[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 107 (Thursday, June 4, 1998)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 30377-30378]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-14614]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 97-CE-129-AD; Amendment 39-10562; AD 98-12-06]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Stemme GmbH & Co. KG Models S10 and
S10-V Sailplanes.
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) that
applies to certain Stemme GmbH & Co. KG (Stemme) Models S10 and S10-V
sailplanes. This AD requires replacing the fuel filter if it is
contaminated, inserting a revision to the Limitations Section of the
flight manual, and inspecting the engine valve shafts for brownish-
black sticky residue. If a residue is found on the valve shafts, this
action will require cleaning the engine. This AD is the result of
mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) issued by the
airworthiness authority for Germany. The actions specified by this AD
are intended to prevent engine valve malfunction, which could cause
engine failure during flight and loss of control of the sailplane.
DATES: Effective July 17, 1998.
The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as
of July 17, 1998.
ADDRESSES: Service information that applies to this AD may be obtained
from Stemme GmbH & Co. KG, Gustav-Meyer-Allee 25, D-13355 Berlin,
Federal Republic of Germany. This information may also be examined at
the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Central Region, Office of
the Regional Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket No. 97-CE-129-AD, 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. Mike Kiesov, Aerospace Engineer,
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:
Events Leading to the Issuance of This AD
A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14
CFR part 39) to include an AD that would apply to certain Stemme Models
S10 and S10-V sailplanes was published in the Federal Register as a
notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) on March 16, 1998 (63 FR 12706).
The NPRM proposed to require replacing the fuel filter if contaminated,
inserting a revision to the Limitations Section of the flight manual
(FM), and inspecting the engine valve shafts for brownish-black sticky
residue. If a residue is found on the valve shafts, the proposed action
would require cleaning the engine. Accomplishment of the proposed
insertion, inspection, and cleaning as specified in the NPRM would be
in accordance with Stemme Service Bulletin No. A31-10-021, dated June
28, 1995, and Limbach Flugmotoren Technical Bulletin No. 47, dated June
28, 1995.
The NPRM was the result of mandatory continuing airworthiness
information (MCAI) issued by the airworthiness authority for Germany.
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.
The FAA's Determination
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 and will not add any
additional burden upon the public than was already proposed.
Cost Impact
The FAA estimates that 9 sailplanes in the U.S. registry will be
affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 5 workhours per
sailplane to accomplish this action, and that the average labor rate is
approximately $60 an hour. Parts cost approximately $30 per sailplane.
Based on these figures, the total cost impact of this AD on U.S.
operators is estimated to be $2,970, or $330 per sailplane.
Compliance Time of This AD
The compliance time of this AD is presented in calendar compliance
time instead of hours time-in-service (TIS) because the average monthly
usage of the affected sailplanes varies 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 assure that all of the affected sailplanes are in
compliance within a reasonable amount of time, the FAA has determined a
compliance time of 30 days after the effective date of this AD to
insert the FM Limitations Section revision, and 60 days after the
effective date of this AD to replace the fuel filter and inspect the
engine is appropriate.
Regulatory Impact
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
[[Page 30378]]
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. 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:
98-12-06 Stemme GmbH & Co. KG: Amendment 39-10562; Docket No. 97-
CE-129-AD.
Applicability: Model S10 (serial numbers 10-12 through 10-60),
and Model S10-V (serial numbers 14-002 through 14-022) and
transformed Model S10-V (serial numbers 14-012M to 14-060M)
sailplanes, 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 as indicated in the body of this AD, unless
already accomplished.
To prevent engine valve malfunction, which could cause engine
failure during flight and loss of control of the sailplane,
accomplish the following:
(a) Within the next 30 days after the effective date of this AD,
insert a revision in the Limitations Section 2.4.2.1, Fuel, of the
flight manual (FM) that states: ``Only authorized fuel is AVGAS
100LL'' in accordance with the Instructions section of Stemme
Service Bulletin (SB) Document No. A31-10-021, dated June 28, 1995.
(b) Incorporating the revision to the Limitations Section of the
FM, as required by paragraph (a) of this AD, may be performed by the
owner/operator holding at least a private pilot certificate as
authorized by section 43.7 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14
CFR 43.7), and must be entered into the aircraft records showing
compliance with this AD in accordance with section 43.9 of the
Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 43.9).
(c) Within the next 60 days after the effective date of this AD,
accomplish paragraphs (c)(1), (c)(2), and (c)(3) of this AD;
(1) Inspect the fine fuel filter for the accumulation of chopped
cotton fibers, and replace the filter if it is contaminated, prior
to further flight, in accordance with the Instructions section of
Stemme SB Document No. A31-10-021, dated June 28, 1995; and,
(2) Inspect the engine in accordance with LIMBACH Flugmotoren
Technical Bulletin No. 47, dated June 28, 1995.
(3) If a brownish-black sticky residue is found on the engine,
prior to further flight, disassemble and clean the engine in
accordance with LIMBACH Flugmotoren Technical Bulletin No. 47, dated
June 28, 1995.
(d) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with
Secs. 1.197 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 times 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 2: Information concerning the existence of approved
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be
obtained from the Manager, Small Airplane Directorate.
(f) Questions or technical information related to Stemme Service
Bulletin No. A31-10-021, dated June 28, 1995, and LIMBACH
Flugmotoren Technical Bulletin No. 47, dated June 28, 1995, should
be directed to Stemme GmbH & Co. KG, Gustav-Meyer-Allee 25, D-13355
Berlin, 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.
(g) The insertion, inspections, and replacement required by this
AD shall be done in accordance with Stemme Service Bulletin No. A31-
10-021, dated June 28, 1995, and Limbach Flugmotoren Technical
Bulletin No. 47, dated June 28, 1995. 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 Stemme GmbH & Co. KG, Gustav-Meyer-Allee 25, D-13355
Berlin, Federal Republic of Germany. Copies may be inspected at the
FAA, Central Region, Office of the Regional 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.
Note 3: The subject of this AD is addressed in German AD 95-273,
dated July 11, 1995.
(h) This amendment becomes effective on July 17, 998.
Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on May 27, 1998.
Marvin R. Nuss,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 98-14614 Filed 6-3-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U