[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 13 (Wednesday, January 21, 1998)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 3054-3056]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-1298]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 97-CE-127-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Stemme GmbH & Co. KG Models S10 and
S10-V Sailplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
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SUMMARY: This document proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive
(AD) that would apply to certain Stemme GmbH & Co. KG (Stemme) Models
S10 and S10-V sailplanes. The proposed AD would require replacing the
horizontal stabilizer rear fittings with parts of improved design. The
proposed AD is the result of mandatory continuing airworthiness
information (MCAI) issued by the airworthiness authority for Germany.
The actions specified by the proposed AD are intended to prevent
structural failure of the horizontal stabilizer caused by cracked rear
fittings, which could result in reduced sailplane controllability.
DATES: Comments must be received on or before February 23, 1998.
ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), Central Region, Office of the Regional Counsel,
Attention: Rules Docket No. 97-CE-127-AD, Room 1558, 601 E. 12th
Street, Kansas City, Missouri 64106. Comments may be inspected at this
location between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, holidays
excepted.
Service information that applies to the proposed AD may be obtained
from Stemme GmbH & Co. KG, Gustav-Meyer-Allee 25, D-13355 Berlin,
Germany; telephone: 49.33.41.31.11.70; facsimile: 49.33.41.31.11.73.
This information also may be examined at the Rules Docket at the
address above.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Mike Kiesov, Aerospace Engineer,
Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service, FAA, 1201
Walnut, suite 900, Kansas City, Missouri 64106; telephone (816) 426-
6934; facsimile (816) 426-2169.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments Invited
Interested persons are invited to participate in the making of the
proposed rule by submitting such written data, views, or arguments as
they may desire. Communications should identify the Rules Docket number
and be submitted in triplicate to the address specified above. All
communications received on or before the closing date for comments,
specified above, will be considered before taking action on the
proposed rule. The proposals contained in this notice may be changed in
light of the comments received.
Comments are specifically invited on the overall regulatory,
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the proposed rule. All
comments submitted will be available, both before and after the closing
date for comments, in the Rules Docket for examination by interested
persons. A report that summarizes each FAA-public contact concerned
with the substance of this proposal will be filed in the Rules Docket.
Commenters wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments
submitted in response to this notice must submit a self-addressed,
stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments
to Docket No. 97-CE-127-AD.'' The postcard will be date stamped and
returned to the commenter.
Availability of NPRMs
Any person may obtain a copy of this NPRM by submitting a request
to the FAA, Central Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, Attention:
Rules Docket No. 97-CE-127-AD, Room 1558, 601 E. 12th Street, Kansas
City, Missouri 64106.
Discussion
The Luftfahrt-Bundesamt (LBA), which is the airworthiness authority
for Germany, notified the FAA that an unsafe condition may exist on
certain Stemme S10 and S10-V sailplanes. The LBA reports that
operational loads are causing internal stress on the welds of the rear
fitting of the horizontal stabilizer of the above-referenced
sailplanes.
This condition, if not detected and corrected, could result in
failure of the horizontal stabilizer with possible reduced sailplane
controllability.
Relevant Service Information
Stemme has issued Service Bulletin No. A31-10-022, dated August 16,
1996, which specifies procedures for inspecting the horizontal
stabilizer rear fittings for cracks and replacing any cracked fittings
with parts of improved design obtained from Stemme; and also specifies
revising the maintenance manual.
[[Page 3055]]
The LBA classified this service bulletin as mandatory and issued
German AD 96-300, effective October 24, 1996, in order to assure the
continued airworthiness of these sailplanes in Germany.
The FAA's Determination
This sailplane model is manufactured in Germany and is type
certificated for operation in the United States under the provisions of
section 21.29 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 21.29) and
the applicable bilateral airworthiness agreement. Pursuant to this
bilateral airworthiness agreement, the LBA has kept the FAA informed of
the situation described above.
The FAA has examined the findings of the LBA; reviewed all
available information, including the service information referenced
above; and determined that AD action is necessary for products of this
type design that are certificated for operation in the United States.
Explanation of the Provisions of the Proposed AD
Since an unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to
exist or develop in other Stemme Model S10 and S10-V sailplanes of the
same type design registered in the United States, the FAA is proposing
AD action. The proposed AD would require replacing the horizontal
stabilizer rear fittings with parts of improved design. Accomplishment
of the proposed installation would be in accordance with the service
information previously referenced.
Differences Between the Service Bulletin, German AD, and This
Proposed AD
Stemme Service Bulletin No. A31-10-022, dated August 16, 1996, and
German AD No. 96-300, effective October 24, 1996, both require
inspecting the horizontal stabilizer fittings for cracks and replacing
the fittings if found cracked. Stemme Service Bulletin No. A31-10-022
specifies changing the maintenance manual to include repetitive
inspections of these fittings.
The FAA's policy is to provide corrective action that will
eliminate the need for repetitive inspections. The FAA has determined
that long-term operational safety will be better assured by design
changes that remove the source of the problem, rather than by
repetitive inspections or other special procedures.
Because replacing the horizontal stabilizer rear fittings with
parts of improved design on the affected sailplanes eliminates the need
for repetitive inspections, the proposed AD differs from the service
bulletin and German AD in that it would mandate replacement of the
horizontal stabilizer rear fittings.
Cost Impact
The FAA estimates that 9 sailplanes in the U.S. registry would be
affected by the proposed AD, that it would take approximately 3
workhours per sailplane to accomplish the proposed replacement, and
that the average labor rate is approximately $60 an hour. Parts cost
approximately $200 per sailplane. Based on these figures, the total
cost impact of the proposed AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be
$3,420.
Regulatory Impact
The regulations proposed herein would not have substantial direct
effects 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, in
accordance with Executive Order 12612, it is determined that this
proposal would not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant
the preparation of a Federalism Assessment.
For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this 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, pursuant to 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.
Sec. 39.13 [Amended]
2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding a new airworthiness directive
(AD) to read as follows:
Stemme GmbH & Co. KG: Docket No. 97-CE-127-AD.
Applicability: The following sailplane models and serial
numbers, certificated in any category:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Models Serial Nos.
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S10................................. 10-03 through 10-63.
S10V................................ 14-002 through 14-026 and
transformed S10V airplanes with
serial numbers of 14-012M through
14-063M.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Note 1: This AD applies to each sailplane identified in the
preceding applicability provision, regardless of whether it has been
modified, altered, or repaired in the area subject to the
requirements of this AD. For sailplanes 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.
Compliance: Required within the next 25 hours time-in-service
(TIS) after the effective date of this AD, unless already
accomplished.
To prevent structural failure of the horizontal stabilizer
caused by cracked rear fittings, which could result in reduced
sailplane controllability, accomplish the following:
(a) Replace the horizontal stabilizer rear fittings with
improved design fittings in accordance with the instructions in
Stemme Service Bulletin No. A31-10-022, dated August 16, 1996.
(b) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with
sections 21.197 and 21.199 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14
CFR 21.197 and 21.199) to operate the sailplane to a location where
the requirements of this AD can be accomplished.
(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, Small Airplane Directorate, FAA, 1201
Walnut, suite 900, Kansas City, Missouri 64106. The request shall be
forwarded through an appropriate FAA Maintenance Inspector, who may
add comments and then send it to the Manager, Small Airplane
Directorate.
Note 2: Information concerning the existence of approved
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be
obtained from the Small Airplane Directorate.
(d) Questions or technical information related to Stemme Service
Bulletin No. A31-10-022 dated August 16, 1996, should be directed to
Stemme GmbH & Co. KG, Gustav-Meyer-Allee 25, D-13355 Berlin,
Germany;
[[Page 3056]]
telephone: 49.33.41.31.11.70; facsimile: 49.33.41.31.11.73. This
service information may be examined at the FAA, Central Region,
Office of the Regional Counsel, Room 1558, 601 E. 12th Street,
Kansas City, Missouri 64106.
Note 3: The subject of this AD is addressed in German AD 96-300,
dated October 24, 1996.
Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on January 12, 1998.
Michael Gallagher,
Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 98-1298 Filed 1-20-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U
