[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 157 (Friday, August 14, 1998)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 43649-43651]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-21910]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 95-CE-49-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Rolladen Schneider Flugzeugbau GmbH 
Models LS 3-A, LS 4, and LS 4a 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 Rolladen Schneider Flugzeugbau GmbH 
(Rolladen Schneider) Models LS 3-A, LS 4, and LS 4a sailplanes. The 
proposed AD would require repetitively inspecting the forward elevator 
mounting bracket on the vertical tail fin for looseness, and, if any 
loose bracket is found, modifying the area and installing a new forward 
elevator mounting bracket. 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 detect and correct loose forward elevator mounting 
brackets, which could result in these brackets separating from the 
sailplane with consequent loss of control of the sailplane.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before September 17, 1998.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Central Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 95-CE-49-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 Rolladen-Schneider Flugzeugbau GmbH, Muhlstrasse 10, D-63329 
Egelsbach, Germany. This information also may be examined at the Rules 
Docket at the address above.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. J. Mike Kiesov, Project Officer, 
Sailplanes, 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. 95-CE-49-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

[[Page 43650]]

Regional Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket No. 95-CE-49-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 Rolladen Schneider Models LS 3-A, LS 4, and LS 4a sailplanes. 
The LBA reports an incident where the forward elevator mounting bracket 
on the vertical tailplane fin broke loose.
    Separation of the forward elevator mounting bracket from the 
tailplane fin could result in loss of control of the sailplane.

Relevant Service Information

    Rolladen Schneider has issued Technical Bulletin No. 3043/4035, 
dated July 14, 1993, which specifies procedures for inspecting the 
forward elevator mounting bracket for looseness. Rolladen Schneider EB-
4 Instructions, dated July 7, 1993, include procedures for the 
following on sailplanes where loose forward elevator mounting brackets 
are found:

--modifying the area of the forward elevator mounting bracket; and
--installing a new forward elevator mounting bracket.

    The LBA classified this service information as mandatory and issued 
German AD 93-155, dated July 21, 1993, in order to assure the continued 
airworthiness of these airplanes in Germany.

The FAA's Determination

    This airplane 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 Rolladen Schneider Models LS 3-A, LS 4, and 
LS 4a sailplanes of the same type design registered in the United 
States, the FAA is proposing AD action. The proposed AD would require 
repetitively inspecting the forward elevator mounting bracket on the 
vertical tail fin for looseness, and, if any loose bracket is found, 
modifying the area and installing a new forward elevator mounting 
bracket. Accomplishment of the proposed inspections would be required 
in accordance with Rolladen Schneider Technical Bulletin No. 3043/4035, 
dated July 14, 1993. Accomplishment of the proposed modification and 
installation would be required in accordance with the Rolladen 
Schneider BA-4 Instructions, dated July 7, 1993, as referenced in 
Rolladen Schneider Technical Bulletin No. 3043/4035, dated July 14, 
1993.

Cost Impact

    The FAA estimates that 62 sailplanes in the U.S. registry would be 
affected by the proposed AD, that it would take approximately 1 
workhour per sailplane to accomplish the proposed inspection, and that 
the average labor rate is approximately $60 an hour. Based on these 
figures, the total cost impact of the proposed inspection on U.S. 
operators is estimated to be $3,720, or $60 per sailplane.
    These figures do not take into account the cost of any modification 
or installation that would be required by the proposed AD if the 
forward elevator mounting bracket was found loose during the proposed 
inspection. The FAA has no way of determining how many sailplanes would 
have loose forward elevator mounting brackets that would require 
replacement.

Compliance Time of the Proposed AD

    The compliance time for the proposed inspection would initially be 
within 30 calendar days and thereafter every 12 calendar months. The 
reason for the initial calendar compliance time of 30 calendar days is 
to assure in a reasonable time period that all of the affected 
sailplanes do not have loose forward elevator mounting brackets. The 
proposed repetitive compliance time of every 12 calendar months is 
being proposed to allow sailplane owners/operators the opportunity to 
schedule the inspections to coincide with regularly scheduled 
maintenance or annual inspections.

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, 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:

Rolladen Schneider Flugzeugbau GMBH:
    Docket No. 95-CE-49-AD.

    Applicability: Models LS 3-A, LS 4, and LS 4a 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 (d) 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.

[[Page 43651]]

    Compliance: Required as indicated in the body of this AD, unless 
already accomplished.
    To detect and correct loose forward elevator mounting brackets, 
which could result in these brackets separating from the sailplane 
with consequent loss of control of the sailplane, accomplish the 
following:
    (a) Within the next 30 calendar days after the effective date of 
this AD, and thereafter at intervals not to exceed 12 calendar 
months, inspect the forward elevator mounting bracket for looseness. 
Apply a torque of 130 inches/pounds on the elevator mounting bracket 
and do not apply a force to the bonded in-ball. Accomplish the 
inspections in accordance with the Material and Instructions section 
of Rolladen Schneider Technical Bulletin No. 3043/4035, dated July 
14, 1993.
    (b) If any loose forward elevator mounting bracket is found 
during any inspection required by this AD, prior to further flight, 
modify the area and install a new forward elevator mounting bracket 
in accordance with the Rolladen Schneider BA-4 Instructions, dated 
July 7, 1993, as referenced in Rolladen Schneider Technical Bulletin 
No. 3043/4035, dated July 14, 1993. Continue to reinspect as 
specified in paragraph (a) of this AD at intervals not to exceed 12 
calendar months.
    (c) 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.
    (d) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the 
initial or repetitive compliance times that provides an equivalent 
level of safety may be approved by the Manager, Small Airplane 
Directorate. 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.

    (e) Questions or technical information related to the service 
information contained in this AD should be directed to Rolladen-
Schneider Flugzeugbau GmbH, Muhlstrasse 10, D-63329 Egelsbach, 
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.

    Note 3: The subject of this AD is addressed in German AD 93-155, 
dated July 21, 1993.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on August 10, 1998.
James E. Jackson,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 98-21910 Filed 8-13-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U