Airworthiness Directives; EXTRA Flugzeugbau GmbH Models EA-300, EA-300L, and EA-300S Airplanes

AGENCY:

Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION:

Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

SUMMARY:

This document proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) that would apply to certain EXTRA Flugzeugbau GmbH (EXTRA) Models EA-300, EA-300L, and EA-300S airplanes. The proposed AD would require (for all affected airplanes) an inspection of the upper longeron at the horizontal stabilizer attachment for cracks using a fluorescent dye check penetrant method, repair of any cracks found, and modification of the horizontal stabilizer. The proposed AD would require a limit on operation to the Normal category until accomplishment of the initial inspection and modification on airplanes with less than 200 hours time-in-service (TIS). The proposed AD is the result of reports of fatigue cracks at the horizontal stabilizer attachment on the affected airplanes. The actions specified by the proposed AD are intended to detect and correct cracks in the horizontal stabilizer attachment, which could result in structural failure of the aft fuselage with consequent loss of control of the airplane.

DATES:

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) must receive any comments on this proposed rule on or before October 31, 2001.

ADDRESSES:

Submit comments to FAA, Central Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket No. 99-CE-85-AD, 901 Locust, Room 506, Kansas City, Missouri 64106. You may view any comments at this location between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.

You may get service information that applies to this proposed AD from EXTRA Flugzeugbau GmbH, Flugplatz Dinslaken, D-46569 Hünxe, Federal Republic of Germany; telephone: (0 28 58) 91 37-00; facsimile: (0 28 58) 91 37-30. You may also view this information at the Rules Docket at the address above.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Karl Schletzbaum, Aerospace Engineer, FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, Missouri 64106; telephone: (816) 329-4146; facsimile: (816) 329-4090.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

How Do I Comment on This Proposed AD?

The FAA invites comments on this proposed rule. You may submit whatever written data, views, or arguments you choose. You need to include the rule's docket number and submit your comments to the address specified under the caption ADDRESSES. We will consider all comments received on or before the closing date. We may amend this proposed rule in light of comments received. Factual information that supports your ideas and suggestions is extremely helpful in evaluating the effectiveness of this proposed AD action and determining whether we need to take additional rulemaking action.

Are There Any Specific Portions of This Proposed AD I Should Pay Attention to?

FAA specifically invites comments on the overall regulatory, economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this proposed rule that might suggest a need to modify the rule. You may view all comments we receive before and after the closing date of the rule in the Rules Docket. We will file a report in the Rules Docket that summarizes each contact we have with the public that concerns the substantive parts of this proposed AD.

How Can I Be Sure FAA Receives My Comment?

If you want us to acknowledge the receipt of your comments, you must include a self-addressed, stamped postcard. On the postcard, write “Comments to Docket No. 99-CE-85-AD.” We will date stamp and mail the postcard back to you.

Discussion

What Events Have Caused This Proposed AD?

On October 17, 1997, FAA issued a Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin (SAIB) to recommend an inspection of the horizontal stabilizer attachment on EXTRA Models EA-300, EA-300L, and EA-300S airplanes. The SAIB recommended compliance with EXTRA Service Bulletin SB-300-2-95.

The Luftfahrt-Bundesamt (LBA), which is the airworthiness authority for Germany, did not consider the actions of the service bulletin mandatory and consequently did not issue an AD against airplanes on the German register. The FAA also did not issue an AD at this time because the service history did not warrant such action.

Since that time, FAA has received information that indicates fatigue cracks at the horizontal stabilizer attachment are occurring on the above-referenced airplanes. These airplanes are utilized in aerobatic maneuvers and the stress in the area of the horizontal stabilizer can lead to cracks in this area, as well as in the upper longerons and diagonal braces.

What Are the Consequences if the Condition Is Not Corrected?

This condition, if not corrected, could lead to structural failure of the aft fuselage with consequent loss of control of the airplane.

Is There Service Information That Applies to This Subject?

As indicated above, EXTRA Service Bulletin SB-300-2-95 pertains to this subject. EXTRA has since revised Service Bulletin No. 300-2-95 (pages 2-6 at Issue: C, dated July 15, 1998; and pages 1 and 7 through 11 at Issue: D, dated January 30, 2001).

What Action Did LBA Take?

As of the issue date of this NPRM, LBA has not taken AD action on this subject.

The FAA's Determination and an Explanation of the Provisions of the Proposed AD

What Has FAA Decided?

After examining the circumstances and reviewing all available information related to the incidents described above, including the referenced service information, we have determined that:

—The unsafe condition referenced in this document exists or could develop on other EXTRA Models EA-300, EA-300L, and EA-300S airplanes of the same type design registered in the United States; and

—AD action should be taken in order to detect and correct cracks in the horizontal stabilizer attachment, which could result in structural failure of the aft fuselage with consequent loss of control of the airplane.

What Would the Proposed AD Require?

This proposed AD would require:

—For all affected airplanes: an inspection of the upper longeron at the horizontal stabilizer attachment for cracks using a fluorescent dye check penetrant method, repair of any cracks found, and modification of the horizontal stabilizer; and

—On airplanes with less than 200 hours time-in-service (TIS) as of the effective date of the proposed AD: a limit on operation to the Normal category until accomplishment of the initial inspection and modification.

Accomplishment of the actions specified in the proposed AD would be in accordance with the instructions included in the proposed AD and as specified in the applicable service manual.

Cost Impact

How Many Airplanes Would the Proposed AD Impact?

We estimate that the proposed AD affects 55 airplanes in the U.S. registry.

What Would Be the Cost Impact of the Proposed AD on Owners/Operators of the Affected Airplanes?

We estimate the following costs to accomplish the proposed inspection:

Regulatory Impact

Would This Proposed AD Impact Various Entities?

The regulations proposed herein would 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. Therefore, it is determined that this proposed rule would not have federalism implications under Executive Order 13132.

Would This Proposed AD Involve a Significant Rule or Regulatory Action?

For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this proposed 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) if promulgated, 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 draft regulatory evaluation prepared for this action has been placed 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

The Proposed Amendment

Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration proposes to amend 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.