[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 19 (Wednesday, January 29, 1997)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 4137-4139]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-2105]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 96-CE-38-AD; Amendment 39-9908; AD 97-03-02]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Glasflugel Models H301 ``Libelle'', 
H301B ``Libelle'', Standard ``Libelle'', Standard Libelle 201B, Club 
Libelle 205, and Kestrel 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 Models H301 ``Libelle'', H301B ``Libelle'', 
Standard ``Libelle'', Standard Libelle 201B, Club Libelle 205, and 
Kestrel sailplanes. This AD requires measuring and adjusting the 
control surface weight and static moment, and inserting amendments into 
the Glasflugel Flight and Service Manual. This AD results from reports 
of considerable variation of the weight and static moment of the 
control surface on the affected sailplanes found during repair or 
repainting of the control surface. The actions specified by this AD are 
intended to prevent sailplane flutter because the weight and static 
moment of the control surface are not within certain limits, which 
could result in flutter and subsequent loss of control of the 
sailplane.

DATES: Effective March 21, 1997.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of March 21, 1997.

ADDRESSES: Service information that applies to this AD may be obtained 
from Glasflugel, c/o Hr. H. Streifeneder, Glasfaser-Flugzeug-Service 
GmbH, Hofener Weg, D-72582 Grabenstetten, Germany. This information may 
also be examined at the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Central 
Region, Office of the Assistant Chief Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket 
96-CE-38-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. J. Mike Kiesov, Project Officer, 
FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 1201 Walnut, suite 900, Kansas City, 
Missouri 64106; telephone (816) 426-6932; facsimile (816) 426-2169.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Events Leading to 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 Glasflugel Models 
H301 ``Libelle'', H301B ``Libelle'', Standard ``Libelle'', Standard 
Libelle 201B, Club Libelle 205, and Kestrel sailplanes was published in 
the Federal Register on October 15, 1996 (61 FR 53683). The action 
proposed to require measuring and adjusting the control surface weight 
and static moment, and inserting the following amendments into the 
Glasflugel Flight and Service Manual, as applicable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                Glasflugel Flight and   
             Sailplane models                 Service Manual amendment  
                                                    page numbers        
------------------------------------------------------------------------
H301 Libelle and H301B Libelle............  pages 14a and 14b.          
Standard Libelle..........................  pages E14a and E14b.        
Standard Libelle 201B.....................  pages E15a and E15b.        
Club Libelle 205..........................  pages 42a and 42b.          
Kestrel...................................  pages 27a and 27b.          
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Accomplishment of the proposed action as specified in the notice of 
proposed rulemaking (NPRM) would be in accordance with the instructions 
in the above-referenced Glasflugel Flight and Service Manual 
amendments.
    The NPRM resulted from reports of considerable variation of the 
weight and static moment of the control surface on the affected 
sailplanes found during repair or repainting of the control surface.
    Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate 
in the making of this amendment. No comments were received on the 
proposed AD 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

[[Page 4138]]

and will not add any additional burden upon the public than was already 
proposed.

Compliance Time of This AD

    The compliance time for this AD is presented in calendar time and 
whenever the control surface is repaired or repainted (the prevalent 
one being that which occurs first). The FAA has determined that a 
calendar time for compliance is desirable because the unsafe condition 
described by this AD is not directly related to sailplane operation. 
The control surface weight and static moment could become outside the 
specified limits after repair or repainting instead of occurring during 
normal operation of the sailplane. Also, if the sailplane control 
surface is already scheduled for repair or repainting, then 
accomplishing this action at the time of repair or repainting will not 
force the owner/operator to schedule this action at a later time and 
will allow the action to be accomplished during already-scheduled 
maintenance.

Cost Impact

    The FAA estimates that 174 sailplanes in the U.S. registry will be 
affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 1 workhour per 
sailplane to accomplish the required action, and that the average labor 
rate is approximately $60 an hour. Material to accomplish the surface 
control weight and static moment balance costs approximately $10 per 
sailplane. Based on these figures, the total cost impact of the AD on 
U.S. operators is estimated to be $12,180. This figure only takes into 
account the one-time measurement and adjustment of the control surface 
weight and static moment; it does not reflect the time it would take an 
owner/operator of an affected sailplane to insert the amendments into 
the Glasflugel Flight and Service Manual.

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 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:

97-03-02  Glasflugel: Amendment 39-9908; Docket No. 96-CE-38-AD.

    Applicability: Models H301 ``Libelle'', H301B ``Libelle'', 
Standard ``Libelle'', Standard Libelle 201B, Club Libelle 205, and 
Kestrel 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 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 three calendar months after 
the effective date of this AD or at the time of any repair to or 
repainting of the control surface, whichever occurs first, unless 
already accomplished.
    To prevent sailplane flutter because the weight and static 
moment of the control surface are not within certain limits, which 
could result loss of control of the sailplane, accomplish the 
following:
    (a) Measure and adjust the control surface weight and static 
moment in accordance with the Glasflugel Flight and Service Manual 
amendments referenced in paragraph (b) of this AD.
    (b) Insert the following amendments into the sailplane 
maintenance manual, as applicable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                Glasflugel Flight and   
             Sailplane models                 Service Manual amendment  
                                                    page numbers        
------------------------------------------------------------------------
H301 Libelle and H301B Libelle............  pages 14a and 14b.          
Standard Libelle..........................  pages E14a and E14b.        
Standard Libelle 201B.....................  pages E15a and E15b.        
Club Libelle 205..........................  pages 42a and 42b.          
Kestrel...................................  pages 27a and 27b.          
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (c) Inserting the amendments into the Glasflugel Flight and 
Service Manual as required by paragraph (b) 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 
43.11 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 43.11).
    (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 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 inspections required by this AD shall be done in accordance 
with the following Glasflugel Flight and Service Manual amendments, as 
applicable:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                 Glasflugel Flight                      
                                    and Service                         
        Sailplane models          Manual amendment       Manual date    
                                    page numbers                        
------------------------------------------------------------------------
11H301 Libelle and H301B         pages 14a and 14b  May 1965.           
 Libelle.                                                               
Standard Libelle...............  pages E14a and     October 1968.       
                                  E14b.                                 
Standard Libelle 201B..........  pages E15a and     July 1972.          
                                  E15b.                                 

[[Page 4139]]

                                                                        
Club Libelle 205...............  pages 42a and 42b  October 1974.       
Kestrel........................  pages 27a and 27b  April 1971.         
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    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 Hr. H. 
Streifeneder, Glasfaser-Flugzeug-Service GmbH, Hofener Weg, D-72582 
Grabenstetten, 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., suite 700, Washington, DC.
    (g) This amendment (39-9908) becomes effective on March 21, 
1997.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on January 21, 1997.
Henry A. Armstrong,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 97-2105 Filed 1-28-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P