[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 244 (Friday, December 19, 1997)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 66567-66569]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-33147]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 97-CE-109-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 that do not have a
certain automatic elevator connection installed. The proposed AD would
require drilling a drainage hole in the elevator pushrod, inspecting
the elevator pushrod for corrosion damage, and replacing any elevator
pushrod if a certain amount of corrosion damage is found. 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 failure of the
elevator pushrod caused by corrosion damage, 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-109-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
[[Page 66568]]
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-109-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-109-AD, Room 1558, 601 E. 12th Street, Kansas
City, Missouri 64106.
Discussion
The Luftfahrt-Bundesamt (LBA), which is the airworthiness authority
for Germany, recently notified the FAA that an unsafe condition may
exist on certain Alexander Schleicher Model ASK-21 sailplanes that do
not have an automatic elevator connection installed in accordance with
Alexander Schleicher Technical Note No. 11, dated December 20, 1983.
The LBA reports several cases where the elevator pushrods are heavily
corroded.
This condition, if not corrected, could cause corrosion damage to
the elevator pushrod and result in failure of the elevator pushrod with
consequent loss of control of the sailplane.
Relevant Service Information
Alexander Schleicher has issued Technical Note No. 26, dated July
1, 1993, which specifies procedures for the following:
--Drilling a drainage hole in the elevator pushrod; and
--Inspecting the elevator pushrod for corrosion damage.
The LBA classified this service bulletin as mandatory and issued
German AD No. 93-186, dated September 15, 1993, 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 Alexander Schleicher Model ASK-21 sailplanes
of the same type design registered in the United States sailplanes that
do not have a certain automatic elevator connection installed, the FAA
is proposing AD action. The proposed AD would require drilling a
drainage hole in the elevator pushrod, inspecting the elevator pushrod
for corrosion damage, and replacing any elevator pushrod if a certain
amount of corrosion damage is found. Accomplishment of the proposed
installation would be in accordance with the service bulletin
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 1
workhour per sailplane to accomplish the proposed elevator pushrod
drainage hole drilling and elevator pushrod inspection, and that the
average labor rate is approximately $60 an hour. Based on these
figures, the total cost impact of the proposed AD on U.S. operators is
estimated to be $1,800, or $60 per sailplane.
Compliance Time of the Proposed AD
The unsafe condition specified by the proposed AD is caused by
corrosion. Corrosion can occur regardless of whether the sailplane is
in operation or is in storage. Therefore, to assure that the unsafe
condition specified in the proposed AD does not go undetected for a
long period of time, the compliance time is presented in calendar time
instead of hours time-in-service (TIS).
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-109-AD.
Applicability: Model ASK-21 sailplanes, serial numbers 21-001
through 21-205, certificated in any category, that do not have an
automatic elevator connection installed in accordance with Alexander
Schleicher Technical Note No. 11, dated December 20, 1983.
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,
[[Page 66569]]
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 (d) 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 as indicated in the body of this AD, unless
already accomplished.
To prevent failure of the elevator pushrod caused by corrosion
damage, which could result in loss of control of the sailplane,
accomplish the following:
(a) Within the next 3 calendar months after the effective date
of this AD, drill a drainage hole in the elevator pushrod in
accordance with Alexander Schleicher Technical Note No. 26, dated
July 1, 1993.
(b) Within the next 3 calendar months after the effective date
of this AD, inspect the elevator pushrod for corrosion damage in
accordance with Alexander Schleicher Technical Note No. 26, dated
July 1, 1993.
(1) If no corrosion damage is found or corrosion damage is found
that does not exceed the amount specified in the service bulletin,
prior to further flight after the inspection required by paragraph
(b) of this AD, apply a corrosion agent as described in the service
bulletin.
(2) If corrosion damage is found that exceeds the amount
specified in the service bulletin, prior to further flight after the
inspection required by paragraph (b) of this AD, replace the
elevator pushrod in accordance with the maintenance manual, and
apply a corrosion agent as described in the service bulletin.
(c) 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.
(d) 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.
(e) Questions or technical information related to Alexander
Schleicher Technical Note No. 26, dated July 1, 1993, 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. 93-
186, dated September 15, 1993.
Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on December 11, 1997.
Michael Gallagher,
Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 97-33147 Filed 12-18-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U
