Airworthiness Directives; Alexander Schleicher Segelflugzeugbau Models K 8 and K 8 B Sailplanes

[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 166 (Thursday, August 27, 1998)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 45684-45685]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-22823]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 98-CE-02-AD; Amendment 39-10721; AD 98-18-05]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Alexander Schleicher Segelflugzeugbau 
Models K 8 and K 8 B 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 Alexander Schleicher Segelflugzeugbau (Alexander 
Schleicher) Models K 8 and K 8 B sailplanes. This AD requires 
inspecting the canopy hood lock assembly to assure that the height of 
the cam is at least 2 millimeters (mm), and modifying or replacing any 
canopy hood lock assembly where the cam is less than 2 mm in height. 
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 prevent the canopy from coming 
open in flight because the height of the locking cam is less than 2 mm, 
which could result in loss of the canopy with consequent pilot injury.

DATES: Effective October 12, 1998.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of October 12, 1998.

ADDRESSES: Service information that applies to this AD may be obtained 
from Alexander Schleicher Segelflugzeugbau, 6416 Poppenhausen, 
Wasserkuppe, Federal Republic of Germany; telephone: 49.6658.890 or 
49.6658.8920; facsimile: 49.6658.8923 or 49.6658.8940. This information 
may also be examined at the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), 
Central Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket 
No. 98-CE-02-AD, Room 1558, 601 E. 12th Street, 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, Project Officer, 
Sailplanes/Gliders, FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft 
Certification Service, 1201 Walnut, suite 900, 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 all Alexander 
Schleicher Models K 8 and K 8 B sailplanes was published in the Federal 
Register as a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) on June 9, 1998 (63 
FR 31368). The NPRM proposed to require inspecting the canopy hood lock 
assembly to assure that the height of the cam is at least 2 mm, and 
modifying or replacing any canopy hood lock assembly where the cam is 
less than 2 mm in height. Accomplishment of the proposed action as 
specified in the NPRM would be in accordance with Alexander Schleicher 
Technical Note No. 21, dated May 12, 1980.
    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.

Compliance Time of This AD

    Although the canopy opening will only be unsafe during flight, the 
condition specified in this AD is not a result of the number of times 
the sailplane is operated. The chance of this situation occurring is 
the same for a sailplane with 10 hours time-in-service (TIS) as it will 
be for a sailplane with 500 hours TIS. For this reason, the FAA has 
determined that a compliance based on calendar time should be utilized 
in this AD in order to assure that the unsafe condition is addressed on 
all sailplanes in a reasonable time period.

Cost Impact

    The FAA estimates that 100 sailplanes in the U.S. registry will be 
affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 1 workhour per 
sailplane to accomplish

[[Page 45685]]

the inspection, and that the average labor rate is $60 per work hour. 
No parts will be required to accomplish the modification. Parts will 
cost $50 per sailplane if the replacement option is chosen over the 
modification. Based on these figures, the total cost impact of this AD 
on U.S. operators is estimated to be $11,000, or $110 per sailplane if 
the replacement option is chosen; or $6,000, or $60 per sailplane if 
the modification option is chosen.

Regulatory Impact

    The regulations adopted herein will not have substantial direct 
effects 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, in 
accordance with Executive Order 12612, it is determined that this final 
rule does not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant the 
preparation of a Federalism Assessment.
    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, 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:

98-18-05 Alexander Schleicher Segelflugzeugbau: Amendment 39-10721; 
Docket No. 98-CE-02-AD.

    Applicability: Models K 8 and K 8 B sailplanes, all serial 
numbers, 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 (d) 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 prevent the canopy from coming open in flight because the 
height of the locking cam is less than 2 millimeters (mm), which 
could result in loss of the canopy with consequent pilot injury, 
accomplish the following:
    (a) Within the next 3 calendar months after the effective date 
of this AD, inspect the canopy hood lock assembly to assure that the 
height of the cam is at least 2 mm, in accordance with Alexander 
Schleicher Technical Note No. 21, dated May 12, 1980.
    (b) Prior to further flight after the inspection required by 
paragraph (a) of this AD, accomplish one of the following, if 
applicable:
    (1) Modify (file) any canopy hood lock assembly where the cam is 
less than 2 mm in height, in accordance with Alexander Schleicher 
Technical Note No. 21, dated May 12, 1980; and apply a corrosion 
preventative (alodine or equivalent substitute); or
    (2) Replace any canopy hood lock assembly where the cam is less 
than 2 mm in height, in accordance with the applicable maintenance 
manual.
    (c) 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.
    (d) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the 
compliance time that provides an equivalent level of safety may be 
approved by the Manager, Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, 
Aircraft Certification Service, 1201 Walnut, suite 900, 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.

    (e) Questions or technical information related to Alexander 
Schleicher Technical Note No. 21, dated May 12, 1980, should be 
directed to Alexander Schleicher Segelflugzeugbau, 6416 
Poppenhausen, Federal Republic of Germany; telephone: 49.6658.890 or 
49.6658.8920; facsimile: 49.6658.8923 or 49.6658.8940. This service 
information may be examined at the FAA, Central Region, Office of 
the Regional Counsel, Room 1558, 601 E. 12th Street, Kansas City, 
Missouri 64106.
    (f) The inspection and modification required by this AD shall be 
done in accordance with Alexander Schleicher Technical Note No. 21, 
dated May 12, 1980. 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 Segelflugzeugbau, 6416 Poppenhausen, Federal Republic of 
Germany. Copies may be inspected at the FAA, Central Region, Office 
of the Regional Counsel, Room 1558, 601 E. 12th Street, 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 No. 80-
158, dated June 16, 1980.

    (g) This amendment becomes effective on October 12, 1998.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on August 18, 1998.
James E. Jackson,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 98-22823 Filed 8-26-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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