[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 51 (Tuesday, March 17, 1998)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 13013-13015]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-6768]
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Proposed Rules
Federal Register
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This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains notices to the public of
the proposed issuance of rules and regulations. The purpose of these
notices is to give interested persons an opportunity to participate in
the rule making prior to the adoption of the final rules.
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Federal Register / Vol. 63, No. 51 / Tuesday, March 17, 1998 /
Proposed Rules
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 97-CE-102-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Alexander Schleicher Segelflugzeugbau
Models ASW-19 and ASK-21 Sailplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
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SUMMARY: This document proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive
(AD) that would apply to certain Alexander Schleicher Segelflugzeugbau
(Schleicher) Models ASW-19 and ASK-21 sailplanes. The proposed AD would
require: modifying the rudder surface panels; replacing the airbrake
bellcrank; and modifying the rear canopy hinge structure. 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 loss of the canopy
caused by design deficiency, airbrake failure caused by cracking, and
rudder panel flutter caused by high density altitude conditions, all of
which, if not corrected, could result in reduced sailplane
controllability.
DATES: Comments must be received on or before April 17, 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-102-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, 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:
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-102-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-102-AD, Room 1558, 601 E. 12th Street, Kansas
City, Missouri 64106.
Discussion
The Luftfahrt-Bundesamt (LBA), which is the airworthiness authority
for the Federal Republic of Germany, notified the FAA that unsafe
conditions may exist on certain Schleicher Model ASW-19 and ASK-22
sailplanes. The LBA reports the following:
That airflow over the rudder flight control system when
near maximum speed and under high density altitude conditions causes
panel flutter of the rudder control panels on the Schleicher Model ASW-
19 sailplanes;
That cracks have been found in the rear canopy hinge
structure, which could be caused by insufficient design or leaving the
sailplane canopy open and exposed to wind forces on the Schleicher
Model ASK-21 sailplanes; and,
That cracks in the airbrake bellcrank have been found
during routine maintenance inspection on the Schleicher Model ASK-21
sailplanes.
These conditions, if not corrected, could result in reduced
controllability of these sailplanes.
Relevant Service Information
Alexander Schleicher has issued the following service information:
Technical Note 2, dated September 6, 1976, which specifies procedures
for stiffening the rudder surface panels on certain Model ASW-19
sailplanes; and, Technical Note 20 dated October 16, 1987, which
specifies procedures for inspecting and replacing the airbrake
bellcrank, and inspecting and reinforcing the rear canopy hinge on the
Model ASK-21 sailplanes.
The LBA classified these service bulletins as mandatory and issued
the following AD's in order to assure the continued airworthiness of
these sailplanes in Germany: (1) LBA AD 76-258 dated September 3, 1976,
against the Model ASW-19 sailplanes for the rudder panel flutter
condition; and (2) LBA 88-2 dated January 18, 1988, against the Model
ASK-21 sailplanes for the airbrake bellcrank and rear canopy hinge
conditions.
The FAA's Determination
The Alexander Schleicher Models ASW-19 and ASK-21 sailplanes are
manufactured in Germany and are type certificated for operation in the
United States under the provisions of section 21.29 of the Federal
Aviation
[[Page 13014]]
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 unsafe conditions have been identified that are likely to
exist or develop in other Alexander Schleicher Models ASW-19 and ASK-21
sailplanes of the same type design registered in the United States, the
proposed AD would require modifying the sailplanes' rudder panel by
stiffening the rudder panel, reinforcing the rear canopy hinge, and
replacing the airbrake bellcrank. Accomplishment of the proposed
actions would be in accordance with the previously referenced service
information.
Cost Impact
The FAA estimates that 5 sailplanes in the U.S. registry would be
affected by the rudder panel portion of the proposed AD, that it would
take approximately 10 workhours per sailplane to accomplish the rudder
panel portion of the proposed AD, and that the average labor rate is
approximately $60 an hour. Parts cost approximately $50 per sailplane.
Based on these figures, the total cost impact of the rudder panel
portion of the proposed AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $3,250,
or $650 per sailplane.
The FAA estimates that 30 sailplanes in the U.S. registry would be
affected by the airbrake bellcrank portion of the proposed AD, that it
would take approximately 6 workhours per sailplane to accomplish the
rudder panel portion of the proposed AD, and that the average labor
rate is approximately $60 an hour. Parts cost approximately $200 per
sailplane. Based on these figures, the total cost impact of the
airbrake bellcrank portion of the proposed AD on U.S. operators is
estimated to be $16,800, or $560 per sailplane.
The FAA estimates that 30 sailplanes in the U.S. registry would be
affected by the rear canopy hinge portion of the proposed AD, that it
would take approximately 11 workhours per sailplane to accomplish the
rear canopy hinge portion of the proposed AD, and that the average
labor rate is approximately $60 an hour. Parts cost approximately $15
per sailplane. Based on these figures, the total cost impact of the
rear canopy hinge portion proposed AD on U.S. operators is estimated to
be $20,250, or $675 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 adding a new airworthiness directive
(AD) to read as follows:
Alexander Schleicher Segelflugzeugbau: Docket No. 97-CE-102-AD.
Applicability: Model ASW-19 sailplanes (serial numbers 19019
through 19037, 19040, and 19042 through 19044), and Model ASK-21
sailplanes (serial numbers 21001 through 21345), 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 as indicated in the body of this AD, unless
already accomplished.
To prevent loss of the canopy caused by design deficiency,
airbrake failure caused by cracking, and rudder panel flutter caused
by high density altitude conditions, all of which, if not corrected,
could result in reduced sailplane controllability, accomplish the
following:
(a) Within the next 3 calendar months after the effective date
of this AD, accomplish the following:
(1) For Alexander Schleicher Model ASW-19 sailplanes, modify the
rudder panel in accordance with the Instructions section in
Alexander Schleicher ASW 19 Technical Note No. 2, dated September 6,
1976.
(2) For Alexander Schleicher Model ASK-21 sailplanes, replace
the airbrake bellcrank with an airbrake bellcrank of improved design
in accordance with the Action section, paragraphs 3.1, 3.2, and 3.3
in Alexander Schleicher ASW 21 Technical Note No. 20, dated October
16, 1987.
(3) For Alexander Schleicher Model ASK-21 sailplanes, modify the
rear canopy hinge in accordance with the Action section, paragraph
4.2, in Alexander Schleicher ASW 21 Technical Note No. 20, dated
October 16, 1987.
(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, Aircraft
Certification Service, 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) Questions or technical information related to the service
information referenced in this AD, should be directed to Alexander
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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 No. 76-
258, dated September 3, 1976, for the rudder panel condition; and
German AD No. 88-2, dated January 1, 1988, for the airbrake
bellcrank and the rear canopy hinge conditions.
Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on March 9, 1998.
Michael Gallagher,
Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 98-6768 Filed 3-16-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-M