AD 2016-11-13

We are superseding airworthiness directive (AD) 99-19-33 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 lack of distinct color marking of the elevator drive. We are issuing this AD to require actions to address the unsafe condition on these products.

Final rule.

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 39-11320 (64 FR 50440, September 17, 1999) and adding the following new AD:

2016-11-13 BLANIK LIMITED: Amendment 39-18540; Docket No. FAA-2016- 4233; Directorate Identifier 2016-CE-003-AD.

(a) Effective Date

This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective July 14, 2016.

(b) Affected ADs

This AD supersedes AD 99-19-33, Amendment 39-11320 (64 FR 50440; September 17, 1999) (``AD 99-19-33'').

(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 27: Flight Controls.

(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 lack of distinct color marking of the elevator drive. We are issuing this AD to prevent inadvertent backward installation of the elevator drive, which could cause significant elevator deflection changes and lead to 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 3 calendar months after November 8, 1999 (the effective date retained from AD 99-19-33), paint the elevator drive mechanism using a contrasting color (suchas red) following the procedures in LET Mandatory Bulletin MB No.: L13/082a, dated December 10, 1998.
(ii) As of November 8, 1999 (the effective date retained from AD 99-19-33), only install an elevator bellcrank that has been painted as specified in paragraph (f)(1)(i) of this AD and that has been properly oriented to make sure it is not being installed backward.
(2) Model L-13 AC Blanik gliders:
(i) Within the next 3 calendar months after July 14, 2016 (the effective date of this AD), paint the elevator drive mechanism using a contrasting color (such as red) following the procedures in LET Mandatory Bulletin MB No.: L13/082a, dated December 10, 1998.

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(ii) As of July 14, 2016 (the effective date of this AD), only install an elevator bellcrank that has been painted as specified in paragraph (f)(2)(i) of this AD and that has been properly oriented to make sure it is not being installed backward.

(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.

(h) Related Information

Refer to MCAI Civil Aviation Authority AD CAA-AD-4-099/98, dated December 30, 1998, for related information. The MCAI can be found in the AD docket on the Internet at: https://www.regulations.gov/#!documentDetail;D=FAA-2016-4233-0003.

(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 8, 1999 (64 FR 50440, September 17, 1999).
(i) LET Mandatory Bulletin MB No.: L13/082a, dated December 10, 1998.
(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 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-2016-4233.
(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.

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 4, 2016 (81 FR 11473), and proposed to supersede AD 99-19-33, Amendment 39-11320 (64 FR 50440; September 17, 1999) (``AD 99-19-33'').
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:

Colour marking of elevator drive is not inspected or re-painted during sailplane operation. The elevator drive is asymmetrical and improper installation causes significant elevator deflection changes.

The MCAI can be found in the AD docket on the Internet at: https://www.regulations.gov/#!documentDetail;D=FAA-2016-4233-0003.
A review of recordssince issuance of AD 99-19-33 revealed that the FAA inadvertently did not address this MCAI for the EVEKTOR, spol. s.r.o. Models L 13 SEH VIVAT and L 13 SDM VIVAT gliders and the BLANIK LIMITED Model L-13 AC Blanik gliders. This AD would supersede AD 99-19- 13 to add

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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. Models L 13 SEH VIVAT and 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 11473, March 4, 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 11473, March 4, 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 11473, March 4, 2016).

Related Service Information

We reviewed LET Aeronautical Works LET Mandatory Bulletin MB No.: L13/082a, dated December 10, 1998. The service information describes procedures for painting the left arm of the elevator drive. 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 1 work-hour per product to comply with the basic requirements of this AD. The average labor rate is $85 per work-hour. Required parts would cost about $10 per product.
Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of the AD on U.S. operatorsto be $11,780, or $95 per product.

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- 4233; 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.