[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 141 (Tuesday, July 24, 2007)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 40233-40235]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-13981]


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

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2007-27431 Directorate Identifier 2007;-016-AD; 
Amendment 39-15132; AD 2007-15-03]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Stemme GmbH & Co. KG Model S10-V and 
S10[dash]VT Powered Sailplanes

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

ACTION: Final rule.

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

SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for the 
products listed above. This AD results from mandatory continuing 
airworthiness information (MCAI) issued by an aviation authority of 
another country to identify and correct an unsafe condition on an 
aviation product. The MCAI describes the unsafe condition as:

    Service experience showed that the connection screw of the 
propeller blade follower type 10AP-VM may break and the main part of 
the blade follower can be lost in flight. This condition, if not 
corrected, could lead to high vibration during powered flight and 
consequently result in decreased control of the aircraft.

    We are issuing this AD to require actions to correct the unsafe 
condition on these products.

DATES: This AD becomes effective August 28, 2007.
    On August 28, 2007, the Director of the Federal Register approved 
the incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in this 
AD.

ADDRESSES: You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://dms.dot.gov or in person at the U.S. Department of Transportation, 
Docket Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 
New Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Greg Davison, Glider Program Manager, 
FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, 
Missouri 64106; telephone: (816) 329-4130; fax: (816) 329-4090.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Discussion

    We issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR 
part 39 to include an AD that would apply to the specified products. 
That NPRM was published in the Federal Register on April 23, 2007 (72 
FR 20072). That NPRM proposed to correct an unsafe condition for the 
specified products. The MCAI states that:

    Service experience showed that the connection screw of the 
propeller blade follower type 10AP-VM may break and the main part of 
the blade follower can be lost in flight. This condition, if not 
corrected, could lead to high vibration during powered flight and 
consequently result in decreased control of the aircraft.
    Stemme has developed a new blade follower, Model 10AP-VP, which 
is reinforced on the shaft and has an Allen head screw installed 
instead of a slotted screw. For the reason stated above, this 
Emergency Airworthiness Directive (EAD) requires the replacement of 
the blade follower type 10AP-VM with the new type 10AP-VP.
    This EAD has been revised to correct the TCDS reference and the 
applicability statement. No separate TC was issued for the affected 
propellers. These propellers are part of the aircraft type design.
    Paragraph (4) of the ``Compliance'' section of this EAD has been 
corrected.

Comments

    We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing 
this AD. We received no comments on the NPRM or on the determination of 
the cost to the public.

Conclusion

    We reviewed the available data and determined that air safety and 
the public interest require adopting the AD as proposed.

Differences Between This AD and the MCAI or Service Information

    We have reviewed the MCAI and related service information and, in 
general, agree with their substance. But we might have found it 
necessary to use different words from those in the MCAI to ensure the 
AD is clear for U.S. operators and is enforceable. In making these 
changes, we do not intend to differ substantively from the information 
provided in the MCAI and related service information.
    We might also have required different actions in this AD from those 
in the MCAI in order to follow FAA policies. Any such differences are 
highlighted in a Note within the AD.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD will affect 53 products of U.S. registry. 
We also estimate that it will take about 3 work-hours per product to 
comply with basic requirements of this AD. The average labor rate is 
$80 per work-hour. Required parts will cost about $117 per product. 
Where the service information lists required parts costs that are 
covered under warranty, we have assumed that there will be no charge 
for these parts. As we do not control warranty coverage for affected 
parties, some parties may incur costs higher than estimated here. Based 
on these figures, we estimate the cost of this AD to the U.S. operators 
to be $18,921 or $357 per product.

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.

[[Page 40234]]

Regulatory Findings

    We 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 this AD:
    (1) Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive 
Order 12866;
    (2) Is not a ``significant rule'' under 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 AD and placed it in the AD Docket.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket 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 AD 
docket contains the NPRM, the regulatory evaluation, any comments 
received, and other information. The street address for the Docket 
Office (telephone (800) 647-5527) is 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, Incorporation by 
reference, Safety.

Adoption of the Amendment

0
Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the Administrator, 
the FAA amends 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. The FAA amends Sec.  39.13 by adding the following new AD:

2007-15-03 Stemme GmbH & Co. KG: Amendment 39-15132; Docket No. FAA-
2007-27431; Directorate Identifier 2007-CE-016-AD.

Effective Date

    (a) This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective August 
28, 2007.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to Models STEMME S10-V and STEMME S10-VT 
powered sailplanes, all serial numbers, that:
    (1) Are certificated in any category; and
    (2) Have not incorporated the actions in their entirety of 
STEMME F & D SB A31-10-078, Am.-index: 01.a, dated November 6, 2006, 
which references STEMME F & D Installation Instruction A34-10-078-E, 
Am.-index: 01.a, dated February 20, 2007.

Subject

    (d) Air Transport Association of America (ATA) Code 61: 
Propellers.

Reason

    (e) The mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) 
states:
    Service experience showed that the connection screw of the 
propeller blade follower type 10AP-VM may break and the main part of 
the blade follower can be lost in flight. This condition, if not 
corrected, could lead to high vibration during powered flight and 
consequently result in decreased control of the aircraft.
    Stemme has developed a new blade follower, Model 10AP-VP, which 
is reinforced on the shaft and has an Allen head screw installed 
instead of a slotted screw. For the reason stated above, this 
Emergency Airworthiness Directive (EAD) requires the replacement of 
the blade follower type 10AP-VM with the new type 10AP-VP.
    This EAD has been revised to correct the TCDS reference and the 
applicability statement. No separate TC was issued for the affected 
propellers. These propellers are part of the aircraft type design.
    Paragraph (4) of the ``Compliance'' section of this EAD has been 
corrected.

Actions and Compliance

    (f) Unless already done, within the next 25 engine operating 
hours after August 28, 2007 (the effective date of this AD) or 90 
days after August 28, 2007 (the effective date of this AD), 
whichever occurs first, do the following actions:
    (1) Replace the blade follower type 10AP-VM with the new type 
10AP-VP following the instructions contained in STEMME F & D SB A31-
10-078, Am.-index: 02.a, dated March 2, 2007, which references 
STEMME F & D Installation Instruction A34-10-078-E, Am.-index: 01.a, 
dated February 20, 2007.
    (2) As of 25 engine operating hours after August 28, 2007 (the 
effective date of this AD) or 90 days after August 28, 2007 (the 
effective date of this AD), whichever occurs first, do not install a 
propeller type 10AP-F, 10AP-V or 11AP-V on any aircraft, unless that 
propeller has the new type 10AP-VP blade follower installed 
following the instructions contained in STEMME F & D SB A31-10-078, 
Am.-index: 02.a, dated March 2, 2007, which references STEMME F & D 
Installation Instruction A34-10-078-E, Am.-index: 01.a, dated 
February 20, 2007.

FAA AD Differences

    Note: This AD differs from the MCAI and/or service information 
as follows: The MCAI requires an amendment to the aircraft flight 
manual before further flight as an interim requirement to the 
replacement. We consider before flight as an urgent safety of flight 
compliance time, and we do not consider this unsafe condition to be 
an urgent safety of flight condition. We feel that 25 engine 
operating hours or 90 days, whichever occurs first, for the 
replacement is an adequate compliance for this AD action. We do 
encourage you to incorporate these flight manual amendments 
referenced in the MCAI and service information until you replace the 
propeller blade follower.

Other FAA AD Provisions

    (g) The following provisions also apply to this AD:
    (1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager, 
Standards Staff, FAA, ATTN: Gregory Davison, Aerospace Engineer, 
FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, 
Missouri, 64106; telephone: (816) 329-4130; fax: (816) 329-4090, has 
the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the 
procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. Before using any approved AMOC on 
any airplane to which the AMOC applies, notify your appropriate 
principal inspector (PI) in the FAA Flight Standards District Office 
(FSDO), or lacking a PI, your local FSDO.
    (2) Airworthy Product: For any requirement in this AD to obtain 
corrective actions from a manufacturer or other source, use these 
actions if they are FAA-approved. Corrective actions are considered 
FAA-approved if they are approved by the State of Design Authority 
(or their delegated agent). You are required to assure the product 
is airworthy before it is returned to service.
    (3) Reporting Requirements: For any reporting requirement in 
this AD, under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 
U.S.C. 3501 et. seq.), the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has 
approved the information collection requirements and has assigned 
OMB Control Number 2120-0056.

Related Information

    (h) Refer to MCAI European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) 
Emergency AD No.: 2006-0373R1-E, dated December 15, 2006, corrected 
January 5, 2007; STEMME F & D SB A31-10-078, Am.-index: 02.a, dated 
March 2, 2007; and STEMME F & D Installation Instruction A34-10-078-
E, Am.-index: 01.a, dated February 20, 2007 for related information.

Material Incorporated by Reference

    (i) You must use STEMME F & D SB A31-10-078, Am.-index: 02.a, 
dated March 2, 2007, which references STEMME F & D Installation 
Instruction A34-10-078-E, Am.-index: 01.a, dated February 20, 2007, 
to do the actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies 
otherwise.
    (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the 
incorporation by reference of this service information under 5 
U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
    (2) For service information identified in this AD, contact 
Stemme GmbH & Co. KG, Gustav-Meyer-Allee 25, D-13355 Berlin,

[[Page 40235]]

Germany; Telephone: 49.3341.3111.70; Facsimile: 49.3341.3111.73.
    (3) You may review copies at the 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/cfr/ibr-locations.html.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on July 12, 2007.
Sandra J. Campbell,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
 [FR Doc. E7-13981 Filed 7-23-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P