Airworthiness Directives; Schempp-Hirth Flugzeugbau GmbH Gliders

[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 43 (Thursday, March 5, 2026)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 10746-10748]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2026-04348]


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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; 
Amendment 39-23253; AD 2026-03-04]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Schempp-Hirth Flugzeugbau GmbH Gliders

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for 
certain Schempp-Hirth Flugzeugbau GmbH (Schempp-Hirth) Model STANDARD 
CIRRUS gliders. This 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 AD requires 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 issuing this AD to address the unsafe 
condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective April 9, 2026.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of April 9, 
2026.

ADDRESSES: 
    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 final rule, the mandatory continuing airworthiness 
information (MCAI), any comments received, and other information. The 
address for Docket Operations is U.S. Department of Transportation, 
Docket Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 
New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590.
    Material Incorporated by Reference:
    <bullet> For SCHEMPP-HIRTH Flugzeugbau GmbH material identified in 
this 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.
    <bullet> 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. It is also available at regulations.gov under 
Docket No. FAA-2025-1362.

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:

Background

    The FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 
CFR part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to certain Schempp-Hirth 
Model CIRRUS gliders. The NPRM was published in the Federal Register on 
July 22, 2025 (90 FR 34391). The NPRM was prompted by EASA AD 2024-
0242R1, dated January 17, 2025, issued by the European Union Aviation 
Safety Agency (EASA), which is the Technical Agent for the Member 
States of the European Union (EASA AD 2024-0242R1) (also referred to as 
the MCAI). The MCAI states that 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.
    In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to 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 issuing this AD to address the unsafe 
condition on these products.
    The FAA issued a supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking (SNPRM) 
to amend 14 CFR part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to certain 
Schempp-Hirth Model STANDARD CIRRUS gliders. The SNPRM was published in 
the Federal Register on November 28, 2025 (90 FR 54593). The SNPRM was 
prompted by a comment received on the NPRM from an individual commenter 
noting that the NPRM referenced the incorrect glider model. In the 
SNPRM, the FAA proposed to require the same actions as those proposed 
in the NPRM, and updated the reference to the affected Schempp-Hirth 
glider model from CIRRUS to STANDARD CIRRUS. The FAA is issuing this AD 
to address the unsafe condition on these products.
    You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket at regulations.gov under 
Docket No. FAA-2025-1362.

Discussion of Final Airworthiness Directive

Comments

    The FAA received no comments on the SNPRM or on the determination 
of the costs.

Conclusion

    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 referenced above. The FAA reviewed the relevant 
data, considered any comments received, and determined that air safety 
requires adopting this AD as proposed. Accordingly, the FAA is issuing 
this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products. Except for 
minor editorial changes, this AD is adopted as proposed in the SNPRM. 
None of the changes will increase the economic burden on any operator.

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, which 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.

Costs of Compliance

    The FAA estimates that this AD affects 17 gliders of U.S. registry.
    The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this AD:

[[Page 10747]]



                                                 Estimated Costs
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                                                                                     Cost per      Cost on U.S.
                Action                         Labor cost           Parts cost        product        operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Inspect elevator drive fitting or       1 work-hour x $85 per                 $0             $85          $1,445
 records review to determine if          hour = $85.
 affected part is installed.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The FAA estimates the following costs to do any necessary 
replacements that would be required based on the results of the 
inspection. The agency has no way of determining the number of gliders 
that might need these replacements:

                                               On-Condition Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                     Cost per
                    Action                                 Labor cost               Parts cost        product
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Replace elevator drive lower ball bearing.....  1 work-hour x $85 per hour = $85             $35            $120
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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

    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) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, 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.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

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

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 airworthiness 
directive:

2026-03-04 Schempp-Hirth Flugzeugbau GmbH: Amendment 39-23253; 
Docket No. FAA-2025-1362; Project Identifier MCAI-2025-00062-G.

(a) Effective Date

    This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective April 9, 2026.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Schempp-Hirth Flugzeugbau GmbH Model STANDARD 
CIRRUS gliders, serial numbers 21, 23, 27, 30, 32, 33, 34, 36 
through 52, and 54 through 120, 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 as defined in paragraph (g)(1) of this AD on any glider.

[[Page 10748]]

(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.
    (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 January 28, 2026.
Steven W. Thompson,
Acting Deputy Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2026-04348 Filed 3-4-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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