[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 89 (Friday, May 7, 2004)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 25479-25480]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-10180]



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  Federal Register / Vol. 69, No. 89 / Friday, May 7, 2004 / Rules and 
Regulations  

[[Page 25479]]



DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2003-CE-60-AD; Amendment 39-13591; AD 2004-09-02]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Glasflugel--Ing. E. Hanle Model 
GLASFLUGEL Kestrel Sailplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The FAA adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all 
Glasflugel--Ing. E. Hanle (Glasflugel) Model GLASFLUGEL Kestrel 
sailplanes. This AD requires you to inspect the airbrake actuating 
shaft for deformation and cracks (herein referred to as damage). If any 
damage is found, this AD also requires you to repair or replace the 
airbrake actuation shaft. This AD is the result of mandatory continuing 
airworthiness information (MCAI) issued by the airworthiness authority 
for Germany. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct damage to the 
airbrake actuation shaft, which could result in failure of the airbrake 
control. This failure could lead to loss of control of the sailplane.

DATES: This AD becomes effective on June 18, 2004.
    As of June 18, 2004, the Director of the Federal Register approved 
the incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in the 
regulation.

ADDRESSES: You may get the service information identified in this AD 
from Hansjorg Streifeneder, Glasfaser-Flugzeug-Service GmbH, Hofener 
Weg, D-72582 Grabenstetten, Germany; telephone: 07382 1032; facsimile: 
07382 1629; e-mail: [email protected].
    You may view the AD docket at FAA, Central Region, Office of the 
Regional Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket No. 2003-CE-60-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.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Discussion

    What events have caused this AD? The Lutfahrt-Bundesamt (LBA), 
which is the airworthiness authority for Germany, recently notified FAA 
that an unsafe condition may exist on all Glasflugel Model GLASFLUGEL 
Kestrel sailplanes. The LBA reports that, on one of the affected 
sailplanes, the airbrakes would not completely open or close.
    A visual inspection of that sailplane revealed cracks and deformity 
(damage) on the airbrake actuating shaft. Incorrect locking forces of 
the airbrake control caused the damage.
    What is the potential impact if FAA took no action? If not detected 
and corrected, damage to the airbrake actuating shaft could result in 
failure of airbrake control. This failure could lead to loss of control 
of the sailplane.
    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 all Glasflugel Model GLASFLUGEL 
Kestrel sailplanes. This proposal was published in the Federal Register 
as a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) on February 5, 2004 (69 FR 
5477). The NPRM proposed to require you to:

--Inspect the airbrake actuation shaft for damage; and
--Repair or replace any damaged airbrake actuation shaft.

Comments

    Was the public invited to comment? We provided the public the 
opportunity to participate in developing this AD. We received no 
comments on the proposal or on the determination of the cost to the 
public.

Conclusion

    What is FAA's final determination on this issue? We have carefully 
reviewed the available data and determined that air safety and the 
public interest require adopting the AD as proposed except for minor 
editorial corrections. We have determined that these minor corrections:

--Are consistent with the intent that was proposed in the NPRM for 
correcting the unsafe condition; and
--Do not add any additional burden upon the public than was already 
proposed in the NPRM.

Changes to 14 CFR Part 39--Effect on the AD

    How does the revision to 14 CFR part 39 affect this AD? On July 10, 
2002, the FAA published a new version of 14 CFR part 39 (67 FR 47997, 
July 22, 2002), which governs the 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 does this AD impact? We estimate that this AD 
affects 16 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:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                           Total cost per     Total cost on U.S.
            Labor cost                          Parts cost                   sailplane            operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1 workhour x $65 per hour = $65...  Not applicable....................                 $65    $65 x 16 = $1,040
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


[[Page 25480]]

    We estimate the following costs to accomplish any necessary repairs 
or replacements that will be required based on the results of the 
inspection. We have no way of determining the number of sailplanes that 
may need this repair or replacement:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                        Total cost per
              Labor cost                Parts cost        sailplane
------------------------------------------------------------------------
5 workhours x $65 per hour = $325....          $40    $325 + $40 = $365
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Regulatory Findings

    Will this AD impact various entities? We have determined that this 
AD will not have federalism implications under Executive Order 13132. 
This AD 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.
    Will this AD involve a significant rule or regulatory action? For 
the reasons discussed above, I certify that this 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 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-60-AD'' in your request.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by 
reference, Safety.

Adoption of the Amendment

0
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

0
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]

0
2. FAA amends Sec.  39.13 by adding a new AD to read as follows:

2004-09-02 Glasflugel-Ing. E. Hanle: Amendment 39-13591; Docket No. 
2003-CE-60-AD.

When Does This AD Become Effective?

    (a) This AD becomes effective on June 18, 2004.

What Other ADs Are Affected by This Action?

    (b) None.

What Sailplanes Are Affected by This AD?

    (c) This AD affects Model GLASFLUGEL Kestrel 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 specified in this AD are intended to detect and 
correct damage to the airbrake actuation shaft, which could result 
in failure of the airbrake control. 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:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
             Actions                  Compliance          Procedures
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Inspect the airbrake          Within the next 25  Follow H.
 actuation shaft for cracks and    hours time-in-      Streifeneder
 deformation (damage).             service (TIS)       Technical Note TN
                                   after June 18,      401-26, dated
                                   2004 the            November 22,
                                   effective date of   2001.
                                   this AD.
                                   Repetitively
                                   inspect
                                   thereafter at
                                   intervals not to
                                   exceed 12
                                   calendar months.
(2) Repair or replace any         Before further      Follow H.
 cracked or deformed airbrake      flight after any    Streifeneder
 actuation shaft found during      inspection          Technical Note TN
 any inspection required in        required in         401-26, dated
 paragraph (e)(1) of the AD.       paragraph (e)(1)    November 22,
                                   of this AD in       2001.
                                   which damage is
                                   found. Continue
                                   with repetitive
                                   inspections after
                                   repairs or
                                   replacements are
                                   made.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

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.

Does This AD Incorporate Any Material by Reference?

    (g) You must do the actions required by this AD following the 
instructions in H. Streifeneder Technical Note TN 401-26, dated 
November 22, 2001. The Director of the Federal Register approved the 
incorporation by reference of this service bulletin in accordance 
with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. You may get a copy from 
Hansjorg Streifeneder, Glasfaser-Flugzeug-Service GmbH, Hofener Weg, 
D-72582 Grabenstetten, Germany; telephone: 07382 1032; facsimile: 
07382 1629; e-mail: [email protected]. You may review copies at FAA, 
Central Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, 901 Locust, Room 
506, Kansas City, Missouri 64106; or at the National Archives and 
Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability 
of this material at NARA, call (202) 741-6030, or go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html.

Is There Other Information That Relates to This Subject?

    (h) Germany AD Number 2002-051, dated March 7, 2002, also 
addresses the subject of this AD.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on April 29, 2004.
Scott L. Sedgwick,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 04-10180 Filed 5-6-04; 8:45 am]
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