[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 244 (Friday, December 19, 1997)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 66563-66565]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-33141]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 97-CE-101-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Alexander Schleicher Segelflugzeugbau
Model ASW-19 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 Alexander Schleicher Segelflugzeugbau
(Alexander Schleicher) Model ASW-19 sailplanes. The proposed AD would
require modifying the inspection hole cover in the fuselage area. 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 loss
of aileron and flap control caused by an inspection hole cover entering
the fuselage, which could result in loss of control of the sailplane.
DATES: Comments must be received on or before January 19, 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-101-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 Alexander Schleicher Segelflugzeugbau, 6416 Poppenhausen,
Wasserkuppe, Federal Republic of Germany. This information also may be
examined at the Rules Docket at the address above.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. J. Mike Kiesov, Project Officer,
Sailplanes/Gliders, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service, FAA, 1201 Walnut, suite 900, Kansas City, Missouri 64106;
telephone (816) 426-6932; 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-101-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-101-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 Alexander Schleicher Model ASW-19 sailplanes. The LBA reports
that an inspection hole cover entered the fuselage area on a Model ASW-
20 sailplane and jammed the aileron and flap controls.
[[Page 66564]]
The Model ASW-19 sailplanes are of a similar design to that of the
ASW-20 sailplanes, so the condition is likely to exist or develop on
certain Model ASW-19 sailplanes. The Model ASW-20 sailplanes are not
type certificated for operation in the United States.
This condition, if not corrected, could result in loss of aileron
and flap control with consequent loss of control of the sailplane.
Relevant Service Information
Alexander Schleicher has issued Technical Note No. 7, September 11,
1978, which specifies procedures for modifying the inspection hole
cover in the fuselage area. This service bulletin also specifies taping
the inspection hole cover before the modification to assure that it
doesn't enter the fuselage, and taping the inspection hole after the
modification to reduce noise and rattle and improve the aerodynamics.
The LBA classified this service bulletin as mandatory and issued
German AD No. 78-303, dated November 13, 1978, 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 certain Alexander Schleicher Models ASW-19
sailplanes of the same type design registered in the United States, the
FAA is proposing AD action. The proposed AD would require modifying the
inspection hole cover in the fuselage area. Accomplishment of the
proposed installation would be in accordance with the technical note
previously referenced.
Cost Impact
The FAA estimates that 30 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 modification, and
that the average labor rate is approximately $60 an hour. Parts cost
approximately $40 per sailplane. Based on these figures, the total cost
impact of the proposed AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $6,600,
or $220 per sailplane.
Differences Between German AD, the Technical Note, and This
Proposed AD
Alexander Schleicher Technical Note No. 7 specifies taping the
inspection hole cover prior to each flight before the modification to
assure that it doesn't enter the fuselage, and taping the inspection
hole after the modification to reduce noise and rattle and improve the
aerodynamics.
German AD No. 78-303, dated November 13, 1978, requires taping the
inspection hole cover prior to each flight until the modification is
accomplished at the next annual inspection.
The FAA does not have service history to require taping the
inspection hole cover prior to each flight before accomplishment of the
modification. Instead the FAA has determined that 6 calendar months is
a reasonable time period for the affected sailplane owners/operators to
have the inspection hole cover modified. In addition, although the FAA
believes that taping the inspection hole cover after the modification
to reduce noise and rattle and improve the aerodynamics is a good idea,
there is nothing unsafe about the sailplanes if not accomplished. The
FAA is including a note in the proposed AD to recommend this action.
Compliance Time of the Proposed AD
Although the inspection hole cover would only enter the fuselage
and jam the aileron and flap controls during flight, this unsafe
condition is not a result of the number of times the sailplane is
operated. The chance of this situation occurring is the same for a
sailplane with 10 hours time-in-service (TIS) as it would be for a
sailplane with 500 hours TIS. For this reason, the FAA has determined
that a compliance based on calendar time should be utilized in the
proposed AD in order to assure that the unsafe condition is addressed
on all sailplanes in a reasonable time period.
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:
Alexander Schleicher Segelflugzeugbau: Docket No. 97-CE-101-AD.
Applicability: Model ASW-19 sailplanes, serial numbers 19001
through 19232, certificated in any category.
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.
[[Page 66565]]
Compliance: Required within the next 6 calendar months after the
effective date of this AD, unless already accomplished.
To prevent loss of aileron and flap control caused by an
inspection hole cover entering the fuselage, which could result in
loss of control of the sailplane, accomplish the following:
(a) Modify the inspection hole cover in the fuselage area in
accordance with the Instructions: section of Alexander Schleicher
Technical Note No. 7, dated September 11, 1978.
Note 2: Alexander Schleicher Technical Note No. 7 specifies
taping the inspection hole cover after the modification to reduce
noise and rattle and improve the aerodynamics. Although this action
does not address the unsafe condition specified in this AD, the FAA
recommends taping the inspection hole cover after accomplishing the
modification required by paragraph (a) of this AD.
(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 3: 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 Alexander
Schleicher Technical Note No. 7, dated September 11, 1978, should be
directed to Alexander Schleicher Segelflugzeugbau, 6416
Poppenhausen, Wasserkuppe, Federal Republic of Germany; telephone:
49.6658.890 or 49.6658.8920; facsimile: 49.6658.8923 or
49.6658.8940. This service information may be examined at the FAA,
Central Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, Room 1558, 601 E.
12th Street, Kansas City.
Note 4: The subject of this AD is addressed in German AD No. 78-
303, dated November 13, 1978.
Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on December 11, 1997.
Michael Gallagher,
Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 97-33141 Filed 12-18-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U
