Airworthiness Directives; Alexander Schleicher GmbH & Co. Model ASW-27 Sailplanes

[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 46 (Wednesday, March 8, 2000)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 12072-12073]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-5134]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 99-CE-70-AD; Amendment 39-11609; AD 2000-04-26]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Alexander Schleicher GmbH & Co. Model 
ASW-27 Sailplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) that 
applies to certain Alexander Schleicher GmbH & Co. (Alexander 
Schleicher) Model ASW-27 sailplanes. This AD requires inspecting the 
elevator control circuit clearance inside the fuselage tail boom to the 
fin intersection to assure a clearance of at least 2.5 millimeters (mm) 
(\1/10\-inch wide), and adjusting any clearance that does not meet the 
criteria. This AD is the result of mandatory continuing airworthiness 
information (MCAI) issued by the airworthiness authority for Germany. 
The actions specified by this AD are intended to detect interference in 
the elevator control circuit, which, if not corrected, could result in 
the elevator control jamming with possible loss of control of the 
sailplane.

DATES: Effective April 25, 2000.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of April 25, 2000.

ADDRESSES: Service information that applies to this AD may be obtained 
from Alexander Schleicher GmbH & Co. Segelflugzeugbau, D-36163 
Poppenhausen, Federal Republic of Germany; telephone: ++ 49 6658 89-0; 
facsimile: ++ 49 6658 89-40. This information may also be examined at 
the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Central Region, Office of 
the Regional Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket No. 99-CE-70-AD, 901 
Locust, Room 506, Kansas City, Missouri 64106; or at the Office of the 
Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW, suite 700, Washington, 
DC.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Mike Kiesov, Aerospace Engineer, 
FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, 
Missouri 64106; telephone: (816) 426-6934; facsimile: (816) 426-2169.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Events Leading to the Issuance     of This AD

    A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 
CFR part 39) to include an AD that would apply to certain Alexander 
Schleicher Model ASW-27 sailplanes was published in the Federal 
Register as a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) on December 28, 1999 
(64 FR 72584). The NPRM proposed to require inspecting the elevator 
control circuit clearance inside the fuselage tail boom to the fin 
intersection to assure a clearance of at least 2.5 mm (\1/10\-inch 
wide), and adjusting any clearance that does not meet the criteria. 
Accomplishment of the proposed action as specified in the NPRM would be 
required in accordance with Alexander Schleicher Technical Note No. 5, 
dated July 16, 1999.
    The NPRM was the result of mandatory continuing airworthiness 
information (MCAI) issued by the airworthiness authority for Germany.
    Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate 
in the making of this amendment. No comments were received on the 
proposed rule or the FAA's determination of the cost to the public.

The FAA's Determination

    After careful review of all available information related to the 
subject presented above, the FAA has determined that air safety and the 
public interest require the adoption of the rule as proposed except for 
minor editorial corrections. The FAA has determined that these minor 
corrections will not change the meaning of the AD and will not add any 
additional burden upon the public than was already proposed.

Cost Impact

    The FAA estimates that 30 sailplanes in the U.S. registry will be 
affected by the inspection, that it will take approximately 1 workhour 
per sailplane to accomplish the inspection, and that the average labor 
rate is approximately $60 an hour. Based on these figures, the total 
cost impact of the inspection on U.S. operators is estimated to be 
$1,800, or $60 per sailplane.
    The FAA estimates that it will take approximately 2 workhours per 
sailplane to accomplish the adjustment, if necessary, and that the 
average labor rate is approximately $60 an hour. Based on these 
figures, the total cost impact of the adjustment on U.S. operators is 
estimated to be $3,600, or $120 per sailplane.

Compliance Time of This AD

    The compliance time of this AD is presented in calendar time 
instead of hours time-in-service (TIS). When proper clearance is not 
provided inside the fuselage tail boom to the fin intersection, the 90-
degree lever of the elevator controls rubs against the cut-out of the 
lower fin rib. Although the consequential jamming of the elevator 
controls is a result of sailplane operation, improper clearance will be 
prevalent at the time of manufacture. Sailplane operation varies among 
operators. For example, one operator may utilize the sailplane 50 hours 
TIS in 3 months while it may take another 12 months or more to 
accumulate 50 hours TIS. In order to assure that improper clearance is 
detected and corrected in a timely manner, the compliance time is 
required ``within the next 90 calendar days after the effective date of 
this AD.''

Regulatory Impact

    These regulations 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. Therefore, the FAA has determined that 
this final rule does not have federalism implications under Executive 
Order 13132.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this action (1) is 
not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive Order 12866; 
(2) is not a ``significant rule'' under DOT Regulatory Policies and 
Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979); 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. A copy of the final evaluation prepared for this 
action is contained in the Rules Docket. A copy of it may be obtained 
by contacting the

[[Page 12073]]

Rules Docket at the location provided under the caption ADDRESSES.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

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

Adoption of the Amendment

    Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration amends part 39 of 
the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) as follows:

PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES

    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]

    2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding a new airworthiness directive 
(AD) to read as follows:
2000-04-26   Alexander Schleicher GMBH & CO. Segelflugzeugbau: 
Amendment 39-11609; Docket No. 99-CE-70-AD.
    Applicability: Model ASW-27 sailplanes, serial numbers 27002 
through 27104, certificated in any category.

    Note 1: This AD applies to each sailplane identified in the 
preceding applicability provision, regardless of whether it has been 
modified, altered, or repaired in the area subject to the 
requirements of this AD. For sailplanes that have been modified, 
altered, or repaired so that the performance of the requirements of 
this AD is affected, the owner/operator must request approval for an 
alternative method of compliance in accordance with paragraph (c) of 
this AD. The request should include an assessment of the effect of 
the modification, alteration, or repair on the unsafe condition 
addressed by this AD; and, if the unsafe condition has not been 
eliminated, the request should include specific proposed actions to 
address it.

    Compliance: Required as indicated in the body of this AD, unless 
already accomplished.
    To detect interference in the elevator control circuit, which, 
if not corrected, could result in the elevator control jamming with 
possible loss of control of the sailplane, accomplish the following:
    (a) Within the next 90 calendar days after the effective date of 
this AD, inspect the elevator control circuit clearance inside the 
fuselage tail boom to the fin intersection to assure a clearance of 
at least 2.5 millimeters (mm) (\1/10\-inch wide). Prior to further 
flight, adjust any clearance that does not meet the criteria. 
Accomplish these actions in accordance with the Action section of 
Alexander Schleicher Technical Note No. 5, dated July 16, 1999.
    (b) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with 
sections 21.197 and 21.199 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 
CFR 21.197 and 21.199) to operate the sailplane to a location where 
the requirements of this AD can be accomplished.
    (c) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the 
compliance times that provides an equivalent level of safety may be 
approved by the Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, FAA, 901 
Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, Missouri 64106. The request shall be 
forwarded through an appropriate FAA Maintenance Inspector, who may 
add comments and then send it to the Manager, Small Airplane 
Directorate.

    Note 2: Information concerning the existence of approved 
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be 
obtained from the Small Airplane Directorate.

    (d) Questions or technical information related to Alexander 
Schleicher Technical Note No. 5, dated July 16, 1999, should be 
directed to Alexander Schleicher GmbH & Co. Segelflugzeugbau, D-
36163 Poppenhausen, Federal Republic of Germany; telephone: ++ 
49.6658.89-0; facsimile: ++ 49.6658.89-40. This service information 
may be examined at the FAA, Central Region, Office of the Regional 
Counsel, 901 Locust, Room 506, Kansas City, Missouri 64106.
    (e) The inspection and modification required by this AD shall be 
done in accordance with Alexander Schleicher Technical Note No. 5, 
dated July 16, 1999. This incorporation by reference was approved by 
the Director of the Federal Register in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 
552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. Copies may be obtained from Alexander 
Schleicher GmbH & Co. Segelflugzeugbau, D-36163 Poppenhausen, 
Federal Republic of Germany. Copies may be inspected at the FAA, 
Central Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, 901 Locust, Room 
506, Kansas City, Missouri, or at the Office of the Federal 
Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW, suite 700, Washington, DC.

    Note 3: The subject of this AD is addressed in German AD 1999-
283, Effective Date: September 9, 1999.

    (f) This amendment becomes effective on April 25, 2000.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on February 25, 2000.
Michael Gallagher,
Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 00-5134 Filed 3-7-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U

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