[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 54 (Friday, March 20, 1998)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 13507-13508]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-7249]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 97-CE-107-AD; Amendment 39-10416; AD 98-06-37]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Alexander Schleicher Segelflugzeugbau
Model ASK-21 Sailplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) that
applies to certain Alexander Schleicher Segelflugzeugbau (Alexander
Schleicher) Model ASK-21 sailplanes. This AD requires 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. 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 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: Effective April 28, 1998.
The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as
of April 28, 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-107-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 Alexander Schleicher
Model ASK-21 sailplanes was published in the Federal Register as a
notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) on December 19, 1997 (62 FR
66560). The NPRM
proposed to 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 action as
specified in the NPRM would be in accordance with Alexander Schleicher
Technical Note No. 10, dated October 10, 1983.
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.
Compliance Time of This 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 this AD in
order to assure that the unsafe condition is addressed on all
sailplanes in a reasonable time period.
Cost Impact
The FAA estimates that 30 sailplanes in the U.S. registry will be
affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 2 workhours per
sailplane to
[[Page 13508]]
accomplish this 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 this AD on U.S.
operators is estimated to be $4,200, or $140 per sailplane.
Regulatory Impact
The regulations adopted herein will 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 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:
98-06-37 Alexander Schleicher Segelflugzeugbau: Amendment 39-10416;
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, Missouri.
(e) The replacement required by this AD shall be done in
accordance with Alexander Schleicher Technical Note No. 10, dated
October 10, 1983. 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 3: The subject of this AD is addressed in German AD No. 84-
2, dated January 13, 1984.
(f) This amendment (39-10416) becomes effective on April 28,
1998.
Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on March 11, 1998.
Michael Gallagher,
Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 98-7249 Filed 3-19-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U
