[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 51 (Tuesday, March 17, 1998)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 13013-13015]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-6768]


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 Proposed Rules
                                                 Federal Register
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 This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains notices to the public of 
 the proposed issuance of rules and regulations. The purpose of these 
 notices is to give interested persons an opportunity to participate in 
 the rule making prior to the adoption of the final rules.
 
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  Federal Register / Vol. 63, No. 51 / Tuesday, March 17, 1998 / 
Proposed Rules  

[[Page 13013]]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 97-CE-102-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Alexander Schleicher Segelflugzeugbau 
Models ASW-19 and 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 certain Alexander Schleicher Segelflugzeugbau 
(Schleicher) Models ASW-19 and ASK-21 sailplanes. The proposed AD would 
require: modifying the rudder surface panels; replacing the airbrake 
bellcrank; and modifying the rear canopy hinge structure. 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 loss of the canopy 
caused by design deficiency, airbrake failure caused by cracking, and 
rudder panel flutter caused by high density altitude conditions, all of 
which, if not corrected, could result in reduced sailplane 
controllability.

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-102-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-102-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-102-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, notified the FAA that unsafe 
conditions may exist on certain Schleicher Model ASW-19 and ASK-22 
sailplanes. The LBA reports the following:
     That airflow over the rudder flight control system when 
near maximum speed and under high density altitude conditions causes 
panel flutter of the rudder control panels on the Schleicher Model ASW-
19 sailplanes;
     That cracks have been found in the rear canopy hinge 
structure, which could be caused by insufficient design or leaving the 
sailplane canopy open and exposed to wind forces on the Schleicher 
Model ASK-21 sailplanes; and,
     That cracks in the airbrake bellcrank have been found 
during routine maintenance inspection on the Schleicher Model ASK-21 
sailplanes.
    These conditions, if not corrected, could result in reduced 
controllability of these sailplanes.

Relevant Service Information

    Alexander Schleicher has issued the following service information: 
Technical Note 2, dated September 6, 1976, which specifies procedures 
for stiffening the rudder surface panels on certain Model ASW-19 
sailplanes; and, Technical Note 20 dated October 16, 1987, which 
specifies procedures for inspecting and replacing the airbrake 
bellcrank, and inspecting and reinforcing the rear canopy hinge on the 
Model ASK-21 sailplanes.
    The LBA classified these service bulletins as mandatory and issued 
the following AD's in order to assure the continued airworthiness of 
these sailplanes in Germany: (1) LBA AD 76-258 dated September 3, 1976, 
against the Model ASW-19 sailplanes for the rudder panel flutter 
condition; and (2) LBA 88-2 dated January 18, 1988, against the Model 
ASK-21 sailplanes for the airbrake bellcrank and rear canopy hinge 
conditions.

The FAA's Determination

    The Alexander Schleicher Models ASW-19 and ASK-21 sailplanes are 
manufactured in Germany and are type certificated for operation in the 
United States under the provisions of section 21.29 of the Federal 
Aviation

[[Page 13014]]

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 unsafe conditions have been identified that are likely to 
exist or develop in other Alexander Schleicher Models ASW-19 and ASK-21 
sailplanes of the same type design registered in the United States, the 
proposed AD would require modifying the sailplanes' rudder panel by 
stiffening the rudder panel, reinforcing the rear canopy hinge, and 
replacing the airbrake bellcrank. Accomplishment of the proposed 
actions would be in accordance with the previously referenced service 
information.

Cost Impact

    The FAA estimates that 5 sailplanes in the U.S. registry would be 
affected by the rudder panel portion of the proposed AD, that it would 
take approximately 10 workhours per sailplane to accomplish the rudder 
panel portion of the proposed AD, and that the average labor rate is 
approximately $60 an hour. Parts cost approximately $50 per sailplane. 
Based on these figures, the total cost impact of the rudder panel 
portion of the proposed AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $3,250, 
or $650 per sailplane.
    The FAA estimates that 30 sailplanes in the U.S. registry would be 
affected by the airbrake bellcrank portion of the proposed AD, that it 
would take approximately 6 workhours per sailplane to accomplish the 
rudder panel portion of the proposed AD, and that the average labor 
rate is approximately $60 an hour. Parts cost approximately $200 per 
sailplane. Based on these figures, the total cost impact of the 
airbrake bellcrank portion of the proposed AD on U.S. operators is 
estimated to be $16,800, or $560 per sailplane.
    The FAA estimates that 30 sailplanes in the U.S. registry would be 
affected by the rear canopy hinge portion of the proposed AD, that it 
would take approximately 11 workhours per sailplane to accomplish the 
rear canopy hinge portion of the proposed AD, and that the average 
labor rate is approximately $60 an hour. Parts cost approximately $15 
per sailplane. Based on these figures, the total cost impact of the 
rear canopy hinge portion proposed AD on U.S. operators is estimated to 
be $20,250, or $675 per sailplane.

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:

Alexander Schleicher Segelflugzeugbau: Docket No. 97-CE-102-AD.

    Applicability: Model ASW-19 sailplanes (serial numbers 19019 
through 19037, 19040, and 19042 through 19044), and Model ASK-21 
sailplanes (serial numbers 21001 through 21345), 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 as indicated in the body of this AD, unless 
already accomplished.
    To prevent loss of the canopy caused by design deficiency, 
airbrake failure caused by cracking, and rudder panel flutter caused 
by high density altitude conditions, all of which, if not corrected, 
could result in reduced sailplane controllability, accomplish the 
following:
    (a) Within the next 3 calendar months after the effective date 
of this AD, accomplish the following:
    (1) For Alexander Schleicher Model ASW-19 sailplanes, modify the 
rudder panel in accordance with the Instructions section in 
Alexander Schleicher ASW 19 Technical Note No. 2, dated September 6, 
1976.
    (2) For Alexander Schleicher Model ASK-21 sailplanes, replace 
the airbrake bellcrank with an airbrake bellcrank of improved design 
in accordance with the Action section, paragraphs 3.1, 3.2, and 3.3 
in Alexander Schleicher ASW 21 Technical Note No. 20, dated October 
16, 1987.
    (3) For Alexander Schleicher Model ASK-21 sailplanes, modify the 
rear canopy hinge in accordance with the Action section, paragraph 
4.2, in Alexander Schleicher ASW 21 Technical Note No. 20, dated 
October 16, 1987.
    (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, 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.

    (d) Questions or technical information related to the service 
information referenced in this AD, should be directed to Alexander

[[Page 13015]]

Schleicher Segelflugzeugbau, 6416 Poppenhausen, Wasserkuppe, 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 No. 76-
258, dated September 3, 1976, for the rudder panel condition; and 
German AD No. 88-2, dated January 1, 1988, for the airbrake 
bellcrank and the rear canopy hinge conditions.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on March 9, 1998.
Michael Gallagher,
Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 98-6768 Filed 3-16-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-M