Airworthiness Directives; Glasflugel Models Mosquito and Club Libelle 205 Sailplanes

[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 77 (Wednesday, April 21, 2004)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 21395-21397]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-8790]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2003-CE-62-AD; Amendment 39-13583; AD 2004-08-14]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Glasflugel Models Mosquito and Club 
Libelle 205 Sailplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: The FAA adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all 
Glasflugel Models Mosquito and Club Libelle 205 sailplanes. This AD 
requires you to replace the rudder actuator arm with an improved design 
rudder actuator arm. This AD is the result of mandatory continuing 
airworthiness information (MCAI) issued by the airworthiness authority 
for Germany. We are issuing this AD to prevent the rudder attachment 
actuator arm from failing due to ground handling damage. This failure 
could eventually result in reduced or loss of sailplane control.

DATES: This AD becomes effective on May 28, 2004.
    As of May 28, 2004, the Director of the Federal Register approved 
the incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in the 
regulation.

ADDRESSES: You may get the service information identified in this AD 
from Glasflugel, Glasfaser-Flugzeug-Service GmbH, Hansjory Steifeneder, 
Hofener Weg, 72582 Grabenstetten, Germany; telephone: 011 49 7382 1032.
    You may view the AD docket at FAA, Central Region, Office of the 
Regional Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket No. 2003-CE-62-AD, 901 
Locust, Room 506, Kansas City, Missouri 64106. Office hours are 8 a.m. 
to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Greg Davison, Aerospace Engineer, FAA, 
Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, Missouri 
64106; telephone: (816) 329-4130; facsimile: (816) 329-4090.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Discussion

    What events have caused this AD? The Luftfahrt-Bundesamt (LBA), 
which is the airworthiness authority for Germany, recently notified FAA 
that an

[[Page 21396]]

unsafe condition may exist on all Glasflugel Models Mosquito and Club 
Libelle 205 sailplanes. The LBA reports incidents of rudder actuator 
arm failure. This failure is occurring through lifting the fuselage by 
the rudder.
    Glasflugel has manufactured a new improved design rudder actuator 
arm that is less susceptible to such damage.
    What is the potential impact if FAA took no action? Rudder 
attachment actuator arm failure could eventually result in reduced or 
loss of sailplane control.
    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 Glasflugel Models Mosquito and 
Club Libelle 205 sailplanes. This proposal was published in the Federal 
Register as a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) on February 17, 2004 
(69 FR 7382). The NPRM proposed to require you to replace the rudder 
actuator arm with an improved design rudder actuator arm.

Comments

    Was the public invited to comment? We provided the public the 
opportunity to participate in developing this AD. We received no 
comments on the proposal or on the determination of the cost to the 
public.

Conclusion

    What is FAA's final determination on this issue? We have carefully 
reviewed the available data and determined that air safety and the 
public interest require adopting the AD as proposed except for minor 
editorial corrections. We have determined that these minor corrections:

--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.

Changes to 14 CFR Part 39--Effect on the AD

    How does the revision to 14 CFR part 39 affect this AD? On July 10, 
2002, the FAA published a new version of 14 CFR part 39 (67 FR 47997, 
July 22, 2002), which governs the FAA's AD system. This regulation now 
includes material that relates to altered products, special flight 
permits, and alternative methods of compliance. This material 
previously was included in each individual AD. Since this material is 
included in 14 CFR part 39, we will not include it in future AD 
actions.

Costs of Compliance

    How many sailplanes does this AD impact? We estimate that this AD 
affects 80 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 
replacement:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                               Total cost per     Total cost on
                        Labor cost                             Parts cost         sailplane      U.S. operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3 workhours x $65 per hour = $195.........................               $90              $285           $22,800
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Regulatory Findings

    Will this AD impact various entities? We have 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.
    Will this AD involve a significant rule or regulatory action? For 
the reasons discussed above, I certify that 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); 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.
    We prepared a summary of the costs to comply with this AD and 
placed it in the AD Docket. You may get a copy of this summary by 
sending a request to us at the address listed under ADDRESSES. Include 
``AD Docket No. 2003-CE-62-AD'' in your request.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

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

Adoption of the Amendment

0
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

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. FAA amends Sec.  39.13 by adding a new AD to read as follows:

2004-08-14 Glasflugel: Amendment 39-13583; Docket No. 2003-CE-62-AD.

When Does This AD Become Effective?

    (a) This AD becomes effective on May 28, 2004.

What Other ADs Are Affected by This Action?

    (b) None.

What Sailplanes Are Affected by This AD?

    (c) This AD affects the Models Mosquito and Club Libelle 205 
sailplanes, all serial numbers, that are certificated in any 
category.

What Is the Unsafe Condition Presented in This AD?

    (d) This AD is the result of mandatory continuing airworthiness 
information (MCAI) issued by the airworthiness authority for 
Germany. The actions of this AD are intended to prevent the rudder 
attachment actuator arm from failing due to ground handling damage. 
This failure could eventually result in reduced or loss of sailplane 
control.

What Must I Do To Address This Problem?

    (e) To address this problem, you must do the following:

[[Page 21397]]



------------------------------------------------------------------------
           Actions                 Compliance            Procedures
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Replace the rudder        Within the next 25    Follow Glasflugel
 actuator arm (manufactured    hours time-in-        Technical Note No.
 following drawing No. 203-    service (TIS) after   205-22 and No. 206-
 45-10) with an improved       May 28, 2004 (the     21, dated October
 design arm that is            effective date of     14, 2002 (LBA-
 manufactured following        this AD), unless      approved November
 drawing No. 203-45-10-2.      already done.         11, 2002); or
                                                     Glasflugel
                                                     Technical Note No.
                                                     303-23 and No. 304-
                                                     10, dated October
                                                     14, 2002 (LBA-
                                                     approved November
                                                     11, 202), as
                                                     applicable.
-----------------------------
(2) Do not install any        As of May 28, 2004    Not Applicable.
 rudder actuator arm that is   (the effective date
 not manufactured following    of this AD).
 drawing No. 203-45-10-2.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

May I Request an Alternative Method of Compliance?

    (f) You may request a different method of compliance or a 
different compliance time for this AD by following the procedures in 
14 CFR 39.19. Unless FAA authorizes otherwise, send your request to 
your principal inspector. The principal inspector may add comments 
and will send your request to the Manager, Standards Office, Small 
Airplane Directorate, FAA.
    For information on any already approved alternative methods of 
compliance, contact Greg Davison, Aerospace Engineer, FAA, Small 
Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, Missouri 
64106; telephone: (816) 329-4130; facsimile: (816) 329-4090.

Does This AD Incorporate Any Material by Reference?

    (g) You must do the actions required by this AD following the 
instructions in Glasflugel Technical Note No. 205-22 and No. 206-21, 
dated October 14, 2002 (LBA-approved November 11, 2002); or 
Glasflugel Technical Note No. 303-23 and No. 304-10, dated October 
14, 2002 (LBA-approved November 11, 2002), as applicable. The 
Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of this service bulletin in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 
552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. You may get a copy from Glasflugel, 
Glasfaser-Flugzeug-Service GmbH, Hansjory Steifeneder, Hofener Weg, 
72582 Grabenstetten, Germany; telephone: 011 49 7382 1032. You may 
review copies at FAA, Central Region, Office of the Regional 
Counsel, 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.

Is There Other Information That Relates to This Subject?

    (h) German AD No. 2003-004 and No. 2003-005, both effective 
date: January 9, 2003, also address the subject of this AD.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on April 13, 2004.
James E. Jackson,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 04-8790 Filed 4-20-04; 8:45 am]
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