[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 79 (Monday, April 26, 1999)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 20230-20232]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-10312]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 99-CE-06-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Alexander Schleicher Segelflugzeugbau
Model ASH 26E Sailplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
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SUMMARY: This document proposes to supersede Airworthiness Directive
(AD) 98-09-09, which currently requires replacing the internal cooling
air fan with a fan that incorporates a white impeller on all Alexander
Schleicher Segelflugzeugbau (Alexander Schleicher) Model ASH 26E
sailplanes. The proposed AD would require inspecting the internal
cooling air fan for damage, and replacing any fan that does not
incorporate a black impeller with a fan that incorporates a black
impeller either immediately or at a certain time period, depending on
the results of the inspection. 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 internal cooling
system air fan caused by a certain design configuration of the
impeller, which could cause the engine to overheat with possible engine
failure.
DATES: Comments must be received on or before June 8, 1999.
ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), Central Region, Office of the Regional Counsel,
Attention: Rules Docket No. 99-CE-06-
[[Page 20231]]
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. Mike Kiesov, Aerospace Engineer,
FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 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. 99-CE-06-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. 99-CE-06-AD, Room 1558, 601 E. 12th Street, Kansas
City, Missouri 64106.
Discussion
AD 98-09-09, Amendment 39-10489 (63 FR 20308, April 24, 1998),
currently requires replacing the internal cooling air fan with a fan
that incorporates a white impeller, part number (P/N) R1K059, on all
Alexander Schleicher Segelflugzeugbau (Alexander Schleicher) Model ASH
26E sailplanes. Accomplishment of that action is required in accordance
with Alexander Schleicher Technical Note No. 1, dated October 31, 1996;
and Mid-West Engines Ltd. Service Bulletin No. 001, dated October 5,
1996.
AD 98-09-09 was a result of a report from the Luftfahrt-Bundesamt
(LBA), which is the airworthiness authority for Germany, that the
impeller of the internal cooling air fan on the above-referenced
sailplanes could slip and result in a reduction of pressure in the
internal cooling system. The higher internal temperatures that will
follow could cause the engine to overheat with possible engine failure.
Actions Since Issuance of Previous Rule
The LBA recently notified the FAA that an unsafe condition may
exist on these Alexander Schleicher Model ASH 26E sailplanes. The LBA
advises that the internal cooling air fan installed on the affected
sailplanes as required by AD 98-09-09 incorporates a white impeller, P/
N R1K059. This type of impeller was installed in one of the affected
airplanes that had an in-flight malfunction. Research of this
malfunction reveals that the design of the white impeller is not
adequate and an improved design impeller should be installed.
This condition, if not corrected in a timely manner, could cause
the engine to overheat with possible engine failure.
Relevant Service Information
Alexander Schleicher has issued Technical Note No. 5, dated July
23, 1998, which specifies procedures for inspecting the internal
cooling air fan for damage. Mid-West Service Bulletin No. 02, dated
November 13, 1997, includes procedures for replacing any fan that does
not incorporate a black impeller, P/N R1K074, with a fan that
incorporates a P/N R1K074 impeller.
The LBA classified this service bulletin as mandatory and issued
German AD 1998-391, dated October 8, 1998, 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 ASH 26E sailplanes of
the same type design registered in the United States, the FAA is
proposing AD action to supersede AD 98-09-09. The proposed AD would
require inspecting the internal cooling air fan for damage, and
replacing any fan that does not incorporate a black impeller, P/N
R1K074, with a fan that incorporates a P/N R1K074 impeller. The
replacement would be accomplished either immediately or at a certain
time period, depending on the results of the inspection.
Accomplishment of the proposed action would be required in
accordance with the service information previously referenced.
Differences Between the Service Bulletin, the German AD, and This
Proposed AD
Alexander Schleicher Technical Note No. 5, dated July 23, 1998,
specifies inspecting the internal air cooling air fan prior to further
flight, and German AD 1998-391, dated October 8, 1998, requires this
inspection prior to further flight on sailplanes registered in Germany.
The FAA does not have justification to require this inspection
prior to further flight. The FAA is proposing this inspection ``within
the next 30 calendar days after the effective date of the AD.'' The FAA
is proposing the replacement ``within the next 9 calendar months after
the effective date of the AD'', or if damage is found during the
inspection, ``prior to further flight.''
Compliance Time of the Proposed AD
Although a damaged impeller blade is only unsafe while the affected
sailplanes are in flight, the condition could occur at any time. For
example, damage could occur on one sailplane with 25 hours time-in-
service (TIS)
[[Page 20232]]
while not occurring on another until 250 hours TIS. This is due to
different usage levels and the various ways sailplanes are operated and
utilized. In addition, the average monthly usage of the affected
sailplane ranges throughout the fleet. For example, one owner may
operate the sailplane 25 hours TIS in one week, while another operator
may operate the sailplane 25 hours TIS in one year. In order to assure
that the unsafe condition is detected and corrected on all affected
sailplanes in a timely manner without inadvertently grounding any
affected sailplane, the FAA is proposing compliance based on calendar
time instead of hours TIS.
Cost Impact
The FAA estimates that 9 sailplanes in the U.S. registry would be
affected by the proposed AD, that it would take approximately 14
workhours per sailplane to accomplish the proposed AD, and that the
average labor rate is approximately $60 an hour. Parts are available
from the manufacturer at no cost. Based on these figures, the total
cost impact of the proposed AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be
$7,560, or $840 per sailplane.
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 removing Airworthiness Directive
(AD) 98-09-09, Amendment 39-10489 (63 FR 20308, April 24, 1998), and by
adding a new airworthiness directive (AD) to read as follows:
Alexander Schleicher Segelflugzeugbau: Docket No. 99-CE-06-AD.
Applicability: Model ASH 26E sailplanes, all serial numbers,
certificated in any category; that are equipped with an internal
cooling system air fan that does not incorporate a black impeller,
part number (P/N) R1K074.
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 (e) 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 internal cooling system air fan caused
by a certain design configuration of the impeller, which could cause
the engine to overheat with possible engine failure, accomplish the
following:
(a) Within the next 30 calendar days after the effective date of
this AD, inspect the internal cooling air fan for damage in
accordance with Alexander Schleicher Technical Note No. 5, dated
July 23, 1998.
(b) Replace the internal cooling system air fan with a fan that
incorporates a black impeller, P/N R1K074, at whichever of the
compliance times below (paragraphs (b)(1) and (b)(2) of this AD)
that applies. Accomplish this replacement in accordance with Mid-
West Service Bulletin No. 02, dated November 13, 1997:
(1) Prior to further flight if damage is found in the internal
cooling air fan during the inspection required by paragraph (a) of
this AD; or
(2) Within the next 9 calendar months after the effective date
of this AD if damage is not found during the inspection required by
paragraph (a) of this AD.
(c) As of the effective date of this AD, no person may install,
on any affected sailplane, an internal cooling system air fan that
does not incorporate a black impeller, P/N R1K074, as specified in
Mid-West Service Bulletin No. 02, dated November 13, 1997; and
Alexander Schleicher Technical Note No. 5, dated July 23, 1998.
(d) 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.
(e) 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, 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.
(f) Questions or technical information related to Alexander
Schleicher Technical Note No. 5, dated July 23, 1998, should be
directed to Alexander Schleicher Segelflugzeugbau, 6416
Poppenhausen, Wasserkuppe, Federal Republic of Germany. 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 64106.
Note 3: The subject of this AD is addressed in German AD 1998-
391, dated October 8, 1998.
Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on April 19, 1999.
James E. Jackson,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 99-10312 Filed 4-23-99; 8:45 am]
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