[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