[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 106 (Friday, June 2, 2006)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 31980-31983]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-8609]


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

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2006-24641; Directorate Identifier 2006-CE-27-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Stemme GmbH & Co. KG Models S10, S10-V, 
and S10-VT Sailplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of 
Transportation (DOT).

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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

SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for 
certain Stemme GmbH & Co. KG Models S10, S10-V, and S10-VT sailplanes. 
This proposed AD would require you to inspect the connection between 
the aileron push-rod and the connecting shaft to determine if a safety 
washer is installed. If there is no safety washer installed, this 
proposed AD would require you to modify the aileron control assembly. 
This proposed AD results from mandatory continuing airworthiness 
information (MCAI) issued by the airworthiness authority for Germany. 
We are proposing this AD to prevent a loose bearing in the aileron 
control lever, which could result in separation of the aileron control 
system. Separation of the aileron control system could lead to loss of 
aileron control.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by June 29, 2006.

ADDRESSES: Use one of the following addresses to comment on this 
proposed AD:
     DOT Docket Web site: Go to http://dms.dot.gov and follow 
the instructions for sending your comments electronically.
     Governmentwide rulemaking Web site: Go to http://www.regulations.gov and follow the instructions for sending your 
comments electronically.
     Mail: Docket Management Facility; U.S. Department of 
Transportation, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Nassif Building, Room PL-401, 
Washington, DC 20590-0001.
     Fax: (202) 493-2251.
     Hand Delivery: Room PL-401 on the plaza level of the 
Nassif Building, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Washington, DC, between 9 
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
    For service information identified in this proposed AD, contact 
STEMME AG, Flugplatzstra[beta]e F 2, Nr. 7, D-15344 Strausberg, 
Germany; telephone: + 49.33.41/36 12-0; facsimile: + 49.33.41/36 12-30; 
e-mail: [email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Gregory A. Davison, Aerospace 
Engineer, ACE-112, Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301, 
Kansas City, Missouri 64106; telephone: (816) 329-4130; facsimile: 
(816) 329-4090.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

    We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or 
arguments regarding this proposed AD. Send your comments to an address 
listed under the ADDRESSES section. Include the docket number, ``FAA-
2006-24641; Directorate Identifier 2006-CE-27-AD'' at the beginning of 
your comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall 
regulatory, economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the proposed 
AD. We will consider all comments received by the closing date and may 
amend the proposed AD in light of those comments.
    We will post all comments we receive, without change, to http://dms.dot.gov, including any personal information you provide. We will 
also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact we 
receive concerning this proposed AD.

Discussion

    The Luftfahrt-Bundesamt (LBA), which is the airworthiness authority 
for Germany, notified FAA that an unsafe condition may exist on all 
Stemme GmbH & Co. KG (Stemme) Models S10, S10-V, and S10-VT sailplanes. 
The LBA reports that, during production, a loose bearing was found on 
the control lever of a powered Stemme S10 sailplane.
    Additional inspections of other levers revealed that a bearing 
might become loose during operation on the powered sailplane.
    The only joint that may disengage because of a loose bearing is the 
connection between the aileron control rod, part number (P/N) 10SQ-RMB, 
and the connecting shaft, P/N 10SQ-RMW. All other connections between 
the push-rods and levers on the affected sailplanes are held in a fork-
design that does not allow the joints to disengage because of a loose 
bearing.
    This condition, if not corrected, could result in a loose bearing 
in the aileron control lever, which could cause separation of the 
aileron control system. Separation of the aileron control system could 
lead to loss of aileron control.

Relevant Service Information

    We have reviewed Stemme Service Bulletin Document Number: A31-10-
069, Am.-Index 01.a, dated September 10, 2004.
    The service information describes procedures for:
     Inspecting the bearing of the joint between the push-rod 
and the connecting shaft for correct position and tight fit;
     Inspecting all connections in the control system with 
circular caulked hinge or ball bearing to verify that the bearing is in 
the middle of the part where it is installed;
     Inspecting the joint between the aileron control rod, P/N 
10SQ-RMB, and the connecting shaft, P/N 10SQ-RMW, for the installation 
of a safety washer, P/N DIN 440-06; and
     Modifying the aileron control system if a safety washer is 
not installed.

Foreign Airworthiness Authority Information

    The LBA classified this service bulletin as mandatory and issued 
German AD Number D-2004-443, dated September 27, 2004, to ensure the 
continued airworthiness of these sailplanes in Germany. These Stemme 
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

    We are proposing this AD because we have examined the LBA's 
findings, evaluated all information and determined the unsafe condition 
described previously is likely to exist or develop on other products of 
the same type design that are certificated for operation in the United 
States.
    This proposed AD would require you to inspect the joint between the 
aileron control rod, P/N 10SQ-RMB, and the connecting shaft, P/N 10SQ-
RMW, to

[[Page 31981]]

determine if a safety washer is installed. If a safety washer is not 
installed, this proposed AD would require you to modify this area by 
replacing the joint bolt (P/N LN9037-06042), installing a safety washer 
(P/N D440-06), and installing washer (P/N 10M-282).

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD would affect 105 sailplanes in 
the U.S. registry.
    We estimate the following costs to do the proposed inspection:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                      Total cost
               Labor cost                        Parts cost              per       Total cost on U.S. operators
                                                                      sailplane
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1 workhour x $80 per hour = $80........  N/A.......................          $80  105 x $80 = $8,400.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    We estimate the following costs to do any necessary replacements 
that would be required based on the results of the proposed inspection. 
We have no way of determining the number of sailplanes that may need 
this replacement:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
            Labor cost              Parts cost  Total cost per sailplane
------------------------------------------------------------------------
2 workhours x $80 per hour = $160          $30  $160 + $30 = $190.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Authority for This Rulemaking

    Title 49 of the United States Code specifies the FAA's authority to 
issue rules on aviation safety. Subtitle I, Section 106, describes the 
authority of the FAA Administrator. Subtitle VII, Aviation Programs, 
describes in more detail the scope of the Agency's authority.
    We are issuing this rulemaking under the authority described in 
Subtitle VII, part A, subpart III, section 44701, ``General 
requirements.'' Under that section, Congress charges the FAA with 
promoting safe flight of civil aircraft in air commerce by prescribing 
regulations for practices, methods, and procedures the Administrator 
finds necessary for safety in air commerce. This regulation is within 
the scope of that authority because it addresses an unsafe condition 
that is likely to exist or develop on products identified in this 
rulemaking action.

Regulatory Findings

    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.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify that the proposed 
regulation:
    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 regulatory evaluation of the estimated costs to 
comply with this proposed AD and placed it in the AD docket.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket that contains the proposed AD, the 
regulatory evaluation, any comments received, and other information on 
the Internet at http://dms.dot.gov; or in person at the Docket 
Management Facility between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, 
except Federal holidays. The Docket Office (telephone (800) 647-5227) 
is located at the street address stated in the ADDRESSES section. 
Comments will be available in the AD docket shortly after receipt.

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 FAA 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 AD:

Stemme GmbH & Co. KG: Docket No. FAA-2006-24641; Directorate 
Identifier 2006-CE-27-AD.

Comments Due Date

    (a) We must receive comments on this airworthiness directive 
(AD) action by June 29, 2006.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

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

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Model                             Serial No.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
S10...............................  10-03 through 10-56.
S10-V.............................  14-001 through 14-030 (including all
                                     converted versions 14-003M through
                                     14-056M).
S10-VT............................  11-001 through 11-089.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Unsafe Condition

    (d) This AD results from mandatory continuing airworthiness 
information (MCAI) issued by the airworthiness authority for 
Germany. We are issuing this AD to prevent a loose bearing in the 
aileron control lever, which could result in separation of the 
aileron control system. Separation of the aileron control system 
could lead to loss of aileron control.

Compliance

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

[[Page 31982]]



----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Actions                             Compliance                            Procedures
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Inspect the joint between the     Within the next 20 hours time-in-     Follow Stemme Service Bulletin
 aileron control rod, part number (P/  service after the effective date of   Document Number: A31-10-069, Am.-
 N) 10SQ-RMB (or FAA-approved          this AD.                              Index 01.a, dated September 10,
 equivalent part number), and the                                            2004.
 connecting shaft, P/N 10SQ-RMW (or
 FAA-approved equivalent part
 number), to determine if a safety
 washer, P/N DIN 440-06 (or FAA-
 approved equivalent part number),
 is installed.
(2) If after the inspection required  Not applicable                        Not applicable.
 in paragraph (e)(1) of this AD, you
 can positively determine that a
 safety washer, P/N DIN 440-06 (or
 FAA-approved equivalent part
 number), is installed between the
 joint in the aileron control rod
 and the connecting shaft, no
 further action in required.
(3) If after the inspection required  Before further flight after the       Follow Stemme Service Bulletin
 in paragraph (e)(1) of this AD, you   inspection required in paragraph      Document Number: A31-10-069, Am.-
 cannot positively determine that a    (e)(1) of this AD.                    Index 01.a, dated September 10,
 safety washer is installed between                                          2004.
 the joint in the aileron control
 rod and the connecting shaft, do
 the following:
    (i) Install a safety washer, P/N
     DIN 440-06 (or FAA-approved
     equivalent part number);
    (ii) Replace the existing bolt
     with bolt, P/N LN9037-06042 (or
     FAA-approved equivalent part
     number), from the modification
     kit; and
    (iii) Install washer, P/N 10M-
     282 (or FAA-approved equivalent
     part number).

[[Page 31983]]

 
(4) 14 CFR 21.303 allows for          Not Applicable                        Not Applicable.
 replacement parts through parts
 manufacturer approval (PMA). The
 phrase ``or FAA-approved equivalent
 part number'' in this AD is
 intended to signify those parts
 that are PMA parts approved through
 identicality to the design of the
 part under the type certificate and
 replacement parts to correct the
 unsafe condition under PMA (other
 than identicality). If parts are
 installed that are identical to the
 unsafe parts, then the corrective
 actions of the AD affect these
 parts also. In addition, equivalent
 replacement parts to correct the
 unsafe condition under PMA (other
 than identicality) may also be
 installed provided they meet
 current airworthiness standards,
 which include those actions cited
 in this AD.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (f) The Manager, Standards Office, Small Airplane Directorate, 
FAA, ATTN: Gregory A. Davison, Aerospace Engineer, ACE-112, Small 
Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, Missouri 
64106; telephone: (816) 329-4130; facsimile: (816) 329-4090, has the 
authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the 
procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19.

Related Information

    (g) German AD Number D-2004-443, dated September 27, 2004, and 
Stemme Service Bulletin Document Number: A31-10-069, Am.-Index 01.a, 
dated September 10, 2004, also address the subject of this AD. To 
get copies of the service information referenced in this AD, contact 
STEMME AG, Flugplatzstra[beta]e F 2, Nr. 7, D-15344 Strausberg, 
Germany; telephone: + 49.33.41/36 12-0; facsimile: + 49.33.41/36 12-
30. To view the AD docket, go to the Docket Management Facility; 
U.S. Department of Transportation, 400 Seventh Street, S.W., Nassif 
Building, Room PL-401, Washington, DC, or on the Internet at http://dms.dot.gov. The docket number is Docket No. FAA-2006-24641; 
Directorate Identifier 2006-CE-27-AD.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on May 24, 2006.
David R. Showers,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
 [FR Doc. E6-8609 Filed 6-1-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P