[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 88 (Monday, May 8, 1995)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 22498-22499]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-10830]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 94-CE-17-AD; Amendment 39-9215; AD 95-09-11]
Airworthiness Directives; Schempp-Hirth Cirrus and Cirrus VTC
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 Schempp-Hirth Cirrus and Cirrus VTC sailplanes. This action
requires modifying the airbrake actuating lever and replacing the
airbrake system coupling balls. Reports of the coupling balls on the
airbrake actuating lever breaking at the threaded end on several of the
affected sailplanes prompted this action. The actions specified by this
AD are intended to prevent airbrake system failure caused by the above
condition, which, if not detected and corrected, could result in
sailplane controllability problems.
DATES: Effective June 9, 1995.
The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as
of June 9, 1995.
ADDRESSES: Service information that applies to this AD may be obtained
from Schempp-Hirth Flugzeubau GmbH, Krebenstr. 25, D-7312 Kirchheim/
Teck, Germany. This information may also be examined at the Federal
Aviation Administration (FAA), Central Region, Office of the Assistant
Chief Counsel, 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. Herman C. Belderok, Project
Officer, Sailplanes, Small Airplane Directorate, Airplane Certification
Service, FAA, 1201 Walnut, suite 900, Kansas City, Missouri 64106;
telephone (816) 426-6932; facsimile (816) 426-2169.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal
Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) to include an AD that would apply
to Schempp-Hirth Cirrus and Cirrus VTC sailplanes was published in the
Federal Register on December 20, 1994 (59 FR 65520). The action
proposed modifying the airbrake actuating lever and replacing the
airbrake system coupling balls. Accomplishment of the proposed actions
would be in accordance with Schempp-Hirth Technical Note 265-10, dated
November 5, 1992.
Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate
in the [[Page 22499]] making of this amendment. No comments were
received on the proposed rule or the FAA's determination of the cost to
the public.
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.
The FAA estimates that 21 sailplanes in the U.S. registry will be
affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 1 workhour per
sailplane to accomplish the required action, and that the average labor
rate is approximately $60 an hour. Parts cost approximately $25 per
sailplane. Based on these figures, the total cost impact of the AD on
U.S. operators is estimated to be $1,785. This figure is based on the
assumption that no affected sailplane owner/operator has accomplished
the required modification. The FAA believes that several of the 21
affected sailplane owners/operators have already accomplished the
required modification, thereby reducing the cost impact upon the
public.
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. App. 1354(a), 1421 and 1423; 49 U.S.C.
106(g); and 14 CFR 11.89.
Sec. 39.13 [Amended]
2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding a new AD to read as follows:
95-09-11 Schempp-Hirth: Amendment 39-9215; Docket No. 94-CE-17-AD.
Applicability: Cirrus and Cirrus VTC Sailplanes, all serial
numbers, 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 use the authority
provided in paragraph (c) of this AD to request approval from the
FAA. This approval may address either no action, if the current
configuration eliminates the unsafe condition, or different actions
necessary to address the unsafe condition described in this AD. Such
a request should include an assessment of the effect of the changed
configuration on the unsafe condition addressed by this AD. In no
case does the presence of any modification, alteration, or repair
remove any sailplane from the applicability of this AD.
Compliance: Required upon the accumulation of 500 hours time-in-
service (TIS) or within the next 20 hours TIS after the effective
date of this AD, whichever occurs later, unless already
accomplished.
To prevent airbrake system failure caused by broken coupling
balls on the airbrake actuating lever, which, if not detected and
corrected, could result in sailplane controllability problems,
accomplish the following:
(a) Modify the airbrake actuating lever and replace the airbrake
system coupling balls (located on the actuating lever) in accordance
with the instructions in Schempp-Hirth Technical Note No. 265-10,
dated November 5, 1992.
(b) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with
Secs. 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, Aircraft
Certification Service, 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) The modification required by this AD shall be done in
accordance with Schempp-Hirth Technical Note No. 265-10, dated
November 5, 1992. 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 Schempp-Hirth
Flugzeubau GmbH, Krebenstr. 25, D-7312 Kirchheim/Teck, Germany.
Copies may be inspected at the FAA, Central Region, Office of the
Assistant Chief 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.
(e) This amendment (39-9215) becomes effective on June 9, 1995.
Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on April 26, 1995.
Henry A. Armstrong,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 95-10830 Filed 5-5-95; 8:45 am]
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