[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 8 (Wednesday, January 12, 2000)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 1769-1771]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-497]
[[Page 1769]]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 99-CE-76-AD; Amendment 39-11503; AD 2000-01-06]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Rolladen Schneider Flugzeugbau GmbH
Model LS6-c Sailplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.
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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) that
applies to certain Rolladen Schneider Flugzeugbau GmbH (Rolladen
Schneider) Model LS6-c sailplanes. This AD requires that you accomplish
the following:
--install a deflector on the cockpit instrument panel for sailplanes
equipped with an instrument panel that is 40 centimeters (15.75 inches)
wide;
--inspect the canopy emergency jettison system on all sailplanes; and
--adjust the system, as necessary, for all sailplanes, including
installing a deflector for sailplanes equipped with an instrument panel
that is not 40 centimeters (15.75 inches) wide if proper clearance is
not met.
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 assure that the
instrument panel does not jam against the canopy frame of the emergency
jettison system. This could restrict the pilot's ability to safely exit
the sailplane.
DATES: Effective February 4, 2000.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of certain publications listed in the regulation as of
February 4, 2000.
The FAA must receive any comments on this rule on or before
February 15, 2000.
ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), Central Region, Office of the Regional Counsel,
Attention: Rules Docket No. 99-CE-76-AD, 901 Locust, Room 506, Kansas
City, Missouri 64106.
You may get the service information referenced in this AD from
Rolladen-Schneider Flugzeugbau GmbH, Muhlstrasse 10, D-63329 Egelsbach,
Germany; phone: ++49 6103 204126; facsimile: ++49 6103 45526. You may
examine this information at the FAA, Central Region, Office of the
Regional Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket No. 99-CE-76-AD, 901 Locust,
Room 506, 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,
FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City,
Missouri 64106; telephone: (816) 329-4144; facsimile: (816) 329-4090.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Discussion
What events have caused this AD? The Luftfahrt-Bundesamt (LBA),
which is the airworthiness authority for Germany, recently notified the
FAA that an unsafe condition may exist on certain Rolladen Schneider
Model LS6-c sailplanes. The LBA advises that the potential exists for
the instrument panel to jam against the canopy frame of the emergency
jettison system. The potential for the unsafe condition is greater for
sailplanes equipped with an instrument panel that is 40 centimeters
(15.75 inches) wide. However, the potential also exists for sailplanes
equipped with an instrument panel that is 27 centimeters (10.6 inches)
wide.
What are the consequences if the condition is not corrected? The
instrument panel jamming against the canopy frame of the emergency
jettison system could restrict the pilot's ability to safely exit the
sailplane.
What is the cause of the problem? The potential for the unsafe
condition is inherent in the design of the instrument panels that are
40 centimeters (15.75 inches) wide. Modifications made to instrument
panels that are 27 centimeters (10.6 inches) wide could create the
potential for the condition to exist or develop.
Relevant Service Information
Is there service information that applies to this subject? Yes.
Rolladen Schneider has issued Technical Bulletin No. 6036, dated June
8, 1999.
What are the provisions of this service bulletin? The service
bulletin specifies and/or includes procedures for:
--installing a deflector on the cockpit instrument panel for sailplanes
equipped with an instrument panel that is 40 centimeters (15.75 inches)
wide;
--inspecting the canopy emergency jettison system on all sailplanes;
and
--adjusting the system, as necessary, for all sailplanes, including
installing a deflector for sailplanes equipped with an instrument panel
that is 27 centimeters (10.6 inches) wide if proper clearance is not
met.
The Foreign Airworthiness Authority's Action
What action did the LBA take? The LBA classified this service
bulletin as mandatory and issued German AD 1999-266, dated July 6,
1999, in order to assure the continued airworthiness of these
sailplanes in Germany.
Was this in accordance with the bilateral airworthiness agreement?
Yes. 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's Determination and an Explanation of the Provisions of the
AD
What has the FAA decided? After examining the circumstances and
reviewing all available information related to the incidents described
above including that received from the LBA, the FAA has determined
that:
--an unsafe condition exists or could develop on Rolladen Schneider
Model LS6-c sailplanes of the same type design to those referenced
above;
--the actions of the above-referenced service bulletin should be
accomplished on the affected sailplanes; and
--AD action should be taken to assure that the instrument panel does
not jam against the canopy frame of the emergency jettison system. This
could restrict the pilot's ability to safely exit the sailplane.
What does this AD require? This AD requires you to accomplish the
following:
--install a deflector on the cockpit instrument panel for sailplanes
equipped with an instrument panel that is 40 centimeters (15.75 inches)
wide;
--inspect the canopy emergency jettison system on all sailplanes; and
--adjust the system, as necessary, for all sailplanes, including
installing a deflector for sailplanes equipped with an instrument panel
that is not 40 centimeters (15.75 inches) wide if proper clearance is
not met.
Compliance Time of This AD
What is the compliance time of this AD? Within 30 calendar days
after the effective date of this AD. Since a
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situation exists that requires the immediate adoption of this
regulation, the FAA finds that notice and opportunity for public prior
comment hereon are impracticable, and that good cause exists for making
this amendment effective in less than 30 days.
Why is the compliance time in calendar time instead of hours time-
in-service? The FAA has determined that a calendar time for compliance
is necessary because the unsafe condition described by this AD is not
directly related to sailplane operation. The chance of this situation
occurring is the same for a sailplane with 10 hours time-in-service
(TIS) as it is 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 this AD in order to assure that the unsafe condition is
addressed on all sailplanes in a reasonable time period.
Why is the compliance time of this AD different than the German AD
and the service information? The service information specifies the
actions required in this AD ``prior to further flight'' and the German
AD mandates these actions ``prior to further flight'' for sailplanes
registered for operation in Germany. The FAA does not have
justification for requiring the action prior to further flight.
Instead, the FAA has determined that 30 calendar days is a reasonable
time period for accomplishing the actions in this AD.
Comments Invited
Although this action is in the form of a final rule and was not
preceded by notice and opportunity for public comment, the FAA invites
comments on this rule. You may submit whatever written data, views, or
arguments you choose. You need to include the rule's docket number and
submit your comments in triplicate to the address specified under the
caption ADDRESSES. The FAA will consider all comments received on or
before the closing date. We may amend this rule in light of comments
received. Factual information that supports your ideas and suggestions
is extremely helpful in evaluating the effectiveness of the AD action
and determining whether we need to take additional rulemaking action.
The FAA is re-examining the writing style we currently use in
regulatory documents, in response to the Presidential memorandum of
June 1, 1998. That memorandum requires federal agencies to communicate
more clearly with the public. We are interested in your comments on
whether the style of this document is clearer, and any other
suggestions you might have to improve the clarity of FAA communications
that affect you. You can get more information about the Presidential
memorandum and the plain language initiative at http://
www.plainlanguage.gov.
The FAA specifically invites comments on the overall regulatory,
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the rule that might
suggest a need to modify the rule. You may examine all comments we
receive before and after the closing date of the rule in the Rules
Docket. We will file a report in the Rules Docket that summarizes each
FAA contact with the public that concerns the substantive parts of this
AD.
If you want us to acknowledge the receipt of your comments, you
must include a self-addressed, stamped postcard. On the postcard, write
``Comments to Docket No. 99-CE-76-AD.'' We will date stamp and mail the
postcard back to you.
Regulatory Impact
These regulations will not have a substantial direct effect 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, the FAA has determined that
this final rule does not have federalism implications under Executive
Order 13132.
The FAA has determined that this regulation is an emergency
regulation that must be issued immediately to correct an unsafe
condition in aircraft, and is not a significant regulatory action under
Executive Order 12866. We determined that this action involves an
emergency regulation under DOT Regulatory Policies and Procedures (44
FR 11034, February 26, 1979). If the FAA determines that this emergency
regulation otherwise would be significant under DOT Regulatory Policies
and Procedures, we will prepare a final regulatory evaluation and place
it in the Rules Docket (otherwise, an evaluation is not required). You
may obtain a copy of this evaluation, if filed, from the Rules Docket.
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:
2000-01-06 Rolladen Schneider Flugzeugbau GmbH: Amendment 39-11503;
Docket No. 99-CE-76-AD.
(a) What airplanes are affected by this AD? Model LS6-c
sailplanes, serial numbers 6149 through 6382, certificated in any
category.
(b) Who must comply with this AD? Anyone who wishes to operate
any of the above airplanes on the U.S. Register.
(c) What problem does this AD address? The actions specified by
this AD are intended to assure that the instrument panel does not
jam against the canopy frame of the emergency jettison system. This
could restrict the pilot's ability to safely exit the sailplane.
(d) What must I do to address this problem? To address this
problem, you must accomplish all actions of either paragraph (d)(1)
or (d)(2) of this AD, as applicable:
(1) For Any Sailplane Equipped With an Instrument Panel That is
40 Centimeters (15.75 Inches) Wide.
(i) What actions must I take? Install a deflector on the cockpit
instrument panel; and inspect the canopy emergency jettison system
and adjust the system as necessary.
(ii) What procedures must I use? The procedures contained in
Rolladen Schneider Technical Bulletin No. 6036, dated June 8, 1999.
(iii) When must I comply with these actions?
(A) Installation and Inspection: Within the next 30 calendar
days after the effective date of this AD; and
(B) Adjustment, as necessary: Prior to further flight after the
required inspection.
(2) For Any Sailplane Equipped With an Instrument Panel That Is
Not 40 Centimeters (15.75 Inches) Wide; i.e., 27 Centimeters (10.6
Inches) Wide.
(i) What actions must I take? Inspect the canopy emergency
jettison system, adjust the system as necessary, and install a
deflector if proper clearance is not met.
(ii) What procedures must I use? The procedures contained in
Rolladen Schneider Technical Bulletin No. 6036, dated June 8, 1999.
(iii) When must I comply with these actions?
(A) Inspection: Within the next 30 calendar days after the
effective date of this AD; and
(B) Adjustment and Installation, as necessary: Prior to further
flight after the required inspection.
(e) Can I comply with this AD in any other way? Yes.
(1) You may use an alternative method of compliance or adjust
the compliance time if:
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(i) Your alternative method of compliance provides an equivalent
level of safety; and
(ii) The Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, approves your
alternative. Submit your request through an FAA Principal
Maintenance Inspector, who may add comments and then send it to the
Manager.
(2) 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)(1)
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 you have not eliminated the unsafe
condition, specific actions you propose to address it.
(f) Where can I get information about any already-approved
alternative methods of compliance? Contact the Small Airplane
Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, Missouri 64106;
telephone: (816) 329-4121; facsimile: (816) 329-4091.
(g) What if I need to fly the sailplane to another location to
comply with this AD? The FAA can issue a special flight permit under
Secs. 21.197 and 21.199 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR
21.197 and 21.199) to operate your sailplane to a location where you
can accomplish the requirements of this AD.
(h) Who should I contact if I have questions regarding the
service information? Questions or technical information related to
Rolladen Schneider Technical Bulletin No. 6036, dated June 8, 1999,
should be directed to Rolladen-Schneider Flugzeugbau GmbH,
Muhlstrasse 10, D-63329 Egelsbach, Germany; phone: ++ 49 6103
204126; facsimile: ++ 49 6103 45526. This service information may be
examined at the FAA, Central Region, Office of the Regional Counsel,
901 Locust, Room 506, Kansas City, Missouri 64106.
(i) Are any service bulletins incorporated into this AD by
reference? Yes. Actions required by this AD must be done in
accordance with Rolladen Schneider Technical Bulletin No. 6036,
dated June 8, 1999. The Director of the Federal Register approved
this incorporation by reference under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part
51. You can get copies from Rolladen-Schneider Flugzeugbau GmbH,
Muhlstrasse 10, D-63329 Egelsbach, Germany. You can look at
copies at the FAA, Central Region, Office of the Regional Counsel,
901 Locust, Room 506, Kansas City, Missouri, or at the Office of the
Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW, suite 700,
Washington, DC.
(j) Has the airworthiness authority for the State of Design
addressed this action? Yes. The subject of this AD is addressed in
German AD 1999-266, dated July 6, 1999.
(k) When does this amendment become effective? This amendment
becomes effective on February 4, 2000.
Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on January 3, 2000.
Michael Gallagher,
Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 00-497 Filed 1-11-00; 8:45 am]
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