Airworthiness Directives; Rolladen Schneider Flugzeugbau GmbH Models LS 3, LS 4, and LS 6c Sailplanes

[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 98 (Monday, May 21, 2001)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 27854-27856]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-12523]



[[Page 27854]]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2000-CE-33-AD; Amendment 39-12234; AD 2001-10-08]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Rolladen Schneider Flugzeugbau GmbH 
Models LS 3, LS 4, and LS 6c 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 all Rolladen Schneider Flugzeugbau GmbH (Rolladen Schneider) 
Models LS 3, LS 4, and LS 6c sailplanes. This AD requires you to 
inspect the airbrake levers in the wing for lower end corrosion and for 
play in flight direction when fully extended and retracting under load; 
replace the bearings if there is jamming under load or if corrosion is 
found; and adjust the lower lever member (only for the Model LS 3). 
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 and correct corrosion 
damage to the airbrake levers and bearings caused by collection of 
water in the airbrake boxes, not detected during postflight checks. 
This condition could result in the airbrakes locking in the extended 
position and a consequent off-field or short landing.

DATES: This AD becomes effective on July 13, 2001.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of certain publications listed in the regulations as of July 
13, 2001.

ADDRESSES: You may get the service information referenced in this AD 
from Rolladen-Schneider Flugzeugbau GmbH, Muhlstrasse 10, D-63329 
Egelsbach, Germany; phone: ++ 49 6103 204126; facsimile: ++ 49 6103 
45526. You may examine this information at the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Central Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 2000-CE-33-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: Mike Kiesov, Aerospace Engineer, FAA, 
Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, Missouri 
64106; telephone: (816) 329-4144; facsimile: (816) 329-4090.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

    What events have caused this AD? The Luftfahrt-Bundesamt (LBA), 
which is the airworthiness authority for Germany, notified FAA that an 
unsafe condition may exist on all Rolladen Schneider Models LS 3, LS 4, 
and LS 6c sailplanes. The LBA reports one occurrence of corroded 
bearings on the lower ends of airbrake levers found on the above-
referenced sailplanes. The damage was possibly the result of improper 
postflight checks. It has been reported that in some cases, the 
corrosion, occurring over a long time, could cause bearing failure and 
consequent locking of airbrakes in the extended position.
    What are the consequences if the condition is not corrected? If the 
airbrakes lock in the extended position, inadvertent off-field or short 
landing conditions might occur.
    Has FAA taken any action to this point? We issued a proposal to 
amend part 39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) to 
include an AD that would apply to all Rolladen Schneider Models LS 3, 
LS 4, and LS 6c sailplanes. This proposal was published in the Federal 
Register as a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) on February 14, 2001 
(66 FR 10230). The NPRM proposed to require you to inspect the airbrake 
levers in the wing for lower end corrosion and for play in flight 
direction when fully extended; inspect for retraction under load; 
replace the bearings if there is jamming under load or if corrosion is 
found; and adjust the lower lever member (only for the Model LS 3).
    Was the public invited to comment? Interested persons were 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.

FAA's Determination

    What is FAA's final determination on this issue? After careful 
review of all available information related to the subject presented 
above, we have determined that air safety and the public interest 
require the adoption of the rule as proposed except for minor editorial 
corrections. We 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

    How many sailplanes does this AD impact? We estimate that this AD 
affects 175 sailplanes in the U.S. registry.
    What is the cost impact of this AD on owners/operators of the 
affected sailplanes? We estimate the following costs to do the 
inspection:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                 Total cost per   Total cost on
            Labor cost                              Parts cost                     sailplane      U.S. operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2 workhours  x  $60 per hour =      Not applicable............................            $120          $21,000
 $120.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    We estimate the following costs to do any necessary bearing 
replacement that will be required because of the results of the 
inspection. We have no way of determining the number of sailplanes that 
will need bearings replaced:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                  Total cost per
                 Labor cost                                       Parts cost                        sailplane
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
30 workhours  x  $60 per hour = $1,800......  $35 for bearings + $550 for levers = $585........          $2,385
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Compliance Time of This AD

    What is the compliance time of this AD? The compliance time of this 
AD is within the next 30 calendar days after the effective date of this 
AD.
    Why is the compliance time presented in calendar time instead of 
hours time-in-service (TIS)? Because of the typical use of sailplanes, 
calendar days compliance time is deemed more suitable than hours time-
in-service. For

[[Page 27855]]

example, one sailplane operator may use the sailplane 50 hours in a 
month while another may only accumulate 50 hours in a year.
    Why is the compliance time of this AD different from the German AD 
and the service information? The service information specifies the 
actions required in this AD
    ``before next flight'' and the German AD mandates these actions 
``before next take-off, when play at levers is existent'' for 
sailplanes registered for operation in Germany. The FAA does not have 
justification for requiring the action before further flight. 
Compliance times such as these are used for urgent safety of flight 
conditions. Instead, FAA has determined that 30 calendar days is a 
reasonable time period for doing the inspection in this AD.

Regulatory Impact

    Does this AD impact various entities? The regulations adopted 
herein 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, it is determined that this final rule does not 
have federalism implications under Executive Order 13132.
    Does this AD involve a significant rule or regulatory action? 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 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, under 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. FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by adding a new AD to read as follows:

2001-10-08  Rolladen Schneider Flugzeugbau GmbH: Amendment 39-12234; 
Docket No. 2000-CE-33-AD.

    (a) What sailplanes are affected by this AD? This AD affects 
Models LS 3, LS 4, and LS 6c sailplanes, all serial numbers, 
certificated in any category.
    (b) Who must comply with this AD? Anyone who wishes to operate 
any of the above sailplanes must comply with this AD.
    (c) What problem does this AD address? The actions specified by 
this AD are intended to detect and correct corrosion damage to the 
airbrake levers and bearings caused by collection of water in the 
airbrake boxes, not detected during postflight checks. This 
condition could result in the airbrakes locking in the extended 
position and a consequent off-field or short landing.
    (d) What actions must I accomplish to address this problem? To 
address this problem, you must do the following:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
           Actions                 Compliance            Procedures
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Inspect airbrake levers   Within the next 30    Do these actions
 in the wing for lower end     calendar days after   following the
 corrosion and for play in     July 13, 2001 (the    applicable Rolladen
 flight direction when fully   effective date of     Schneider Technical
 extended, and retracting      this AD), and         Bulletin:
 under load.                   thereafter at every  Model LS 3: No.
                               three calendar        3051, dated
                               years.                September 14, 1999;
                                                    Model LS 4: No.
                                                     4043, dated
                                                     September 14, 1999;
                                                     or
                                                    Model LS 6c: No.
                                                     6037, dated
                                                     September 14, 1999.
(2) Replace the bearings if   Prior to further      Do this action
 there is jamming under load.  flight after the      following the
                               inspection required   applicable Rolladen
                               in paragraph (d)(1)   Schneider Technical
                               of this AD.           Bulletin:
                                                    Model LS 3: No.
                                                     3051, dated
                                                     September 14, 1999;
                                                    Model LS 4: No.
                                                     4043, dated
                                                     September 14, 1999;
                                                     or
                                                    Model LS 6c: No.
                                                     6037, dated
                                                     September 14, 1999.
(3) If corrosion of the       Within 6 calendar     Do this action
 bearings is found, but no     months after the      following the
 jamming, replace the          inspection required   applicable Rolladen
 bearings.                     in paragraph (d)(1)   Schneider Technical
                               of this AD.           Bulletin:
                                                    Model LS 3: No.
                                                     3051, dated
                                                     September 14, 1999;
                                                    Model LS 4: No.
                                                     4043, dated
                                                     September 14, 1999;
                                                     or
                                                    Model LS 6c: No.
                                                     6037, dated
                                                     September 14, 1999.
(4) For only the Model LS 3,  Within the next 30    Do this action
 adjust the lower lever        calendar days after   following the
 member.                       July 13, 2001 (the    procedures
                               effective date of     contained in
                               this AD).             Rolladen Schneider
                                                     Technical Bulletin
                                                     No. 3051, dated
                                                     September 14, 1999.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (e) Can I comply with this AD in any other way? You may use an 
alternative method of compliance or adjust the compliance time if:
    (1) Your alternative method of compliance provides an equivalent 
level of safety; and
    (2) The Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, approves your 
alternative. Submit your request through an FAA Principal 
Maintenance Inspector, who may add comments and then send it to the 
Manager, Small Airplane Directorate.

    Note 1: This AD applies to each sailplane identified in 
paragraph (a) of this AD, 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 (e) of 
this AD. The request should include an assessment of the effect of 
the modification, alteration, or repair on the unsafe condition

[[Page 27856]]

addressed by this AD; and, if you have not eliminated the unsafe 
condition, specific actions you propose to address it.

    (f) Where can I get information about any already-approved 
alternative methods of compliance? Contact Mike Kiesov, Aerospace 
Engineer, FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301, 
Kansas City, Missouri 64106; telephone: (816) 329-4121; facsimile: 
(816) 329-4091.
    (g) What if I need to fly the sailplane to another location to 
comply with this AD? The FAA can issue a special flight permit under 
sections 21.197 and 21.199 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 
CFR 21.197 and 21.199) to operate your sailplane to a location where 
you can accomplish the requirements of this AD.
    (h) Are any service bulletins incorporated into this AD by 
reference? Actions required by this AD must be done in accordance 
with Rolladen Schneider Technical Bulletin No. 3051, Technical 
Bulletin No. 4043, or Technical Bulletin No. 6037, all dated 
September 14, 1999. The Director of the Federal Register approved 
this incorporation by reference under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 
51. You can get copies from Rolladen-Schneider Flugzeugbau GmbH, 
Muhlstrasse 10, D-63329 Egelsbach, Germany. You can look at copies 
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.
    (i) When does this amendment become effective? This amendment 
becomes effective on July 13, 2001.

    Note 2: The subject of this AD is addressed in German AD Numbers 
2000-076, 2000-082, and 2000-085, all dated March 9, 2000.


    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on May 14, 2001.
Melvin D. Taylor,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 01-12523 Filed 5-18-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U

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