[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 248 (Tuesday, December 28, 1999)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 72584-72586]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-33571]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 99-CE-70-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Alexander Schleicher GmbH & Co. Model
ASW-27 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 GmbH & Co.
(Alexander Schleicher) Model ASW-27 sailplanes. The proposed AD would
require inspecting the elevator control circuit clearance inside the
fuselage tail boom to the fin intersection to assure a clearance of at
least 2.5 millimeters (mm) (\1/10\-inch wide), and adjusting any
clearance that does not meet the criteria. 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 detect interference in the elevator
control circuit, which, if not corrected, could result in the elevator
control jamming with possible loss of control of the sailplane.
DATES: Comments must be received on or before January 31, 2000.
ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), Central Region, Office of the Regional Counsel,
Attention: Rules Docket No. 99-CE-70-AD, 901 Locust, Room 506, 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 GmbH & Co. Segelflugzeugbau, D-36163
Poppenhausen, Federal Republic of Germany; telephone: ++49 6658 89-0;
facsimile: ++49 6658 89-40. This information also may be examined at
the Rules Docket at the address above.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Mike Kiesov, Aerospace Engineer,
FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301, 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. 99-CE-70-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
[[Page 72585]]
Docket No. 99-CE-70-AD, 901 Locust, Room 506, 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 ASW-27 sailplanes. The LBA
reports an incident where the elevator controls jammed during takeoff.
Investigation of this incident revealed that the 90-degree lever with
its attached mass balance lead weight and connecting bolt contacted and
rubbed against the cut-out of the lower fin rib.
This condition, if not detected and corrected in a timely manner,
could result in the elevator control jamming with possible loss of
control of the sailplane.
Relevant Service Information
Alexander Schleicher has issued Technical Note No. 5, dated July
16, 1999, which specifies procedures for inspecting the elevator
control circuit clearance inside the fuselage tail boom to the fin
intersection to assure a clearance of at least 2.5 millimeters (mm)
(\1/10\-inch wide), and adjusting any clearance that does not meet the
criteria.
The LBA classified this service bulletin as mandatory and issued
German AD 1999-283, Effective Date: September 9, 1999, 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 ASW-27 sailplanes
of the same type design registered in the United States, the FAA is
proposing AD action. The proposed AD would require inspecting the
elevator control circuit clearance inside the fuselage tail boom to the
fin intersection to assure a clearance of at least 2.5 mm (\1/10\-inch
wide), and adjusting any clearance that does not meet the criteria.
Accomplishment of the proposed actions would be required in accordance
with Alexander Schleicher Technical Note No. 5, dated July 16, 1999.
Cost Impact
The FAA estimates that 30 sailplanes in the U.S. registry would be
affected by the proposed inspection, that it would take approximately 1
workhour per sailplane to accomplish the proposed inspection, and that
the average labor rate is approximately $60 an hour. Based on these
figures, the total cost impact of the proposed inspection on U.S.
operators is estimated to be $1,800, or $60 per sailplane.
The FAA estimates that it would take approximately 2 workhours per
sailplane to accomplish the proposed adjustment, if necessary, and that
the average labor rate is approximately $60 an hour. Based on these
figures, the total cost impact of the proposed adjustment on U.S.
operators is estimated to be $3,600, or $120 per sailplane.
Compliance Time of This AD
The compliance time of this AD is presented in calendar time
instead of hours time-in-service (TIS).
When proper clearance is not provided inside the fuselage tail boom
to the fin intersection, the 90-degree lever of the elevator controls
rubs against the cut-out of the lower fin rib. Although the
consequential jamming of the elevator controls is a result of sailplane
operation, improper clearance would be prevalent at the time of
manufacture. Sailplane operation varies among operators. For example,
one operator may utilize the sailplane 50 hours TIS in 3 months while
it may take another 12 months or more to accumulate 50 hours TIS. In
order to assure that improper clearance is detected and corrected in a
timely manner, the compliance time is proposed as ``within the next 90
calendar days after the effective date of this AD.''
Regulatory Impact
The regulations proposed herein would not have a substantial direct
effect 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, it
is determined that this proposed rule would not have federalism
implications under Executive Order 13132.
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 GmbH & Co. Segelflugzeugbau: Docket No. 99-CE-
70-AD.
Applicability: Model ASW-27 sailplanes, serial numbers 27002
through 27104, 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.
Compliance: Required as indicated in the body of this AD, unless
already accomplished.
To detect interference in the elevator control circuit, which,
if not corrected, could
[[Page 72586]]
result in the elevator control jamming with possible loss of control
of the sailplane, accomplish the following:
(a) Within the next 90 calendar days after the effective date of
this AD, inspect the elevator control circuit clearance inside the
fuselage tail boom to the fin intersection to assure a clearance of
at least 2.5 millimeters (mm) (\1/10\-inch wide). Prior to further
flight, adjust any clearance that does not meet the criteria.
Accomplish these actions in accordance with the Action section of
Alexander Schleicher Technical Note No. 5, dated July 16, 1999.
(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 times that provides an equivalent level of safety may be
approved by the Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, FAA, 901
Locust, Room 301, 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. 5, dated July 16, 1999, should be
directed to Alexander Schleicher GmbH & Co. Segelflugzeugbau, D-
36163 Poppenhausen, Federal Republic of Germany; telephone:
++49.6658.89-0; facsimile: ++49.6658.89-40. This service information
may be examined at the FAA, Central Region, Office of the Regional
Counsel, 901 Locust, Room 506, Kansas City, Missouri 64106.
Note 3: The subject of this AD is addressed in German AD 1999-
283, Effective Date: September 9, 1999.
Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on December 20, 1999.
Michael Gallagher,
Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 99-33571 Filed 12-27-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U
