[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 79 (Friday, April 24, 1998)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 20308-20309]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-10593]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 97-CE-118-AD; Amendment 39-10489; AD 98-09-09]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Alexander Schleicher GmbH
Segelflugzeugbau Model ASH-26E 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 GmbH Segelflugzeugbau
(Alexander Schleicher) Model ASH-26E sailplanes. This AD requires
replacing the internal cooling air fan with a fan that incorporates a
certain modification. 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 internal cooling system air fan caused by the impeller
slipping, which could result in loss of compression and power and
possible engine failure.
DATES: Effective June 1, 1998.
The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as
of June 1, 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-118-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, FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft
Certification Service, 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 ASH-26E sailplanes was published in the Federal Register as a
notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) on February 2, 1998 (63 FR 5322).
The NPRM proposed to require replacing the internal cooling air fan
with a fan that incorporates a certain modification. Accomplishment of
the proposed action as specified in the NPRM would be in accordance
with Alexander Schleicher Technical Note No. 1, dated October 31, 1996;
and Mid-West Engines Ltd. Service Bulletin No. 001, dated October 5,
1996.
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.
Cost Impact
The FAA estimates that 8 sailplanes in the U.S. registry will be
affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 13 workhours per
sailplane to accomplish this action, and that the average labor rate is
approximately $60 an hour. Parts cost approximately $380 per sailplane.
Based on these figures, the total cost impact of this AD on U.S.
operators is estimated to be $9,280, or $1,160 per sailplane.
Differences Between the Service Bulletin, German AD, and This AD
Alexander Schleicher Technical Note No. 1, dated October 31, 1996,
specifies in-flight temperature checks of the internal cooling air fan
during each flight until the modification is accomplished. German AD
No. 97-009, dated January 30, 1997, also requires these in-flight
checks until accomplishment of the modification.
The FAA does not have justification to require in-flight checks
during each flight through AD action. The FAA suggests that the
affected sailplane owners/operators have these checks accomplished, and
the FAA is adding a note to the AD to recommend such action.
Compliance Time of this AD
The unsafe condition described in this AD can happen at any time
and is not based on the number of hours the sailplane is in operation.
With this in mind, the compliance of this AD is presented in calendar
time instead of hours time-in-service (TIS).
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.
[[Page 20309]]
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:
98-09-09 Alexander Schleicher Segelflugzeugbau: Amendment 39-10489;
Docket No. 97-CE-118-AD.
Applicability: Model ASH-26E sailplanes, all serial numbers,
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 within the next 6 calendar months after the
effective date of this AD, unless already accomplished.
To prevent failure of the internal cooling system air fan caused
by the impeller slipping, which could result in loss of compression
and power and possible engine failure, accomplish the following:
(a) Replace the internal cooling air fan with a fan that
incorporates Modification Kit R1K555A in accordance with Mid-West
Engines Ltd. Service Bulletin No. 001, dated October 5, 1996, as
referenced in Alexander Schleicher Technical Note No. 1, dated
October 31, 1996.
Note 2: Modification Kit R1K555A includes the following
provisions:
--A positive lock between the fan and spindle;
--A cable tie wrap for fan delivery duct sealing; and
--A smaller driven pulley on the fan spindle.
Note 3: Although not required by this AD, the FAA recommends
accomplishing in-flight temperature checks of the internal cooling
air fan during each flight until the modification required by
paragraph (a) of this AD is incorporated. These in-flight
temperature checks are specified in Alexander Schleicher Technical
Note No. 1, dated October 31, 1996, and are required by German AD
No. 97-009, dated January 30, 1997, for sailplanes on the German
registry.
(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, 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 4: 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. 1, dated October 31, 1996; and Mid-
West Engines Ltd. Service Bulletin No. 001, dated October 5, 1996,
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 and modification required by this AD shall
be done in accordance with Mid-West Engines Ltd. Service Bulletin
No. 001, dated October 5, 1996, as referenced in Alexander
Schleicher Technical Note No. 1, dated October 31, 1996. 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 5: The subject of this AD is addressed in German AD No. 97-
009, dated January 30, 1997.
(f) This amendment becomes effective on June 1, 1998.
Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on April 15, 1997.
James E. Jackson,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 98-10593 Filed 4-23-98; 8:45 am]
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