This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER

contains notices to the public of the proposed

issuance of rules and regulations. The

purpose of these notices is to give interested

persons an opportunity to participate in the

rule making prior to the adoption of the final

rules.

Proposed Rules Federal Register

78944 

Vol. 81, No. 218 

Thursday, November 10, 2016 

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 

Federal Aviation Administration 

14 CFR Part 39 

[Docket No. FAA–2015–0084; Directorate 

Identifier 2014–NM–181–AD] 

RIN 2120–AA64 

Airworthiness Directives; Airbus 

Airplanes 

AGENCY: Federal Aviation 

Administration (FAA), DOT. 

ACTION: Supplemental notice of 

proposed rulemaking (SNPRM); 

reopening of comment period. 

SUMMARY: We are revising an earlier 

proposed airworthiness directive (AD) 

for certain Airbus Model A300 B4–2C, 

B4–103, and B4–203 airplanes; and 

Model A300 B4–600 and A300 B4–600R 

series airplanes. This action revises the 

NPRM by adding additional inspections 

for cracking, and related investigative 

and corrective actions if necessary, and 

adding airplanes to the applicability. 

We are proposing this SNPRM to detect 

and correct cracking on the frame (FR) 

40 forward fittings, which could result 

in reduced structural integrity of the 

airplane. Since these actions impose an 

additional burden over those proposed 

in the NPRM, we are reopening the 

comment period to allow the public the 

chance to comment on these proposed 

changes. 

DATES: The comment period for the 

NPRM published in the Federal 

Register on February 13, 2015 (80 FR 

7992) is reopened. 

We must receive comments on this 

SNPRM by December 27, 2016. 

ADDRESSES: You may send comments, 

using the procedures found in 14 CFR 

11.43 and 11.45, by any of the following 

methods: 

• Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to 

http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the 

instructions for submitting comments. 

• Fax: 202–493–2251. 

• 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. 

• 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, between 9 

a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through 

Friday, except Federal holidays. 

For service information identified in 

this SNPRM, contact Airbus SAS, 

Airworthiness Office—EAW, 1 Rond 

Point Maurice Bellonte, 31707 Blagnac 

Cedex, France; telephone +33 5 61 93 36 

96; fax +33 5 61 93 44 51; email 

account.airworth-eas@airbus.com; 

Internet http://www.airbus.com. You 

may view this referenced service 

information at the FAA, Transport 

Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue 

SW., Renton, WA. For information on 

the availability of this material at the 

FAA, call 425–227–1221. 

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– 

0084; 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 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: Dan 

Rodina, Aerospace Engineer, 

International Branch, ANM–116, 

Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA, 

1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA 

98057–3356; telephone 425–227–2125; 

fax 425–227–1149. 

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–2015–0084; Directorate Identifier 

2014–NM–181–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 based on 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 

We issued a notice of proposed 

rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR 

part 39 by adding an AD that would 

apply to certain Airbus Model A300 B4– 

2C, B4–103, and B4–203 airplanes; and 

Model A300 B4–600 and A300 B4–600R 

series airplanes. The NPRM published 

in the Federal Register on February 13, 

2015 (80 FR 7992) (‘‘the NPRM’’). The 

NPRM was prompted by reports 

indicating that, on airplanes that 

received a certain repair following crack 

findings, cracks can re-initiate. The 

NPRM proposed to require repetitive 

inspections for cracking of the FR 40 

forward fittings for airplanes previously 

repaired. 

Actions Since the NPRM Was Issued 

Since we issued the NPRM, we have 

determined that additional inspections 

for cracking are necessary and that 

additional airplanes are affected by the 

identified unsafe condition. 

The European Aviation Safety Agency 

(EASA), which is the Technical Agent 

for the Member States of the European 

Union, has issued EASA Airworthiness 

Directive 2015–0232R1, dated December 

16, 2015 (referred to after this as the 

Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness 

Information, or ‘‘the MCAI’’), to correct 

an unsafe condition for certain Airbus 

Model A300 series airplanes; and Model 

A300 B4–600, B4–600R and F4–600R 

series airplanes, and Model A300 C4– 

605R Variant F airplanes (collectively 

called Model A300–600 series 

airplanes). The MCAI states: 

Cracks were found on the lower outboard 

radius of the centre wing frame 40 forward 

fitting on in-service aeroplanes. 

This condition, if not detected and 

corrected, could lead to reduced structural 

integrity of the aeroplane. 

To address this unsafe condition, Airbus 

issued several inspection Service Bulletins 

(SB) and repair instructions. Consequently, 

EASA issued AD 2009–0094, which was later 

superseded by EASA AD 2011–0163 [which 


asabaliauskas on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS
Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 218 / Thursday, November 10, 2016 / Proposed Rules 78945 

corresponds to FAA AD 2012–25–06, 

Amendment 39–17287 (77 FR 75833, 

December 26, 2012) (‘‘AD 2012–25–06’’)] and 

[EASA] AD 2014–0199 [which corresponds 

to the FAA NPRM], to require repetitive 

inspections and corrective actions on the 

affected areas. 

Since those [EASA] ADs were issued, 

additional in-service findings induced Airbus 

to do a new fatigue analysis, using a detailed 

Finite Element Model study, which resulted 

in defining new inspection methods. 

Prompted by these results, Airbus issued SB 

A300–57–0261, SB A300–57–6117 and SB 

A300–57–9034 to introduce these 

inspections. These new inspection SBs 

supersede and render obsolete inspection SB 

A300–53–0268 and SB A300–57–6052 and 

the All Operators Transmissions (AOT) 

A300–53A0391, AOT A300–57A6111, AOT 

A300–53W002–14 and AOT A300–57W003– 

14. 

For the reasons described above, EASA 

issued AD 2015–0232, superseding [Direction 

Ge ́ne ́rale de l’Aviation Civile] DGAC France 

AD 1998–038–010(B) R1 [which corresponds 

to FAA AD 98–25–07, Amendment 39–10933 

(63 FR 68167, December 10, 1998) (‘‘AD 98– 

25–07’’)] and [DGAC France] AD 2003– 

189(B), and EASA AD 2011–0163 and 

[EASA] AD 2014–0199, to require the new 

inspections of the affected areas within new 

thresholds and intervals. 

This [EASA] AD is revised to clarify the 

compliance time(s), introducing a Note after 

paragraph (1), and to alleviate the reporting 

requirements of paragraph (3). 

Required actions include repetitive 

rototest, ultrasonic, high frequency eddy 

current, special detailed, and liquid 

penetrant inspections, as applicable, of 

the center wing FR 40 lower outboard 

radius for cracking, and related 

investigative and corrective actions if 

necessary. Related investigative actions 

include rototest, ultrasonic, high 

frequency eddy current, and liquid 

penetrant inspections following repairs 

of cracking. 

Corrective actions include oversizing 

fastener holes and installing new 

fasteners, doing spotfacing, doing crackstop holes, and repairing cracking. 

The compliance times vary depending 

on airplane configuration. The initial 

compliance times range from 3 months 

to 56,300 flight cycles or 76,000 flight 

hours (whichever occurs first) after 

accomplishing certain actions. 

Repetitive intervals range from 1,400 

flight cycles or 3,000 flight hours 

(whichever occurs first) to 37,500 flight 

cycles or 50,600 flight hours (whichever 

occurs first). 

You may examine the MCAI in the 

AD docket on the Internet at http://

www.regulations.gov by searching for 

and locating Docket No. FAA–2015– 

0084. 

Related Service Information Under 1 

CFR Part 51 

Airbus has issued Service Bulletin 

A300–57–6117, dated May 28, 2015; 

and Service Bulletin A300–57–0261, 

dated June 11, 2015. The service 

information describes procedures for 

repetitive ultrasonic inspections, 

rototest inspections, high frequency 

eddy current inspections, special 

detailed inspections, and liquid 

penetrant inspections, and related 

investigative and corrective actions. 

These documents are distinct since they 

apply to different airplane models. This 

service information 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. 

Comments 

We gave the public the opportunity to 

participate in developing this proposed 

AD. We considered the comment 

received. 

Request To Suspend Activities on the 

NPRM Pending New Service 

Information 

United Parcel Service (UPS) requested 

that we suspend activities on the NPRM 

pending the issuance of new service 

information. UPS stated that the new 

service information will address 

airplanes that were not identified in the 

NPRM and will include new 

inspections. 

We acknowledge the commenter’s 

request. We have reviewed the new 

service information (Airbus Service 

Bulletin A300–57–6117, dated May 28, 

2015; and Airbus Service Bulletin 

A300–57–0261, dated June 11, 2015) 

and have revised this SNPRM 

accordingly. We have updated 

paragraph (c) of this proposed AD to 

include all affected airplanes, and we 

have revised paragraphs (g) and (h) of 

this proposed AD to refer to the new 

service information. 

FAA’s Determination and Requirements 

of This SNPRM 

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 the State of 

Design Authority, we have been notified 

of the unsafe condition described in the 

MCAI and service information 

referenced above. We are proposing this 

AD because we evaluated all pertinent 

information and determined an unsafe 

condition exists and is likely to exist or 

develop on other products of these same 

type designs. 

Certain changes described above 

expand the scope of the NPRM. As a 

result, we have determined that it is 

necessary to reopen the comment period 

to provide additional opportunity for 

the public to comment on this SNPRM. 

Costs of Compliance 

We estimate that this SNPRM affects 

26 airplanes of U.S. registry. We 

estimate the following costs to comply 

with this SNPRM. 

ESTIMATED COSTS

Action Labor cost Cost per product Cost on U.S. operators 

Inspection ......... Up to 91 work-hours × $85 per hour = $7,735 per 

inspection cycle.

Up to $7,735 per inspection cycle Up to $201,110 per inspection 

cycle. 

Reporting .......... 1 work-hour × $85 per hour = $85 ........................... $85 ................................................ $2,210 

Paperwork Reduction Act 

A federal agency may not conduct or 

sponsor, and a person is not required to 

respond to, nor shall a person be subject 

to penalty for failure to comply with a 

collection of information subject to the 

requirements of the Paperwork 

Reduction Act unless that collection of 

information displays a current valid 

OMB control number. The control 

number for the collection of information 

required by this proposed AD is 2120– 

0056. The paperwork cost associated 

with this proposed AD has been 

detailed in the Costs of Compliance 

section of this document and includes 

time for reviewing instructions, as well 

as completing and reviewing the 

collection of information. Therefore, all 

reporting associated with this proposed 

AD is mandatory. Comments concerning 

the accuracy of this burden and 

suggestions for reducing the burden 

should be directed to the FAA at 800 

Independence Ave. SW., Washington, 

DC 20591, ATTN: Information 

Collection Clearance Officer, AES–200. 


asabaliauskas on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS
78946 Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 218 / Thursday, November 10, 2016 / Proposed Rules 

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); 

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. 

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. 

§ 39.13 [Amended] 

■ 2. The FAA amends § 39.13 by adding 

the following new airworthiness 

directive (AD): 

Airbus: Docket No. FAA–2015–0084; 

Directorate Identifier 2014–NM–181–AD. 

(a) Comments Due Date 

We must receive comments by December 

27, 2016. 

(b) Affected ADs 

This AD affects AD 98–25–07, Amendment 

39–10933 (63 FR 68167, December 10, 1998) 

(‘‘AD 98–25–07’’); and AD 2012–25–06, 

Amendment 39–17287 (77 FR 75833, 

December 26, 2012) (‘‘AD 2012–25–06’’). 

(c) Applicability 

This AD applies to the Airbus airplanes, 

certificated in any category, identified in 

paragraphs (c)(1) through (c)(5) of this AD, 

except airplanes on which Airbus 

Modification 10221 has been embodied in 

production. 

(1) Model A300 B2–1A, B2–1C, B2K–3C, 

B2–203, B4–2C, B4–103, and B4–203 

airplanes. 

(2) Model A300 B4–601, B4–603, B4–620, 

and B4–622 airplanes. 

(3) Model A300 B4–605R and B4–622R 

airplanes. 

(4) Model A300 F4–605R and F4–622R 

airplanes. 

(5) Model A300 C4–605R Variant F 

airplanes. 

(d) Subject 

Air Transport Association (ATA) of 

America Code 57, Wings. 

(e) Reason 

This AD was prompted by reports of cracks 

on the lower outboard radius of the center 

wing frame (FR) 40 forward fitting. We are 

issuing this AD to detect and correct cracking 

on the FR 40 forward fittings, which could 

result in reduced structural integrity of the 

airplane. 

(f) Compliance 

Comply with this AD within the 

compliance times specified, unless already 

done. 

(g) Repetitive Inspections 

Except as provided by paragraph (i)(1) of 

this AD, at the applicable times specified in 

paragraph E.(2), ‘‘Compliance,’’ of Airbus 

Service Bulletin A300–57–0261, dated June 

11, 2015; or Airbus Service Bulletin A300– 

57–6117, dated May 28, 2015; accomplish 

rototest, ultrasonic, high frequency eddy 

current, special detailed, and liquid 

penetrant inspections, as applicable, of the 

center wing FR 40 lower outboard radius for 

cracking, and do all applicable related 

investigative actions, in accordance with the 

Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus 

Service Bulletin A300–57–0261, dated June 

11, 2015; or Airbus Service Bulletin A300– 

57–6117, dated May 28, 2015; as applicable. 

Do all applicable related investigative actions 

before further flight. Repeat the inspections 

thereafter at the applicable times specified in 

paragraph E.(2), ‘‘Compliance,’’ of Airbus 

Service Bulletin A300–57–0261, dated June 

11, 2015; or Airbus Service Bulletin A300– 

57–6117, dated May 28, 2015. 

(h) Corrective Actions 

If, during any inspection required by 

paragraph (g) of this AD, any crack is found, 

before next flight, accomplish the applicable 

corrective actions, in accordance with the 

Accomplishment Instructions of Airbus 

Service Bulletin A300–57–0261, dated June 

11, 2015; or Airbus Service Bulletin A300– 

57–6117, dated May 28, 2015; as applicable; 

except as required by paragraph (i)(2) of this 

AD. 

(i) Service Information Exception 

(1) Where the service information specified 

in paragraph (g) of this AD specifies a 

compliance time ‘‘from this service bulletin 

issuance date,’’ this AD requires compliance 

within the specified compliance time after 

the effective date of this AD. 

(2) Where the service information specified 

in paragraph (h) of this AD specifies to 

contact Airbus for certain conditions, before 

further flight, repair using a method 

approved by the Manager, International 

Branch, ANM–116, Transport Airplane 

Directorate, FAA; or the European Aviation 

Safety Agency (EASA); or Airbus’ EASA 

Design Organization Approval (DOA). 

(j) No Terminating Action for This AD 

Accomplishing a corrective action required 

by paragraph (h) of this AD, or accomplishing 

a preventative action specified in Airbus 

Service Bulletin A300–57–0260 or A300–57– 

6116, as applicable, does not terminate the 

repetitive inspections required by paragraph 

(g) of this AD. 

(k) Terminating Action for Certain 

Requirements of Other ADs 

(1) Accomplishing the actions required by 

paragraph (g) of this AD terminates the 

actions required by paragraphs (a) and (b) of 

AD 98–25–07. 

(2) Accomplishing the actions required by 

paragraph (g) of this AD terminates the 

actions required by paragraphs (i) and (j) of 

AD 2012–25–06. 

(l) Reporting Requirements 

Within 60 days after any inspection 

required by paragraph (g) of this AD, or 

within 60 days after the effective date of this 

AD, whichever occurs later, report any 

findings, positive or negative, to Airbus 

Service Bulletin Reporting Online 

Application on Airbus World (https://

w3.airbus.com/). 

(m) Other FAA AD Provisions 

The following provisions also apply to this 

AD: 

(1) Alternative Methods of Compliance 

(AMOCs): The Manager, International 

Branch, ANM–116, Transport Airplane 

Directorate, 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 International Branch, send it to ATTN: 


asabaliauskas on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS
Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 218 / Thursday, November 10, 2016 / Proposed Rules 78947 

Dan Rodina, Aerospace Engineer, 

International Branch, ANM–116, Transport 

Airplane Directorate, FAA, 1601 Lind 

Avenue SW., Renton, WA 98057–3356; 

telephone 425–227–2125; fax 425–227–1149. 

Information may be emailed to: 9-ANM-116- 

AMOC-REQUESTS@faa.gov. 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. 

(2) Contacting the Manufacturer: For any 

requirement in this AD to obtain corrective 

actions from a manufacturer, the action must 

be accomplished using a method approved 

by the Manager, International Branch, ANM– 

116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA; or 

the EASA; or Airbus’s EASA DOA. If 

approved by the DOA, the approval must 

include the DOA-authorized signature. 

(3) Reporting Requirements: A federal 

agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a 

person is not required to respond to, nor 

shall a person be subject to a penalty for 

failure to comply with a collection of 

information subject to the requirements of 

the Paperwork Reduction Act unless that 

collection of information displays a current 

valid OMB Control Number. The OMB 

Control Number for this information 

collection is 2120–0056. Public reporting for 

this collection of information is estimated to 

be approximately 5 minutes per response, 

including the time for reviewing instructions, 

completing and reviewing the collection of 

information. All responses to this collection 

of information are mandatory. Comments 

concerning the accuracy of this burden and 

suggestions for reducing the burden should 

be directed to the FAA at: 800 Independence 

Ave. SW., Washington, DC 20591, Attn: 

Information Collection Clearance Officer, 

AES–200. 

(n) Related Information 

(1) Refer to Mandatory Continuing 

Airworthiness Information (MCAI) EASA 

Airworthiness Directive 2015–0232R1, dated 

December 16, 2015, for related information. 

This MCAI may be found in the AD docket 

on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov 

by searching for and locating Docket No. 

FAA–2015–0084. 

(2) For service information identified in 

this AD, contact Airbus SAS, Airworthiness 

Office—EAW, 1 Rond Point Maurice 

Bellonte, 31707 Blagnac Cedex, France; 

telephone +33 5 61 93 36 96; fax +33 5 61 

93 44 51; email account.airworth-eas@

airbus.com; Internet http://www.airbus.com. 

You may view this service information at the 

FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 

Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA. For 

information on the availability of this 

material at the FAA, call 425–227–1221. 

Issued in Renton, Washington, on October 

31, 2016. 

Michael Kaszycki, 

Acting Manager, Transport Airplane 

Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service. 

[FR Doc. 2016–26813 Filed 11–9–16; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4910–13–P 

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 

Federal Aviation Administration 

14 CFR Part 39 

[Docket No. FAA–2016–9382; Directorate 

Identifier 2016–CE–032–AD] 

RIN 2120–AA64 

Airworthiness Directives; Alexander 

Schleicher GmbH & Co. Gliders 

AGENCY: Federal Aviation 

Administration (FAA), Department of 

Transportation (DOT). 

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking 

(NPRM). 

SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new 

airworthiness directive (AD) for 

Alexander Schleicher GmbH & Co. 

Model ASK 21 gliders. 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 cable slack in gliders 

equipped with a rudder hand control 

system leading to a short-term blockage 

of the rudder control system and 

reduced control. We are issuing this 

proposed AD to correct the unsafe 

condition on these products. 

DATES: We must receive comments on 

this proposed AD by December 27, 

2016. 

ADDRESSES: You may send comments by 

any of the following methods: 

• Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to 

http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the 

instructions for submitting comments. 

• Fax: (202) 493–2251. 

• 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. 

• 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 service information identified in 

this proposed AD, contact Alexander 

Schleicher GmbH & Co., 

Segelflugzeugbau, Germany, Alexander 

Schleicher Str. 1, D–36163 

Poppenhausen (Wasserkuppe), 

telephone: +49 6658 89–0; fax: +49 6658 

89–40; email: info@alexanderschleicher.de; Internet: http://

www.alexander-schleicher.de/en/ 

flugzeuge/ask-21/. You may review this 

referenced service information at the 

FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 901 

Locust, Kansas City, Missouri 64106. 

For information on the availability of 

this material at the FAA, call (816) 329– 

4148. 

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–2016– 

9382; 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 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: 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: jim.rutherford@

faa.gov. 

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–2016–9382; Directorate Identifier 

2016–CE–032–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://

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 EASA AD No.: 

2016–0192, dated September 28, 2016 

(referred to after this as ‘‘the MCAI’’), to 

correct an unsafe condition for the 

specified products. The MCAI states: 

A temporary rudder control blockage was 

reported, involving an ASK 21 sailplane 

equipped with a rudder hand control system. 


asabaliauskas on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS