[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 66 (Tuesday, April 7, 1998)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 16883-16884]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-8582]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 96-CE-19-AD; Amendment 39-10439; AD 97-08-02 R1]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Schempp-Hirth K.G. Models Nimbus-2B, 
Mini-Nimbus B, Discus a, and Discus b Sailplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule; correction.

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SUMMARY: This document clarifies information in an existing 
airworthiness directive (AD) that applies to certain Schempp-Hirth K.G. 
(Schempp-Hirth) Models Standard-Cirrus, Nimbus-2, Nimbus-2B, Mini-
Nimbus HS-7, Mini-Nimbus B, Discus a, and Discus b sailplanes. That AD 
currently requires accomplishing a load test of the elevator control 
system, and replacing the elevator vertical actuating tube either 
immediately or at a certain time period depending on the results of the 
load test. The actions specified in that AD are intended to prevent 
corrosion in the elevator caused by water entering the elevator control 
rod, which could result in elevator failure and consequent loss of 
control of the sailplane. The Schempp-Hirth Models Nimbus 2, Mini-
Nimbus HS-7, and Standard Cirrus sailplanes are not equipped with 
elevator control systems, and should not be affected by the current AD. 
This action eliminates all reference to the Shempp-Hirth Models Nimbus 
2, Mini-Nimbus HS-7, and Standard Cirrus sailplanes in the current AD.

DATES: Effective April 17, 1998.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations was approved previously by the Director of the Federal 
Register as of May 30, 1997 (62 FR 16667, April 8, 1997).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. J. Mike Kiesov, Project Officer, 
FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 1201 Walnut, suite 900, Kansas City, 
Missouri 64106; telephone: (816) 426-6932; facsimile: (816) 426-2169.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On April 1, 1997, the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA) issued AD 97-08-02, Amendment 39-9990 (62 FR 
16667, April 8, 1997), which applies to certain Schempp-Hirth Models 
Standard-Cirrus, Nimbus-2, Nimbus-2B, Mini-Nimbus HS-7, Mini-Nimbus B, 
Discus a, and Discus b sailplanes. That AD requires accomplishing a 
load test of the elevator control system, and replacing the elevator 
vertical actuating tube either immediately or at a certain time period 
depending on the results of the load test.
    Accomplishment of the test and replacement is required in 
accordance with Schempp-Hirth Technical Note No. 278-33, 286-28, 295-
22, 328-10, 349-16, 360-9, 373-5, dated November 19, 1992, and the 
Appendix to this technical note.
    AD 97-08-02 resulted from reported incidents of corrosion found in 
the elevator because of water entering the elevator control rod. The 
actions required by that AD are intended to prevent corrosion in the 
elevator caused by water entering the elevator control rod, which could 
result in elevator failure and consequent loss of control of the 
sailplane.

Need for the Correction

    The FAA inadvertently included the Schempp-Hirth Models Nimbus 2, 
Mini-Nimbus HS-7, and Standard Cirrus sailplanes in the Applicability 
of AD 97-08-02. These sailplane models are not equipped with elevator 
control systems, and should not be affected by the current AD.

Correction of Publication

    This document eliminates from the Applicability of AD 97-08-02 
those sailplanes that are not equipped with elevator control systems.
    The AD is being reprinted in its entirely for the convenience of 
affected operators.
    Since this action only clarifies the FAA's original intent, it has 
no adverse economic impact and imposes no additional burden on any 
person. Therefore, the FAA has determined that notice and public 
procedures are unnecessary.

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.

[[Page 16884]]

Sec. 39.13  [Amended]

    2. Section 39.13 is amended by removing AD 97-08-02, Amendment 39-
9990 (62 FR 16667, April 8, 1997), and by adding a new airworthiness 
directive (AD) to read as follows:

97-08-02 R1  Schempp-Hirth K.G.: Amendment 39-10439; Docket No. 96-
CE-19-AD. Revises AD 97-08-02, Amendment 39-9990.

    Applicability: The following sailplane models and serial 
numbers, certificated in any category:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                  Models                           Serial numbers       
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Nimbus-2B.................................  All serial numbers.         
Mini-Nimbus B.............................  All serial numbers.         
Discus a and Discus b.....................  Serial numbers 1 to 446.    
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    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 (f) 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 corrosion in the elevator caused by water entering 
the elevator control rod, which could result in elevator failure and 
consequent loss of control of the sailplane, accomplish the 
following:
    (a) Prior to further flight after May 30, 1997 (the effective 
date of AD 97-08-02), accomplish a load test of the elevator control 
system in accordance with Schempp-Hirth Technical Note No. 278-33, 
286-28, 295-22, 328-10, 349-16, 360-9, 373-5, dated November 19, 
1992, and the Appendix to this technical note.

    Note 2: Sections 61.107(d)(1) and 61.127(d)(1) of the Federal 
Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 61.107(d)(1) and 14 CFR 61.127(d)(1)) 
give the authorization for glider/sailplane operators to disassemble 
and reassemble the elevator control system (for storage purposes 
between flights). The ``prior to further flight after the effective 
date of this AD'' compliance time in paragraph (a) of this AD was 
established to coincide with the next reassembly of the elevator 
control system.

    (b) If any discrepancies are found during the load test required 
by paragraph (a) of this AD, prior to further flight, replace the 
elevator vertical actuating tube in accordance with Schempp-Hirth 
Technical Note No. 278-33, 286-28, 295-22, 328-10, 349-16, 360-9, 
373-5, dated November 19, 1992, and the Appendix to this technical 
note.
    (c) Within the next 6 calendar months after May 30, 1997 (the 
effective date of AD 97-08-02) or prior to further flight after May 
30, 1997 (the effective date of AD 97-08-02), whichever occurs 
later, unless already accomplished (performing the actions in 
paragraph (b) of this AD), replace the elevator vertical actuating 
tube in accordance with Schempp-Hirth Technical Note No. 278-33, 
286-28, 295-22, 328-10, 349-16, 360-9, 373-5, dated November 19, 
1992, and the Appendix to this technical note.
    (d) The elevator control system load test as required by 
paragraph (a) of this AD may be performed by the sailplane 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).
    (e) 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.
    (f) 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 3: Information concerning the existence of approved 
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be 
obtained from the Small Airplane Directorate.

    (g) The load test and replacement required by this AD shall be 
done in accordance with Schempp-Hirth Technical Note No. 278-33, 
286-28, 295-22, 328-10, 349-16, 360-9, 373-5, dated November 19, 
1992, and the Appendix to this technical note. This incorporation by 
reference was approved previously by the Director of the Federal 
Register as of May 30, 1997 (62 FR 16667, April 8, 1997). Copies may 
be obtained from Schempp-Hirth Flugzeugbau GmbH, Krebenstrasse 25, 
Postfach 1443, D-73230 Kircheim/Teck, 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.
    (h) This amendment becomes effective on April 17, 1998.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on March 25, 1998.
Michael Gallagher,
Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 98-8582 Filed 4-6-98; 8:45 am]
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