[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 166 (Monday, August 28, 1995)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 44422-44424]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-20276]



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[[Page 44423]]



DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 94-CE-32-AD; Amendment 39-9338; AD 95-17-08]


Airworthiness Directives; Stemme GmbH S10 Gliders

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) that 
applies to Stemme GmbH (Stemme) S10 gliders. This action requires 
modifying the rudder control cable system. Rupture of a turnbuckle eye 
bolt in the rudder control cable system on one of the affected gliders 
prompted this action. The actions specified by this AD are intended to 
prevent rudder control cable system failure caused by rupture of the 
turnbuckle eye bolt, which, if not detected and corrected, could result 
in loss of rudder control and eventual loss of control of the glider.

DATES: Effective October 10, 1995.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of October 10, 1995.

ADDRESSES: Service information that applies to this AD may be obtained 
from Stemme GmbH & Co. KG, Flugplatz Gebaude 47, D-15344 Staussberg, 
Germany. This information may also be examined at the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Central Region, Office of the Assistant Chief 
Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket 94-CE-32-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. Herman C. Belderok, Project Officer, 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: A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal 
Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) to include an AD that would apply 
to Stemme S10 gliders was published in the Federal Register on March 
30, 1995 (60 FR 16395). The proposal would require modifying the rudder 
control cable system in accordance with Stemme Service Bulletin (SB) 
A31-10-018 (pages 4-6), dated June 3, 1994.
    Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate 
in making of this amendment. No comments were received on the proposed 
rule or the FAA's determination of the cost to the public.
    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.
    The FAA estimates that 3 gliders in the U.S. registry will be 
affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 4 workouts per 
glider to accomplish the required action, and that the average labor 
rate is approximately $60 an hour. Parts cost approximately $60 per 
glider. Based on these figures, the total cost impact of the AD on U.S. 
operators is estimated to be $900 ($300 per glider). This figure is 
based upon the assumption that no affected owner/operator of the 
affected gliders has accomplished the proposed modification.
    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 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 if 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), 40101, 40113, 44701.


Sec. 39.13  [Amended]

    2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding a new airworthiness directive 
to read as follows:

95-17-08.  Stemme GmbH: Amendment 39-9338; Docket No. 94-CE-32-AD.
    Applicability: Model S10 Gliders (serial numbers 10-03 through 
10-58), certificated in any category.

    Note 1: This AD applies to each glider 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 gliders that have been modified, 
altered, or repaired so that the performance of the requirements of 
this AD is affected, the owner/operator must use the authority 
provided in paragraph (c) of this AD to request approval from the 
FAA. This approval may address either no action, if the current 
configuration eliminates the unsafe condition, or different actions 
necessary to address the unsafe condition described in this AD. Such 
a request should include an assessment of the effect of the changed 
configuration on the unsafe condition addressed by this AD. In no 
case does the presence of any modification, alteration, or repair 
remove any glider from the applicability of this AD.

    Compliance: Required upon the accumulation of 150 hours time-in-
service (TIS) or within the next 20 hours TIS after the effective 
date of this AD, whichever occurs later, unless already 
accomplished.
    To prevent rudder control cable system failure caused by rupture 
of the turnbuckle eye bolt, which, if not detected and corrected, 
could result in loss of rudder control, accomplish the following:
    (a) Modify the rudder control cable system in accordance with 
the instructions in Stemme Service Bulletin A31-10-018 (pages 4-6), 
dated June 3, 1994.
    (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 glider 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, 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 Small Airplane Directorate.


[[Page 44424]]

    (d) The modifications required by this AD shall be done in 
accordance with Stemme Service Bulletin A31-10-018 (pages 4-6), 
dated June 3, 1994. 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, Flugplatz Gebaude 47, D-15344 Staussberg, Germany. Copies 
may be inspected at the FAA, Central Region, Office of the Assistant 
Chief Counsel, Room 1558, 601 E. 12th Street, Kansas City, Missouri, 
or at the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, 
NW., 7th Floor, suite 700, Washington, DC.
    (f) This amendment (39-9338) becomes effective on October 10, 
1995.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on August 10, 1995.
Gerald W. Pierce,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 95-20276 Filed 8-25-95; 8:45 am]
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