[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 160 (Friday, August 18, 2006)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 47714-47717]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-13440]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2006-24641; Directorate Identifier 2006-CE-27-AD; 
Amendment 39-14724; AD 2006-17-03]
RIN 2120-AA64


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

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: The FAA adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain 
Stemme GmbH & Co. KG (Stemme) Models S10, S10-V, and S10-VT sailplanes. 
This AD requires 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 AD requires you 
to modify the aileron control assembly. 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.

DATES: This AD becomes effective on September 22, 2006.
    As of September 22, 2006, the Director of the Federal Register 
approved the incorporation by reference of certain publications listed 
in the regulation.

ADDRESSES: To get the service information identified 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; 
e-mail: [email protected].
    To view the AD docket, go to the Docket Management Facility; U.S. 
Department of Transportation, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Nassif Building, 
Room PL-401, Washington, DC 20590-001 or on the Internet at http://dms.dot.gov. The docket number is FAA-2006-24641; Directorate 
Identifier 2006-CE-27-AD.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Gregory A. Davison, Aerospace

[[Page 47715]]

Engineer, ACE-112, Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301, 
Kansas City, Missouri 64106; telephone: (816) 329-4130; facsimile: 
(816) 329-4090.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

    On May 24, 2006, 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 certain Stemme Models S10, S10-V, and S10-VT sailplanes. 
This proposal was published in the Federal Register as a notice of 
proposed rulemaking (NPRM) on June 2, 2006 (71 FR 31980). The NPRM 
proposed to require you to inspect the joint between the aileron 
control rod, part number (P/N) 10SQ-RMB, and the connecting shaft, P/N 
10SQ-RMW, to determine if a safety washer is installed. If a safety 
washer is not installed, the NPRM proposed to 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).

Comments

    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

    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.

Costs of Compliance

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

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

    We estimate the following costs to do any necessary 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 
replacement:

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

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 AD.

Regulatory Findings

    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.
    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 
other information as included in the Regulatory Evaluation) 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 ``Docket 
No. FAA-2006-24641; Directorate Identifier 2006-CE-27-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:

2006-17-03 Stemme GmbH & Co. KG: Amendment 39-14724; Docket No. FAA-
2006-24641; Directorate Identifier 2006-CE-27-AD.

Effective Date

    (a) This AD becomes effective on September 22, 2006.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.
    (c) This AD affects the following sailplane models and serial 
numbers that are certificated in any category:

[[Page 47716]]



------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Model                             Serial Nos.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
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:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
           Actions                 Compliance            Procedures
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Inspect the joint         Within the next 20    Follow Stemme
 between the aileron control   hours time-in-        Service Bulletin
 rod, part number (P/N) 10SQ-  service after         Document Number:
 RMB (or FAA-approved          September 22, 2006    A31-10-069, Am.-
 equivalent part number),      (the effective date   Index 01.a, dated
 and the connecting shaft, P/  of this AD).          September 10, 2004
 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   Not applicable......  Not applicable
 required 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 is
 required.
(3) If after the inspection   Before further        Follow Stemme
 required in paragraph         flight after the      Service Bulletin
 (e)(1) of this AD, you        inspection required   Document Number:
 cannot positively determine   in paragraph (e)(1)   A31-10-069, Am.-
 that a safety washer is       of this AD.           Index 01.a, dated
 installed between the joint                         September 10, 2004.
 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)
(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, 
addresses the subject of this AD.

Material Incorporated by Reference

    (h) You must do the actions required by this AD following the 
instructions in Stemme Service Bulletin Document Number: A31-10-069, 
Am.-Index 01.a, dated September 10, 2004. 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. To get a copy of this service information, 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 review copies of this service information, go to the National 
Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information on the 
availability of this material at NARA, go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html or call (202) 741-6030. To view the AD docket, 
go to the Docket Management Facility; U.S. Department of 
Transportation, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Nassif Building, Room PL-
401, Washington, DC 20590-0001 or on the Internet at http://dms.dot.gov. The docket number is FAA-2006-24641; Directorate 
Identifier 2006-CE-27-AD.


[[Page 47717]]


    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on August 9, 2006.
John R. Colomy,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate,Aircraft Certification 
Service.
 [FR Doc. E6-13440 Filed 8-17-06; 8:45 am]
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