AD 2010-24-10

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for the products listed above. 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:

Damages to the rudder bar locking adjustment tube of a non- reinforced version have been reported to Soci[eacute]t[eacute] Nouvelle (SN) Centrair. This tube had been reinforced in 1984 with a modification. Gliders produced before the introduction of this modification have not been systematically retrofitted.

In case of rudder bar locking adjustment tube breaking in flight when adjusting the rudder pedals position, it might interfere with the rudder pedals which could lead to rudder jam or a restricted rudder movement and consequently, to reduced control of the sailplane.

We are issuing this AD to require actions to correct the unsafe condition on these products.

Final rule.

2010-24-10 CENTRAIR: Amendment 39-16529; Docket No. FAA-2010-0735; Directorate Identifier 2010-CE-030-AD.

Effective Date

(a) This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective January 5, 2011.

Affected ADs

(b) None.

Applicability

(c) This AD applies to CENTRAIR Models 101, 101A, 101P, and 101AP gliders, all serial numbers, certificated in any category.

Subject

(d) Air Transport Association of America (ATA) Code 27: Flight Controls.

Reason

(e) The mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) states:

Damages to the rudder bar locking adjustment tube of a non- reinforced version have been reported to Soci[eacute]t[eacute] Nouvelle (SN) Centrair. This tube had been reinforced in 1984 with a modification. Gliders produced before the introduction of this modification have not been systematically retrofitted.

In case of rudder bar locking adjustment tube breaking in flight when adjusting the rudder pedals position, it might interfere with the rudder pedals which could lead to rudder jam or a restricted rudder movement and consequently, to reduced control of the sailplane.

For the reason described above, this AD requires inspecting the rudder bar locking adjustment tube and, if necessary, replacing it.

Actions and Compliance

(f) Unless already done, do the following actions in accordance with Soci[eacute]t[eacute] Nouvelle Centrair Service Bulletin No. 101-29, dated July 30, 2009:

(1) Within the next 30 days after January 5, 2011 (the effective date of this AD), inspect the rudder bar locking adjustment tube to determine if it has been reinforced and to determine if it has been damaged.

(2) If the results of the inspection required in paragraph (f)(1) of this AD show that the rudder bar locking adjustment tube has not been reinforced and is not damaged, replace it with a reinforced rudder bar locking adjustment tube, part number (P/N) $Y186A, at the next scheduled maintenance event after January 5, 2011 (the effective date of this AD) but no later than 12 months after January 5, 2011 (the effective date of this AD).

(3) If the results of the inspection required in paragraph (f)(1) of this AD show that the rudder bar locking adjustment tube has not been reinforced but is damaged, replace it with a reinforced rudder bar locking adjustment tube, P/N $Y186A, before further flight.

FAA AD Differences

Note: This AD differs from the MCAI and/or service information as follows: No differences.

Other FAA AD Provisions

(g) 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: Greg Davison, Aerospace Engineer, FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, Missouri 64106; telephone: (816) 329-4130; fax: (816) 329-4090. Beforeusing any approved AMOC on any glider 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.

(3) Reporting Requirements: For any reporting requirement in this AD, a federal agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to, nor shall a person be subject to a penalty for failure to comply with a collection of information subject to the requirements of the Paperwork Reduction Act unless that collection of information displays a current valid OMB Control Number. The OMB Control Number for this information collection is 2120-0056. Public reporting for this collection of information is estimated to be approximately 5 minutes per response, including the time for reviewing instructions, completing and reviewing the collection of information. All responses to this collection of information are mandatory. Comments concerning the accuracy of this burden and suggestions for reducing the burden should be directed to the FAA at: 800 Independence Ave., SW., Washington, DC 20591, Attn: Information Collection Clearance Officer, AES-200.

Related Information

(h) Refer to MCAI European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD No. 2010-0099, dated May 26, 2010; and Soci[eacute]t[eacute] Nouvelle Centrair Service Bulletin No. 101-29, dated July 30, 2009, for related information.

Material Incorporated by Reference

(i) You must use Soci[eacute]t[eacute] Nouvelle Centrair Service Bulletin No. 101-29, dated July 30, 2009, to do the actions required by this AD, unlessthe AD specifies otherwise.

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

(2) For service information identified in this AD, contact Soci[eacute]t[eacute] Nouvelle CENTRAIR, Aerodome--36300 Le Blanc, France; telephone: +33 (0)254 370796; fax: +33 (0)54. 374864; Internet: http://www.societe.com.

(3) You may review copies of the service information incorporated by reference for this AD at the FAA, Central Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, 901 Locust, Kansas City, Missouri 64106. For information on the availability of this material at the Central Region, call (816) 329-3768.

(4) You may also review copies of the service information incorporated by reference for this AD 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/code_of_federal_regulations/ ibr_locations.html.

Discussion

We issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR part 39 to include an AD that would apply to the specified products. That NPRM was published in the Federal Register on July 23, 2010 (75 FR 43103). That NPRM proposed to correct an unsafe condition for the specified products. The MCAI, issued on May 26, 2010, states:

Damages to the rudder bar locking adjustment tube of a non- reinforced version have been reported to Soci[eacute]t[eacute] Nouvelle (SN) Centrair. This tube had been reinforced in 1984 with a modification. Gliders produced before the introduction of this modification have not been systematically retrofitted.

In case of rudder bar locking adjustment tube breaking in flight when adjusting the rudder pedals position, it might interfere with the rudder pedals which could lead to rudder jam or a restricted rudder movement and consequently, to reduced control of the sailplane.

For the reason described above, this AD requires inspecting the rudder bar locking adjustment tube and, if necessary, replacing it.

You may obtain further information by examining the MCAI in the AD docket.

Comments

We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing this AD. We received no comments on the NPRM or on the determination of the cost to the public.

Conclusion

We reviewed the available data and determined that air safety and the public interest require adopting the AD as proposed.

Differences Between This AD and the MCAI or Service Information

We have reviewed the MCAI and related service information and, in general, agree with their substance. But we might have found it necessary to use different words from those in the MCAI to ensure the AD is clear for U.S. operators and is enforceable. In making these changes, we do not intend to differ substantively from the information provided in the MCAI and related service information.

We might also have required different actions in this AD from those in the MCAI in order to follow FAA policies. Any such differences are highlighted in a NOTE within the AD.

Costs of Compliance

We estimate that this AD will affect 52 products of U.S. registry. We also estimate that it will 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.

Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of this AD on U.S. operators to be $4,420 or $85 per product.

In addition, we estimate that any necessary follow-on actions will take about 1 work-hour and require parts costing $51, for a cost of $136 per product. We have no way of 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 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.

We prepared a regulatory evaluation of the estimated costs to comply with this AD and placed it in the AD Docket.

Examining the AD Docket

You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http:// www.regulations.gov; 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 ADdocket 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

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. The FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by adding the following new AD: