[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 107 (Thursday, June 4, 1998)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 30377-30378]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-14614]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 97-CE-129-AD; Amendment 39-10562; AD 98-12-06]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Stemme GmbH & Co. KG Models S10 and 
S10-V 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 Stemme GmbH & Co. KG (Stemme) Models S10 and S10-V 
sailplanes. This AD requires replacing the fuel filter if it is 
contaminated, inserting a revision to the Limitations Section of the 
flight manual, and inspecting the engine valve shafts for brownish-
black sticky residue. If a residue is found on the valve shafts, this 
action will require cleaning the engine. 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 engine valve malfunction, which could cause 
engine failure during flight and loss of control of the sailplane.

DATES: Effective July 17, 1998.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of July 17, 1998.

ADDRESSES: Service information that applies to this AD may be obtained 
from Stemme GmbH & Co. KG, Gustav-Meyer-Allee 25, D-13355 Berlin, 
Federal Republic of Germany. 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-129-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. Mike Kiesov, Aerospace Engineer, 
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:

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 Stemme Models 
S10 and S10-V sailplanes was published in the Federal Register as a 
notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) on March 16, 1998 (63 FR 12706). 
The NPRM proposed to require replacing the fuel filter if contaminated, 
inserting a revision to the Limitations Section of the flight manual 
(FM), and inspecting the engine valve shafts for brownish-black sticky 
residue. If a residue is found on the valve shafts, the proposed action 
would require cleaning the engine. Accomplishment of the proposed 
insertion, inspection, and cleaning as specified in the NPRM would be 
in accordance with Stemme Service Bulletin No. A31-10-021, dated June 
28, 1995, and Limbach Flugmotoren Technical Bulletin No. 47, dated June 
28, 1995.
    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 9 sailplanes in the U.S. registry will be 
affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 5 workhours per 
sailplane to accomplish this action, and that the average labor rate is 
approximately $60 an hour. Parts cost approximately $30 per sailplane. 
Based on these figures, the total cost impact of this AD on U.S. 
operators is estimated to be $2,970, or $330 per sailplane.

Compliance Time of This AD

    The compliance time of this AD is presented in calendar compliance 
time instead of hours time-in-service (TIS) because the average monthly 
usage of the affected sailplanes varies 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 assure that all of the affected sailplanes are in 
compliance within a reasonable amount of time, the FAA has determined a 
compliance time of 30 days after the effective date of this AD to 
insert the FM Limitations Section revision, and 60 days after the 
effective date of this AD to replace the fuel filter and inspect the 
engine is appropriate.

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

[[Page 30378]]

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:

98-12-06  Stemme GmbH & Co. KG: Amendment 39-10562; Docket No. 97-
CE-129-AD.

    Applicability: Model S10 (serial numbers 10-12 through 10-60), 
and Model S10-V (serial numbers 14-002 through 14-022) and 
transformed Model S10-V (serial numbers 14-012M to 14-060M) 
sailplanes, 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 as indicated in the body of this AD, unless 
already accomplished.
    To prevent engine valve malfunction, which could cause engine 
failure during flight and loss of control of the sailplane, 
accomplish the following:
    (a) Within the next 30 days after the effective date of this AD, 
insert a revision in the Limitations Section 2.4.2.1, Fuel, of the 
flight manual (FM) that states: ``Only authorized fuel is AVGAS 
100LL'' in accordance with the Instructions section of Stemme 
Service Bulletin (SB) Document No. A31-10-021, dated June 28, 1995.
    (b) Incorporating the revision to the Limitations Section of the 
FM, as required by paragraph (a) of this AD, may be performed by the 
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).
    (c) Within the next 60 days after the effective date of this AD, 
accomplish paragraphs (c)(1), (c)(2), and (c)(3) of this AD;
    (1) Inspect the fine fuel filter for the accumulation of chopped 
cotton fibers, and replace the filter if it is contaminated, prior 
to further flight, in accordance with the Instructions section of 
Stemme SB Document No. A31-10-021, dated June 28, 1995; and,
    (2) Inspect the engine in accordance with LIMBACH Flugmotoren 
Technical Bulletin No. 47, dated June 28, 1995.
    (3) If a brownish-black sticky residue is found on the engine, 
prior to further flight, disassemble and clean the engine in 
accordance with LIMBACH Flugmotoren Technical Bulletin No. 47, dated 
June 28, 1995.
    (d) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with 
Secs. 1.197 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 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 Manager, Small Airplane Directorate.

    (f) Questions or technical information related to Stemme Service 
Bulletin No. A31-10-021, dated June 28, 1995, and LIMBACH 
Flugmotoren Technical Bulletin No. 47, dated June 28, 1995, should 
be directed to Stemme GmbH & Co. KG, Gustav-Meyer-Allee 25, D-13355 
Berlin, Federal Republic of Germany. 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.
    (g) The insertion, inspections, and replacement required by this 
AD shall be done in accordance with Stemme Service Bulletin No. A31-
10-021, dated June 28, 1995, and Limbach Flugmotoren Technical 
Bulletin No. 47, dated June 28, 1995. 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 Stemme GmbH & Co. KG, Gustav-Meyer-Allee 25, D-13355 
Berlin, 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 95-273, 
dated July 11, 1995.

    (h) This amendment becomes effective on July 17, 998.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on May 27, 1998.
Marvin R. Nuss,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 98-14614 Filed 6-3-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U