[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 7 (Wednesday, January 10, 2001)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 1827-1829]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-305]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2000-CE-81-AD; Amendment 39-12068; AD 2000-26-18]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Stemme GmbH & Co. KG Models S10 and 
S10-V 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 Stemme GmbH & Co. KG (Stemme) Models S10 and S10-V 
sailplanes. This AD requires you to replace the eyebolts on the 
airbrake, inspect the airbrake sheets for proper clearance and adjust 
as necessary, and inspect for damage to the landing gear doors and 
replace any damaged parts. 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 
prevent aerodynamic flutter of the upper covering straps on the 
airbrake cover caused by the current design airbrake eyebolts, which 
could result in damage to the airbrake system and landing gear doors. 
Continued operation with such damaged components could result in loss 
of control of the sailplane.

DATES: This AD becomes effective on February 2, 2001.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of certain publications listed in the regulation as of 
February 2, 2001.
    The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) must receive any comments 
on this rule on or before February 15, 2001.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to FAA, Central Region, Office 
of the Regional Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket No. 2000-CE-81-AD, 901 
Locust, Room 506, Kansas City, Missouri 64106.
    You may get the service information referenced in this AD from 
Stemme GmbH & Co. KG, Gustav-Meyer-Allee 25, D-13355 Berlin, Germany; 
telephone: 49.33.41.31.11.70; facsimile: 49.33.41.31.11.73. You may 
examine this information at FAA, Central Region, Office of the Regional 
Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket No. 2000-CE-81-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 FAA that an unsafe condition may exist 
on certain Stemme Model S10 and S10-V sailplanes. The LBA reports that 
the current design airbrake eyebolts could cause aerodynamic flutter of 
the upper airbrake straps at high airspeeds. This can cause damage to 
the airbrake system.
    One reported occurrence resulted in flutter of the upper covering 
straps on the airbrake cover, which resulted in an uncommanded yawing 
condition and separation of the landing gear door from the sailplane. 
This caused damage to the horizontal stabilizer.

What Are the Consequences If the Condition Is Not Corrected?

    This condition, if not corrected, could result in aerodynamic 
flutter of the upper covering straps on the airbrake cover and damage 
to the airbrake system and landing gear doors. Continued operation with 
such damaged components could result in loss of control of the 
sailplane.

[[Page 1828]]

Is There Service Information That Applies to This Subject?

    Stemme has issued Service Bulletin No. A31-10-055 (pages 5 through 
8 English translation), dated October 9, 2000. This service bulletin 
includes procedures for:

--Replacing the eyebolts on the airbrake;
--Inspecting the airbrake sheets for proper clearance and adjusting, as 
necessary; and
--inspecting for damage to the landing gear doors and replacing any 
damaged parts.

What Action Did LBA Take?

    The LBA classified this service bulletin as mandatory and issued 
German AD 2000-369, effective November 30, 2000, in order to assure the 
continued airworthiness of these sailplanes in Germany.

Was This in Accordance With the Bilateral Airworthiness Agreement?

    These sailplane models are manufactured in Germany and are type 
certificated for operation in the United States under the provisions of 
Sec. 21.29 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 21.29) and the 
applicable bilateral airworthiness agreement.
    Pursuant to this bilateral airworthiness agreement, LBA has kept 
FAA informed of the situation described above.

The FAA's Determination and an Explanation of the Provisions of 
This AD

What Has FAA Decided?

    The FAA has examined the findings of LBA; reviewed all available 
information, including the service information referenced above; and 
determined that:

--The unsafe condition referenced in this document exists or could 
develop on other Stemme Models S10 and S10-V sailplanes of the same 
type design;
--The actions specified in the previously-referenced service 
information (as specified in this AD) should be accomplished on the 
affected sailplanes; and
--AD action should be taken in order to correct this unsafe condition.

What Does This AD Require?

    This AD requires you to accomplish the actions previously specified 
in accordance with Stemme Service Bulletin No. A31-10-055 (pages 5 
through 8 English translation), dated October 9, 2000.

Will I Have the Opportunity To Comment Prior to the Issuance of the 
Rule?

    Because the unsafe condition described in this document could 
result in airbrake system failure with possible loss of control of the 
sailplane, FAA finds that notice and opportunity for public prior 
comment are impracticable. Therefore, good cause exists for making this 
amendment effective in less than 30 days.

Comments Invited

How Do I Comment on This AD?

    Although this action is in the form of a final rule and was not 
preceded by notice and opportunity for public comment, we invite your 
comments on the 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. We will consider all comments received on or before 
the closing date specified above. 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.

Are There Any Specific Portions of the AD I Should Pay Attention to?

    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.
    We are reviewing 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 clear, 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.

How Can I Be Sure FAA Receives My Comment?

    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. 2000-CE-81-AD.'' We will date stamp and mail 
the postcard back to you.

Regulatory Impact

Does This AD Impact Various Entities?

    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, FAA has determined that this 
final rule does not have federalism implications under Executive Order 
13132.

Does This AD Involve a Significant Rule or Regulatory Action?

    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. It has been determined further that this action 
involves an emergency regulation under DOT Regulatory Policies and 
Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979). If it is determined that 
this emergency regulation otherwise would be significant under DOT 
Regulatory Policies and Procedures, a final regulatory evaluation will 
be prepared and placed in the Rules Docket (otherwise, an evaluation is 
not required). A copy of it, if filed, may be obtained 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, under 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. FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by adding a new airworthiness directive 
(AD) to read as follows:


[[Page 1829]]


2000-26-18  Stemme GmbH & Co. KG: Amendment 39-12068; Docket No. 
2000-CE-81-AD.

    (a) What sailplanes are affected by this AD? This AD applies to 
the following sailplane models and serial numbers that are 
certificated in any category:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Model                             Serial Nos.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
S10...............................  10-03 through 10-63.
S10-V.............................  14-002 through 14-030 and 14-012M
                                     through 14-063
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (b) Who must comply with this AD? Anyone who wishes to operate 
any of the above sailplanes must comply with this AD.
    (c) What problem does this AD address? The actions specified by 
this AD are intended to prevent aerodynamic flutter of the upper 
airbrake caused by the current design airbrake eyebolts, which could 
result in damage to the airbrake system and landing gear doors. 
Continued operation with such damaged components could result in 
loss of control of the sailplane.
    (d) What must I do to address this problem? To address this 
problem, you must accomplish the following actions, unless already 
accomplished since October 9, 2000:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
           Action                Compliance Time         Procedures
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) If the sailplane is       Within the next 5     In accordance with
 still equipped with           hours time-in-        the procedures in
 eyebolts (part number 12TI-   service (TIS) after   Stemme Service
 DB) on the airbrake,          February 2, 2001      Bulletin No. A31-10-
 replace the eyebolts with     (the effective date   055 (pages 5
 improved design eyebolts.     of this AD).          through 8 English
                                                     translation), dated
                                                     October 9, 2000.
(2) Inspect the airbrake      Accomplish the        In accordance with
 sheets for proper clearance   inspection within     the procedures in
 and adjust, as necessary.     the next 5 hours      Stemme Service
                               TIS after February    Bulletin No. A31-10-
                               2, 2001 (the          055 (pages 5
                               effective date of     through 8 English
                               this AD).             translation), dated
                               Accomplish any        October 9, 2000.
                               necessary
                               adjustments prior
                               to further flight
                               after the
                               inspection.
(3) Inspect the landing gear  Accomplish the        In accordance with
 doors for damage and          inspection within     the procedures in
 replace any damaged parts.    the next 5 hours      Stemme Service
                               TIS after February    Bulletin No. A31-10-
                               2, 2001 (the          055 (pages 5
                               effective date of     through 8 English
                               this AD).             translation), dated
                               Accomplish any        October 9, 2000.
                               necesary
                               replacements prior
                               to further flight
                               after the
                               inspection.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (e) Can I comply with this AD in any other way? You may use an 
alternative method of compliance or adjust the compliance time if:
    (1) Your alternative method of compliance provides an equivalent 
level of safety; and
    (2) 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, Small Airplane Directorate.

    Note 1: This AD applies to each sailplane identified in 
paragraph (a) of this AD, 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) 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 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.
    (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) Are any service bulletins incorporated into this AD by 
reference? Actions required by this AD must be done in accordance 
with Stemme Service Bulletin No. A31-10-055 (pages 5 through 8 
English translation), dated October 9, 2000. 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 Stemme GmbH 
& Co. KG, Gustav-Meyer-Allee 25, D-13355 Berlin, Germany. You can 
look at copies at 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 .
    (i) When does this amendment become effective? This amendment 
becomes effective on February 2, 2001.

    Note 2: The subject of this AD is addressed in German AD 2000-
369, effective November 30, 2000.


    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on December 29, 2000.
David R. Showers,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 01-305 Filed 1-9-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P