[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 74 (Friday, April 16, 2004)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 20566-20568]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-8586]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2003-CE-58-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Stemme GmbH & Co. Models S10, S10-V, 
and S10-VT 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 Stemme GmbH & Co. Models S10, S10-V, and S10-VT sailplanes. 
This proposed AD would require you to remove the drive shaft assembly 
and ship it to the service department of Stemme GmbH & Co. The engine 
is mounted behind the two side-by-side seats. The engine combined with 
the carbon fiber drive shaft turn the centrifugally extended propeller. 
After an initial visual inspection, the service department will perform 
an operational check to determine whether the drive shaft can be 
further used or must be replaced. Once corrective action is identified, 
a drive shaft will be shipped to you for installation. 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 detect and correct incorrectly glued drive shafts, which 
could result in drive shaft failure. During self-takeoff or critical 
periods of landing, failure of the drive shaft could lead to loss of 
control of the sailplane.

DATES: We must receive any comments on this proposed AD by May 26, 
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-58-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-58-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 Stemme GmbH & Co. AG, Flugplatzstra[beta]e F 2, Nr. 7, D-15344 
Strausberg, Germany.
    You may view the AD docket at FAA, Central Region, Office of the 
Regional Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket No. 2003-CE-58-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: Gregory Davison, Aerospace Engineer, 
Small Airplane Directorate, ACE-112, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, 
Missouri 64106; telephone: (816) 329-4130; facsimile: (816) 329-4090.

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-58-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 Stemme GmbH & 
Co. Models S10, S10-V, and S10-VT sailplanes. The LBA reports that two 
drive shafts have failed during normal operation of the sailplane. The 
flanges of the drive shafts started to rotate within the carbon fibre 
reinforced plastics-tube (CFRP-tube), while the drive shafts still 
appeared to be intact when looking at them from the outside. The metal 
flanges on both ends of the drive shafts might not have been properly 
glued to the CFRP-tube.
    What are the consequences if the condition is not corrected? 
Incorrectly glued drive shafts could result in drive shaft failure. 
This failure could lead to loss of control of the sailplane.
    Is there service information that applies to this subject? Stemme 
GmbH & Co. has issued Service Bulletin No. A31-10-058, dated November 
8, 2001.
    What are the provisions of this service information? The service 
bulletin includes procedures for the inspection of the drive shaft.
    What action did the LBA take? The LBA classified this service 
bulletin as mandatory and issued German AD Number 2002-113, dated May 
2, 2002, to ensure the continued airworthiness of these sailplanes in 
Germany.

[[Page 20567]]

    Did the LBA inform the United States under the bilateral 
airworthiness agreement? These Stemme GmbH & Co. Models S10, S10-V, and 
S10-VT 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 Stemme GmbH & Co. Models S10, S10-V, and S10-VT 
sailplanes of the same type design that are registered in the United 
States, we are proposing AD action to detect and correct incorrectly 
glued drive shafts that could result in drive shaft failure. This 
failure could lead to loss of control of the sailplane.
    What would this proposed AD require? This proposed AD would require 
you to incorporate the actions in the previously-referenced service 
bulletin.
    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 57 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 remove the drive shaft, ship it to and from manufacturer's service 
department, and install the drive shaft after manufacturer's inspection 
is complete:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                         Shipping cost   Total cost   Total cost
                        Labor cost                          Parts cost    to and from       per        on U.S.
                                                                         manufacturer    sailplane    operators
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6 workhours est. $65 per hour = $390.....................          N/A          $1,080       $1,470      $83,790
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    We estimate the following costs for the manufacturer to do the 
proposed inspection and any necessary repairs that would be required 
based on the results of this proposed inspection. We have no way of 
determining the number of sailplanes that may need this repair:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                              Total cost
                  Labor cost                     Parts cost      per
                                                              sailplane
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Inspection and testing by manufacturer--$210..          N/A         $210
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Replacement of drive shaft--labor is included        $5,780        $5780
 in the parts cost............................
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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-58-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.


Sec.  39.13  [Amended]

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

Stemme GmbH & Co.: Docket No. 2003-CE-58-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 May 26, 2004.

What Other ADs Are Affected by This Action?

    (b) None.

What Sailplanes Are Affected by This AD?

    (c) This AD affects the following sailplane models and serial 
numbers that are certificated in any category:

[[Page 20568]]



------------------------------------------------------------------------
              Models                           Serial numbers
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) S10-VT.......................  11-001 through 11-055, 11-057, 11-
                                    058, and 11-060 through 11-066;
----------------------------------
(2) S10-V........................  14-003, 14-004, 14-007, 14-014, 14-
                                    015, and 14-018 through 14-030, as
                                    well as conversion serial numbers 14-
                                    028M, 14-036M, and 14-038M; and
----------------------------------
(3) S10..........................  10-08 and 10-13.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

What Is the Unsafe Condition Presented in This AD?

    (d) The actions specified in this AD are intended to identify 
incorrectly glued drive shafts, which could result in drive shaft 
failure. This failure could lead to loss of control of the 
sailplane.

What Must I Do To Address This Problem?

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

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                   Action                                Compliance                        Procedures
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(1) Remove the drive shaft and ship it to    Do within 50 hours time in         Follow the procedures in the
 the service department of Stemme GmbH &      service from the effective date    Stemme GmbH & Co. Service
 Co. for inspection at the following          of this AD.                        Bulletin A31-10-058, dated
 address: Stemme GmbH & Co. AG,                                                  November 8, 2001.
 Flugplatzstra[beta]e F 2, Nr. 7, D-15344
 Strausberg, Germany. The sailplane's
 Component History Card and information
 about the current operating times (time
 since new, time since overhaul) must be
 included.
(2) Install the drive shaft after Stemme     Prior to further flight after      Follow the procedures in the
 GmbH & Co. has performed the inspections,    receiving the returned drive       Stemme GmbH & Co. Service
 determined corrective action, and returned   shaft.                             Bulletin A31-10-058, dated
 the drive shaft.                                                                November 8, 2001.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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 39.13. The principal inspector may add comments and will send 
your request to the Manager, Flight Standards, FAA. For information 
on any already approved alternative methods of compliance, contact 
Gregory M. Davison, Aerospace Engineer, Small Airplane Directorate, 
ACE-112, 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 Stemme GmbH & Co., Flugplatzstra[beta]e F 2, Nr. 7, D-15344 
Strausberg, Germany. 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) LBA Airworthiness Directive No. 2002-113, dated May 2, 2002, 
and Stemme GmbH & Co. Service Bulletin A31-10-058, dated November 8, 
2001, also address the subject of this AD.


    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on April 8, 2004.
William J. Timberlake,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 04-8586 Filed 4-15-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P