[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 96 (Tuesday, May 19, 1998)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 27514-27516]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-13198]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 98-CE-05-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Alexander Schleicher Segelflugzeugbau
Model ASW-19 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
(Alexander Schleicher) Model ASW-19 sailplanes. The proposed action
would require inspecting the tow release cable guide fittings for the
correct mounting, and, if the fittings are mounted in the front of the
bulkhead, moving the fitting to the rear of the bulkhead. 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 premature release
of the tow cable during take-off, which could result in loss of the
sailplane.
DATES: Comments must be received on or before June 26, 1998.
ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation
[[Page 27515]]
Administration (FAA), Central Region, Office of the Regional Counsel,
Attention: Rules Docket No. 98-CE-05-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. This information also may be
examined at the Rules Docket at the address above.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Mike Kiesov, Project Officer,
Sailplanes/Gliders, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service, FAA, 1201 Walnut, suite 900, Kansas City, Missouri 64106;
telephone: (816) 426-6934; 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. 98-CE-05-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. 98-CE-05-AD, Room 1558, 601 E. 12th Street, Kansas
City, Missouri 64106.
Discussion
The Luftfahrt-Bundesamt (LBA), which is the airworthiness authority
for Germany, notified the FAA that an unsafe condition may exist on
certain Alexander Schleicher Model ASW-19 sailplanes. The LBA reports
that some of the older Model ASW-19 sailplanes were designed with the
tow release cable mounted on the front side of the bulkhead per the
type design. The LBA has received reports of premature release during
towing operations on these Model ASW-19 sailplanes. This inadvertent
release is occurring when the tow release cable guide is properly
adjusted in the rear position, but is secured to the front of the
bulkhead.
This condition, if not corrected, could result in premature release
of the sailplane's tow cable during take-off operations with a possible
loss of sailplane controllability.
Relevant Service Information
Alexander Schleicher has issued Technical Note No. 18, dated July
3, 1984, which specifies procedures for inspecting the cable guide
release fitting for the correct bulkhead mounting. If the cable guide
release fitting is mounted on the front of the bulkhead, the service
information specifies procedures for moving the cable guide release
fitting to the rear of the bulkhead and then adjusting the cable's
neutral travel.
The LBA classified this service bulletin as mandatory and issued
German AD 84-115, dated July 16, 1984, 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.
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 ASW-19 sailplanes
of the same type design registered in the United States, the FAA is
proposing AD action. The proposed AD would require inspecting the tow
release cable guide fitting for the proper location on the bulkhead. If
the cable guide release fitting is mounted on the front of the
bulkhead, the proposed AD would require removing the cable guide
release fitting, remounting it on the rear of the bulkhead, and
adjusting the cable's neutral travel. Accomplishment of the proposed
actions would be in accordance with Alexander Schleicher Technical Note
No. 18, dated July 3, 1984.
Cost Impact
The FAA estimates that 100 sailplanes in the U.S. registry would be
affected by the proposed AD.
Accomplishing the proposed inspection would take approximately 1
workhour per sailplane, at an average labor rate of approximately $60
an hour. Based on these figures, the total cost impact of the proposed
inspection on U.S. operators is estimated to be $6,000, or $60 per
sailplane.
The proposed modification would take approximately 2 workhours, at
an average labor rate of $60 per hour. Parts cost approximately $20 per
sailplane. Based on these figures, the total cost impact of the
proposed modification on U.S. operators is estimated to be $14,000, or
$140 per sailplane.
Compliance Time
The compliance time of the proposed AD is in calendar time instead
of hours time-in-service (TIS). The average monthly usage of the
affected sailplane ranges throughout the fleet. For example, one owner
may operate the sailplane 25 hours TIS in one week, while another
operator may operate the sailplane 25 hours TIS in one year. In order
to ensure that all of the owners/operators of the affected sailplane
have inspected the mount location of the tow release cable guide
fitting within a reasonable amount of time, the FAA is proposing a
compliance time of 90 days.
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,
[[Page 27516]]
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. 98-CE-05-AD.
Applicability: Model ASW-19 sailplanes, serial numbers 19001
through 19405, 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 (e) 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 90 days after the effective
date of this AD, unless already accomplished.
To prevent premature release of the tow cable during take-off,
which could result in loss of the sailplane, accomplish the
following:
(a) Inspect the tow release cable guide fittings for front or
rear mount on the bulkhead of the sailplane in accordance with the
Actions section in Alexander Schleicher Technical Note (TN) No. 18,
dated July 3, 1984.
Note 2: It is recommended that the maintenance manual pages
called out in the INSTRUCTIONS section of Alexander Schleicher TN
No. 18 be exchanged with the current pages in the maintenance
manual.
(b) If the cable guide fitting is mounted on the front of the
bulkhead, prior to further flight, remove the fitting and remount
the cable guide fitting on the rear of the bulkhead in accordance
with the Actions section in Alexander Schleicher TN No. 18, dated
July 3, 1984.
(c) After remounting the cable fitting, prior to further flight,
check the neutral travel of the cable and adjust if necessary, in
accordance with the Actions section in Alexander Schleicher TN No.
18, dated July 3, 1984.
(d) 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.
(e) 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, 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 3: Information concerning the existence of approved
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be
obtained from the Small Airplane Directorate.
(f) Questions or technical information related to Alexander
Schleicher Technical Note No. 18, dated July 3, 1984, 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, Missouri 64106.
Note 4: The subject of this AD is addressed in German AD No. 84-
115, dated July 16, 1984.
Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on May 11, 1998.
Marvin R. Nuss,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 98-13198 Filed 5-18-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U