DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2017-1068; Product Identifier 2017-CE-034-AD; Amendment
39-19190; AD 2018-03-17]
RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; Aeroclubul Romaniei Gliders

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of
Transportation (DOT).

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for
Aeroclubul Romaniei Model IS-28B2 gliders. 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 cracks at stringers in the rear fuselage of several Model
IS-28B2 gliders. We are issuing this AD to require actions to address
the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective March 20, 2018.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of certain publications listed in the AD as of March 20,
2018.

ADDRESSES: You may examine the AD docket on the internet at http://
www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2017-
1068; or in person at U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New
Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590.
For service information identified in this AD, contact Aeroclubul
Romaniei, Bd.Lascar Catargiu, Nr.54, cod: 010673, Sector 1, Bucharest,
Romania; telephone: 011+40 021-312-36-19; fax: 011+40 021-312-36-19;
internet: www.aeroclubulromaniei.ro; email: www.aeroclubulromaniei.ro/
contact/. You may view this referenced service information at the FAA,
Policy and Innovation Division, 901 Locust, Kansas City, Missouri
64106. For information on the availability of this material at the FAA,
call (816) 329-4148. It is also available on the internet at http://www.
regulations.gov by searching for Docket No. FAA-2017-1068.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jim Rutherford, Aerospace Engineer,
FAA, Small Airplane Standards Branch, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas
City, Missouri 64106; telephone: (816) 329-4165; fax: (816) 329-4090;
email: jim.rutherford@faa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

We issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR
part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to Aeroclubul Romaniei Model
IS-28B2 gliders. The NPRM was published in the Federal Register on
November 14, 2017 (82 FR 52676). 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:

Cracks were reportedly detected, located at stringers in the
rear fuselage of a number of IS-28B2 sailplanes. The subsequent
investigation attributed these cracks to induction of a pre-stress
during the manufacturing process of the affected parts.
This condition, if not detected and corrected, could lead to
reduced structural strength, possibly resulting in a loss of
structural integrity of the sailplane.
To address this potentially unsafe condition, Aeroclubul
Romaniei (AR) issued Service Bulletin (SB) SB-IS-28B2-AR-01 to
provide inspection instructions. AR is currently developing
modification(s) to provide a design solution for the affected
sailplanes.
For the reasons described above, this [EASA] AD requires
repetitive inspections of the structure of the rear fuselage and,
depending on findings, accomplishment of applicable corrective
action(s).
This [EASA] AD is considered to be an interim action and further
AD action may follow.

The MCAI can be found in the AD docket on the internet at: https://www.regulations.gov/document?D=FAA-2017-1068-0002.

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 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 for correcting the unsafe condition; and
Do not add any additional burden upon the public than was
already proposed in the NPRM.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

We reviewed Aeroclubul Romaniei Service Bulletin No.: SB-IS-28B2-
AR-01, Revision 003, dated February 9, 2017 (ARSB No. AR-01), and
Aeroclubul Romaniei Service Bulletin No.: SB-IS-28B2-AR-02, Revision
01, dated February 24, 2017 (ARSB No. AR-02). ARSB No. AR-01 describes
procedures for inspection of the rear fuselage area to detect any
cracks, ruptures, or corrosion. ARSB No. AR-02 describes procedures for
installation of a modification to the upper stringer of the rear
fuselage. 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 30 products of U.S. registry.
We also estimate that it would take about 2 work-hours 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 $5,100, or $170 per product.
In addition, we estimate that any necessary follow-on actions would
take about 15 work-hours and require parts costing $1,000, for a cost
of $2,275 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.
This AD is issued in accordance with authority delegated by the
Executive Director, Aircraft Certification Service, as authorized by
FAA Order 8000.51C. In accordance with that order, issuance of ADs is
normally a function of the Compliance and Airworthiness Division, but
during this transition period, the Executive Director has delegated the
authority to issue ADs applicable to small airplanes, gliders,
balloons, airships, domestic business jet transport airplanes, and
associated appliances to the Director of the Policy and Innovation
Division.

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-2017-
1068; or in person at Docket Operations 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 Docket Operations (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.

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: