[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 78 (Thursday, April 22, 2004)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 21771-21774]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-9113]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2003-CE-56-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Valentin GmbH & Co. Taifun 17E 
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 Valentin GmbH & Co. Taifun 17E sailplanes. This proposed AD 
would require you to do an operational check of the front wing-locking 
mechanism left and right, inspect stop key movement, inspect wing and 
fuselage side root ribs, inspect the wing side shear force fittings, 
and take any corrective actions that may be required. 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 malfunction of wing-locking 
mechanism, which could result in failure of the wing-locking mechanism 
disengagement. This failure could lead to unlocking of wing in flight 
and consequent loss of control of the sailplane.

DATES: We must receive any comments on this proposed AD by May 27, 
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-56-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-56-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 KORFF + CO.KG, Dieselstrasse 5, D-63128 Dietzenbach, Germany.
    You may view the AD docket at FAA, Central Region, Office of the 
Regional Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket No. 2003-CE-56-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 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.

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-56-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

[[Page 21772]]

unsafe condition may exist on all Valentin GmbH & Co. Tailfun 17E 
sailplanes. The LBA reports that during an investigation, an incorrect 
locked shear force fitting was found.

What Are the Consequences if the Condition Is Not Corrected?

    Malfunction of wing-locking mechanism could result in failure of 
the wing-locking mechanism disengagement. This failure could lead to 
unlocking of wing in flight and consequent loss of control of the 
sailplane.

Is There Service Information That Applies to This Subject?

    KORFF & Co. KG has issued Service Bulletin SB-KOCO 03/818, dated 
December 20, 2002.

What Are the Provisions of This Service Information?

    The service bulletin either includes procedures for or specifies 
the following:

--Inspecting the motor glider rigged;
--Inspecting the motor glider derigged;
--Inspecting the wing side shear force fittings;
--Inspecting the wing and fuselage side root ribs;
--Amending text to the Flight Manual and Instruction for Continued 
Airworthiness;
--Replacing the stop key F1-1300 if any malfunction is found; and
--Possible repairing or replacing of wing and fuselage connection if 
damage is found.

What Action Did the LBA Take?

    The LBA classified this service bulletin as mandatory and issued 
German AD Number 2003-051, dated January 29, 2003, to ensure the 
continued airworthiness of these sailplanes in Germany.

Did the LBA Inform the United States Under the Bilateral Airworthiness 
Agreement?

    These Valentin GmbH & Co. Taifun 17E 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 Valentin GmbH & Co. Taifun 17E sailplanes of the 
same type design that are registered in the United States, we are 
proposing AD action to detect and correct malfunction of wing-locking 
mechanism, which could result in failure of the wing-locking mechanism 
disengagement. This failure could lead to unlocking of wing in flight 
and consequent 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 25 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 the proposed 
inspections:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                  Total cost per   Total cost on
                  Labor cost                               Parts cost                sailplane    U.S. operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2 work hours x $65 per hour = $130............  No parts needed for inspection..            $130          $3,250
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    We estimate the following costs to accomplish replacement of the 
stop key F1-1300 that would be required based on the results of the 
proposed inspections. We have no way of determining the number of 
sailplanes that may need the stop key F1-1300 replaced or the number of 
sailplanes that may need additional repair because of abrasion. We also 
do not know the cost that would be associated with any abrasion repair:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                          Total cost per
            Labor cost                   Parts cost          sailplane
------------------------------------------------------------------------
3 work hours x $65 per hour = $195  $16 each x 2 (2 are             $227
                                     required) = $32.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

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

[[Page 21773]]

a copy of this summary by sending a request to us at the address listed 
under ADDRESSES. Include ``AD Docket No. 2003-CE-56-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):

Valentin GmbH & Co.: Docket No. 2003-CE-56-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 27, 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: Valentin GmbH & Co. 
Taifun 17E, all serial numbers are affected except those where 
Service Bulletin 23-818 has been complied with.

What Is the Unsafe Condition Presented in This AD?

    (d) This AD is the result of an incorrect locked shear force 
fitting, which may have caused wing-locking mechanism disengagement. 
The actions specified in this AD are intended to detect and correct 
malfunction of the wing-locking mechanism, which could result in 
wing-locking mechanism disengagement. This failure could lead to 
unlocking of wing in flight and subsequent loss of control of the 
sailplane.

What Must I Do To Address This Problem?

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

 
------------------------------------------------------------------------
           Actions                 Compliance            Procedures
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Perform the following     Inspect within 25     Inspect following
 actions with the motor        hours time in         the Korff + CO.KG
 glider rigged.                service (TIS) after   Service Bulletin SB-
(i) An operational check of    the effective date    KOCO 03/818, dated
 the front wing locking        of this AD.           December 20, 2002.
 mechanism left and right      Repetitively
 for damage, deformation,      inspect every 25
 and smooth operation over     hours TIS
 full travel range..           thereafter.
(ii) A visual inspection of
 the motor glider for stop
 key movement. The stop key
 should not move more than
 2mm (the maximum tolerable
 distance to stop position)
 in the full front stop
 position.
(2) Perform the following     Inspect within 25     Inspect following
 actions with the motor        hours TIS after the   the Korff + CO.KG
 glider derigged.              effective date of     Service Bulletin SB-
(i) An operational check of    this AD.              KOCO 03/818, dated
 the front wing locking        Repetitively          December 20, 2002.
 mechanism left and right      inspect every 25
 for damage, deformation,      hours TIS
 and smooth operation over     thereafter.
 full travel range..
(ii) A visual inspection of
 the motor glider for stop
 key movement. You should
 not be able to move the
 stop key by hand more than
 2mm backwards in the full
 locked front position.
(3) If deficiencies are       Do corrective         Correct, repair, or
 found during the              actions prior to      replace defective
 inspections required in       further flight.       parts following the
 paragraphs (e)(1) and                               Korff + CO.KG
 (e)(2), correct, repair, or                         Service Bulletin SB-
 replace the defective parts.                        KOCO 03/818, dated
                                                     December 20, 2002.
(4) Inspect the wing side     Inspect within 25     Inspect following
 shear force fittings, wing    hours TIS after the   the Korff + CO.KG
 and fuselage side root        effective date of     Service Bulletin SB-
 ribs, and around all          this AD.              KOCO 03/818, dated
 fittings (shear force         Repetitively          December 20, 2002.
 fittings, wing connections    inspect every 25
 studs, wing connection        hours TIS
 bushings, connection to the   thereafter. Perform
 telescopic rods, rear         corrective action
 center studs and bushings)    prior to further
 for abrasion, deformation,    flight.
 damage, defective bonding,
 and defective connections.
 If any of the above
 conditions are found,
 contact the manufacturer at
 the address specified in
 paragraph (g) of this AD
 for FAA-approved corrective
 action and perform the
 corrective action. You must
 send a copy of
 correspondence you send to
 the manufacturer to the FAA
 at the address in paragraph
 (f).
(5) When corrective action    After corrective      Do the operational
 or maintenance is done, do    action or             check following the
 an operational check of the   maintenance is        Korff + CO.KG
 motor glider in the rigged    done, you must do     Service Bulletin SB-
 and derigged configuration.   the operational       KOCO 03/818, dated
                               check prior to        December 20, 2002.
                               further flight.
------------------------------------------------------------------------


[[Page 21774]]

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. The principal inspector may add comments and will send 
your request to the Manager, Standards Office, FAA, Small Airplane 
Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, Missouri 64106. 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 KORFF + CO.KG, Dieselstrasse 5, D-63128 Dietzenbach, 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 2003-051, dated January 29, 
2003; and Korff + CO.KG Service Bulletin SB-KOCO 03/818, dated 
December 20, 2002, also address the subject of this AD.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri on April 16, 2004.
James E. Jackson,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 04-9113 Filed 4-21-04; 8:45 am]
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