[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 29 (Thursday, February 12, 1998)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 7083-7085]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-3518]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 97-CE-103-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Alexander Schleicher Model ASK-21 
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 Alexander Schleicher Model ASK-21 sailplanes 
that have certain modifications installed. The proposed action would 
require changing the sailplane flight manual's weight and balance 
information. 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 the operator from using inaccurate weight and balance 
information provided in the sailplane flight manual (SFM), which, if 
not corrected, could lead to hazardous flight conditions.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before March 16, 1998.


[[Page 7084]]


ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Central Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 97-CE-103-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, 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:

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-103-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-103-AD, Room 1558, 601 E. 12th Street, Kansas 
City, Missouri 64106.

Discussion

    The Luftfahrt-Bundesamt (LBA), which is the airworthiness authority 
for the Federal Republic of Germany, recently notified the FAA that an 
unsafe condition may exist on Alexander Schleicher Model ASK-21 
sailplanes that are equipped with certain modification provided in 
Alexander Schleicher technical note (TN) 3 or TN 7. These technical 
notes are optional modifications that include the procedures for 
installing a removable ballast in the sailplane. The LBA reports that 
the conversion of kilograms to pounds on the trim weights of the 
Alexander Schleicher Model ASK-21 sailplane was miscalculated at the 
factory for the sailplanes with the modifications incorporated. 
Therefore, the U.S.-FAA version of the trim weights information 
provided in the SFM may lead to loading the sailplane outside the 
center of gravity. These conditions, if not corrected, could result in 
hazardous flight conditions.

Relevant Service Information

    Alexander Schleicher has issued Technical Note No. 13a, dated June 
4, 1984, which specifies procedures for changing the sailplane flight 
manual (SFM) by removing page 2 (dated May 16, 1984) and page 13 (dated 
February 16, 1984), and inserting a new page 2 and page 13, both dated 
June 4, 1984.
    The LBA classified this service bulletin as mandatory and issued 
German AD 84-32/2 Schleicher, dated June 12, 1984, in order to assure 
the continued airworthiness of these sailplanes in Germany.

The FAA's Determination

    The Alexander Schleicher Model ASK-21 sailplane 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.

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 ASK-21 sailplanes 
of the same type design registered in the United States, the proposed 
AD would require changing the SFM by removing and replacing two pages 
referencing the trim weight information. Accomplishment of the proposed 
installation would be in accordance with the Action section of 
Alexander Schleicher Technical Note No. 13a, dated June 4, 1984.

Cost Impact

    The FAA estimates that 30 sailplanes in the U.S. registry would be 
affected by the proposed AD, that it would take approximately 1 
workhour per sailplane to accomplish the proposed action, and that the 
average labor rate is approximately $60 an hour. There are no parts 
required for the proposed action. The proposed action 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 43.9 of the Federal Aviation 
Regulations (14 CFR 43.9). Based on these figures, there is no cost 
impact of the proposed AD on U.S. operators.

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

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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 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:

Alexander Schleicher: Docket No. 97-CE-103-AD.

    Applicability: Model ASK-21 sailplanes, all serial numbers, 
certificated in any category, that are equipped with the 
modifications in Alexander Schleicher Technical Note (TN) 3 or TN 7.

    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 (d) 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 3 calendar months after the 
effective date of this AD, unless already accomplished.
    To prevent the operator from using inaccurate weight and balance 
information provided in the sailplane flight manual (SFM), which, if 
not corrected, could lead to hazardous flight conditions, accomplish 
the following:
    (a) Remove page 2 (dated May 16, 1984) and page 13 (dated 
February 16, 1984) from the Alexander Schleicher Model ASK-21 SFM, 
and replace these pages with new pages 2 and 13, both dated June 4, 
1984, in accordance with Alexander Schleicher ASK-21 Technical Note 
No. 13a, dated June 4, 1984.
    (b) Incorporating the SFM revisions, as required by 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 
43.9 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 43.9).
    (c) 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.
    (d) 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, Aircraft 
Certification Service, 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.

    (e) Questions or technical information related to Alexander 
Schleicher Technical Note No. 13a, dated June 4, 1984, 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, Missouri 64106.

    Note 3: The subject of this AD is addressed in German AD No. 84-
32/2 Schleicher, dated June 12, 1984.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on February 4, 1998.
John R. Colomy,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 98-3518 Filed 2-11-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P