[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 14 (Monday, January 22, 2001)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 6446-6448]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-1230]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 99-CE-75-AD; Amendment 39-12081; AD 2001-01-11]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Rolladen Schneider Flugzeugbau GmbH 
Models LS 4 and LS 4a 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 Rolladen Schneider Flugzeugbau GmbH (Rolladen 
Schneider) Models LS 4 and LS 4a sailplanes. This AD requires you to 
inspect the airbrake system for damage and proper rigging, with 
correction, repair, or replacement, as necessary. This AD also requires 
you to report any damage found to the Federal Aviation Administration 
(FAA). 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 and correct 
damage to the airbrake locking bracket caused by asymmetric loads. This 
condition could result in the pilot's inability to operate the airbrake 
controls, with consequent loss of sailplane control.

DATES: This AD becomes effective on March 9, 2001.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of certain publications listed in the regulations as of March 
9, 2001.

ADDRESSES: 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 Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Central Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 99-CE-75-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: Brian Hancock, Aerospace Engineer, 
FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, 
Missouri 64106; telephone: (816) 329-4143; 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 Rolladen Schneider Models 
LS 4 and LS 4a sailplanes. The LBA reports two occurrences of damaged 
airbrake locking brackets found on the above-referenced sailplanes. The 
damage was the result of improper rigging of the airbrake system. The 
asymmetric load that occurs over time with an improperly rigged 
airbrake system could result in cracks in the welding region of the 
airbrake tube and lateral deformation of the airbrake locking bracket.
    What are the consequences if the condition is not corrected? Damage 
to the airbrake locking bracket, if not detected and corrected, could 
result in the pilot's inability to operate the airbrake controls with 
consequent loss of sailplane control.
    Has FAA taken any action to this point? We issued a proposal to 
amend part 39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) to 
include an AD that would apply to certain Rolladen Schneider Models LS 
4 and LS 4a sailplanes. This proposal was published in the Federal 
Register as a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) on November 9, 2000 
(65 FR 67315). The NPRM proposed to require you to inspect the airbrake 
locking bracket on the rear landing gear box for signs of

[[Page 6447]]

fatigue (cracks in the paint, paint chips, or cracks in the welding 
region to the tube) and inspect for proper rigging of the airbrake 
system; reassemble the airbrake system (if improper rigging is found). 
If any sign of fatigue is evident, disassemble the airbrake system, 
obtain a modified airbrake locking bracket from the manufacturer, 
install this bracket, and accomplish certain adjustments after 
reassembling the airbrake system; and report any damage found to the 
FAA.
    The FAA is requiring a reporting requirement so we can get an idea 
of how many sailplanes in the fleet have damaged or incorrectly rigged 
airbrake systems. We will utilize this information in deciding whether 
any of the required actions should be repetitive or whether we should 
initiate additional rulemaking.
    Was the public invited to comment? Interested persons were 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.

FAA's Determination

    What is FAA's final determination on this issue? After careful 
review of all available information related to the subject presented 
above, we have determined that air safety and the public interest 
require the adoption of the rule as proposed except for minor editorial 
corrections. We 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

    How many sailplanes does this AD impact? We estimate that this AD 
affects 78 sailplanes in the U.S. registry.
    What is the cost impact of this AD on owners/operators of the 
affected sailplanes? We estimate the following costs to accomplish the 
inspection and any necessary reassembly:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                              Total cost per
            Labor cost                    Parts cost             sailplane        Total cost on U.S.  operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1 workhour  x  $60 per hour = $60.  Not applicable.......  $60 per sailplane...  $60  x  78 = $4,680.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    We estimate the following costs to accomplish any necessary 
modification that will be required based on the results of the 
inspection. We have no way of determining the number of sailplanes that 
may need such modification:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                Labor cost                          Parts cost                  Total cost per  sailplane
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2 workhours  x  $60 per hour = $120......  The manufacturer will modify  $120 per sailplane.
                                            the airbrake bracket free
                                            of charge.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Compliance Time of this AD

    What is the compliance time of this AD? The compliance time of this 
AD is within the next 30 calendar days after the effective date of this 
AD.
    Why is the compliance time presented in calendar time instead of 
hours time-in-service (TIS)? Damage to the airbrake locking brake 
occurs as a result of sailplane operation. However, the reason the 
damage occurs is because of incorrect rigging of the airbrake system. 
We have determined that a calendar time for compliance is necessary 
because this incorrect rigging 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 will 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.

Regulatory Impact

    Does this AD impact various entities? The regulations adopted 
herein 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, it is determined that this final rule does not 
have federalism implications under Executive Order 13132.
    Does this AD involve a significant rule or regulatory action? 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 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, 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 AD to read as follows:

    2001-01-11 Rolladen Schneider Flugzeugbau GMBH:
    Amendment 39-12081; Docket No. 99-CE-75-AD.
    (a) What sailplanes are affected by this AD? This AD affects 
models LS 4 and LS 4a sailplanes, serial numbers 4000 through 4852, 
that are certificated in any category.
    (b) Who must comply with this AD? Anyone who wishes to operate 
any of the above sailplanes must comply with this AD.

[[Page 6448]]

    (c) What problem does this AD address? The actions specified by 
this AD are intended to detect and correct damage to the airbrake 
locking bracket caused by asymmetric loads. This condition could 
result in the pilot's inability to operate the airbrake controls 
with consequent loss of sailplane control.
    (d) What actions must I accomplish to address this problem? To 
address this problem, you must accomplish the following:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
            Actions                  Compliance           Procedures
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Inspect the airbrake         Within the next 30  Inspect for proper
 locking bracket on the rear      calendar days       rigging in
 landing gear box for signs of    after March 9,      accordance with
 fatigue (cracks in the paint,    2001 (the           the procedures
 paint chips, or cracks in the    effective date of   contained in the
 welding region to the tube)      this AD).           applicable
 and inspect for proper rigging                       maintenance
 of the airbrake system.                              manual. Inspect
                                                      the airbrake
                                                      locking bracket in
                                                      accordance with
                                                      the procedures
                                                      contained in
                                                      Rolladen Schneider
                                                      Technical Bulletin
                                                      No 4042, dated
                                                      July 2, 1999.
(2) If any sign of fatigue is    Accomplish all      Accomplish the
 evident, accomplish the          actions prior to    disassembly,
 following:                       further flight      installation,
                                  after the           assembly, and
                                  inspection          adjustments in
                                  required in         accordance with
                                  paragraph (d)(1)    procedures
                                  of this AD.         contained in the
                                                      applicable
                                                      maintenance manual
                                                      and the procedures
                                                      in Rolladen
                                                      Schneider
                                                      Technical Bulletin
                                                      No. 4042, dated
                                                      July 2, 1999.
    (i) Disassemble the
     airbrake system;
    (ii) Obtain a modified
     airbrake locking bracket
     from the manufacturer (2-
     day turnaround time) and
     install this bracket; and
 
    (iii) Reassemble the
     airbrake system and
     accomplish the adjustments
     listed in the service
     bulletin.
 
(3) If no signs of fatigue are   Accomplish all      Accomplish in
 found but the airbrake system    actions prior to    accordance with
 is incorrectly assembled,        further flight      procedures
 disassemble the system and       after the           contained in the
 reassemble, including            inspection          applicable
 accomplishing the adjustments    required in         maintenance manual
 listed in the service bulletin.  paragraph (d)(1)    and the procedures
                                  of this AD.         in Rolladen
                                                      Schneider
                                                      Technical Bulletin
                                                      No. 4042, dated
                                                      July 2, 1999.
(4) If no signs of fatigue are   AD complied with..  AD complied with.
 found and the airbrake system
 is correctly assembled, then
 no further action is required
 by this AD.
(5) If any discrepancy is found  Within 10 days      Mail the
 that requires additional work    after the           information to:
 as required by paragraphs        inspection          FAA, Small
 (d)(2) and (d)(3) of this AD,    required by this    Airplane
 then send information            AD or within 10     Directorate (ACE-
 describing the discrepancies     days after March    112), Attention:
 found and the follow-on work     9, 2001 (the        Docket No. 99-CE-
 that was necessary to the FAA.   effective date of   75-AD, 901 Locust,
                                  this AD),           Room 301, Kansas
                                  whichever occurs    City, Missouri
                                  later.              64106.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (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 Brian Hancock, Aerospace 
Engineer, Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas 
City, Missouri 64106; telephone: (816) 329-4143; 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 
sections 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 Rolladen Schneider Technical Bulletin No. 4042, dated July 2, 
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.
    (i) When does this amendment become effective? This amendment 
becomes effective on March 9, 2001.

    Note 2: The subject of this AD is addressed in German AD 1999-
270, dated July 22, 1999.


    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on January 8, 2001.
Michael Gallagher,
Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 01-1230 Filed 1-19-01; 8:45 am]
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