[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 31 (Tuesday, February 17, 2004)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 7382-7384]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-3352]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2003-CE-62-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Glasflugel Models Mosquito and Club 
Libelle 205 Sailplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) 
for all Glasflugel Models Mosquito and Club Libelle 205 sailplanes. 
This proposed AD would require you to replace the rudder actuator arm 
with an improved design rudder actuator arm. This proposed AD is the 
result of mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) issued 
by the airworthiness authority for Germany. We are issuing this 
proposed AD to prevent the rudder attachment actuator arm from failing 
due to ground handling damage. This failure could eventually result in 
reduced or loss of sailplane control.

DATES: We must receive any comments on this proposed AD by March 22, 
2004.

ADDRESSES: Use one of the following to submit comments on this proposed 
AD:
     By mail: FAA, Central Region, Office of the 
Regional Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket No. 2003-CE-62-AD, 901 
Locust, Room 506, Kansas City, Missouri 64106.
     By fax: (816) 329-3771.
     By e-mail: [email protected]. Comments sent 
electronically must contain ``Docket No. 2003-CE-62-AD'' in the subject 
line. If you send comments electronically as attached electronic files, 
the files must be formatted in Microsoft Word 97 for Windows or ASCII.
    You may get the service information identified in this proposed AD 
from Glasflugel, Glasfaser-Flugzeug-Service GmbH, Hansjory Steifeneder, 
Hofener Weg, 72582 Grabenstetten, Federal Republic of Germany; 
telephone: 011 49 7382 1032.
    You may view the AD docket at FAA, Central Region, Office of the 
Regional Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket No. 2003-CE-62-AD, 901 
Locust, Room 506, Kansas City, Missouri 64106. Office hours are 8 a.m. 
to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Greg Davison, Aerospace Engineer, FAA, 
Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, Missouri 
64106; telephone: (816) 329-4130; facsimile: (816) 329-4090.

[[Page 7383]]


SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

    How do I comment on this proposed AD? We invite you to submit any 
written relevant data, views, or arguments regarding this proposal. 
Send your comments to an address listed under ADDRESSES. Include ``AD 
Docket No. 2003-CE-62-AD'' in the subject line of your comments. If you 
want us to acknowledge receipt of your mailed comments, send us a self-
addressed, stamped postcard with the docket number written on it. We 
will date-stamp your postcard and mail it back to you.
    Are there any specific portions of this proposed AD I should pay 
attention to? We specifically invite comments on the overall 
regulatory, economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this 
proposed AD. If you contact us through a nonwritten communication and 
that contact relates to a substantive part of this proposed AD, we will 
summarize the contact and place the summary in the docket. We will 
consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend this 
proposed AD in light of those comments and contacts.

Discussion

    What events have caused this proposed AD? The Luftfahrt-Bundesamt 
(LBA), which is the airworthiness authority for Germany, recently 
notified FAA that an unsafe condition may exist on all Glasflugel 
Models Mosquito and Club Libelle 205 sailplanes. The LBA reports 
incidents of rudder actuator arm failure. This failure is occurring 
through lifting the fuselage by the rudder.
    Glasflugel has manufactured a new improved design rudder actuator 
arm that is less susceptible to such damage.
    What are the consequences if the condition is not corrected? Rudder 
attachment actuator arm failure could eventually result in reduced or 
loss of sailplane control.
    Is there service information that applies to this subject? 
Glasflugel has issued Technical Note No. 205-22 and No. 206-21, dated 
October 14, 2002 (German original dated October 11, 2002). The 
technical note includes procedures for replacing the rudder actuator 
arm with an improved design rudder actuator arm.
    What action did the LBA take? The LBA classified this technical 
note as mandatory and issued German AD No. 2003-004, effective date: 
January 9, 2003, to ensure the continued airworthiness of these 
sailplanes in Germany.
    Did the LBA inform the United States under the bilateral 
airworthiness agreement? These Glasflugel Models Mosquito and Club 
Libelle 205 sailplanes are manufactured in Germany and are 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.
    Under this bilateral airworthiness agreement, the LBA has kept us 
informed of the situation described above.

FAA's Determination and Requirements of This Proposed AD

    What has FAA decided? We have examined the LBA's findings, reviewed 
all available information, and determined that AD action is necessary 
for products of this type design that are certificated for operation in 
the United States.
    Since the unsafe condition described previously is likely to exist 
or develop on other Glasflugel Models Mosquito and Club Libelle 205 
sailplanes of the same type design that are registered in the United 
States, we are proposing AD action to prevent the rudder attachment 
actuator arm from failing due to ground handling damage. This failure 
could eventually result in reduced or loss of sailplane control.
    What would this proposed AD require? This proposed AD would require 
you to incorporate the actions in the previously-referenced technical 
note.
    How does the revision to 14 CFR part 39 affect this proposed AD? On 
July 10, 2002, we published a new version of 14 CFR part 39 (67 FR 
47997, July 22, 2002), which governs FAA's AD system. This regulation 
now includes material that relates to altered products, special flight 
permits, and alternative methods of compliance. This material 
previously was included in each individual AD. Since this material is 
included in 14 CFR part 39, we will not include it in future AD 
actions.

Costs of Compliance

    How many sailplanes would this proposed AD impact? We estimate that 
this proposed AD affects 80 sailplanes in the U.S. registry.
    What would be the cost impact of this proposed AD on owners/
operators of the affected sailplanes? We estimate the following costs 
to accomplish this proposed replacement:

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                                                                                                   Total cost on
               Labor cost                         Parts cost           Total cost per sailplane   U.S. operators
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3 workhours at $65 per hour = $195......  $90 per sailplane.........  $285 per sailplane........         $22,800
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Regulatory Findings

    Would this proposed AD impact various entities? We have determined 
that this proposed AD would not have federalism implications under 
Executive Order 13132. This proposed AD would 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.
    Would this proposed AD involve a significant rule or regulatory 
action? For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this proposed 
AD:
    1. Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive Order 
12866;
    2. Is not a ``significant rule'' under the 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.
    We prepared a summary of the costs to comply with this proposed AD 
and placed it in the AD Docket. You may get a copy of this summary by 
sending a request to us at the address listed under ADDRESSES. Include 
``AD Docket No. 2003-CE-62-AD'' in your request.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Safety.

The Proposed Amendment

    Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration proposes to amend 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.

[[Page 7384]]

Sec. 39.13  [Amended]

    2. The FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by adding the following new 
airworthiness directive (AD):

Glasflugel: Docket No. 2003-CE-62-AD.

When Is the Last Date I Can Submit Comments on This Proposed AD?

    (a) We must receive comments on this proposed airworthiness 
directive (AD) by March 22, 2004.

What Other ADs Are Affected by This Action?

    (b) None.

What Sailplanes Are Affected by This AD?

    (c) This AD affects the Models Mosquito and Club Libelle 205 
sailplanes, all serial numbers, that are certificated in any 
category:

What Is the Unsafe Condition Presented in This AD?

    (d) This AD is the result of mandatory continuing airworthiness 
information (MCAI) issued by the airworthiness authority for 
Germany. The actions of this AD are intended to prevent the rudder 
attachment actuator arm from failing due to ground handling damage. 
This failure could eventually result in reduced or loss of sailplane 
control.

What Must I do to Address This Problem?

    (e) To address this problem, you must do the following:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
             Actions                  Compliance          Procedures
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(1) Replace the rudder actuator   Within the next 25  Follow Glasflugel
 arm (manufactured following       hours time-in-      Technical Note
 drawing No. 203-45-10) with an    service (TIS)       No. 205-22 and
 improved design arm that is       after the           No. 206-21, dated
 manufactured following drawing    effective date of   October 14, 2002
 No. 203-45-10-2.                  this AD, unless     (German original
                                   already done.       dated October 11,
                                                       2002).
(2) Do not install any rudder     As of the           Not Applicable.
 actuator arm that is not          effective date of
 manufactured following drawing    this AD.
 No. 203-45-10-2.
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May I Request an Alternative Method of Compliance?

    (f) You may request a different method of compliance or a 
different compliance time for this AD by following the procedures in 
14 CFR 39.19. Unless FAA authorizes otherwise, send your request to 
your principal inspector. The principal inspector may add comments 
and will send your request to the Manager, Standards Office, Small 
Airplane Directorate, FAA. For information on any already approved 
alternative methods of compliance, contact Greg Davison, Aerospace 
Engineer, FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301, 
Kansas City, Missouri 64106; telephone: (816) 329-4130; facsimile: 
(816) 329-4090.

May I Get Copies of the Documents Referenced in This AD?

    (g) You may get copies of the documents referenced in this AD 
from Glasflugel, Glasfaser-Flugzeug-Service GmbH, Hansjory 
Steifeneder, Hofener Weg, 72582 Grabenstetten, Federal Republic of 
Germany; telephone: 011 49 7382 1032. You may view these documents 
at FAA, Central Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, 901 Locust, 
Room 506, Kansas City, Missouri 64106.

Is There Other Information That Relates to This Subject?

    (h) German AD No. 2003-004, effective date: January 9, 2003, 
also addresses the subject of this AD.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on February 10, 2004.
James E. Jackson,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 04-3352 Filed 2-13-04; 8:45 am]
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