[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 10 (Wednesday, January 15, 2014)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 2595-2597]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-00641]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2014-0019; Directorate Identifier 2013-CE-045-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Alexander Schleicher, Segelflugzeugbau 
Gliders

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

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for 
Alexander Schleicher, Segelflugzeugbau Model ASK 21 gliders. This 
proposed AD results from mandatory continuing airworthiness information 
(MCAI) originated 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 inadequate guidance for spin 
training operations. We are issuing this proposed AD to require actions 
to address the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by March 3, 2014.

ADDRESSES: You may send comments by any of the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
     Fax: (202) 493-2251.
     Mail: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket 
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590.
     Hand Delivery: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket 
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., 
Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
    For service information identified in this proposed AD, contact 
Alexander Schleicher GmbH & Co. Segelflugzeugbau, Alexander-Schleicher-
Str. 1, D-36163 Poppenhausen, Germany; phone: +49 (0) 06658 89-0; fax: 
+49 (0) 06658 89-40; Internet: http://www.alexander-schleicher.de/; 
email: [email protected]. You may review this referenced 
service information at the FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, 
Kansas City, Missouri 64106. For information on the availability of 
this material at the FAA, call (816) 329-4148.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2014-
0019; 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 this proposed AD, 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.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jim Rutherford, Aerospace Engineer, 
FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, 
Missouri 64106; telephone: (816) 329-4165; fax: (816) 329-4090; email: 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

    We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or 
arguments about this proposed AD. Send your comments to an address 
listed under the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2014-0019; 
Directorate Identifier 2013-CE-045-AD'' at the beginning of your 
comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this proposed AD. We 
will consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend 
this proposed AD because of those comments.
    We will post all comments we receive, without change, to http://regulations.gov, including any personal information you provide. We 
will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact we 
receive about this proposed AD.

Discussion

    European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the Technical 
Agent for the Member States of the European Community, has issued AD 
No. 2013-0123, dated June 5, 2013 (referred to after this as ``the 
MCAI''), to correct an unsafe condition for the specified products. The 
MCAI states:

    ASK 21 sailplane spin characteristics can be controlled using 
tail ballast weights, ensuring that pilots of all weights can 
achieve the same spin results. Although the tail ballast weights 
were designed to control the centre of gravity of the sailplane, 
these weights significantly affect the inertia terms that govern the 
sailplane response to spin manoeuvres. Schleicher issued a Technical 
Note (TN) Nr. 4 in 1980 (mainly used in Switzerland) to provide 
instructions for the Aircraft Flight Manual (AFM) for spin training. 
These instructions did not provide proper protection against 
accomplishment of single seated flight with forgotten spin ballast 
installed.
    Schleicher issued a TN Nr. 4a in 2004 to provide instructions to 
the Aircraft Flight Manual (AFM) amendments to address spin ballast 
installation and facilitate two seated spin training. However, these 
instructions did not provide proper guidance for the spin entry 
techniques. The safety margin in respect to inertia limits was 
marginal for pilot weights less than 70 kg on the front seat.
    Furthermore, in one case, it was observed that a control surface 
gap was not sealed in accordance with design data approved for that 
aircraft.
    Single seated flight with forgotten spin ballast installed, if 
not corrected, could lead to sailplane operation beyond its centre 
of gravity limits. Flights with low inertia momentum around Y axis 
(as a result of the low weight crew) could result in reduced safety 
margin in respect to inertia limits.
    Improperly sealed control surface gap during spin recovery could 
lead to significant delay of recovery and reduced control of the 
sailplane.
    To address these potential unsafe conditions, Schleicher issued 
TN Nr. 4b for ASK 21 model sailplanes and TN Nr. 7 for ASK 21 Mi 
model sailplanes to amend the associated AFM and Aircraft 
Maintenance Manual (AMM) procedures and installation of a cockpit 
placard, as applicable to sailplane model.

[[Page 2596]]

    For the reasons described above, this AD requires amendment of 
the AFM, AMM and installation of a cockpit placard.

You may examine the MCAI on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov 
by searching for and locating it in Docket No. FAA-2014-0019.

Relevant Service Information

    Alexander Schleicher GmbH & Co. Segelflugzeugbau issued ASK 21 
Technical Note Nr 4b, Issue for US registered gliders, dated October 
31, 2013. The actions described in this service information are 
intended to correct the unsafe condition identified in the MCAI.

FAA's Determination and Requirements of the Proposed AD

    This product has been approved by the aviation authority of another 
country, and is approved for operation in the United States. Pursuant 
to our bilateral agreement with this State of Design Authority, they 
have notified us of the unsafe condition described in the MCAI and 
service information referenced above. We are proposing this AD because 
we evaluated all information and determined the unsafe condition exists 
and is likely to exist or develop on other products of the same type 
design.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD will affect 59 products of U.S. 
registry. We also estimate that it would take about 2.5 work-hours per 
product to comply with the basic requirements of this proposed AD. The 
average labor rate is $85 per work-hour. Required parts would cost 
about $250 per product.
    Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of the proposed AD on 
U.S. operators to be $27,287.50, or $462.50 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.

Regulatory Findings

    We 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 this 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),
    (3) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and
    (4) 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.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

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

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:

Alexander Schleicher, Segelflugzeugbau: Docket No. FAA-2014-0019; 
Directorate Identifier 2013-CE-045-AD.

(a) Comments Due Date

    We must receive comments by March 3, 2014.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Alexander Schleicher, Segelflugzeugbau Model 
ASK 21 gliders, all serial numbers, certificated in any category, 
that have incorporated:
    (1) Alexander Schleicher Segelflugzeugbau ASK 21 Technical Note 
No. 4, dated November 14, 1980; or
    (2) Alexander Schleicher GmbH & Co. Segelflugzeugbau ASK 21 
Technical Note 4a, dated November 25, 2004.

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association of America (ATA) Code 11: Placards and 
Markings.

(e) Reason

    This AD was prompted by mandatory continuing airworthiness 
information (MCAI) originated 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 inadequate 
guidance for spin training operations. We are issuing this proposed 
AD to ensure the placard installed in the aircraft cockpit, the 
aircraft flight manual (AFM), and the instructions for continued 
airworthiness (ICA) all have adequate guidance for spin training 
operations.

(f) Actions and Compliance

    Unless already done, do the following actions as specified in 
paragraphs (f)(1) through (f)(3) of this AD:
    (1) For gliders modified following Alexander Schleicher 
Segelflugzeugbau ASK 21 Technical Note No. 4, dated November 14, 
1980: Within 30 days after the effective date of this AD, insert the 
amended pages into the glider's AFM and the ICA and install a 
cockpit placard following paragraph B) of the Action section in 
Alexander Schleicher GmbH & Co. Segelflugzeugbau ASK 21 Technical 
Note Nr. 4b, Issue for US registered gliders, dated October 31, 
2013.
    (2) For gliders modified following Alexander Schleicher GmbH & 
Co. Segelflugzeugbau ASK 21 Technical Note 4a, dated November 25, 
2004: Within 30 days after the effective date of this AD, insert the 
amended pages into the glider's AFM and the ICA following paragraph 
C) of the Action section in Alexander Schleicher GmbH & Co. 
Segelflugzeugbau ASK 21 Technical Note Nr. 4b, Issue for US 
registered gliders, dated October 31, 2013.
    (3) An owner/operator (pilot) holding at least a private pilot 
certificate may insert the amended pages into the AFM and ICA of the 
glider required by paragraphs (f)(1) and (f)(2) of this AD and must 
enter the action into the aircraft records showing compliance with 
this AD following 14 CFR Sec.  43.9 (a)(1)-(4) and 14 CFR Sec.  
91.417(a)(2)(v). The record must be maintained as required by 14 CFR 
Sec.  91.417, 121.380, or 135.439.

(g) Other FAA AD Provisions

    The following provisions also apply to this AD:
    (1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager, 
Standards Office, FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs for this 
AD, if requested using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. Send 
information to ATTN: Jim Rutherford, Aerospace Engineer, FAA, Small 
Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, Missouri 
64106; telephone: (816) 329-4165; fax: (816) 329-4090; email: 
[email protected]. Before using any approved AMOC on any 
aircraft to

[[Page 2597]]

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.

(h) Related Information

    Refer to MCAI European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD No.: 
2013-0123, dated June 5, 2013, for related information. You may 
examine the MCAI on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by 
searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2014-0019. You may also 
refer to Alexander Schleicher Segelflugzeugbau ASK 21 Technical Note 
No. 4, dated November 14, 1980; and Alexander Schleicher GmbH & Co. 
Segelflugzeugbau ASK 21 Technical Note 4a, dated November 25, 2004, 
for related information. For service information related to this AD, 
contact Alexander Schleicher GmbH & Co. Segelflugzeugbau, Alexander-
Schleicher-Str. 1, D-36163 Poppenhausen, Germany; phone: +49 (0) 
06658 89-0; fax: +49 (0) 06658 89-40; Internet: http://www.alexander-schleicher.de/; email: [email protected]. 
You may review this referenced service information at the FAA, Small 
Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Kansas City, Missouri 64106. For 
information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call 
(816) 329-4148.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on January 8, 2014.
Earl Lawrence,
Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2014-00641 Filed 1-14-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P