[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 178 (Tuesday, September 15, 1998)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 49307-49309]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-24642]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 98-CE-35-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Ursula Hanle Model H101 ``Salto''
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 Ursula Hanle (Hanle) Model H101
``Salto'' sailplanes. The proposed AD would require replacing the
airbrake lever with one of improved design. 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 the airbrake from deploying
during high g maneuvers, which could result in an overstressing effect
on the airframe with consequent reduced sailplane control.
DATES: Comments must be received on or before October 21, 1998.
ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), Central Region, Office of the Regional Counsel,
Attention: Rules Docket No. 98-CE-35-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 Ursula Hanle, Haus Schwalbenwerder, D-14728 Strodehne, Federal
Republic of Germany; telephone and facsimile: +49 (0) 33875-30389. This
information also may be examined at the Rules Docket at the address
above.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Mike Kiesov, Aerospace Engineer,
FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 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-35-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
[[Page 49308]]
FAA, Central Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, Attention: Rules
Docket No. 98-CE-35-AD, Room 1558, 601 E. 12th Street, Kansas City,
Missouri 64106.
Discussion
The Luftfahrt-Bundesamt (LBA), which is the airworthiness authority
for Germany, recently notified the FAA that an unsafe condition may
exist on certain Hanle Model H101 ``Salto'' sailplanes. The LBA reports
that the airbrake lever may inadvertently deploy during high g
maneuvers because the knee mechanism is not adequately fastened to the
existing lever.
This condition, if not corrected, could result in an overstressing
effect on the airframe with consequent reduction in sailplane control.
Relevant Service Information
Ursula Hanle has issued Technical Bulletin 101-25/2, dated January
21, 1998, which specifies procedures for replacing the airbrake lever
made of sheet metal with one made of steel.
The LBA classified this service bulletin as mandatory and issued
German AD 1998-108, dated February 26, 1998, 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 Hanle Model H101 ``Salto'' sailplanes of the
same type design registered in the United States, the FAA is proposing
AD action. The proposed AD would require replacing the airbrake lever
made of sheet metal with one made of steel. Accomplishment of the
proposed replacement would be in accordance with Ursula Hanle Technical
Bulletin 101-25/2, dated January 21, 1998.
Compliance Time of the Proposed AD
Although the airbrake lever would only come out during flight in
high g maneuvers, the unsafe condition specified in the proposed AD is
not a result of the number of times the sailplane is operated. The
chance of this situation occurring is the same for a sailplane with 10
hours time-in-service (TIS) as it would be for a sailplane with 500
hours TIS. For this reason, the FAA has determined that a compliance
based on calendar time should be utilized in the proposed AD in order
to assure that the unsafe condition is addressed on all sailplanes in a
reasonable time period.
Cost Impact
The FAA estimates that 8 sailplanes in the U.S. registry would be
affected by the proposed AD, that it would take approximately 6
workhours per sailplane to accomplish the proposed action, and that the
average labor rate is approximately $60 an hour. Parts cost
approximately $295 per sailplane. Based on these figures, the total
cost impact of the proposed AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be
$5,240, or $655 per sailplane.
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:
Ursula Hanle: Docket No. 98-CE-35-AD.
Applicability: Model H101 ``Salto'' 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 3 calendar months after the
effective date of this AD, unless already accomplished.
To prevent the airbrake from inadvertently deploying during high
g maneuvers, which could result in an overstressing effect on the
airframe with consequent reduced sailplane control, accomplish the
following:
(a) Replace the airbrake lever in accordance with Ursula
Technical Bulletin 101-25/2, dated January 21, 1998, and drawing No.
101-44-3(2), as referenced in the technical bulletin.
(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, Aircraft
Certification Service, 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
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compliance with this AD, if any, may be obtained from the Small
Airplane Directorate.
(d) Questions or technical information related to Ursula Hanle
Technical Bulletin 101-25/2, dated January 21, 1998, should be
directed to Ursula Hanle, Haus Schwalbenwerder, D-14728 Strodehne,
Federal Republic of Germany; telephone and facsimile: +49 (0) 33875-
30389. 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 1998-
108, dated February 26, 1998.
Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on September 4, 1998.
Michael Gallagher,
Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 98-24642 Filed 9-14-98; 8:45 am]
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