[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 96 (Tuesday, May 19, 1998)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 27514-27516]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-13198]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 98-CE-05-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Alexander Schleicher Segelflugzeugbau 
Model ASW-19 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 
(Alexander Schleicher) Model ASW-19 sailplanes. The proposed action 
would require inspecting the tow release cable guide fittings for the 
correct mounting, and, if the fittings are mounted in the front of the 
bulkhead, moving the fitting to the rear of the bulkhead. 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 premature release 
of the tow cable during take-off, which could result in loss of the 
sailplane.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before June 26, 1998.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation

[[Page 27515]]

Administration (FAA), Central Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 98-CE-05-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. This information also may be 
examined at the Rules Docket at the address above.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Mike Kiesov, Project Officer, 
Sailplanes/Gliders, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service, FAA, 1201 Walnut, suite 900, Kansas City, Missouri 64106; 
telephone: (816) 426-6934; 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. 98-CE-05-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. 98-CE-05-AD, Room 1558, 601 E. 12th Street, Kansas 
City, Missouri 64106.

Discussion

    The Luftfahrt-Bundesamt (LBA), which is the airworthiness authority 
for Germany, notified the FAA that an unsafe condition may exist on 
certain Alexander Schleicher Model ASW-19 sailplanes. The LBA reports 
that some of the older Model ASW-19 sailplanes were designed with the 
tow release cable mounted on the front side of the bulkhead per the 
type design. The LBA has received reports of premature release during 
towing operations on these Model ASW-19 sailplanes. This inadvertent 
release is occurring when the tow release cable guide is properly 
adjusted in the rear position, but is secured to the front of the 
bulkhead.
    This condition, if not corrected, could result in premature release 
of the sailplane's tow cable during take-off operations with a possible 
loss of sailplane controllability.

Relevant Service Information

    Alexander Schleicher has issued Technical Note No. 18, dated July 
3, 1984, which specifies procedures for inspecting the cable guide 
release fitting for the correct bulkhead mounting. If the cable guide 
release fitting is mounted on the front of the bulkhead, the service 
information specifies procedures for moving the cable guide release 
fitting to the rear of the bulkhead and then adjusting the cable's 
neutral travel.
    The LBA classified this service bulletin as mandatory and issued 
German AD 84-115, dated July 16, 1984, in order to assure the continued 
airworthiness of these sailplanes in Germany.

The FAA's Determination

    This sailplane model is manufactured in Germany and is type 
certificated for operation in the United States under the provisions of 
section 21.29 of the Federal Aviation 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 an unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to 
exist or develop in other Alexander Schleicher Model ASW-19 sailplanes 
of the same type design registered in the United States, the FAA is 
proposing AD action. The proposed AD would require inspecting the tow 
release cable guide fitting for the proper location on the bulkhead. If 
the cable guide release fitting is mounted on the front of the 
bulkhead, the proposed AD would require removing the cable guide 
release fitting, remounting it on the rear of the bulkhead, and 
adjusting the cable's neutral travel. Accomplishment of the proposed 
actions would be in accordance with Alexander Schleicher Technical Note 
No. 18, dated July 3, 1984.

Cost Impact

    The FAA estimates that 100 sailplanes in the U.S. registry would be 
affected by the proposed AD.
    Accomplishing the proposed inspection would take approximately 1 
workhour per sailplane, at an average labor rate of approximately $60 
an hour. Based on these figures, the total cost impact of the proposed 
inspection on U.S. operators is estimated to be $6,000, or $60 per 
sailplane.
    The proposed modification would take approximately 2 workhours, at 
an average labor rate of $60 per hour. Parts cost approximately $20 per 
sailplane. Based on these figures, the total cost impact of the 
proposed modification on U.S. operators is estimated to be $14,000, or 
$140 per sailplane.

Compliance Time

    The compliance time of the proposed AD is in calendar time instead 
of hours time-in-service (TIS). The average monthly usage of the 
affected sailplane ranges throughout the fleet. For example, one owner 
may operate the sailplane 25 hours TIS in one week, while another 
operator may operate the sailplane 25 hours TIS in one year. In order 
to ensure that all of the owners/operators of the affected sailplane 
have inspected the mount location of the tow release cable guide 
fitting within a reasonable amount of time, the FAA is proposing a 
compliance time of 90 days.

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,

[[Page 27516]]

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. 98-CE-05-AD.
    Applicability: Model ASW-19 sailplanes, serial numbers 19001 
through 19405, 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 (e) 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 90 days after the effective 
date of this AD, unless already accomplished.
    To prevent premature release of the tow cable during take-off, 
which could result in loss of the sailplane, accomplish the 
following:
    (a) Inspect the tow release cable guide fittings for front or 
rear mount on the bulkhead of the sailplane in accordance with the 
Actions section in Alexander Schleicher Technical Note (TN) No. 18, 
dated July 3, 1984.

    Note 2: It is recommended that the maintenance manual pages 
called out in the INSTRUCTIONS section of Alexander Schleicher TN 
No. 18 be exchanged with the current pages in the maintenance 
manual.

    (b) If the cable guide fitting is mounted on the front of the 
bulkhead, prior to further flight, remove the fitting and remount 
the cable guide fitting on the rear of the bulkhead in accordance 
with the Actions section in Alexander Schleicher TN No. 18, dated 
July 3, 1984.
    (c) After remounting the cable fitting, prior to further flight, 
check the neutral travel of the cable and adjust if necessary, in 
accordance with the Actions section in Alexander Schleicher TN No. 
18, dated July 3, 1984.
    (d) 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.
    (e) 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 3: Information concerning the existence of approved 
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be 
obtained from the Small Airplane Directorate.

    (f) Questions or technical information related to Alexander 
Schleicher Technical Note No. 18, dated July 3, 1984, 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 64106.

    Note 4: The subject of this AD is addressed in German AD No. 84-
115, dated July 16, 1984.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on May 11, 1998.
Marvin R. Nuss,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 98-13198 Filed 5-18-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U