[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 46 (Wednesday, March 8, 2000)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 12072-12073]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-5134]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 99-CE-70-AD; Amendment 39-11609; AD 2000-04-26]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Alexander Schleicher GmbH & Co. Model
ASW-27 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 Alexander Schleicher GmbH & Co. (Alexander
Schleicher) Model ASW-27 sailplanes. This AD requires inspecting the
elevator control circuit clearance inside the fuselage tail boom to the
fin intersection to assure a clearance of at least 2.5 millimeters (mm)
(\1/10\-inch wide), and adjusting any clearance that does not meet the
criteria. 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 detect interference in
the elevator control circuit, which, if not corrected, could result in
the elevator control jamming with possible loss of control of the
sailplane.
DATES: Effective April 25, 2000.
The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as
of April 25, 2000.
ADDRESSES: Service information that applies to this AD may be obtained
from Alexander Schleicher GmbH & Co. Segelflugzeugbau, D-36163
Poppenhausen, Federal Republic of Germany; telephone: ++ 49 6658 89-0;
facsimile: ++ 49 6658 89-40. This information may also be examined at
the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Central Region, Office of
the Regional Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket No. 99-CE-70-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) 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 certain Alexander
Schleicher Model ASW-27 sailplanes was published in the Federal
Register as a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) on December 28, 1999
(64 FR 72584). The NPRM proposed to require inspecting the elevator
control circuit clearance inside the fuselage tail boom to the fin
intersection to assure a clearance of at least 2.5 mm (\1/10\-inch
wide), and adjusting any clearance that does not meet the criteria.
Accomplishment of the proposed action as specified in the NPRM would be
required in accordance with Alexander Schleicher Technical Note No. 5,
dated July 16, 1999.
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 30 sailplanes in the U.S. registry will be
affected by the inspection, that it will take approximately 1 workhour
per sailplane to accomplish the inspection, and that the average labor
rate is approximately $60 an hour. Based on these figures, the total
cost impact of the inspection on U.S. operators is estimated to be
$1,800, or $60 per sailplane.
The FAA estimates that it will take approximately 2 workhours per
sailplane to accomplish the adjustment, if necessary, and that the
average labor rate is approximately $60 an hour. Based on these
figures, the total cost impact of the adjustment on U.S. operators is
estimated to be $3,600, or $120 per sailplane.
Compliance Time of This AD
The compliance time of this AD is presented in calendar time
instead of hours time-in-service (TIS). When proper clearance is not
provided inside the fuselage tail boom to the fin intersection, the 90-
degree lever of the elevator controls rubs against the cut-out of the
lower fin rib. Although the consequential jamming of the elevator
controls is a result of sailplane operation, improper clearance will be
prevalent at the time of manufacture. Sailplane operation varies among
operators. For example, one operator may utilize the sailplane 50 hours
TIS in 3 months while it may take another 12 months or more to
accumulate 50 hours TIS. In order to assure that improper clearance is
detected and corrected in a timely manner, the compliance time is
required ``within the next 90 calendar days after the effective date of
this AD.''
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.
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
[[Page 12073]]
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:
2000-04-26 Alexander Schleicher GMBH & CO. Segelflugzeugbau:
Amendment 39-11609; Docket No. 99-CE-70-AD.
Applicability: Model ASW-27 sailplanes, serial numbers 27002
through 27104, 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 as indicated in the body of this AD, unless
already accomplished.
To detect interference in the elevator control circuit, which,
if not corrected, could result in the elevator control jamming with
possible loss of control of the sailplane, accomplish the following:
(a) Within the next 90 calendar days after the effective date of
this AD, inspect the elevator control circuit clearance inside the
fuselage tail boom to the fin intersection to assure a clearance of
at least 2.5 millimeters (mm) (\1/10\-inch wide). Prior to further
flight, adjust any clearance that does not meet the criteria.
Accomplish these actions in accordance with the Action section of
Alexander Schleicher Technical Note No. 5, dated July 16, 1999.
(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 times that provides an equivalent level of safety may be
approved by the Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, FAA, 901
Locust, Room 301, 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 Alexander
Schleicher Technical Note No. 5, dated July 16, 1999, should be
directed to Alexander Schleicher GmbH & Co. Segelflugzeugbau, D-
36163 Poppenhausen, Federal Republic of Germany; telephone: ++
49.6658.89-0; facsimile: ++ 49.6658.89-40. This service information
may be examined at the FAA, Central Region, Office of the Regional
Counsel, 901 Locust, Room 506, Kansas City, Missouri 64106.
(e) The inspection and modification required by this AD shall be
done in accordance with Alexander Schleicher Technical Note No. 5,
dated July 16, 1999. 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 Alexander
Schleicher GmbH & Co. Segelflugzeugbau, D-36163 Poppenhausen,
Federal Republic of Germany. Copies may be inspected 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.
Note 3: The subject of this AD is addressed in German AD 1999-
283, Effective Date: September 9, 1999.
(f) This amendment becomes effective on April 25, 2000.
Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on February 25, 2000.
Michael Gallagher,
Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 00-5134 Filed 3-7-00; 8:45 am]
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