[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 21 (Monday, February 2, 1998)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 5322-5324]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-2419]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 97-CE-118-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Alexander Schleicher GmbH
Segelflugzeugbau Model ASH-26E Sailplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
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SUMMARY: This document proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive
(AD) that would apply to certain Alexander Schleicher GmbH
Segelflugzeugbau (Alexander Schleicher) Model ASH-26E sailplanes. The
proposed AD would require replacing the internal cooling air fan with a
fan that incorporates a certain modification. The proposed AD is the
result of mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) issued
by the airworthiness authority for Germany. The actions specified by
the proposed AD are intended to prevent failure of the internal cooling
system air fan caused by the impeller slipping, which could result in
loss of compression and power and possible engine failure.
DATES: Comments must be received on or before March 9, 1998.
ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), Central Region, Office of the Regional Counsel,
Attention: Rules Docket No. 97-CE-118-AD, Room 1558, 601 E. 12th
Street, Kansas City, Missouri 64106. Comments may be inspected at this
location between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, holidays
excepted.
Service information that applies to the proposed AD may be obtained
from Alexander Schleicher Segelflugzeugbau, 6416 Poppenhausen,
Wasserkuppe, Federal Republic of Germany; telephone: 49.6658.890 or
49.6658.8920; facsimile: 49.6658.8923 or 49.6658.8940. This information
also may be examined at the Rules Docket at the address above.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. J. Mike Kiesov, Project Officer,
Sailplanes/Gliders, FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft
Certification Service, 1201 Walnut, suite 900, Kansas City, Missouri
64106; telephone: (816) 426-6932; facsimile: (816) 426-2169.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments Invited
Interested persons are invited to participate in the making of the
proposed rule by submitting such written data, views, or arguments as
they may desire. Communications should identify the Rules Docket number
and be submitted in triplicate to the address specified above. All
communications received on or before the closing date for comments,
specified above, will be considered before taking action on the
proposed rule. The proposals contained in this notice may be changed in
light of the comments received.
Comments are specifically invited on the overall regulatory,
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the proposed rule. All
comments submitted will be available, both before and after the closing
date for comments, in the Rules Docket for examination by interested
persons. A report that summarizes each FAA-public contact concerned
with the substance of this proposal will be filed in the Rules Docket.
Commenters wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments
submitted in response to this notice must submit a self-addressed,
stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments
to Docket No. 97-CE-118-AD.'' The postcard will be date stamped and
returned to the commenter.
Availability of NPRMs
Any person may obtain a copy of this NPRM by submitting a request
to the FAA, Central Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, Attention:
Rules Docket No. 97-CE-118-AD, Room 1558, 601 E. 12th Street, Kansas
City, Missouri 64106.
Discussion
The Luftfahrt-Bundesamt (LBA), which is the airworthiness authority
for Germany, recently notified the FAA that an unsafe condition may
exist on certain Alexander Schleicher Model ASH-26E sailplanes. The LBA
reports that the impeller of the internal cooling air fan on the above-
referenced sailplanes could slip, causing a reduction of pressure in
the internal cooling system. The higher internal temperatures that will
follow could cause the engine to lose compression and power.
These conditions, if not corrected in a timely manner, could result
in the engine overheating and possible engine failure.
Relevant Service Information
Alexander Schleicher has issued Technical Note No. 1, dated October
31, 1996, which specifies procedures for accomplishing in-flight
temperature checks. This service bulletin also references Mid-West
Engines Ltd. Service Bulletin No. 001, dated November 5, 1996, which
includes procedures for replacing the internal cooling air fan with a
fan that incorporates Modification Kit R1K555A. This modification kit
includes the following provisions:
--a positive lock between the fan and spindle;
--a cable tie wrap for fan delivery duct sealing; and
--a smaller driven pulley on the fan spindle.
The LBA classified this service bulletin as mandatory and issued
German AD No. 97-009, dated January 30, 1997, in order to assure the
continued airworthiness of these sailplanes in Germany.
The FAA's Determination
This sailplane model is manufactured in Germany and is type
certificated for operation in the United States under the provisions of
section 21.29 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 21.29) and
the applicable bilateral airworthiness agreement. Pursuant to this
bilateral airworthiness agreement, the LBA has kept the FAA informed of
the situation described above.
The FAA has examined the findings of the LBA; reviewed all
available information, including the service information referenced
above; and determined that AD action is necessary for products of this
type design that are certificated for operation in the United States.
[[Page 5323]]
Explanation of the Provisions of the Proposed AD
Since an unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to
exist or develop in other Alexander Schleicher Model ASH-26E sailplanes
of the same type design registered in the United States, the FAA is
proposing AD action. The proposed AD would require replacing the
internal cooling air fan with a fan that incorporates Modification Kit
R1K555A. Accomplishment of the proposed replacement would be in
accordance with the previously referenced service information.
Cost Impact
The FAA estimates that 8 sailplanes in the U.S. registry would be
affected by the proposed AD, that it would take approximately 13
workhours per sailplane to accomplish the proposed action, and that the
average labor rate is approximately $60 an hour. Parts cost
approximately $380 per sailplane. Based on these figures, the total
cost impact of the proposed AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be
$9,280, or $1,160 per sailplane.
Differences Between the Service Bulletin, German AD, and This
Proposed AD
Alexander Schleicher Technical Note No. 1, dated October 31, 1996,
specifies in-flight temperature checks of the internal cooling air fan
during each flight until the modification is accomplished. German AD
No. 97-009, dated January 30, 1997, also requires these in-flight
checks until accomplishment of the modification.
The FAA does not have justification to require in-flight checks
during each flight through AD action. The FAA suggests that the
affected sailplane owners/operators have these checks accomplished, and
the FAA is adding a note to the AD to recommend such action.
Compliance Time of the Proposed AD
The unsafe condition described in the proposed AD can happen at any
time and is not based on the number of hours the sailplane is in
operation. With this in mind, the compliance of the proposed AD is
presented in calendar time instead of hours time-in-service (TIS).
Regulatory Impact
The regulations proposed herein would 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
proposal would 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) if promulgated,
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 draft regulatory evaluation
prepared for this action has been placed 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, Safety.
The Proposed Amendment
Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration proposes to amend
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 USC 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:
Alexander Schleicher Segelflugzeugbau: Docket No. 97-CE-118-AD.
Applicability: Model ASH-26E 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 (c) 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 6 calendar months after the
effective date of this AD, unless already accomplished.
To prevent failure of the internal cooling system air fan caused
by the impeller slipping, which could result in loss of compression
and power and possible engine failure, accomplish the following:
(a) Replace the internal cooling air fan with a fan that
incorporates Modification Kit R1K555A in accordance with Mid-West
Engines Ltd. Service Bulletin No. 001, dated November 5, 1996, as
referenced in Alexander Schleicher Technical Note No. 1, dated
October 31, 1996.
Note 2: Modification Kit R1K555A includes the following provisions:
--a positive lock between the fan and spindle;
--a cable tie wrap for fan delivery duct sealing; and
--a smaller driven pulley on the fan spindle.
Note 3: Although not required by this AD, the FAA recommends
accomplishing in-flight temperature checks of the internal cooling
air fan during each flight until the modification required by
paragraph (a) of this AD is incorporated. These in-flight
temperature checks are specified in Alexander Schleicher Technical
Note No. 1, dated October 31, 1996, and are required by German AD
No. 97-009, dated January 30, 1997, for sailplanes on the German
registry.
(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 sailplane 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, 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 4: Information concerning the existence of approved
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be
obtained from the Small Airplane Directorate.
(d) Questions or technical information related to Alexander
Schleicher Technical Note No. 1, dated October 31, 1996; and Mid-
West Engines Ltd. Service Bulletin No. 001, dated November 5, 1996,
should be directed to Alexander Schleicher Segelflugzeugbau, 6416
Poppenhausen, Wasserkuppe, Federal Republic of Germany; telephone:
49.6658.890 or 49.6658.8920; facsimile: 49.6658.8923 or
49.6658.8940. This service information may be examined at the FAA,
Central Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, Room 1558, 601 E.
12th Street, Kansas City.
Note 5: The subject of this AD is addressed in German AD No. 97-
009, dated January 30, 1997.
[[Page 5324]]
Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on January 26, 1998.
Michael Gallagher,
Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 98-2419 Filed 1-30-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U