[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

[[Page 49309]]

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]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P