[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 99 (Friday, May 21, 2004)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 29218-29220]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-11370]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2003-CE-64-AD; Amendment 39-13638; AD 2004-10-08]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Alexander Schleicher GmbH & Co. 
Segelflugzeugbau Model ASH 25M Sailplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: The FAA adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all 
Alexander Schleicher GmbH & Co. Segelflugzeugbau (Alexander Schleicher) 
Model ASH 25M sailplanes equipped with fuel injected engine IAE50R-AA. 
This AD requires you to inspect the fuel line for correct fittings, 
and, if any incorrect fitting is found, replace the fuel line. This AD 
is the result of mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) 
issued by the airworthiness authority for Germany. We are issuing this 
AD to

[[Page 29219]]

detect and correct any fuel lines with improper fittings, which could 
result in fuel leakage and a possible fire hazard.

DATES: This AD becomes effective on July 6, 2004.
    As of July 6, 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 Alexander Schleicher GmbH & Co. Segelflugzeugbau, D-36163 
Poppenhausen, Federal Republic of Germany; telephone: 011-49 6658 89-0; 
facsimile: 011-49 6658 89-40.
    You may view the AD docket at FAA, Central Region, Office of the 
Regional Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket No. 2003-CE-64-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 Luftfahrt-Bundesamt (LBA), 
which is the airworthiness authority for Germany, recently notified FAA 
that an unsafe condition may exist on Alexander Schleicher sailplanes. 
The LBA reports that an incorrect fitting at one end of a fuel line was 
installed during production of the Model ASH 25M sailplane equipped 
with fuel injected engine IAE50R-AA. The incorrect fitting includes a 
combination of sealing cones. After maintenance, the incorrect 
combination of sealing cones inside the fittings might cause a fuel 
leak.
    What is the potential impact if FAA took no action? Any fuel line 
with improper fittings could result in fuel leakage and a possible fire 
hazard.
    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 Alexander Schleicher Model ASH 
25M sailplanes equipped with fuel injected engine IAE50R-AA. This 
proposal was published in the Federal Register as a notice of proposed 
rulemaking (NPRM) on February 11, 2004 (69 FR 6585). The NPRM proposed 
to require you to inspect the fuel line for correct fittings, and, if 
any incorrect fitting is found, replace the fuel line.

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 airplanes does this AD impact? We estimate that this AD 
affects 2 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    Total cost
                 Labor cost                                 Parts cost                     per         on U.S.
                                                                                        sailplane     operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1 workhour at $65 per hour = $65...........  Not Applicable.........................          $65          $130
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    We estimate the following costs to accomplish any necessary 
replacement that will be required based on the results of this 
inspection. We have no way of determining the number of sailplanes that 
may need this replacement:

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                         Labor cost                                 Parts cost          Total cost per sailplane
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1 workhour x $65 per hour = $65............................                     $160          $65 + $160 = $225
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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-64-AD'' in your request.

[[Page 29220]]

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:

2004-10-08 Alexander Schleicher GmbH & Co. Segelflugzeugbau: 
Amendment 39-13638; Docket No. 2003-CE-64-AD.

When Does This AD Become Effective?

    (a) This AD becomes effective on July 6, 2004.

What Other ADs Are Affected by This Action?

    (b) None.

What Sailplanes Are Affected by This AD?

    (c) This AD affects all Model ASH 25M sailplanes, all serial 
numbers, that are:
    (1) certificated in any category; and
    (2) equipped with fuel injected engine IAE50R-AA.

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 fuel lines with improper fittings, which could result in 
fuel leakage and a possible fire hazard.

What Must I Do To Address This Problem?

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

------------------------------------------------------------------------
           Actions                 Compliance            Procedures
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Inspect the fuel line     Within the next 50    Follow Alexander
 between the injection valve   hours time-in-        Schleicher GmbH &
 and pressure regulator for    service (TIS) after   Co.
 the correct color of          July 6, 2004 (the     Segelflugzeugbau
 connecting fittings (The      effective date of     ASH 25 Mi Technical
 connecting fitting at the     this AD), unless      Note No. 22, dated
 injection valve must be       already done.         February 21, 2003.
 blue and the connecting
 fitting at the pressures
 regulatory must be black.).
(2) If you find any fuel      Before further        Follow Alexander
 line with blue connecting     flight after the      Schleicher GmbH &
 fittings at both ends, then   inspection required   Co.
 replace the fuel line with    by paragraph (e)(1)   Segelflugzeugbau
 a fuel line with a blue       of this AD.           ASH 25 Mi Technical
 connecting fitting at the                           Note No. 22, dated
 injection valve and a black                         February 21, 2003.
 connecting fitting at the
 pressure regulator.
(3) Do not install any fuel   As of July 6, 2004    Not Applicable.
 line that uses blue           (the effective date
 connecting fittings at both   of this AD).
 ends.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

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 Alexander Schleicher GmbH & Co. Segelflugzeugbau ASH 
25 Mi Technical Note No. 22, dated February 21, 2003. 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 Alexander Schleicher GmbH & Co. 
Segelflugzeugbau, D-36163 Poppenhausen, Federal Republic of Germany; 
telephone: 011-49 6658 89-0; facsimile: 011-49 6658 89-40. 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) German AD Number 2003-129, dated March 21, 2003, also 
addresses the subject of this AD.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on May 12, 2004.
James E. Jackson,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 04-11370 Filed 5-20-04; 8:45 am]
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