[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 36 (Thursday, February 22, 1996)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 6770-6771]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-2682]



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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 93-CE-02-AD; Amendment 39-9509; AD 96-03-12]


Airworthiness Directives; Glasflugel Model Mosquito 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 Glasflugel Model Mosquito sailplanes. This action requires 
modifying the mounting studs on the lifting/tilting frame of the canopy 
system, repetitively inspecting the mounting stud, and incorporating 
flight manual revisions that specify a warning on emergency canopy 
deployment failure. Canopy system problems discovered during routine 
checks and periodic inspections of these sailplanes prompted the 
proposed action. The actions specified in this proposed AD are intended 
to prevent canopy system failure, which could result in loss of control 
of the sailplane.

DATES: Effective April 1, 1996.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of April 1, 1996.

ADDRESSES: Service information that applies to this AD may be obtained 
from Glasflugel c/o Hansjorg Streifeneder, Glasfaser-Flugzeug Service, 
Hofener Weg, D 72582 Grabenstetten, Germany, telephone number 
49.73.82.10.32. This information may also be examined at the Federal 
Aviation Administration (FAA), Central Region, Office of the Assistant 
Chief Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket 93-CE-02-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, Sailplanes, 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 applies to 
Glasflugel Model Mosquito sailplanes was published in the Federal 
Register on September 15, 1995 (60 FR 47899). This action proposed to 
require the following:
     Inspecting the mounting studs on the canopy lifting/
tilting frame for wear, repetitively inspecting the mounting stud every 
100 hours time-in-service (TIS) thereafter,
     Measuring the diameter of the mounting stud, and if it is 
less than 5 mm (0.2 inch) increasing the diameter to 6 mm (0.24 inch) 
and,
     Incorporating a change to the Mosquito flight manual on 
page 19, paragraph 3.3 by inserting the following language:

    ``Whenever the canopy emergency jettison knob is pulled and 
prior to each flight, if no locking thread is used, it should be 
ensured that the Pip pins are fully pushed home, so that the locking 
balls are clear of and behind their fittings.''

    Initially, the compliance time of this AD is in calendar time 
instead of hours time-in-service (TIS). The average monthly usage of 
the affected sailplanes ranges throughout the fleet. For example, one 
owner may operate the sailplane 25 hours in one week, while another 
operator may operate the sailplane 25 hours in one year. For this 
reason, the FAA has determined that, in order to ensure that all of the 
owners/operators of the affected sailplanes initially inspect the 
canopy system and incorporate the flight manual revisions within a 
reasonable amount of time, a calendar compliance time is imposed.
    Accomplishment of these actions will be in accordance with 
Glasflugel Technical Note (TN) 303-18, dated March 1, 1991.
    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 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 40 sailplanes in the U.S. registry will be 
affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 2 workhours per 
sailplane to accomplish this action, and that the average labor rate is 
approximately $60 an hour. Parts cost approximately $10 per sailplane. 
Based on these figures, the total cost impact of this AD on U.S. 
operators is estimated to be $5,200. This figure is based on the 
assumption that no affected owner/operator of the affected sailplanes 
has incorporated the 

[[Page 6771]]
modification or accomplished the inspection.
    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: 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:

96-03-12 Glasflugel: Amendment 39-9509; Docket No. 93-CE-02-AD.

    Applicability: Model Mosquito Sailplanes (all serial numbers), 
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 use the authority 
provided in paragraph (f) 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 sailplane from the applicability of this AD.

    Compliance: Required as indicated in the body of this AD.
    To prevent canopy system failure, which could result in loss of 
control of the sailplane, accomplish the following:
    (a) Within the next 30 calendar days after the effective date of 
this AD, unless already accomplished, and thereafter at the 
intervals not to exceed 100 hours time-in-service (TIS), inspect the 
mounting studs on the canopy lifting/tilting frame for evidence of 
wear and diameter specifications in accordance with the Actions 
section in Glasflugel Technical Note (TN) 303-18, dated March 1, 
1991.
    (b) If during any of the inspections required by paragraph (a) 
of this AD, the mounting stud is found worn or the diameter measures 
less than 5 mm (0.2 inch), prior to further flight, increase the 
diameter to 6 mm (0. 24 inch) in accordance with paragraph 1 of the 
Actions section in Glasflugel TN 303-18, dated March 1, 1991.
    (c) Within the next 30 calendar days after the effective date of 
this AD, unless already accomplished, incorporate the following 
language on page 19, paragraph 3.3 of the Mosquito flight manual:

    ``Whenever the canopy emergency jettison knob is pulled and 
prior to each flight, if no locking thread is used, it should be 
ensured that the Pip pins are fully pushed home, so that the locking 
balls are clear of and behind their fittings.''

    (d) Incorporating the flight manual revision as required by 
paragraph (c) 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 sailplane's records showing compliance with 
this AD in accordance with section 43.11 of the Federal Aviation 
Regulations (14 CFR 43.11).
    (e) 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.
    (f) 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 Small Airplane Directorate.

    (g) The inspections, modifications, and installations required 
by this AD shall be done in accordance with Glasflugel Technical 
Note 303-18, dated March 1, 1991. 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 
Glasflugel c/o Hansjorg Streifeneder, Glasfaser-Flugzeug Service, 
Hofener Weg, D 72582 Grabenstetten, Germany, telephone number 
49.73.82.10.32. 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.
    (h) This amendment (39-9509) becomes effective on April 1, 1996.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri on February 1, 1996.
John R. Colomy,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 96-2682 Filed 2-21-96; 8:45 am]
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