[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 139 (Thursday, July 21, 2022)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 43403-43406]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-15419]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2022-0288; Project Identifier MCAI-2021-00913-G; 
Amendment 39-22119; AD 2022-14-14]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Alexander Schleicher GmbH & Co. 
Segelflugzeugbau Gliders

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all 
Alexander Schleicher GmbH & Co. Segelflugzeugbau Model ASW-15 gliders. 
This 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 identifies the unsafe condition as wing root damage. This AD 
requires repetitively

[[Page 43404]]

inspecting the wing root ribs for cracks, looseness, and damage and 
replacing any root rib with a crack, a loose rib or lift pin bushing, 
or any damage. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe 
condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective August 25, 2022.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of certain publications listed in this AD as of August 25, 
2022.

ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this final rule, 
contact Alexander Schleicher GmbH & Co. Segelflugzeugbau, Alexander-
Schleicher-Str. 1, Poppenhausen, Germany D-36163; phone: +49 (0) 06658 
89-0; email: [email protected]; website: https://www.alexander-schleicher.de. You may view this service information at 
the FAA, Airworthiness Products Section, Operational Safety Branch, 901 
Locust, Kansas City, MO 64106. For information on the availability of 
this material at the FAA, call (817) 222-5110. It is also available at 
https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. 
FAA-2022-0288.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket at https://www.regulations.gov by 
searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2022-0288; or in person at 
Docket Operations between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, 
except Federal holidays. The AD docket contains this final rule, the 
MCAI, any comments received, and other information. The address for 
Docket Operations is 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: Jim Rutherford, Aviation Safety 
Engineer, General Aviation & Rotorcraft Section, International 
Validation Branch, FAA, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, MO 64106; 
phone: (816) 329-4165; email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Background

    The FAA 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 Model ASW-15 gliders. The NPRM 
published in the Federal Register on March 23, 2022 (87 FR 16433). The 
NPRM was prompted by MCAI from the European Union Aviation Safety 
Agency (EASA), which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of 
the European Union. EASA issued AD 2021-0187, dated August 9, 2021 
(referred to after this as ``the MCAI''), to address an unsafe 
condition on all Alexander Schleicher GmbH & Co. Segelflugzeugbau Model 
ASW 15 gliders. The MCAI states:

    Occurrences were reported of finding wing root rib damage. 
Investigation is ongoing to determine the root cause of the damage.
    This condition, if not detected and corrected, could reduce the 
structural integrity of the wing assembly of the sailplane.
    To address this potential unsafe condition, Schleicher issued 
the TN [technical note] to provide inspection instructions.
    For the reasons described above, this [EASA] AD requires 
repetitive inspections of each affected part and, depending on 
findings, replacement. This [EASA] AD also introduces restrictions 
for installation of an affected part.

    You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket at https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2022-
0288.
    In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to require repetitively inspecting 
the wing root ribs for cracks, looseness, and damage and replacing any 
root rib with a crack, a loose rib or lift pin bushing, or any damage. 
The FAA is issuing this AD to detect and correct damaged root ribs. The 
unsafe condition, if not addressed, could result in reduced structural 
integrity of the wing assembly, which could lead to loss of control of 
the glider.

Discussion of Final Airworthiness Directive

Comments

    The FAA received one comment from an individual. The following 
presents the comment received on the NPRM and the FAA's response to the 
comment.
    An individual requested the FAA revise the proposed applicability 
from ``all serial numbers'' to ``serial numbers 15001 up to 15183,'' as 
stated in the Alexander Schleicher TN. The commenter stated that serial 
numbers 15184 and subsequent should not be subject to the proposed AD 
as the wing rib design changed at serial number 15184. The commenter 
further stated that if the FAA does not change the proposed 
applicability, owners of gliders with redesigned wing ribs would be 
required to do needless inspections.
    The FAA does not agree that the requested change is necessary. Type 
Certificate Data Sheet No. G22EU identifies Model ASW-15 gliders as 
those with serial numbers 15001 through 15183 and Model ASW-15B gliders 
as those with serial numbers 15184 and subsequent. Therefore, this AD 
applies to Model ASW-15 gliders, all serial numbers, certificated in 
any category, which includes only serial numbers 15001 through 15183 
inclusive.
    The FAA did not change this AD based on this comment.

Conclusion

    This product has been approved by the aviation authority of another 
country and is approved for operation in the United States. Pursuant to 
the FAA's bilateral agreement with this State of Design Authority, it 
has notified the FAA of the unsafe condition described in the MCAI and 
service information referenced above. The FAA reviewed the relevant 
data, considered the comment received, and determined that air safety 
requires adopting this AD as proposed. Accordingly, the FAA is issuing 
this AD to address the unsafe condition on this product. This AD is 
adopted as proposed in the NPRM.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    The FAA reviewed Alexander Schleicher GmbH & Co. Segelflugzeugbau 
ASW 15 Technical Note No. 29, dated June 28, 2021. This service 
information specifies inspecting the root ribs at the wings.
    The FAA also reviewed Alexander Schleicher GmbH & Co. 
Segelflugzeugbau ASW 15 Repair instruction exchange of wing root ribs 
according to TN 29, dated June 28, 2021. This service information 
specifies procedures for replacing the root ribs.
    In addition, the FAA reviewed Alexander Schleicher GmbH & Co. 
Segelflugzeugbau ASW 15 Maintenance Instruction G, Issue 1, dated June 
28, 2021. This service information specifies procedures for inspecting 
the root ribs at the wings for damage.
    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.

Costs of Compliance

    The FAA estimates that this AD affects 20 gliders of U.S. registry.
    The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this AD:

[[Page 43405]]



                                                 Estimated Costs
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                                                                                     Cost per      Cost on U.S.
             Action                    Labor cost              Parts cost             glider         operators
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Inspect root ribs...............  1 work-hour x $85    Not Applicable...........             $85          $1,700
                                   per hour = $85.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The FAA estimates the following costs to do any necessary 
replacements that would be required based on the results of the 
inspection. The agency has no way of determining the number of gliders 
that might need these replacements:

                                               On-Condition Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                     Cost per
                    Action                                 Labor cost               Parts cost        glider
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Replace all four root ribs....................  8 work-hours x $85 per hour =             $1,000          $1,680
                                                 $680.
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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.
    The FAA is 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

    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 that this AD:
    (1) Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive 
Order 12866,
    (2) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, 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.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

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

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 airworthiness 
directive:

2022-14-14 Alexander Schleicher GmbH & Co. Segelflugzeugbau: 
Amendment 39-22119; Docket No. FAA-2022-0288; Project Identifier 
MCAI-2021-00913-G.

(a) Effective Date

    This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective August 25, 2022.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Alexander Schleicher GmbH & Co. 
Segelflugzeugbau Model ASW-15 gliders, all serial numbers, 
certificated in any category.

(d) Subject

    Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 5712, Wing, Rib/
Bulkhead.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    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 wing root rib 
damage. The FAA is issuing this AD to detect and correct damaged 
root ribs. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could result in 
reduced structural integrity of the wing assembly, which could lead 
to loss of control of the glider.

(f) Compliance

    Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, 
unless already done.

(g) Action

    (1) Within 30 days after the effective date of this AD and 
thereafter at intervals not to exceed 12 months, inspect all wing 
root ribs (4 places) for cracks, looseness, and damage, in 
accordance with the Action section in Alexander Schleicher GmbH & 
Co. Segelflugzeugbau ASW 15 Maintenance Instruction G, Issue 1, 
dated June 28, 2021. If there is a crack in any root rib, a loose 
rib or lift pin bushing, or any damage, before further flight, 
replace the root rib in accordance with Action paragraph (B) in 
Alexander Schleicher GmbH & Co. Segelflugzeugbau ASW 15 Technical 
Note No. 29, dated June 28, 2021, and steps 1 through 7 in Alexander 
Schleicher GmbH & Co. Segelflugzeugbau ASW 15 Repair instruction 
exchange of wing root ribs according to TN 29, dated June 28, 2021.
    (2) Replacing all four wing root ribs is terminating action for 
the repetitive inspections required by this AD.

(h) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (1) The Manager, International Validation Branch, FAA, has the 
authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the 
procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. In accordance with 14 CFR 39.19, 
send your request to your principal inspector or local Flight 
Standards District Office, as appropriate. If sending information 
directly to the manager of the certification office, send it to the 
attention of the person identified in paragraph (i)(1) of this AD 
and email to: [email protected].
    (2) Before using any approved AMOC, notify your appropriate 
principal inspector, or lacking a principal inspector, the manager 
of the local flight standards district office/certificate holding 
district office.

[[Page 43406]]

(i) Related Information

    (1) For more information about this AD, contact Jim Rutherford, 
Aviation Safety Engineer, General Aviation & Rotorcraft Section, 
International Validation Branch, FAA, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas 
City, MO 64106; phone: (816) 329-4165; email: 
[email protected].
    (2) Refer to European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 
2021-0187, dated August 9, 2021, for more information. You may view 
the EASA AD at https://www.regulations.gov in Docket No. FAA-2022-
0288.

(j) Material Incorporated by Reference

    (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the 
incorporation by reference 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 the AD specifies otherwise.
    (i) Alexander Schleicher GmbH & Co. Segelflugzeugbau ASW 15 
Maintenance Instruction G, Issue 1, dated June 28, 2021.
    (ii) Alexander Schleicher GmbH & Co. Segelflugzeugbau ASW 15 
Repair instruction exchange of wing root ribs according to TN 29, 
dated June 28, 2021.
    (iii) Alexander Schleicher GmbH & Co. Segelflugzeugbau ASW 15 
Technical Note No. 29, dated June 28, 2021.
    (3) For service information identified in this AD, contact 
Alexander Schleicher GmbH & Co. Segelflugzeugbau, Alexander-
Schleicher-Str. 1, Poppenhausen, Germany D-36163; phone: +49 (0) 
06658 89-0; email: [email protected]; website: https://www.alexander-schleicher.de.
    (4) You may view this service information at the FAA, 
Airworthiness Products Section, Operational Safety Branch, 901 
Locust, Kansas City, MO 64106. For information on the availability 
of this material at the FAA, call (817) 222-5110.
    (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, email: [email protected], or go to: https://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.

    Issued on July 1, 2022.
Christina Underwood,
Acting Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2022-15419 Filed 7-20-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P