[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 21 (Monday, February 2, 1998)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 5322-5324]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-2419]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 97-CE-118-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Alexander Schleicher GmbH 
Segelflugzeugbau Model ASH-26E Sailplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: This document proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive 
(AD) that would apply to certain Alexander Schleicher GmbH 
Segelflugzeugbau (Alexander Schleicher) Model ASH-26E sailplanes. The 
proposed AD would require replacing the internal cooling air fan with a 
fan that incorporates a certain modification. 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 the impeller slipping, which could result in 
loss of compression and power and possible engine failure.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before March 9, 1998.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Central Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 97-CE-118-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; telephone: 49.6658.890 or 
49.6658.8920; facsimile: 49.6658.8923 or 49.6658.8940. This information 
also may be examined at the Rules Docket at the address above.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. J. Mike Kiesov, Project Officer, 
Sailplanes/Gliders, FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft 
Certification Service, 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. 97-CE-118-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. 97-CE-118-AD, Room 1558, 601 E. 12th Street, Kansas 
City, Missouri 64106.

Discussion

    The Luftfahrt-Bundesamt (LBA), which is the airworthiness authority 
for Germany, recently notified the FAA that an unsafe condition may 
exist on certain Alexander Schleicher Model ASH-26E sailplanes. The LBA 
reports that the impeller of the internal cooling air fan on the above-
referenced sailplanes could slip, causing a reduction of pressure in 
the internal cooling system. The higher internal temperatures that will 
follow could cause the engine to lose compression and power.
    These conditions, if not corrected in a timely manner, could result 
in the engine overheating and possible engine failure.

Relevant Service Information

    Alexander Schleicher has issued Technical Note No. 1, dated October 
31, 1996, which specifies procedures for accomplishing in-flight 
temperature checks. This service bulletin also references Mid-West 
Engines Ltd. Service Bulletin No. 001, dated November 5, 1996, which 
includes procedures for replacing the internal cooling air fan with a 
fan that incorporates Modification Kit R1K555A. This modification kit 
includes the following provisions:

--a positive lock between the fan and spindle;
--a cable tie wrap for fan delivery duct sealing; and
--a smaller driven pulley on the fan spindle.

    The LBA classified this service bulletin as mandatory and issued 
German AD No. 97-009, dated January 30, 1997, 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.

[[Page 5323]]

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 Model ASH-26E sailplanes 
of the same type design registered in the United States, the FAA is 
proposing AD action. The proposed AD would require replacing the 
internal cooling air fan with a fan that incorporates Modification Kit 
R1K555A. Accomplishment of the proposed replacement would be in 
accordance with the previously referenced service information.

Cost Impact

    The FAA estimates that 8 sailplanes in the U.S. registry would be 
affected by the proposed AD, that it would take approximately 13 
workhours per sailplane to accomplish the proposed action, and that the 
average labor rate is approximately $60 an hour. Parts cost 
approximately $380 per sailplane. Based on these figures, the total 
cost impact of the proposed AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be 
$9,280, or $1,160 per sailplane.

Differences Between the Service Bulletin, German AD, and This 
Proposed AD

    Alexander Schleicher Technical Note No. 1, dated October 31, 1996, 
specifies in-flight temperature checks of the internal cooling air fan 
during each flight until the modification is accomplished. German AD 
No. 97-009, dated January 30, 1997, also requires these in-flight 
checks until accomplishment of the modification.
    The FAA does not have justification to require in-flight checks 
during each flight through AD action. The FAA suggests that the 
affected sailplane owners/operators have these checks accomplished, and 
the FAA is adding a note to the AD to recommend such action.

Compliance Time of the Proposed AD

    The unsafe condition described in the proposed AD can happen at any 
time and is not based on the number of hours the sailplane is in 
operation. With this in mind, the compliance of the proposed AD is 
presented in calendar time instead of hours time-in-service (TIS).

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 USC 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:

Alexander Schleicher Segelflugzeugbau: Docket No. 97-CE-118-AD.

    Applicability: Model ASH-26E 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 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 failure of the internal cooling system air fan caused 
by the impeller slipping, which could result in loss of compression 
and power and possible engine failure, accomplish the following:
    (a) Replace the internal cooling air fan with a fan that 
incorporates Modification Kit R1K555A in accordance with Mid-West 
Engines Ltd. Service Bulletin No. 001, dated November 5, 1996, as 
referenced in Alexander Schleicher Technical Note No. 1, dated 
October 31, 1996.

Note 2: Modification Kit R1K555A includes the following provisions:

--a positive lock between the fan and spindle;
--a cable tie wrap for fan delivery duct sealing; and
--a smaller driven pulley on the fan spindle.

    Note 3: Although not required by this AD, the FAA recommends 
accomplishing in-flight temperature checks of the internal cooling 
air fan during each flight until the modification required by 
paragraph (a) of this AD is incorporated. These in-flight 
temperature checks are specified in Alexander Schleicher Technical 
Note No. 1, dated October 31, 1996, and are required by German AD 
No. 97-009, dated January 30, 1997, for sailplanes on the German 
registry.

    (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, 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 4: 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. 1, dated October 31, 1996; and Mid-
West Engines Ltd. Service Bulletin No. 001, dated November 5, 1996, 
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.

    Note 5: The subject of this AD is addressed in German AD No. 97-
009, dated January 30, 1997.


[[Page 5324]]


    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on January 26, 1998.
Michael Gallagher,
Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 98-2419 Filed 1-30-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U