AD 97-08-06

This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) that applies to Louis L'Hotellier S.A. (L'Hotellier) ball and swivel joint quick connectors installed on gliders and sailplanes that are not equipped with a "Uerling" sleeve or an LS-safety sleeve. These connectors allow the operator of the gliders and sailplanes to quickly connect and disconnect the control systems during assembly and disassembly for storage purposes. This action requires enlarging the safety pin guide hole diameter, and fabricating and installing a placard that specifies a check of the security of the connectors prior to each flight. Several in-flight accidents involving inadvertent disconnection of these connectors that are installed on certain gliders and sailplanes prompted this action. The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent the connectors from becoming inadvertently disconnected, which could result in loss of control of the sailplane or glider.

Final rule.

97-08-06 LOUIS L'HOTELLIER, S.A. BALL AND SWIVEL JOINT QUICK CONNECTORS: Amendment 39-9994; Docket No. 92-CE-41-AD.

Applicability: All quick connectors installed in, but not limited to, the following gliders and sailplanes that are not equipped with a "Uerling" sleeve or an LS-Safety sleeve:

Manufacturer
Models

Alexander Schleicher
ASK21, ASK23, ASW 12, ASW15,
ASW15B, ASW17, ASW19, ASW19B,
ASW24, ASW24B, AS 12, AS-K13,
AS-K13, Ka 6, Ka 6 B, Ka 6 BR, Ka 6 C,
Ka 6 CR, Ka 6 CR-Pe, Ka 6 E, K7, Ka2B, K 8, K 8 B, and Rhonlerche II

Centrair, S.N.
101, 101A, 101P, 101AP, and 201B

Eiriavion
PIK 20, PIK 20B, and PIK 20D

Glaser Dirks
DG100, DG400, and DG-500M

Burkhart Grob
G102 Astir CS, G102 Club Astir III, G102 Club Astir IIIb, G102 Standard Astir III,
G102, G103 Twin Astir, G103 Twin II,
G103A Twin II Acro, G103C Twin III Acro, G103C Twin III SL, G109, and G109B

Intreprinderea ICA (Lark)
IS-28B2 and IS-29D2

Rolladen Schneider
LS1-f and LS3-a

Schempp-Hirth
Cirrus, Std. Cirrus, Nimbus 2, Nimbus 2B, Mini-Nimbus HS-7, Mini-Nimbus B, Janus, Discus a, Duo-Discus, Standard Austria-S, Standard Austria-SH, Standard Austria-SH1, Ventus, Ventus-a, and Ventus-a/16.6

Schweizer
2-33 and 1-26

NOTE 1: This AD applies to the product 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 the product that has 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 (d) 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 within the next 30 calendar days after the effective date of this AD, or upon installation of the quick connectors, whichever occurs later, unless already accomplished.

To prevent the quick connectors from becoming inadvertently disconnected, which could result in loss of control of the sailplane or glider, accomplish the following:

(a) For quick connectors that have a safety pin guide hole, enlarge the hole in the lock plate to a minimum diameter of 1.2 mm (0.05 in.) to accommodate a safety wire or pin.

(b) Fabricate and install a placard (using 1/8 inch letters) in the glider or sailplane, within the pilot's clear view, with the following words: "All L'Hotellier control system connectors must be secured with safety wire, pins, or safety sleeves, as applicable, prior to operation."

(c) Fabricating and installing the placard as required by paragraph (b) of this AD may be performed by the 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 sailplane's or glider's records showing compliance with this AD in accordance with section 43.9 of the Federal Aviation Regulations.

(d) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the compliance times that provides an equivalent level of safety may be approved by the Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service, FAA, 1201 Walnut, suite 900, Kansas City, Missouri 64106. The request shall be forwarded through an appropriate FAA Maintenance Inspector, who may add comments and then send it to the Manager, Small Airplane Directorate.

NOTE 2: Information concerning the existence of approved alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be obtained from Small Airplane Directorate.

(e) Copies of this AD may be inspected at the FAA, Central Region, Officeof 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.

(f) This amendment becomes effective on June 2, 1997.

Events Leading to the Issuance of This AD
A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) to include an AD that would apply Louis L'Hotellier S.A. (L'Hotellier) ball and swivel joint quick connectors was published in the Federal Register on November 21, 1996 (61 FR 59203). The action proposed to require the following actions for gliders and sailplanes utilizing the L'Hotellier ball and swivel joint quick connectors, and that are not equipped with a "Uerling" sleeve or an LS-Safety sleeve:

-- Enlarge the safety pin guide hole diameter to a minimum of 1.2 mm (0.05 in.) to accommodate a safety wire or pin, as applicable.

-- Fabricate a placard (using 1/8 inch letters) with the following words: "All L'Hotellier control system connectors must be secured with safety wire, pins, or safety sleeves, as applicable, prior to operation."

-- Install this placard in the glider or sailplane within the pilot's clear view.Interested persons have been 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
After careful review of all available information related to the subject presented above, the FAA has determined that air safety and the public interest require the adoption of the rule as proposed except for minor editorial corrections. The FAA has 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.

Cost Impact
The FAA estimates that 1,100 sailplanes and gliders, with an average of 4 connectors per sailplane, in the U.S. registry would be affected by this AD, that it would take less than 4 workhours per sailplane or glider to accomplish the action (less than 1 workhour per connector), and that the average labor rate is approximately $60 an hour. Based on these figures, the total cost impact of this AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $264,000. This cost is figured for the estimated time it would take for an authorized mechanic to enlarge the safety pin guide hole diameter. An owner/operator who holds a private pilot's certificate, as authorized by sections 43.7 and 43.11 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 43.7 and 43.11), can fabricate and install the placard. This $264,000 figure is based on the assumption that all of the affected owners/operators of the affected sailplanes and gliders do not have the guide pin hole already enlarged, a safety sleeve installed, or the placard installed.

Compliance Time
The compliance time of this AD is in calendar time instead of hours time-in-service (TIS). The average monthly usage of the affected sailplanes and gliders ranges throughout the fleet. For example, one owner may operate the sailplane or glider 25 hours in one week, while another operator mayoperate the sailplane or glider 25 hours in one year. For this reason, the FAA has determined that, in order to ensure that all of the owners/operators of the affected sailplanes and gliders incorporate the required actions within a reasonable amount of time, a calendar compliance time is required.

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.

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, 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.

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