[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 183 (Friday, September 22, 2017)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 44361-44363]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-20052]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2017-0911; Product Identifier 2017-CE-025-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Alexander Schleicher GmbH & Co. 
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 all 
Alexander Schleicher GmbH & Co. Segelflugzeugbau Models ASH 25M and ASH 
26E 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 fatigue 
cracks found on the exhaust silencer. 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 November 6, 
2017.

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, Policy and Innovation Division, 901 
Locust, Kansas City, Missouri

[[Page 44362]]

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-2017-
0911; 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 Standards Branch, 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-2017-0911; 
Product Identifier 2017-CE-025-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

    The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the Technical 
Agent for the Member States of the European Community, has issued AD 
No. 2017-0136, dated July 31, 2017 (referred to after this as ``the 
MCAI''), to correct an unsafe condition for the specified products. The 
MCAI states:

    Occurrences were reported of finding cracks on exhaust silencer 
part number (P/N) 800.65.0001, installed on ASK 21 Mi powered 
sailplanes. Subsequent investigation determined that the affected 
part is susceptible to fatigue cracking and is also installed on 
other Schleicher powered sailplanes.
    This condition, if not corrected, could lead to heat damage in 
the engine compartment and to the engine installation, possibly 
resulting in reduced control of the powered sailplane.
    To address this potentially unsafe condition, Schleicher issued 
Technical Note (TN) ASK 21 Mi No. 11, TN ASW 22 BLE 50R No. 16, TN 
ASH 25 M/Mi No. 32 and TN ASH 26 E No. 19 (single document, 
hereafter referred to as `the TN' in this [EASA] AD), to provide 
replacement instructions.
    For the reasons described above, this [EASA] AD requires 
replacement of the affected exhaust silencer with an improved part 
and introduces installation restrictions of a part with P/N 
800.65.0001.

You may examine the MCAI on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov 
by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2017-0911.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    Alexander Schleicher GmbH & Co. Segelflugzeugbau has issued ASK 21 
Mi Technical Note No. 11, ASW 22 BLE 50R Technical Note No. 16, ASH 25 
M/Mi Technical Note No. 32, ASH 26 E Technical Note No. 19 (single 
document), dated January 8, 2016. The service information describes 
procedures for replacing the exhaust silencer with an improved part. 
This service information is reasonably available because the interested 
parties have access to it through their normal course of business or by 
the means identified in the ADDRESSES section of this NPRM.

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 35 products of U.S. 
registry. We also estimate that it would take about 8 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 $3,900 per product.
    Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of this proposed AD on 
U.S. operators to be $160,300, or $4,580 per product.
    We have no way of determining the number of products that have an 
affected exhaust silencer, part number 800.65.0001, installed that 
would need to be replaced. Therefore, this cost estimate includes all 
affected gliders on the U.S. registry.

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.
    This AD is issued in accordance with authority delegated by the 
Executive Director, Aircraft Certification Service, as authorized by 
FAA Order 8000.51C. In accordance with that order, issuance of ADs is 
normally a function of the Compliance and Airworthiness Division, but 
during this transition period, the Executive Director has delegated the 
authority to issue ADs applicable to small airplanes, gliders, and 
domestic business jet transport airplanes to the Director of the Policy 
and Innovation Division.

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

[[Page 44363]]

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 GmbH & Co. Segelflugzeugbau: Docket No. FAA-
2017-0911; Product Identifier 2017-CE-025-AD.

(a) Comments Due Date

    We must receive comments by November 6, 2017.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Alexander Schleicher GmbH & Co. 
Segelflugzeugbau Models ASH 25M and ASH 26E gliders, all serial 
numbers, that:
    (1) Have an exhaust silencer, part number (P/N) 800.65.0001, 
installed; and
    (2) are certificated in any category.

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association of America (ATA) Code 78: Engine 
Exhaust.

(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 fatigue cracks 
found on the exhaust silencer. We are issuing this AD to prevent 
heat damage in the engine compartment and to the engine 
installation, which could result in reduced control.

(f) Actions and Compliance

    Unless already done, do the following actions:
    (1) Before exceeding 150 hours time-in-service (TIS) on the 
exhaust silencer, (P/N) 800.65.0001, since new, or within the next 5 
hours TIS after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs 
later, replace P/N 800.65.0001 with an improved exhaust silencer, P/
N 800.65.9010. Do the replacement as specified in Alexander 
Schleicher GmbH & Co. Segelflugzeugbau ASK 21 Mi Technical Note No. 
11, ASW 22 BLE 50 R Technical Note No. 16, ASH 25 M/Mi Technical 
Note No. 32, ASH 26 E Technical Note No. 19 (single document), dated 
January 8, 2016.
    (2) As of the effective date of this AD, do not install a P/N 
800.65.0001 exhaust silencer.

(g) Other FAA AD Provisions

    The following provisions also apply to this AD:
    (1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager, 
Small Airplane Standards Branch, 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 Standards Branch, 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 glider 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) Contacting the Manufacturer: For any requirement in this AD 
to obtain corrective actions from a manufacturer, the action must be 
accomplished using a method approved by the Manager, Small Airplane 
Standards Branch, FAA; or the European Aviation Safety Agency 
(EASA).

(h) Related Information

    Refer to MCAI EASA AD 2017-0136, dated July 31, 2017, for 
related information. You may examine the MCAI on the Internet at 
http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. 
FAA-2017-0911. 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, 
Policy and Innovation Division, 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 September 14, 2017.
Pat Mullen,
Acting Deputy Director, Policy & Innovation Division, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2017-20052 Filed 9-21-17; 8:45 am]
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