[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 50 (Monday, March 16, 1998)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 12706-12708]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-6585]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 97-CE-129-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Stemme GmbH & Co. KG Models S10 and
S10-V 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 Stemme GmbH & Co. KG (Stemme) Models
S10 and S10-V sailplanes. The proposed action would require replacing
the fuel filter, inserting a revision to the Limitations Section of the
airplane flight manual, and inspecting the engine valve shafts for
brownish-black sticky residue. If a residue is found on the valve
shafts, the proposed action would require cleaning the engine. The
proposed AD is the
[[Page 12707]]
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 engine valve malfunction,
which, if not corrected, could cause engine failure during flight and
loss of control of the sailplane.
DATES: Comments must be received on or before April 17, 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-129-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 Stemme GmbH & Co. KG, Gustav-Meyer-Allee 25, D-13355 Berlin,
Federal Republic of Germany. This information also may be examined at
the Rules Docket at the address above.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Mike Kiesov, Aerospace Engineer,
Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service, FAA, 1201
Walnut, suite 900, Kansas City, Missouri 64106; telephone (816) 426-
6934; 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-129-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-129-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 Stemme Models S10 and S10-V sailplanes. The LBA
reports engine failure on two of the affected sailplanes. The engine
failures occurred on sailplanes that were found to have a brown sticky
substance on the engine. This substance is brownish-black in color and
ranges from a lacquer-like hardness to gum-like sticky in composition.
The substance may be residue and build-up formed by foreign materials
dissolved in the fuel. The composition of the residue is causing the
intake valves to stick in the valve guides. Sticky deposits were also
found in parts of the induction system on the inside walls of the
intake manifolds, as well as on the throttle shaft.
This condition, if not corrected, could result in engine failure
during flight and loss of control of the sailplane.
Relevant Service Information
Stemme has issued Service Bulletin (SB) No. A31-10-021, dated June
28, 1995, which specifies inserting a revision to the Limitations
Section in the airplane flight manual (AFM) restricting the type and
grade of fuel to use in the sailplane engine; and, specifies procedures
for replacing the fuel filter if contaminated, along with inspecting
the engine for the sticky brown residue.
Limbach Flugmotoren Technical Bulletin No. 47, dated June 28, 1995,
specifies procedures for inspecting certain engine components for
contamination, and cleaning the engine. These procedures are a follow-
on to those found in Stemme SB No. A31-10-021, when a sticky brown
residue is found in the engine.
The LBA classified these service bulletins as mandatory and issued
German AD 95-273, dated July 11, 1995, 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
Sec. 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 Stemme Models S10 and S10-V sailplanes of the
same type design registered in the United States, the proposed AD would
require replacing the fuel filter if contaminated, inserting a revision
to the Limitations Section of the airplane flight manual (AFM), and
inspecting the engine valve shafts for brownish-black sticky residue.
If a residue is found on the valve shafts, the proposed action would
require cleaning the engine. Accomplishment of the proposed insertion,
inspection, and cleaning would be in accordance with Stemme Service
Bulletin No. A31-10-021, dated June 28, 1995, and Limbach Flugmotoren
Technical Bulletin No. 47, dated June 28, 1995.
Cost Impact
The FAA estimates that 9 sailplanes in the U.S. registry would be
affected by the proposed AD, that it would take approximately 5
workhours per sailplane to accomplish the proposed action, and that the
average labor rate is approximately $60 an hour. Parts cost
approximately $30 per sailplane. Based on these figures, the total cost
impact of the proposed AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $2,970,
or $330 per sailplane.
Proposed Compliance Time
The FAA is proposing a calendar compliance time instead of hours
time-in-service (TIS) because the average monthly usage of the affected
sailplanes varies throughout the fleet. For example, one owner may
operate the sailplane 25 hours TIS in one week, while another operator
may operate the sailplane 25
[[Page 12708]]
hours TIS in one year. The sticky residue builds up on the engine
regardless of sailplane use. In order to assure that all of the
affected sailplanes are in compliance within a reasonable amount of
time, the FAA is proposing a compliance time of 30 days after the
effective date of this AD to insert the AFM Limitations Section
revision, and 60 days after the effective date of this AD to replace
the fuel filter and inspect the engine.
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 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:
Stemme GMBH & Co. KG: Docket No. 97-CE-129-AD.
Applicability: Model S10 (serial numbers 10-12 through 10-60),
and Model S10-V (serial numbers 14-002 through 14-022) and
transformed Model S10-V (serial numbers 14-012M to 14-060M)
sailplanes, 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 as indicated in the body of this AD, unless
already accomplished.
To prevent engine valve malfunction, which, if not corrected,
could cause engine failure during flight and loss of control of the
sailplane, accomplish the following:
(a) Within the next 30 days after the effective date of this AD,
insert a revision in the Limitations Section 2.4.2.1, Fuel, of the
airplane flight manual (AFM) that states: ``Only authorized fuel is
AVGAS 100LL'' in accordance with the Instructions section of Stemme
Service Bulletin (SB) Document No. A31-10-021, dated June 28, 1995.
(b) Incorporating the revision to the Limitations Section of the
AFM, as required by paragraph (a) 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 43.9 of the
Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 43.9).
(c) Within the next 60 days after the effective date of this AD,
accomplish paragraphs (c)(1), (c)(2), and (c)(3) of this AD;
(1) Inspect the fine fuel filter for the accumulation of chopped
cotton fibers, and replace the filter if it is contaminated, prior
to further flight, in accordance with the Instructions section of
Stemme SB Document No. A31-10-021, dated June 28, 1995; and,
(2) Inspect the engine in accordance with LIMBACH Flugmotoren
Technical Bulletin No. 47, dated June 28, 1995.
(3) If a brownish-black sticky residue is found on the engine,
prior to further flight, disassemble and clean the engine in
accordance with LIMBACH Flugmotoren Technical Bulletin No. 47, dated
June 28, 1995.
(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 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 Manager, Small Airplane Directorate.
(f) Questions or technical information related to Stemme Service
Bulletin No. A31-10-021, dated June 28, 1995, and LIMBACH
Flugmotoren Technical Bulletin No. 47, dated June 28, 1995, should
be directed to Stemme GmbH & Co. KG, Gustav-Meyer-Allee 25, D-13355
Berlin, Federal Republic of Germany. 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 95-273,
dated July 11, 1995.
Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on March 9, 1998.
Michael Gallagher,
Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 98-6585 Filed 3-13-98; 8:45 am]
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