[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]
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