AD 99-01-11 Airworthiness Directives; The Uninsured Relative Workshop Inc. Vector Parachute Systems

All Vector II and III Parachute Systems That Were Manufactured Between January 1, 1996, and September 10, 1998. Note 1: This AD applies to any parachute system referenced in the Applicability section of this AD, regardless of whether it has been modified, altered, or repaired in the area subject to the requirements of this AD. For those parachute systems that have 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 (c) 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.

Required prior to the next jump after the effective date of this AD, unless already accomplished. To prevent the amp fittings from coming off the stainless steel breakaway housing, which could result in an unintentional partial breakaway of the main chute and interference with the deployment of the reserve parachute, accomplish the following: (a) Inspect the amp fittings on the end of the breakaway housing for proper swaging, and re-swage any incorrectly swaged fittings using the Nicopress or Swage-It swaging tool. Accomplish these actions in accordance with Relative Workshop Product Service Bulletin #091098-B, dated September 10, 1998. Note 2: The above-referenced service bulletin may be obtained from the manufacturer at the address in paragraph (d) of this AD or through the Internet at `` http://www.relativeworkshop.com/ ''. [[Page 753]] (b) As of the effective date of this AD, no person shall put into service any of the affected parachute systems, unless the parachute system has been inspected and modified (as necessary), as specified in paragraph (a) of this AD. (c) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the compliance time that provides an equivalent level of safety may be approved by the Manager, Atlanta Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), One Crown Center, 1895 Phoenix Boulevard, Suite 450, Atlanta, Georgia 30349. The request shall be forwarded through an appropriate FAA Maintenance Inspector, who may add comments and then send it to the Manager, Atlanta ACO. Note 3: Information concerning the existence of approved alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be obtained from the Atlanta ACO. (d) The inspection and modification required by this AD shall be done in accordance with Relative Workshop Product Service Bulletin #091098-B, dated September 10, 1998. This incorporation by reference was approved by the Director of the Federal Register in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. Copies may be obtained from Relative Workshop, 1645 North Lexington Avenue, DeLand, Florida 32724. Copies may be inspected at the FAA, Central Region, Office of the Regional 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. (e) This amendment becomes effective on January 29, 1999. Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on December 22, 1998. Michael Gallagher, Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certfication Service. [FR Doc. 99-142 Filed 1-5-99; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910-13-U