AD 99-01-11 ACTIVE

This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) that applies to all The Uninsured Relative Workshop Inc. (doing business as and referred to herein as Relative Workshop) vector parachute systems that were manufactured between January 1, 1996, and September 10, 1998. This AD requires inspecting the amp fittings on the end of the breakaway housing for proper swaging, and re-swaging any incorrectly swaged fittings using the Nicopress or Swage-It swaging tool. This AD is the result of a quality control problem on Relative Workshop vector parachute systems. In particular, a loose amp fitting was found on the breakaway housing during packing of one of these vector parachute systems. Further analysis reveals that the amp fittings on the end of the stainless steel breakaway housing were improperly swaged, and that this condition could exist on any of the 2,127 parachute systems that were manufactured during the above-referenced time period. The actions specified by thisAD are intended to prevent the amp fittings from coming off the stainless steel breakaway housing, which could result in an unintentional partial breakaway of the main chute and interference with the deployment of the reserve parachute.

Final rule; request for comments.

99-01-11 THE UNINSURED RELATIVE WORKSHOP INC. (doing business as and referred to herein as Relative Workshop): Amendment 39-10977; Docket No. 98-CE-101-AD.

Applicability: All Vector II and III Parachute Systems That Were Manufactured Between January 1, 1996, and September 10, 1998.

NOTE 1: This AD applies to any parachute system referenced in the Applicability section of this AD, regardless of whether it has been modified, altered, or repaired in the area subject to the requirements of this AD. For those parachute systems 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 (c) 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 prior to the next jump after the effective date of this AD, unless already accomplished.

To prevent the amp fittings from coming off the stainless steel breakaway housing, which could result in an unintentional partial breakaway of the main chute and interference with the deployment of the reserve parachute, accomplish the following:

(a) Inspect the amp fittings on the end of the breakaway housing for proper swaging, and re-swage any incorrectly swaged fittings using the Nicopress or Swage-It swaging tool. Accomplish these actions in accordance with Relative Workshop Product Service Bulletin #091098-B, dated September 10, 1998.

NOTE 2: The above-referenced service bulletin may be obtained from the manufacturer at the address in paragraph (d) of this AD or through the Internet at "http://www.relativeworkshop.com/".

(b) As of the effective date of this AD, no person shall put into serviceany of the affected parachute systems, unless the parachute system has been inspected and modified (as necessary), as specified in paragraph (a) of this AD.

(c) 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), One Crown Center, 1895 Phoenix Boulevard, Suite 450, Atlanta, Georgia 30349. The request shall be forwarded through an appropriate FAA Maintenance Inspector, who may add comments and then send it to the Manager, Atlanta ACO.

NOTE 3: Information concerning the existence of approved alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be obtained from the Atlanta ACO.

(d) The inspection and modification required by this AD shall be done in accordance with Relative Workshop Product Service Bulletin #091098-B, dated September 10, 1998. 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 Relative Workshop, 1645 North Lexington Avenue, DeLand, Florida 32724. Copies may be inspected at the FAA, Central Region, Office of the Regional 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.

(e) This amendment becomes effective on January 29, 1999.

Discussion
The FAA has received information regarding a quality control problem on Relative Workshop vector parachute systems. A loose amp fitting on the breakaway housing was found during packing of one of these Relative Workshop vector parachute systems. Further analysis reveals that the amp fittings on the end of the stainless steel breakaway housing were improperly swaged. This problem could exist on any of the 2,127 Relative Workshop vector parachute system that were manufactured between January 1, 1996, and September 10, 1998.
This condition, if not detected and corrected in a timely manner, could result in an unintentional partial breakaway of the main chute and interference with deployment of the reserve parachute.

Relevant Service Information
Relative Workshop has issued Product Service Bulletin #091098-B, dated September 10, 1998, which specifies procedures for inspecting the amp fittings on the end of the breakaway housing for proper swaging, and re-swaging any incorrectly swaged fittings using the Nicopress or Swage-It swaging tool.

The FAA's Determination
After examining the circumstances and reviewing all available information related to the incident described above, including the above-referenced service information, the FAA has determined that AD action should be taken to prevent the amp fittings from coming off the stainless steel breakaway housing, which could result in an unintentional partial breakaway of the main chute and interference with the deployment of the reserve parachute.

Explanation of the Provisions of the AD
Since an unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to exist or develop in other The Uninsured Relative Workshop Inc. vector parachute systems that were manufactured between January 1, 1996, and September 10, 1998, the FAA is issuing an AD. This AD requires inspecting the amp fittings on the end of the breakaway housing for proper swaging, and re-swaging any incorrectlyswaged fittings using the Nicopress or Swage-It swaging tool. Accomplishment of the actions specified in this AD is required in accordance with Relative Workshop Product Service Bulletin #091098-B, dated September 10, 1998.

Determination of the Effective Date of the AD
Since a situation exists that requires the immediate adoption of this regulation, it is found that notice and opportunity for public prior comment hereon are impracticable, and that good cause exists for making this amendment effective in less than 30 days.

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 addressspecified 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 thefollowing statement is made: "Comments to Docket No. 98-CE-101-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 parachutes, 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 (otherwise, an evaluation is not required). A copy of it, if filed, may be obtained from the Rules Docket.

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 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701.

39.13 [Amended]
2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding a new airworthiness directive (AD) to read as follows:

Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Central Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket No. 98-CE-101-AD, Room 1558, 601 E. 12th Street, Kansas City, Missouri 64106.
Service information that applies to this AD may be obtained from Relative Workshop, 1645 North Lexington Avenue, DeLand, Florida 32724; telephone: (904) 736-7589; facsimile: (904) 734-7537. This information may also be examined at the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Central Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket No. 98-CE-101-AD, Room 1558, 601 E. 12th Street, Kansas City, Missouri 64106; or at the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW, suite 700, Washington, DC.

Donald J. Young, Aerospace Engineer, FAA, Atlanta Aircraft Certification Office, One Crown Center, 1895 Phoenix Boulevard, suite 450, Atlanta, Georgia 30349; telephone: (770) 703-6079; facsimile: (770) 703-6097.