f)(2)(i) of this AD.

    (g) Other FAA AD Provisions

    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: Jim Rutherford, Aerospace Engineer, FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, Missouri 64106; telephone: (816) 329-4165; fax: (816) 329-4090; email: jim.rutherford@faa.gov. 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.

    Page 35583

    (h) Related Information

    Refer to MCAI Civil Aviation Authority AD CAA-AD-T-112/1999R1, dated November 23, 1999, for related information. The MCAI can be found in the AD docket on the Internet at: https://www.regulations.gov/#!documentDetail;D=FAA-2016-4231-0003.

    (i) Material Incorporated by Reference

    (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference (IBR) of the service information listed in this paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.

    (2) You must use this service information as applicable to do the actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise.

    (3) The following service information was approved for IBR on November 27, 2000 (65 FR 60845, October 13, 2000).

    (i) LET Mandatory Bulletin No.: L13/085a, dated November 17, 1999.

    (ii) Reserved.

    (4) For service information identified in this AD, contact BLANIK LIMITED, 2nd Floor Beaux Lane House, Mercer Street Lower, Dublin 2, Republic of Ireland; phone: +420 733 662 194; email: info@blanik.aero; Internet: http://www.blanik.aero/%EF%BB%BFcustomer_support.

    (5) You may view this service information at the FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Kansas City, Missouri 64106. For information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call (816) 329-4148. In addition, you can access this service information on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2016-4231.

    (6) You may view this service information that is incorporated by reference 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 May 23, 2016.

    Pat Mullen,

    Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.

    FR Doc. 2016-12608 Filed 6-2-16; 8:45 am

    BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

VLEX uses login cookies to provide you with a better browsing experience. If you click on 'Accept' or continue browsing this site we consider that you accept our cookie policy. ACCEPT