[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 39 (Friday, February 27, 1998)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 9925-9926]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-4244]
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Rules and Regulations
Federal Register
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Federal Register / Vol. 63, No. 39 / Friday, February 27, 1998 /
Rules and Regulations
[[Page 9925]]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 97-CE-101-AD; Amendment 39-10357; AD 98-04-46]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Alexander Schleicher Segelflugzeugbau
Model ASW-19 Sailplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) that
applies to certain Alexander Schleicher Segelflugzeugbau (Alexander
Schleicher) Model ASW-19 sailplanes. This AD requires modifying the
inspection hole cover in the fuselage area. This AD is the result of
mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) issued by the
airworthiness authority for Germany. The actions specified by this AD
are intended to prevent loss of aileron control caused by an inspection
hole cover entering the fuselage, which could result in loss of control
of the sailplane.
DATES: Effective April 3, 1998.
The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as
of April 3, 1998.
ADDRESSES: Service information that applies to this 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
may also be examined at 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; or at the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol
Street, NW, suite 700, Washington, DC.
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:
Events Leading to the Issuance of This AD
A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14
CFR part 39) to include an AD that would apply to certain Alexander
Schleicher Models ASW-19 sailplanes was published in the Federal
Register as a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) on December 19, 1997
(62 FR 66563). The NPRM proposed to require modifying the inspection
hole cover in the fuselage area. Accomplishment of the proposed action
as specified in the NPRM would be required in accordance with Alexander
Schleicher Technical Note No. 7, September 11, 1978.
The NPRM was the result of mandatory continuing airworthiness
information (MCAI) issued by the airworthiness authority for Germany.
Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate
in the making of this amendment. No comments were received on the
proposed rule or the FAA's determination of the cost to the public.
The FAA's Determination
After careful review of all available information related to the
subject presented above, the FAA has determined that air safety and the
public interest require the adoption of the rule as proposed except for
minor editorial corrections. The FAA has determined that these minor
corrections will not change the meaning of the AD and will not add any
additional burden upon the public than was already proposed.
Cost Impact
The FAA estimates that 30 sailplanes in the U.S. registry will be
affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 3 workhours per
sailplane to accomplish the required action, 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 AD on
U.S. operators is estimated to be $6,600, or $220 per sailplane.
Differences Between German AD, the Technical Note, and This 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 this AD to recommend this action.
Compliance Time of This AD
Although the inspection hole cover would only enter the fuselage
and jam the aileron 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 this AD in order to assure
that the unsafe condition is addressed on all sailplanes in a
reasonable time period.
Regulatory Impact
The regulations adopted herein will not have substantial direct
effects on the
[[Page 9926]]
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 final rule does 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) 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 final evaluation prepared for this
action is contained 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, Incorporation by
reference, Safety.
Adoption of the Amendment
Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration amends 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:
98-04-46 Alexander Schleicher Segelflugzeugbau: Amendment 39-10357;
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.
Compliance: Required within the next 6 calendar months after the
effective date of this AD, unless already accomplished.
To prevent loss of aileron 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.
(e) The modification required by this AD shall be done in
accordance with Alexander Schleicher Technical Note No. 7, dated
September 11, 1978. This incorporation by reference was approved by
the Director of the Federal Register in accordance with 5 U.S.C.
552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. Copies may be obtained from Alexander
Schleicher Segelflugzeugbau, 6416 Poppenhausen, Wasserkuppe, Federal
Republic of Germany. Copies may be inspected at the FAA, Central
Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, Room 1558, 601 E. 12th
Street, Kansas City, Missouri, or at the Office of the Federal
Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW, suite 700, Washington, DC.
Note 4: The subject of this AD is addressed in German AD No. 78-
303, dated November 13, 1978.
(f) This amendment (39-10357) becomes effective on April 3,
1998.
Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on February 11, 1998.
Carolanne L. Cabrini,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 98-4244 Filed 2-26-98; 8:45 am]
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