[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 54 (Friday, March 20, 1998)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 13507-13508]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-7249]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 97-CE-107-AD; Amendment 39-10416; AD 98-06-37]
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 certain Alexander Schleicher Segelflugzeugbau (Alexander 
Schleicher) Model ASK-21 sailplanes. This AD requires replacing any tow 
release cable assembly that does not have a swivel-type end with a 
cable assembly that does have a swivel-type end. 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 the inability to release the tow rope because 
of the design of the cable assembly, which could result in loss of 
control of the sailplane during towing operations.

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; 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-107-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 Alexander Schleicher 
Model ASK-21 sailplanes was published in the Federal Register as a 
notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) on December 19, 1997 (62 FR 
66560). The NPRM
proposed to require replacing any tow release cable assembly that does 
not have a swivel-type end with a tow release cable assembly that does 
have a swivel-type end. Accomplishment of the proposed action as 
specified in the NPRM would be in accordance with Alexander Schleicher 
Technical Note No. 10, dated October 10, 1983.
    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

    Although the loops that form in the cable assembly would only occur 
during flight over time and the bending loads are related to sailplane 
operation, the FAA has no basis to determine the approximate number of 
hours time-in-service (TIS) when the unsafe condition is likely to 
occur. For example, the loops could form in the tow release cable 
assembly on a sailplane with 10 hours TIS, but not form until 500 hours 
TIS on another sailplane. For this reason, the FAA has determined that 
a compliance based on calendar time should be utilized in this AD in 
order to assure that the unsafe condition is addressed on all 
sailplanes in a reasonable time period.

Cost Impact

    The FAA estimates that 30 sailplanes in the U.S. registry will be 
affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 2 workhours per 
sailplane to

[[Page 13508]]

accomplish this replacement, and that the average labor rate is 
approximately $60 an hour. Parts cost approximately $20 per sailplane. 
Based on these figures, the total cost impact of this AD on U.S. 
operators is estimated to be $4,200, or $140 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:

98-06-37  Alexander Schleicher Segelflugzeugbau: Amendment 39-10416; 
Docket No. 97-CE-107-AD.

    Applicability: Model ASK-21 sailplanes, serial numbers 21 001 
through 21 196, certificated in any category, that are equipped with 
a tow release cable assembly that does not have a swivel-type end.

    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 3 calendar months after the 
effective date of this AD, unless already accomplished.
    To prevent the inability to release the tow rope because of the 
design of the cable assembly, which could result in loss of control 
of the sailplane during towing operations, accomplish the following:
    (a) Replace any tow release cable assembly that does not have a 
swivel-type end with a tow release cable assembly that does have a 
swivel-type end in accordance with Alexander Schleicher Technical 
Note No. 10, dated October 10, 1983.
    (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, 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.

    (d) Questions or technical information related to Alexander 
Schleicher Technical Note No. 10, dated October 10, 1983, 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.
    (e) The replacement required by this AD shall be done in 
accordance with Alexander Schleicher Technical Note No. 10, dated 
October 10, 1983. 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, Wasserkuppe, 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. 84-
2, dated January 13, 1984.

    (f) This amendment (39-10416) 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. 98-7249 Filed 3-19-98; 8:45 am]
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