Airworthiness Directives; Rolladen Schneider Flugzeugbau GmbH Models LS 3-A, LS 4, and LS 4a Sailplanes

[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 211 (Monday, November 2, 1998)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 58622-58624]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-28967]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 95-CE-49-AD; Amendment 39-10861; AD 98-22-14]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Rolladen Schneider Flugzeugbau GmbH 
Models LS 3-A, LS 4, and LS 4a 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 Rolladen Schneider Flugzeugbau GmbH (Rolladen Schneider) 
Models LS 3-A, LS 4, and LS 4a sailplanes. This AD requires 
repetitively inspecting the forward elevator mounting bracket on the 
vertical tail fin for looseness, and, if any loose bracket is found, 
modifying the area and installing a new forward elevator mounting 
bracket. 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 
loose forward elevator mounting brackets, which could result in these 
brackets separating from the sailplane with consequent loss of control 
of the sailplane.

DATES: Effective December 14, 1998.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of December 14, 1998.

ADDRESSES: Service information that applies to this AD may be obtained 
from Rolladen-Schneider Flugzeugbau GmbH, Muhlstrasse 10, D-63329 
Egelsbach, Germany. This information may also be examined at the 
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Central Region, Office of the 
Regional Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket No. 95-CE-49-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: Mike Kiesov, Aerospace Engineer, FAA, 
Small Airplane Directorate, 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 Rolladen Schneider 
Models LS 3-A, LS 4, and LS 4a sailplanes was published in the Federal 
Register as a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) on August 14, 1998 
(63 FR 43649). The NPRM proposed to require repetitively inspecting the 
forward elevator mounting bracket on the vertical tail fin for 
looseness, and, if any loose bracket is found, modifying the area and 
installing a new forward elevator mounting bracket. Accomplishment of 
the proposed inspections as specified in the NPRM would be in 
accordance with Rolladen Schneider Technical Bulletin No. 3043/4035, 
dated July 14, 1993. Accomplishment of the proposed modification and 
installation as specified in the NPRM would be in accordance with 
Rolladen Schneider BA-4 Instructions, dated July 7, 1993, as referenced 
in Rolladen Schneider Technical Bulletin No. 3043/4035, dated July 14, 
1993.
    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.

[[Page 58623]]

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

    The compliance time for the inspection will initially be within 30 
calendar days and thereafter every 12 calendar months. The reason for 
the initial calendar compliance time of 30 calendar days is to assure 
in a reasonable time period that all of the affected sailplanes do not 
have loose forward elevator mounting brackets. The repetitive 
compliance time of every 12 calendar months is being utilized to allow 
sailplane owners/operators the opportunity to schedule the inspections 
to coincide with regularly scheduled maintenance or annual inspections.

Cost Impact

    The FAA estimates that 62 sailplanes in the U.S. registry will be 
affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 1 workhour per 
sailplane to accomplish the inspection, and that the average labor rate 
is approximately $60 an hour. Based on these figures, the total cost 
impact of the inspection on U.S. operators is estimated to be $3,720, 
or $60 per sailplane.
    These figures do not take into account the cost of any modification 
or installation that will be required by this AD if the forward 
elevator mounting bracket is found loose during the inspection. The FAA 
has no way of determining how many sailplanes will have loose forward 
elevator mounting brackets that will require replacement.

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:
98-22-14  Rolladen Schneider Flugzeugbau GMBH: Amendment 39-10861; 
Docket No. 95-CE-49-AD.

    Applicability: Models LS 3-A, LS 4, and LS 4a 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 detect and correct loose forward elevator mounting brackets, 
which could result in these brackets separating from the sailplane 
with consequent loss of control of the sailplane, accomplish the 
following:
    (a) Within the next 30 calendar days after the effective date of 
this AD, and thereafter at intervals not to exceed 12 calendar 
months, inspect the forward elevator mounting bracket for looseness. 
Apply a torque of 130 inches/pounds on the elevator mounting bracket 
and do not apply a force to the bonded in-ball. Accomplish the 
inspections in accordance with the Material and Instructions section 
of Rolladen Schneider Technical Bulletin No. 3043/4035, dated July 
14, 1993.
    (b) If any loose forward elevator mounting bracket is found 
during any inspection required by this AD, prior to further flight, 
modify the area and install a new forward elevator mounting bracket 
in accordance with Rolladen Schneider BA-4 Instructions, dated July 
7, 1993, as referenced in Rolladen Schneider Technical Bulletin No. 
3043/4035, dated July 14, 1993. Continue to reinspect as specified 
in paragraph (a) of this AD at intervals not to exceed 12 calendar 
months.
    (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 
initial or repetitive compliance times that provides an equivalent 
level of safety may be approved by the Manager, Small Airplane 
Directorate, 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 the service 
information contained in this AD should be directed to Rolladen-
Schneider Flugzeugbau GmbH, Muhlstrasse 10, D-63329 Egelsbach, 
Germany. 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 inspections required by this AD shall be done in 
accordance with Rolladen Schneider Technical Bulletin No. 3043/4035, 
dated July 14, 1993. The modification and installation required by 
this AD shall be done in accordance with Rolladen Schneider BA-4 
Instructions, dated July 7, 1993. 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 
Rolladen Schneider Flugzeugbau GmbH, Muhlstrasse 10, D-63329 
Egelsbach, 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 93-155, 
dated July 21, 1993.

    (g) This amendment becomes effective on December 14, 1998.


[[Page 58624]]


    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on October 22, 1998.
Michael Gallagher,
Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 98-28967 Filed 10-30-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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