[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 167 (Monday, August 31, 2009)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 44777-44779]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-20968]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2009-0800; Directorate Identifier 2009-CE-041-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Scheibe-Flugzeugbau GmbH Models 
Bergfalke-III, Bergfalke-II/55, SF 25C, and SF-26A Standard Gliders

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of 
Transportation (DOT).

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for the 
products listed above. This proposed AD results from 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:

    The manufacturer has advised of receiving a report of looseness 
of the drive arm of the mechanical elevator trim tab, found during 
an annual inspection. This kind of damage is likely caused by 
penetrated humidity over the years.
    If left uncorrected, this condition could lead to the separation 
of the drive arm which could result in flutter of the elevator and 
possible loss of control of the aircraft.

    The proposed AD would require actions that are intended to address 
the unsafe condition described in the MCAI.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by October 15, 
2009.

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.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov; or in person at the Docket Management Facility 
between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through

[[Page 44778]]

Friday, except Federal holidays. The AD docket contains this proposed 
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: Greg Davison, Glider Program Manager, 
FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, 
Missouri 64106; telephone: (816) 329-4130; fax: (816) 329-4090.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Comments Invited

    We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or 
arguments about this proposed AD. Send your comments to an address 
listed under the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2009-0800; 
Directorate Identifier 2009-CE-041-AD'' at the beginning of your 
comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this proposed AD. We 
will consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend 
this proposed 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 proposed AD.

Discussion

    The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the Technical 
Agent for the Member States of the European Community, has issued AD 
No.: 2009-0132, dated June 23, 2009 (referred to after this as ``the 
MCAI''), to correct an unsafe condition for the specified products. The 
MCAI states:

    The manufacturer has advised of receiving a report of looseness 
of the drive arm of the mechanical elevator trim tab, found during 
an annual inspection. This kind of damage is likely caused by 
penetrated humidity over the years.
    If left uncorrected, this condition could lead to the separation 
of the drive arm which could result in flutter of the elevator and 
possible loss of control of the aircraft.
    For the reasons stated above, this new Airworthiness Directive 
mandates repetitive inspections for solid fixation of the drive arms 
of the mechanical elevator trim tabs.

    You may obtain further information by examining the MCAI in the AD 
docket.

Relevant Service Information

    Scheibe-Flugzeugbau GmbH has issued Service Bulletin No. 104-24/1; 
No. 232-6/1; and No. 653-91/1 (same document), dated June 25, 2009; and 
Scheibe-Flugzeugbau GmbH Work Instruction No. 104-24; No. 232-6; and 
No. 653-91 (same document), dated March 23, 2009. The actions described 
in this service information are intended to correct the unsafe 
condition identified in the MCAI.

FAA's Determination and Requirements of the Proposed 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 proposing this AD because 
we evaluated all information and determined the unsafe condition exists 
and is likely to exist or develop on other products of the same type 
design.

Differences Between This Proposed AD and the MCAI or Service 
Information

    We have reviewed the MCAI and related service information and, in 
general, agree with their substance. But we might have found it 
necessary to use different words from those in the MCAI to ensure the 
AD is clear for U.S. operators and is enforceable. In making these 
changes, we do not intend to differ substantively from the information 
provided in the MCAI and related service information.
    We might also have proposed different actions in this AD from those 
in the MCAI in order to follow FAA policies. Any such differences are 
highlighted in a note within the proposed AD.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD will affect 5 products of U.S. 
registry. We also estimate that it would take about 8 work-hours per 
product to comply with the basic requirements of this proposed AD. The 
average labor rate is $80 per work-hour. Required parts would cost 
about $14 per product.
    Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of the proposed AD on 
U.S. operators to be $3,270, or $654 per product.

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.
    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 proposed AD would not have federalism 
implications under Executive Order 13132. This proposed AD would 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 this proposed 
regulation:
    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 regulatory evaluation of the estimated costs to 
comply with this proposed AD and placed it in the AD docket.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

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

The Proposed Amendment

    Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the FAA proposes to amend 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. The FAA amends Sec.  39.13 by adding the following new AD:


[[Page 44779]]


Scheibe-Flugzeugbau GmbH: Docket No. FAA-2009-0800; Directorate 
Identifier 2009-CE-041-AD.

Comments Due Date

    (a) We must receive comments by October 15, 2009.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to Models Bergfalke-III, Bergfalke-II/55, SF 
25C, and SF-26A Standard gliders, all serial numbers, certificated 
in any category.

Subject

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

Reason

    (e) The mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) 
states:

    The manufacturer has advised of receiving a report of looseness 
of the drive arm of the mechanical elevator trim tab, found during 
an annual inspection. This kind of damage is likely caused by 
penetrated humidity over the years.
    If left uncorrected, this condition could lead to the separation 
of the drive arm which could result in flutter of the elevator and 
possible loss of control of the aircraft.
    For the reasons stated above, this new Airworthiness Directive 
mandates repetitive inspections for solid fixation of the drive arms 
of the mechanical elevator trim tabs.

Actions and Compliance

    (f) Unless already done, do the following actions:
    (1) At the next scheduled maintenance inspection after the 
effective date of this AD or within the next 12 months after the 
effective date of this AD, whichever occurs first, inspect the drive 
arm of the mechanical elevator trim tab for separation of the drive 
arm following Scheibe Flugzeugbau GmbH Service Bulletin No. 104-24/
1; No. 232-6/1; and No. 653-91/1 (same document), dated June 25, 
2009. If any looseness is found, before further flight, repair the 
drive arm of the mechanical elevator trim tab following Scheibe-
Flugzeugbau GmbH Work Instruction No. 104-24; No. 232-6; and No. 
653-91 (same document), dated March 23, 2009.
    (2) Repetitively thereafter, at intervals not to exceed every 12 
months, inspect the drive arm of the mechanical elevator trim tab 
and do all corrective actions following Scheibe-Flugzeugbau GmbH 
Service Bulletin No. 104-24/1; No. 232-6/1; and No. 653-91/1 (same 
document), dated June 25, 2009; and Scheibe-Flugzeugbau GmbH Work 
Instruction No. 104-24; No. 232-6; and No. 653-91 (same document), 
dated March 23, 2009.

FAA AD Differences

    Note: This AD differs from the MCAI and/or service information 
as follows: No differences.

Other FAA AD Provisions

    (g) 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: Greg Davison, Glider Program Manager, FAA, 
Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, 
Missouri 64106; telephone: (816) 329-4130; fax: (816) 329-4090. 
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.
    (3) Reporting Requirements: For any reporting requirement in 
this AD, under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 
U.S.C. 3501 et. seq.), the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has 
approved the information collection requirements and has assigned 
OMB Control Number 2120-0056.

Related Information

    (h) Refer to MCAI European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD No.: 
2009-0132, dated June 23, 2009; Scheibe-Flugzeugbau GmbH Service 
Bulletin No. 104-24/1; No. 232-6/1; and No. 653-91/1 (same 
document), dated June 25, 2009; and Scheibe-Flugzeugbau GmbH Work 
Instruction No. 104-24; No. 232-6; and No. 653-91 (same document), 
dated March 23, 2009, for related information.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on August 25, 2009.
Kim Smith,
Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. E9-20968 Filed 8-28-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P