[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 239 (Thursday, December 14, 2017)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 58713-58715]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-26620]


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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; Amendment 
39-19121; AD 2017-25-07]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Alexander Schleicher GmbH & Co. 
Segelflugzeugbau Gliders

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

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all 
Alexander Schleicher GmbH & Co. Segelflugzeugbau Models ASH 25M and ASH 
26E gliders. 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 fatigue cracks found on the 
exhaust silencer. We are issuing this AD to require actions to address 
the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective January 18, 2018.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of January 18, 
2018.

ADDRESSES: 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 Document Management Facility, 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 service information identified in 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 view 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. It is also available on 
the internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for Docket No. 
FAA-2017-0911.

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: 

Discussion

    We issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR 
part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to all Alexander Schleicher 
GmbH & Co. Segelflugzeugbau Models ASH 25M and ASH 26E gliders. The 
NPRM was published in the Federal Register on September 22, 2017 (82 FR 
44361). The NPRM proposed to correct an unsafe condition for the 
specified products and was based on mandatory continuing airworthiness 
information (MCAI) originated by an aviation authority of another 
country. 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].

The MCAI can be found in the AD docket on the internet at https://www.regulations.gov/document?D=FAA-2017-0911-0002.

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 relevant data and determined that air safety and 
the public interest require adopting this AD as proposed except for 
minor editorial changes. We have determined that these minor changes:

[[Page 58714]]

     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.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    We reviewed Alexander Schleicher GmbH & Co. Segelflugzeugbau 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 AD.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD will affect 35 products of U.S. registry. 
We also estimate that it will take about 8 work-hours per product to 
comply with the basic requirements of this AD. The average labor rate 
is $85 per work-hour. Required parts will cost about $3,900 per 
product.
    Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of this 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 will 
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 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 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.

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 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

    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:

2017-25-07 Alexander Schleicher GmbH & Co. Segelflugzeugbau: 
Amendment 39-19121; Docket No. FAA-2017-0911; Product Identifier 
2017-CE-025-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective January 18, 
2018.

(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 January 18, 2018 (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 January 18, 2018 (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:

[[Page 58715]]

    (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 
https://www.regulations.gov/document?D=FAA-2017-0911-0002.

(i) Material Incorporated by Reference

    (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the 
incorporation by reference (IBR) of the service information listed 
in this paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
    (2) You must use this service information as applicable to do 
the actions required by this AD, unless this AD specifies otherwise.
    (i) Alexander Schleicher GmbH & Co. Segelflugzeugbau 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.
    (ii) Reserved.
    (3) For Alexander Schleicher GmbH & Co. Segelflugzeugbau service 
information identified in 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].
    (4) You may view this 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. In addition, you can access this service information 
on the internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and 
locating Docket No. FAA-2017-0911.
    (5) You may view this service information that is incorporated 
by reference 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 December 1, 2017.
Melvin J. Johnson,
Deputy Director, Policy & Innovation Division, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2017-26620 Filed 12-13-17; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P