[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 244 (Friday, December 19, 1997)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 66560-66561]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-33144]
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Proposed Rules
Federal Register
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This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains notices to the public of
the proposed issuance of rules and regulations. The purpose of these
notices is to give interested persons an opportunity to participate in
the rule making prior to the adoption of the final rules.
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Federal Register / Vol. 62, No. 244 / Friday, December 19, 1997 /
Proposed Rules
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 97-CE-107-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Alexander Schleicher Segelflugzeugbau
Model ASK-21 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 ASK-21 sailplanes. The proposed AD would
require replacing any tow release cable assembly that does not have a
swivel-type end with a cable assembly that does have a swivel-type end.
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 the
inability to release the tow rope because of the design of the cable
assembly, which could result in loss of control of the sailplane during
towing operations.
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-107-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; telephone: 49.6658.890 or
49.6658.8920; facsimile: 49.6658.8923 or 49.6658.8940. 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-107-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-107-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 ASK-21 sailplanes. The LBA reports
that service difficulty reports indicate that the tow release cable
creates loops over time. The loops are relatively short and lead to
strong bending loads on the cable, mainly at the binding clamp. The
original design of the tow release cable does not consist of a swivel-
type end.
This condition, if not corrected, could result in the inability to
release the tow rope with consequent loss of control of the sailplane
during towing operations.
Relevant Service Information
Alexander Schleicher has issued Technical Note No. 10, dated
October 10, 1983, which specifies procedures for replacing any tow
release cable assembly that does not have a swivel-type end with a tow
release cable assembly that does have a swivel-type end.
The LBA classified this service bulletin as mandatory and issued
German AD No. 84-2, dated January 13, 1984, 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
Sec. 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 Alexander Schleicher Model ASK-21 sailplanes
of the same type design registered in the United
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States, the FAA is proposing AD action. The proposed AD would require
replacing any tow release cable assembly that does not have a swivel-
type end with a tow release cable assembly that does have a swivel-type
end. 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 2
workhours per sailplane to accomplish the proposed replacement, and
that the average labor rate is approximately $60 an hour. Parts cost
approximately $20 per sailplane. Based on these figures, the total cost
impact of the proposed AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $4,200,
or $140 per sailplane.
Compliance Time of the Proposed AD
Although the loops that form in the cable assembly would only occur
during flight over time and the bending loads are related to sailplane
operation, the FAA has no basis to determine the approximate number of
hours time-in-service (TIS) when the unsafe condition is likely to
occur. For example, the loops could form in the tow release cable
assembly on a sailplane with 10 hours TIS, but not form until 500 hours
TIS on another sailplane. 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-107-AD.
Applicability: Model ASK-21 sailplanes, serial numbers 21-001
through 21-196, certificated in any category, that are equipped with
a tow release cable assembly that does not have a swivel-type end.
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 3 calendar months after the
effective date of this AD, unless already accomplished.
To prevent the inability to release the tow rope because of the
design of the cable assembly, which could result in loss of control
of the sailplane during towing operations, accomplish the following:
(a) Replace any tow release cable assembly that does not have a
swivel-type end with a tow release cable assembly that does have a
swivel-type end in accordance with Alexander Schleicher Technical
Note No. 10, dated October 10, 1983.
(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 Alexander
Schleicher Technical Note No. 10, dated October 10, 1983, 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 3: The subject of this AD is addressed in German AD No. 84-
2, dated January 13, 1984.
Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on December 11, 1997.
Michael Gallagher,
Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 97-33144 Filed 12-18-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U
