Airworthiness Directives; Stemme AG Gliders

[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 53 (Thursday, March 19, 2015)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 14296-14297]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-06296]



[[Page 14296]]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2015-0633; Directorate Identifier 2015-CE-005-AD; 
Amendment 39-18121; AD 2015-06-03]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Stemme AG Gliders

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Stemme 
AG TSA-M Models S6 and S6-RT gliders. This AD results from mandatory 
continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) issued by the aviation 
authority of another country to identify and correct an unsafe 
condition on an aviation product. The MCAI describes the unsafe 
condition as a bending defect of the fork head installed in the 
aileron, speed brake, and flap control systems. We are issuing this AD 
to require actions to address the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective March 24, 2015.
    We must receive comments on this AD by May 4, 2015.

ADDRESSES: You may send comments by any of the following methods:
    <bullet> Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
    <bullet> Fax: (202) 493-2251.
    <bullet> 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.
    <bullet> Hand Delivery: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket 
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., 
Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
    For information concerning this action, contact Stemme AG, 
Flugplatzstra[szlig]e F2, Nr. 6-7, D-15344 Strausberg, Germany; phone: 
+49 (0) 3341/3612 0; fax: none; email: [email protected]; internet: 
www.stemme.info.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2015-
0633; or in person at the Docket Management Facility between 9 a.m. and 
5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The AD docket 
contains this AD, the regulatory evaluation, any comments received, and 
other information. The street address for the Docket Office (telephone 
(800) 647-5527) is in the ADDRESSES section. Comments will be available 
in the AD docket shortly after receipt.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jim Rutherford, Aerospace Engineer, 
FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, 
Missouri 64106; telephone: (816) 329-4165; fax: (816) 329-4090; email: 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Discussion

    The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the Technical 
Agent for the Member States of the European Community, has issued AD 
No.: 2015-0034-E, dated February 27, 2015, (referred to after this as 
``the MCAI''), to correct an unsafe condition for the specified 
products. The MCAI states:

    A report was received concerning a broken fork head, installed 
in the speed brake control circuit of a TSA-M Model S6-RT powered 
sailplane. Preliminary investigation results revealed additional 
cases of bending defect of the same part, which were installed in 
the aileron and flaps control systems of the TSA-M type design. The 
same fork heads are also installed in the control systems of ASP 
Model S15-1 aeroplanes.
    This condition, if not corrected, could lead to failure of the 
flight control system, possibly resulting in loss of control of the 
aeroplane.
    For the reasons described above, this AD prohibits the operation 
of the affected aeroplanes pending the availability of a 
modification of the affected flight control systems in accordance 
with approved instructions.

    This AD is a temporary measure and further AD action may follow. 
You may examine the MCAI on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov 
by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2015-0633.

FAA's Determination and Requirements of the AD

    This product has been approved by the aviation authority of another 
country, and is approved for operation in the United States. Pursuant 
to our bilateral agreement with this State of Design Authority, they 
have notified us of the unsafe condition described in the MCAI and 
service information referenced above. We are issuing this AD because we 
evaluated all information provided by the State of Design Authority and 
determined the unsafe condition exists and is likely to exist or 
develop on other products of the same type design.

FAA's Determination of the Effective Date

    An unsafe condition exists that requires the immediate adoption of 
this AD. The FAA has found that the risk to the flying public justifies 
waiving notice and comment prior to adoption of this rule because a 
bending defect of the fork head could lead to failure of the flight 
control system, possibly resulting in loss of control. Therefore, we 
determined that notice and opportunity for public comment before 
issuing this AD are impracticable and that good cause exists for making 
this amendment effective in fewer than 30 days.

Comments Invited

    This AD is a final rule that involves requirements affecting flight 
safety, and we did not precede it by notice and opportunity for public 
comment. We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or 
arguments about this AD. Send your comments to an address listed under 
the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2015-0633; Directorate 
Identifier 2015-CE-005-AD'' at the beginning of your comments. We 
specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, economic, 
environmental, and energy aspects of this AD. We will consider all 
comments received by the closing date and may amend this AD because of 
those comments.
    We will post all comments we receive, without change, to http://www.regulations.gov, including any personal information you provide. We 
will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact we 
receive about this AD.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD will affect 6 products of U.S. registry.
    At the time of issuance of this AD, no design solution is available 
to restore the airworthiness of the respective type designs to a level 
corresponding to their approved type design specifications. Therefore, 
the FAA cannot determine the cost of returning the affected gliders to 
service.

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.

[[Page 14297]]

    We are 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

    We 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.
    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),
    (3) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and
    (4) 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.

Adoption of 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 AD:

2015-06-03 Stemme AG: Amendment 39-18121; Docket No. FAA-2015-0633; 
Directorate Identifier 2015-CE-005-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective March 24, 
2015.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Stemme AG TSA-M Models S6 and S6-RT gliders, 
all serial numbers, certificated in any category.

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association of America (ATA) Code 27: Flight 
Controls.

(e) Reason

    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 a bending defect 
of the fork head installed in the aileron, speed brake, and flap 
control systems. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct the 
bending defect of the fork head that could result in failure of the 
flight control system, possibly resulting in loss of control.

(f) Actions and Compliance

    Unless already done, before further flight, after March 24, 2015 
(the effective date of this AD), modify the affected flight control 
systems, or take other actions, following a method approved 
specifically for this AD by the FAA, Small Airplane Directorate. 
Contact Stemme AG to obtain FAA-approved repair instructions 
approved specifically for compliance with this AD and incorporate 
those instructions. You can find contact information for Stemme AG 
in paragraph (i)(2) of this AD.
    Note 1 to paragraph (f) of this AD: At the time of issuance of 
this AD, no design solution is available to restore the 
airworthiness of the respective type designs to a level 
corresponding to their approved type design specifications.

(g) Other FAA AD Provisions

    The following provisions also apply to this AD:
    (1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager, 
Standards Office, FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs for this 
AD, if requested using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. Send 
information to ATTN: Jim Rutherford, Aerospace Engineer, FAA, Small 
Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, Missouri 
64106; telephone: (816) 329-4165; fax: (816) 329-4090; email: 
[email protected]. Before using any approved AMOC on any 
airplane to which the AMOC applies, notify your appropriate 
principal inspector (PI) in the FAA Flight Standards District Office 
(FSDO), or lacking a PI, your local FSDO.
    (2) Airworthy Product: For any requirement in this AD to obtain 
corrective actions from a manufacturer or other source, use these 
actions if they are FAA-approved. Corrective actions are considered 
FAA-approved if they are approved by the State of Design Authority 
(or their delegated agent). You are required to assure the product 
is airworthy before it is returned to service.

(h) Special Flight Permit

    Special flight permits are prohibited.

(i) Related Information

    (1) Refer to MCAI European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD No.: 
2015-0034-E, dated February 27, 2015, for related information. You 
may examine the MCAI on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov 
by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2015-0633.
    (2) For information concerning this action, contact Stemme AG, 
Flugplatzstra[szlig]e F2, Nr. 6-7, D-15344 Strausberg, Germany; 
phone: +49 (0) 3341/3612 0; fax: none; email: [email protected]; 
internet: www.stemme.info.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on March 12, 2015.
Robert Busto,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2015-06296 Filed 3-18-15; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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