[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 88 (Monday, May 8, 1995)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 22499-22501]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-10831]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 91-CE-40-AD; Amendment 39-9216; AD 95-09-12]
Airworthiness Directives; Alexander Schleicher Models ASW-12,
ASW-15, ASW-15B, and ASW-17 Gliders
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: This amendment supersedes Airworthiness Directive (AD) 88-11-
05, which currently requires repetitively inspecting the wing spar of
Alexander Schleicher Models ASW-15 and ASW-15B gliders for wood rot,
and replacing any wing spar where wood rot is found. Alexander
Schleicher Models ASW-12 and ASW-17 gliders are of a similar type
design to Models ASW-15 and ASW-15B gliders, and the Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), in working with the Civil Aviation Authority of
Germany, has decided that the actions referenced in AD 88-11-05 should
also apply to Models ASW-12 and ASW-17 gliders. The actions specified
by this AD are intended to prevent failure of the wing spar caused
[[Page 22500]] by wood rot, which, if not detected and corrected, could
result in loss of control of the airplane.
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 Alexander Schleicher GmbH & Company, D-36163, Popppenhausen-
Wasserkuppe, Germany; or Eastern Sailplane, Heath Stage Route Shelburne
Falls, Massachusetts 01370; telephone (413) 625-6059. This information
may also be examined at the 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 Belderok, Project Officer,
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: 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-12, ASW-15, ASW-15B, and
ASW-17 gliders was published in the Federal Register on December 19,
1994 (59 FR 65282). The action proposed to supersede AD 88-11-05,
Amendment 39-5997, with a new AD that would (1) retain the requirement
of repetitively inspecting the wing spar for wood rot on the Models
ASW-15 and ASW-15B gliders, and replacing the wing spar if wood rot is
found; and (2) extend these repetitive inspections and possible
replacement to Models ASW-12 and ASW-17 gliders. Accomplishment of the
proposed inspections would be in accordance with either Alexander
Schleicher ASW-15 Technical Note (TN) No. 23, dated April 21, 1988;
Alexander Schleicher ASW-12 TN No. 4, dated May 10, 1989; or Alexander
Schleicher ASW-17 TN No. 12, dated May 8, 1989, as applicable.
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.
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 or add any additional
burden upon the public than was already proposed.
The compliance time presented in this AD is based upon calendar
time instead of hours time-in-service. Rotting of the wood wing box
spar is caused by moisture and the condition could exist or develop
regardless of whether the glider is in actual operation. For this
reason, the FAA has determined that the compliance time of the required
AD action should be in calendar time.
The FAA estimates that 50 gliders (7 ASW-12's, 27 ASW-15's, 6 ASW-
15B's, and 10 ASW-17's) in the U.S. registry will be affected by this
AD, that it will take approximately 6 workhours per glider to
accomplish the required action, and that the average labor rate is
approximately $60 an hour. Parts cost approximately $110 per glider,
and the required core analysis costs $185. Based on these figures, the
total cost impact of the AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be
$32,750. This figure is based upon the assumption that no affected
glider owner/operator has accomplished the proposed inspection, nor
does it account for repetitive inspections. The FAA has no way of
determining the number of repetitive inspections an owner/operator may
incur.
In addition, AD 88-11-05 currently mandates the same actions that
are required by this final rule AD on 33 gliders. With this in mind,
the cost impact of the AD upon U.S. operators is reduced $21,615 from
$32,750 to $11,135.
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 removing AD 88-11-05, Amendment 39-
5997, and by adding a new AD to read as follows:
95-09-12 Alexander Schleicher: Amendment 39-9216; Docket No. 91-CE-
40-AD.
Applicability: Models ASW-12, ASW-15, ASW-15B, and ASW-17
gliders (all serial numbers), certificated in any category.
Note 1: This AD applies to each glider 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 gliders 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 (g) 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 glider from the applicability of this AD.
Compliance: Required initially as follows, and thereafter as
indicated in the body of this AD:
1. For Models ASW-12 and ASW-17: Within the next 6 calendar
months after the effective date of this AD, unless already
accomplished.
2. For Models ASW-15 and ASW-15B: On or before the last day of
the 12th calendar month after the last inspection required by AD 88-
11-05, Amendment 39-5997.
To prevent failure of the wing spar caused by wood rot, which,
if not detected and [[Page 22501]] corrected, could result in loss
of control of the glider, accomplish the following:
(a) Visually inspect the wing spar for wood rot in accordance
with either Action Paragraphs 1.1 through 1.3 of Alexander
Schleicher ASW-12 Technical Note (TN) No. 4, dated May 10, 1989;
Action Paragraphs 1.1, 1.2, and 2.1 of Alexander Schleicher ASW-15
TN No. 23, dated April 21, 1988; or Action Paragraphs 1.1 and 1.2 of
Alexander Schleicher ASW-17 TN No. 12, dated May 8, 1989, as
applicable.
(b) Mark and send wood cores obtained through the inspection
specified in paragraph (a) of this AD to a mycology laboratory for
microscopical inspection to detect heavy wood destroying fungal
infestation in accordance with either Action Paragraph 1.3 of
Alexander Schleicher ASW-12 TN No. 4, dated May 10, 1989; Action
Paragraph 2.1 of Alexander Schleicher ASW-15 TN No. 23, dated April
21, 1988; or Action Paragraph 1.2 of Alexander Schleicher ASW-17 TN
No. 12, dated May 8, 1989, as applicable.
(c) If moisture damage, swelling, evidence that water has
penetrated into the spar fork, or fungal infestation is found, prior
to further flight after the inspection required by paragraph (a) of
this AD, accomplish the following:
(1) Wait for the results of the microscopical examination and
then obtain a repair scheme from the manufacturer through the
Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, at the address specified in
paragraph (g) of this AD, and incorporate this repair scheme.
(2) Apply preservative, strengthen the inspection hole area, and
close the hole in accordance with either Action Paragraph 1.4 of
Alexander Schleicher ASW-12 TN No. 4, dated May 10, 1989; Action
Paragraph 2.2 of Alexander Schleicher ASW-15 TN No. 23, dated April
21, 1988; or Action Paragraph 1.3 of Alexander Schleicher ASW-17 TN
No. 12, dated May 8, 1989, as applicable.
(d) If no moisture damage, swelling, evidence that water has
penetrated into the spar fork, or fungal infestation is found,
accomplish the following:
(1) Prior to further flight after the inspection required by
paragraph (a) of this AD, apply preservative, strengthen the
inspection hole area, and close the hole in accordance with either
Action Paragraph 1.4 of Alexander Schleicher ASW-12 TN No. 4, dated
May 10, 1989; Action Paragraph 2.2 of Alexander Schleicher ASW-15 TN
No. 23, dated April 21, 1988; or Action Paragraph 1.3 of Alexander
Schleicher ASW-17 TN No. 12, dated May 8, 1989, as applicable.
(2) Operation of the glider during the microscopical examination
of the wood core is permitted. However, if these examination results
reveal heavy wood destroying fungal infestation, prior to further
flight after receiving the results, obtain a repair scheme from the
manufacturer through the Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, at the
address specified in paragraph (g) of this AD, and incorporate this
repair scheme.
(e) The inspection requirements specified in paragraphs (a)
through (c) of this AD, excluding the wood core microscopical
examination requirements, shall be accomplished annually on or
before the last day of the 12th calendar month after the last
inspection.
(f) 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 glider to a location where the
requirements of this AD can be accomplished.
(g) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the
initial or repetitive compliance times 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.
(h) The inspections required by this AD shall be done in
accordance with either Alexander Schleicher ASW-12 Technical Note
No. 4, dated May 10, 1989; Alexander Schleicher ASW-15 Technical
Note No. 23, dated April 21, 1988; or Alexander Schleicher ASW-17
Technical Note No. 12, dated May 8, 1989, as applicable. 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 GmbH & Company,
D-36163, Popppenhausen-Wasserkuppe, Germany; or Eastern Sailplane,
Heath Stage Route Shelburne Falls, Massachusetts 01370. 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.
(i) This amendment (39-9216) supersedes AD 88-11-05, Amendment
39-5997.
(j) This amendment (39-9216) becomes effective on June 9, 1995.
Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on April 26, 1995.
Henry Armstrong,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 95-10831 Filed 5-5-95; 8:45 am]
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