[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 141 (Thursday, July 23, 1998)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 39484-39485]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-19459]



[[Page 39484]]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 97-CE-128-AD; Amendment 39-10674; AD 98-15-24]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Stemme GmbH & Co. KG Model 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) Model S10-V 
sailplanes. This AD requires replacing the propeller blade suspension 
forks with parts of improved design. 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 propeller suspension fork failure caused by design deficiency, 
which could result in loss of a propeller blade and loss of sailplane 
controllability.

DATES: Effective September 15, 1998.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of September 15, 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-128-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 on certain Stemme 
Model S10-V sailplanes was published in the Federal Register as a 
notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) on May 11, 1998 (63 FR 25787). The 
NPRM proposed to require replacing the propeller blade suspension fork, 
distance ring, and nut with parts of improved design. Accomplishment of 
the proposed action as specified in the NPRM would be in accordance 
with pages 3 and 4 of Stemme GmbH & Co. KG Service Bulletin No. A31-10-
020, Am-index: 02.a, dated October 7, 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 7 sailplanes in the U.S. registry will be 
affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 6 workhours per 
sailplane to accomplish this action, and that the average labor rate is 
approximately $60 an hour. Parts cost approximately $930 per sailplane. 
Based on these figures, the total cost impact of this AD on U.S. 
operators is estimated to be $9,030, or $1,290 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:

98-15-24  STEMME GMBH & CO. KG: Amendment 39-10674; Docket No. 97-
CE-128-AD.

    Applicability: Model S10-V sailplanes (serial numbers (S/N) 14-
002 through 14-026, and converted sailplanes S/N 14-003M through 14-
063M), 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 upon the accumulation of 100 hours total 
time-in-service (TIS) on the sailplane propeller or within the next 
10 hours TIS after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs 
later, unless already accomplished.
    To prevent propeller suspension fork failure caused by design 
deficiency, which could result in loss of a propeller blade and loss 
of sailplane controllability, accomplish the following:

[[Page 39485]]

    (a) Replace the following in accordance with pages 3 and 4 of 
Stemme GmbH & Co. KG Service Bulletin No. 31-10-020, Am-index: 02.a, 
dated October 7, 1996:
    (1) The propeller blade suspension fork, part number (P/N) 0AP-
V08 (or an FAA-approved equivalent P/N), with a new propeller blade 
suspension fork, P/N A09-10AP-V08 (or an FAA-approved equivalent P/
N);
    (2) The propeller blade suspension fork distance ring, P/N 10AP-
V05 (or an FAA-approved equivalent P/N), with a new propeller fork 
distance ring, P/N A09-10AP-V05 (or an FAA-approved equivalent P/N); 
and
    (3) The propeller blade suspension fork nut, P/N 10AP-V06 (or an 
FAA-approved equivalent P/N), with a new propeller blade suspension 
fork nut, P/N A09-10AP-V06 (or an FAA-approved equivalent part 
number).
    (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 pages 3 and 4 
of Stemme GmbH & Co. KG Service Bulletin No. A31-10-020, Am-index: 
02.a, dated October 7, 1996, 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.
    (e) The replacements required by this AD shall be done in 
accordance with pages 3 and 4 of Stemme GmbH & Co. KG Service 
Bulletin No. A31-10-020, Am-index: 02.a, dated October 7, 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 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 95-177/
2, dated January 30, 1997.

    (f) This amendment becomes effective on September 15, 1998.
    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on July 15, 1998.
James E. Jackson,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 98-19459 Filed 7-22-98; 8:45 am]
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