[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 166 (Monday, August 28, 1995)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 44421-44422]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-20804]



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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 94-CE-35-AD; Amendment 39-9349; AD 95-18-01]


Airworthiness Directives; Scheibe Flugzeugbau GmbH SF34 and SF34B 
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 Scheibe Flugzeugbau GmbH SF34 and SF34B gliders. This action 
requires adding armature (supportive covering) to both wings, modifying 
the root rib of the left wing and incorporating changes and operating 
limitations to the flight manual. Failure of the left wing root rib on 
one of the affected gliders while in flight prompted this action. The 
actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent fatigue failure of 
the wing, which could result in loss of control of the glider.

DATES: Effective October 16, 1995.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of October 16, 1995.

ADDRESSES: Service information that applies to this AD may be obtained 
from Scheibe Flugzeugbau GmbH, August Pfaltz--Strasse 23, Dachau, 
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-35-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 Scheibe Flugzeugbau GmbH SF34 and SF34B gliders was published in the 


[[Page 44422]]
Federal Register on March 30, 1995 (60 FR 16398). The action proposed 
to require adding armature (supportive covering) to both wings, 
modifying the root rib of the left wing, and incorporating changes and 
operating limitations to the flight manual. Accomplishment of the 
proposed action would be in accordance with Scheibe Technical Note (TN) 
No. 336-2, dated March 10, 1989.
    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.
    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 had 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 2 gliders in the U.S. registry will be 
affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 20 workhours per 
glider to accomplish the required action, and that the average labor 
rate is approximately $60 an hour. Parts cost approximately $50 per 
glider. Based on these figures, the total cost impact of the AD on U.S. 
operators is estimated to be $2,500 ($1,250 per glider). This figure is 
based upon the assumption that no affected owner/operator of the 
affected gliders has incorporated 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 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: 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:

95-18-01  Scheibe Flugzeugbau Gmbh: Amendment 39-9349; Docket No. 
94-CE-35-AD.

    Applicability: Models SF34 and SF34B gliders (serial numbers 
5102 through 5131), 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 (e) 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 within the next 50 hours time in service 
(TIS) after the effective date of this AD, unless already 
accomplished.
    To prevent fatigue failure of the wing, which could result in 
loss of control of the glider, accomplish the following:
    (a) Add armature (supportive covering) to both wings in 
accordance with the job instructions section of Scheibe Technical 
Note (TN) No. 336-2, dated March 10, 1989.
    (b) Modify the root rib of the left wing in accordance with the 
job instructions section of Scheibe TN No. 336-2, dated March 10, 
1989.
    (c) Accomplish the following flight manual changes:
    (1) Replaces pages 1 and 13 of the flight manual with revised 
pages 1 and 13 included with Scheibe TN No. 336-2, dated March 10, 
1989.
    (2) Replace pages 1 and 11 in the Instructions for Continued 
Airworthiness with the revised pages 1 and 11 included with Scheibe 
TN No. 336-2, dated March 10, 1989.
    (3) In page 8 of the flight manual, add 1 kg to the current 
empty weight of the glider and deduct 1 kg from the current maximum 
load as specified in paragraph 3 of the Instructions section of 
Scheibe TN No. 336-2, dated March 10, 1989.
    (4) Remove existing operating limitations and incorporate new 
operating limitations into the Limitations section of the flight 
manual as specified in paragraph 4 of the Instructions section of 
Scheibe TN No. 336-2, dated March 10, 1989.
    (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 glider 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 2: Information concerning the existence of approved 
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be 
obtained from the Small Airplane Directorate.

    (f) The modifications required by this AD shall be done in 
accordance with Scheibe Technical Note 336-2, dated March 10, 1989. 
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 Scheibe Flugzeugbau GmbH, August 
Pfaltz--Strasse 23, Dachau, 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.
    (g) This amendment (39-9349) becomes effective on October 16, 
1995.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on August 16, 1995.
Gerald W. Pierce,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 95-20804 Filed 8-25-95; 8:45 am]
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