[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 54 (Friday, March 20, 1998)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 13505-13507]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-7232]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 97-CE-109-AD; Amendment 39-10417; AD 98-06-38]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Alexander Schleicher Segelflugzeugbau
Model ASK-21 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 Alexander Schleicher Segelflugzeugbau (Alexander Schleicher)
Model ASK-21 sailplanes that do not have a certain automatic elevator
connection installed. This AD requires drilling a drainage hole in the
elevator pushrod, inspecting the elevator pushrod for corrosion damage,
and replacing any elevator pushrod if a certain amount of corrosion
damage is found. This AD is the result of mandatory continuing
airworthiness information (MCAI) issued by the airworthiness authority
for Germany. The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent
failure of the elevator pushrod caused by corrosion damage, which could
result in loss of control of the sailplane.
DATES: Effective April 28, 1998.
The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as
of April 28, 1998.
ADDRESSES: Service information that applies to this AD may be obtained
from Alexander Schleicher Segelflugzeugbau, 6416 Poppenhausen,
Wasserkuppe, Federal Republic of Germany; telephone: 49.6658.890 or
49.6658.8920;
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facsimile: 49.6658.8923 or 49.6658.8940. This information may also be
examined at the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Central Region,
Office of the Regional Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket No. 97-CE-109-
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,
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:
Events Leading to the Issuance of 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 certain Alexander
Schleicher Model ASK-21 sailplanes that do not have a certain automatic
elevator connection installed was published in the Federal Register as
a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) on December 19, 1997 (62 FR
66567). The NPRM proposed to require drilling a drainage hole in the
elevator pushrod, inspecting the elevator pushrod for corrosion damage,
and replacing any elevator pushrod if a certain amount of corrosion
damage is found. Accomplishment of the proposed action as specified in
the NPRM would be in accordance with Alexander Schleicher Technical
Note No. 26, dated July 1, 1993.
The NPRM was the result of mandatory continuing airworthiness
information (MCAI) issued by the airworthiness authority for Germany.
Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate
in the making of this amendment. No comments were received on the
proposed rule 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 and will not add any
additional burden upon the public than was already proposed.
Compliance Time of This AD
The unsafe condition specified by this AD is caused by corrosion.
Corrosion can occur regardless of whether the sailplane is in operation
or is in storage. Therefore, to assure that the unsafe condition
specified in this AD does not go undetected for a long period of time,
the compliance time is presented in calendar time instead of hours
time-in-service (TIS).
Cost Impact
The FAA estimates that 30 sailplanes in the U.S. registry will be
affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 1 workhour per
sailplane to accomplish this elevator pushrod drainage hole drilling
and elevator pushrod inspection, and that the average labor rate is
approximately $60 an hour. Based on these figures, the total cost
impact of this AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $1,800, or $60
per sailplane.
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:
98-06-38 Alexander Schleicher Segelflugzeugbau: Amendment 39-10417;
Docket No. 97-CE-109-AD.
Applicability: Model ASK-21 sailplanes, serial numbers 21 001
through 21 205, certificated in any category, that do not have an
automatic elevator connection installed in accordance with Alexander
Schleicher Technical Note No. 11, dated December 20, 1983.
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 as indicated in the body of this AD, unless
already accomplished.
To prevent failure of the elevator pushrod caused by corrosion
damage, which could result in loss of control of the sailplane,
accomplish the following:
(a) Within the next 3 calendar months after the effective date
of this AD, drill a drainage hole in the elevator pushrod in
accordance with Alexander Schleicher Technical Note No. 26, dated
July 1, 1993.
(b) Within the next 3 calendar months after the effective date
of this AD, inspect the elevator pushrod for corrosion damage in
accordance with Alexander Schleicher Technical Note No. 26, dated
July 1, 1993.
(1) If no corrosion damage is found or corrosion damage is found
that does not exceed the amount specified in the service bulletin,
prior to further flight after the inspection required by paragraph
(b) of this AD, apply a corrosion agent as described in the service
bulletin.
(2) If corrosion damage is found that exceeds the amount
specified in the service bulletin, prior to further flight after the
inspection required by paragraph (b) of this AD, replace the
elevator pushrod in accordance with the maintenance manual, and
apply a corrosion agent as described in the service bulletin.
(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
[[Page 13507]]
to a location where the requirements of this AD can be accomplished.
(d) 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 Small Airplane Directorate.
(e) Questions or technical information related to Alexander
Schleicher Technical Note No. 26, dated July 1, 1993, should be
directed to Alexander Schleicher Segelflugzeugbau, 6416
Poppenhausen, 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.
(f) The inspection, drilling, and application required by this
AD shall be done in accordance with Alexander Schleicher Technical
Note No. 26, dated July 1, 1993. 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
Alexander Schleicher Segelflugzeugbau, 6416 Poppenhausen, Federal
Republic of Germany. Copies may be inspected at the FAA, Central
Region, Office of the Regional 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.
Note 3: The subject of this AD is addressed in German AD No. 93-
186, dated September 15, 1993.
(g) This amendment (39-10417) becomes effective on April 28,
1998.
Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on March 11, 1998.
Michael Gallagher,
Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 98-7232 Filed 3-19-98; 8:45 am]
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