[Federal Register Volume 90, Number 138 (Tuesday, July 22, 2025)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 34391-34394]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2025-13742]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2025-1362; Project Identifier MCAI-2025-00062-G]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Schempp-Hirth Flugzeugbau GmbH Gliders
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
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SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD)
for certain Schempp-Hirth Flugzeugbau GmbH (Schempp-Hirth) Model CIRRUS
gliders. This proposed AD was prompted by reports of a broken outer
race of the lower ball bearing installed in the all-moving horizontal
tailplane drive fitting. This proposed AD would require inspecting the
elevator drive fitting to determine the type of lower ball bearing
installed, and depending upon the results, replacing the lower ball
bearing with a serviceable part. The FAA is proposing this AD to
address the unsafe condition on these products.
DATES: The FAA must receive comments on this NPRM by September 5, 2025.
ADDRESSES: You may send comments, using the procedures found in 14 CFR
[[Page 34392]]
11.43 and 11.45, by any of the following methods:
Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to 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: Deliver to Mail address above between 9
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at regulations.gov under
Docket No. FAA-2025-1362; 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 NPRM, the mandatory continuing airworthiness
information (MCAI), any comments received, and other information. The
street address for Docket Operations is listed above.
Material Incorporated by Reference:
For SCHEMPP-HIRTH Flugzeugbau GmbH material identified in
this proposed AD, contact Schempp-Hirth, Krebenstra[szlig]e 25, 73230
Kirchheim unter Teck, Germany; phone: +49 7021 7298-0; email:
hirth.com">info@schempp-hirth.com; website: schempp-hirth.com.
You may view this material 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.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Peter Schmitt, Aviation Safety
Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590;
phone: (206) 231-3377; email: [email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments Invited
The FAA invites you to send any written relevant data, views, or
arguments about this proposal. Send your comments using a method listed
under ADDRESSES. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2025-1362; Project Identifier
MCAI-2025-00062-G'' at the beginning of your comments. The most helpful
comments reference a specific portion of the proposal, explain the
reason for any recommended change, and include supporting data. The FAA
will consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend
this proposal because of those comments.
Except for Confidential Business Information (CBI) as described in
the following paragraph, and other information as described in 14 CFR
11.35, the FAA will post all comments received, without change, to
regulations.gov, including any personal information you provide. The
agency will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal
contact received about this NPRM.
Confidential Business Information
CBI is commercial or financial information that is both customarily
and actually treated as private by its owner. Under the Freedom of
Information Act (FOIA) (5 U.S.C. 552), CBI is exempt from public
disclosure. If your comments responsive to this NPRM contain commercial
or financial information that is customarily treated as private, that
you actually treat as private, and that is relevant or responsive to
this NPRM, it is important that you clearly designate the submitted
comments as CBI. Please mark each page of your submission containing
CBI as ``PROPIN.'' The FAA will treat such marked submissions as
confidential under the FOIA, and they will not be placed in the public
docket of this NPRM. Submissions containing CBI should be sent to Peter
Schmitt, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410,
Westbury, NY 11590. Any commentary that the FAA receives which is not
specifically designated as CBI will be placed in the public docket for
this rulemaking.
Background
The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the
Technical Agent for the Member States of the European Union, has issued
EASA AD 2024-0242R1, dated January 17, 2025 (EASA AD 2024-0242R1) (also
referred to as the MCAI), to correct an unsafe condition on Schempp-
Hirth Model CIRRUS sailplanes (gliders). The MCAI states occurrences
were reported of a broken outer race in the lower ball bearing
installed on the all-moving horizontal tailplane drive fitting. This
condition, if not addressed, could lead to the tailplane drive jamming
and loss of control of the glider. The MCAI requires inspecting the
elevator drive fitting to determine what type of lower ball bearing is
installed, and depending upon the results, replacing the lower ball
bearing with a serviceable part.
You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket at regulations.gov under
Docket No. FAA-2025-1362.
Material Incorporated by Reference Under 1 CFR Part 51
The FAA reviewed SCHEMPP-HIRTH Flugzeugbau GmbH Technical Note No.
278-25, Revision 1, dated July 9, 2024. This material specifies
procedures for inspecting the elevator drive fitting to determine which
type of lower ball bearing is installed, and depending on the results,
replacing the lower ball bearing with a serviceable part.
This material 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.
FAA's Determination
These products have been approved by the civil aviation authority
of another country and are approved for operation in the United States.
Pursuant to the FAA's bilateral agreement with this State of Design
Authority, that authority has notified the FAA of the unsafe condition
described in the MCAI and material referenced above. The FAA is issuing
this NPRM after determining that the unsafe condition described
previously is likely to exist or develop on other products of the same
type design.
Proposed AD Requirements in This NPRM
This proposed AD would require accomplishing the actions specified
in the material already described.
Costs of Compliance
The FAA estimates that this AD, if adopted as proposed, would
affect 17 gliders of U.S. registry.
The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this proposed
AD:
Estimated Costs
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Cost per Cost on U.S.
Action Labor cost Parts cost product operators
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Inspect elevator drive fitting or records 1 work-hour x $85 per hour $0 $85 $1,445
review to determine if affected part is = $85.
installed.
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[[Page 34393]]
The FAA estimates the following costs to do any necessary
replacements that would be required based on the results of the
proposed inspection. The agency has no way of determining the number of
gliders that might need these replacements:
On-Condition Costs
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Action Labor cost Parts cost Cost per product
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Replace elevator drive lower ball bearing.... 1 work-hour x $85 per hour = $85 $35 $120
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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
The FAA 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) Would not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and
(3) Would 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 airworthiness
directive:
Schempp-Hirth Flugzeugbau GmbH: Docket No. FAA-2025-1362; Project
Identifier MCAI-2025-00062-G.
(a) Comments Due Date
The FAA must receive comments on this airworthiness directive
(AD) by September 5, 2025.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to Schempp-Hirth Flugzeugbau GmbH Model CIRRUS
gliders, serial numbers 21, 23, 27, 30, 32, 33, 34, 36 through 52
inclusive, and 54 through 120 inclusive, certificated in any
category.
(d) Subject
Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 5520, Elevator
Structure.
(e) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by reports of a broken outer race component
of the lower ball bearing installed in the all-moving horizontal
tailplane drive fitting. The FAA is issuing this AD to address this
unsafe condition. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could
result in the tailplane drive jamming and loss of control of the
glider.
(f) Compliance
Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified,
unless already done.
(g) Definitions
For the purpose of this AD, the definitions in paragraphs (g)(1)
and (2) of this AD apply.
(1) An ``affected part'' is as identified in SCHEMPP-HIRTH
Flugzeugbau GmbH Technical Note No. 278-25, Revision 1, dated July
9, 2024 (SCHEMPP-HIRTH TN No. 278-25, Revision 1): EL6 lower ball
bearing (identified as type 1a) or self-aligning lower ball bearing
(identified as type 1b) of the elevator drive fitting.
(2) A ``serviceable part'' is as identified in SCHEMPP-HIRTH TN
No. 278-25, Revision 1: Lower bearing ring with inner bronze bushing
having part number HS4-30.013/1 (identified as type 1d).
(h) Required Actions
(1) Within 4 months after the effective date of this AD, inspect
the elevator drive fitting to determine if an affected part is
installed, in accordance with the instructions of Actions 1. in
SCHEMPP-HIRTH TN No. 278-25, Revision 1. A review of glider
maintenance records instead of this inspection is acceptable
provided it can be conclusively determined from that review if an
affected part is installed.
(2) If, during the inspection or maintenance records review
required by paragraph (h)(1) of this AD, it is determined that an
affected part is installed, within 4 months after the effective date
of this AD, replace the affected part with a serviceable part in
accordance with the instructions of Actions 2. of SCHEMPP-HIRTH TN
No. 278-25, Revision 1.
(i) Parts Installation Prohibition
As of the effective date of this AD, do not install an affected
part on any glider.
(j) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)
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 International Validation Branch, send
it to the attention of the person identified in paragraph (k) of
this AD and email to: [email protected]. 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.
(k) Additional Information
For more information about this AD, contact Peter Schmitt,
Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410,
Westbury, NY 11590; phone: (206) 231-3377; email:
[email protected].
(l) Material Incorporated by Reference
(1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the
incorporation by reference (IBR) of the material listed in this
paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
(2) You must use this material as applicable to do the actions
required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise.
[[Page 34394]]
(i) SCHEMPP-HIRTH Flugzeugbau GmbH Technical Note No. 278-25,
Revision 1, dated July 9, 2024.
(ii) [Reserved]
(3) For SCHEMPP-HIRTH Flugzeugbau GmbH material identified in
this AD, contact Schempp-Hirth Flugzeugbau GmbH, Krebenstra[szlig]e
25, 73230 Kirchheim unter Teck, Germany; phone: +49 7021 7298-0;
email: hirth.com">info@schempp-hirth.com; website: schempp-hirth.com.
(4) You may view this material 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 material at the National Archives and
Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability
of this material at NARA, visit www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations or email [email protected].
Issued on July 17, 2025.
Steven W. Thompson,
Acting Deputy Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2025-13742 Filed 7-21-25; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P