This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER

contains regulatory documents having general

applicability and legal effect, most of which

are keyed to and codified in the Code of

Federal Regulations, which is published under

50 titles pursuant to 44 U.S.C. 1510.

The Code of Federal Regulations is sold by

the Superintendent of Documents.

Rules and Regulations Federal Register

61467 

Vol. 88, No. 172 

Thursday, September 7, 2023 

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 

Federal Aviation Administration 

14 CFR Part 39 

[Docket No. FAA–2023–1054; Project 

Identifier MCAI–2022–01513–G; Amendment 

39–22531; AD 2023–17–05] 

RIN 2120–AA64 

Airworthiness Directives; SchemppHirth Flugzeugbau GmbH Gliders 

AGENCY: Federal Aviation 

Administration (FAA), DOT. 

ACTION: Final rule. 

SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new 

airworthiness directive (AD) for all 

Schempp-Hirth Flugzeugbau GmbH 

(Schempp-Hirth) Model Ventus-2a and 

Ventus-2b gliders. This AD is prompted 

by reports of the uncommanded 

extraction of the airbrakes on one or 

both wings, possibly resulting in 

reduced control of the glider. This AD 

requires repetitively inspecting airbrake 

bell cranks and airbrake drive funnels 

for cracking, repetitively inspecting the 

clearance of the airbrake control system, 

and taking corrective action as 

necessary. This AD also requires 

modifying the airbrake system, which is 

terminating action for the repetitive 

inspections. The FAA is issuing this AD 

to address the unsafe condition on these 

products. 

DATES: This AD is effective October 12, 

2023. 

The Director of the Federal Register 

approved the incorporation by reference 

of certain publications listed in this AD 

as of October 12, 2023. 

ADDRESSES: 

AD Docket: You may examine the AD 

docket at regulations.gov under Docket 

No.FAA–2023–1054; 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: 

• For service information identified 

in this final rule, contact SchemppHirth Flugzeugbau GmbH, Krebenstrasse 

25, Kirchheim unter Teck, Germany; 

phone: +49 7021 7298–0; email: info@

schempp-hirth.com; website: schempphirth.com. 

• You may view this service 

information 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–2023–1054. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jim 

Rutherford, Aviation Safety Engineer, 

FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, 

Westbury, NY 11590; phone: (816) 329– 

4165; email: jim.rutherford@faa.gov. 

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 all Schempp-Hirth Model 

Ventus-2a and Ventus-2b gliders. The 

NPRM published in the Federal 

Register on June 9, 2023 (88 FR 37807). 

The NPRM was prompted by AD 2022– 

0229, dated November 28, 2022, issued 

by the European Union Aviation Safety 

Agency (EASA), which is the Technical 

Agent for the Member States of the 

European Union (referred to after this as 

the MCAI). The MCAI states that 

permanent excessive loads on the 

automatic connections of the airbrake 

control system can cause damage to the 

drive funnels in the fuselage and to the 

airbrake bell cranks at the root ribs of 

the wings. The MCAI requires 

repetitively inspecting the airbrake bell 

cranks and drive funnels for damage, 

inspecting the airbrake control system 

for clearance, taking corrective actions if 

necessary, and modifying the airbrake 

control system by replacing the airbrake 

bell cranks with reinforced airbrake bell 

cranks and replacing airbrake drive 

funnels with reinforced drive funnels. 

The MCAI states that this modification 

is terminating action for the repetitive 

inspections. 

In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to 

require repetitively inspecting airbrake 

bell cranks and airbrake drive funnels 

for cracking, repetitively inspecting the 

clearance of the airbrake control system, 

and taking corrective action as 

necessary. The FAA also proposed to 

require modifying the airbrake system, 

which is terminating action for the 

repetitive inspections. This condition, if 

not detected and corrected, could lead 

to the uncommanded extraction of the 

airbrakes on one or both wings and 

result in reduced control of the glider. 

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–2023–1054. 

Discussion of Final Airworthiness 

Directive 

Comments 

The FAA received no comments on 

the NPRM or on the determination of 

the costs. 

Conclusion 

These products have been approved 

by the 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, it has notified 

the FAA of the unsafe condition 

described in the MCAI referenced 

above. The FAA reviewed the relevant 

data 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 NPRM. 

Related Service Information Under 1 

CFR Part 51 

The FAA reviewed Schempp-Hirth 

Technical Note 349–43, dated August 9, 

2022, which specifies procedures for 

inspecting the automatic airbrake 

control connections, including the 

airbrake bell cranks, for any crack or 

damage at the welding seams, the 

airbrake drive funnels for any crack or 

damage at the welding seams, and the 

clearance of the airbrake control system, 

and modifying the airbrake control 

system by replacing airbrake bell cranks 

with reinforced airbrake bell cranks and 


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61468 Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 172 / Thursday, September 7, 2023 / Rules and Regulations 

replacing airbrake drive funnels with 

reinforced drive funnels. 

The FAA also reviewed SchemppHirth Working Instruction for Technical 

Note 349–43, dated August 9, 2022 

(Schempp-Hirth Working Instruction 

TN 349–43), which specifies procedures 

for inspecting the clearance of the 

airbrake control system in the wings, 

inspecting the airbrake bell crank and 

airbrake drive funnel to determine if a 

reinforced airbrake bell crank and a 

reinforced airbrake drive funnel are 

already installed, replacing any airbrake 

bell crank that is not reinforced with a 

mounting plate having a reinforced 

airbrake bell crank attached, replacing 

any airbrake drive funnel that is not 

reinforced with a reinforced airbrake 

drive funnel, checking the control 

system of the wings after installation of 

any reinforced parts, and adjusting the 

control system as necessary. This 

service information also specifies 

contacting the manufacturer if it is 

determined that there is interference 

among the components of the airbrake 

control system and adjustments to the 

airbrake control system are needed. 

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 ADDRESSES. 

Differences Between This AD and the 

MCAI 

Schempp-Hirth Working Instruction 

TN 349–43 specifies to contact the 

manufacturer if it is determined that 

there is interference between the 

components of the airbrake control 

system and adjustments to the airbrake 

control system are needed. This AD 

requires doing those adjustments in 

accordance with a method approved by 

the FAA; EASA; or Schempp-Hirth’s 

EASA Design Organization Approval 

(DOA). If approved by the DOA, the 

approval must include the DOAauthorized signature. 

Schempp-Hirth Working Instruction 

TN 349–43 specifies to purchase a new 

mounting plate with a reinforced 

airbrake bell crank installed from the 

manufacturer or its international 

representative. This AD does not specify 

the source from which new parts should 

be purchased. 

Costs of Compliance 

The FAA estimates that this AD 

affects 32 gliders of U.S. registry. 

The FAA estimates the following 

costs to comply with this AD: 

ESTIMATED COSTS

Action Labor cost Parts cost Cost per 

product 

Cost on U.S. 

operators 

* Inspect airbrake bell cranks and drive 

funnels.

4 work-hours × $85 per hour = $340 ...... $0 $340 per inspection 

cycle.

$10,880 per inspection cycle. 

* Inspect clearance of airbrake control 

system.

4 work-hours × $85 per hour = $340 ...... 0 $340 per inspection 

cycle.

$10,880 per inspection cycle. 

Replace airbrake bell cranks and drive 

funnels.

8 work-hours × $85 per hour = $680 ...... 1,000 $1,680 .................... $53,760. 

* The cost estimates provided for the inspection of the airbrake bell cranks and drive funnels and the inspection of the airbrake control system 

clearance are for the first occurrence. If no cracks are found, then the inspection is repeated at intervals not to exceed 100 hours time-in-service. 

The replacement of the bell cranks and drive funnels occurs if any cracking is found during the inspection (on-condition) or within 12 months (required action), whichever occurs first. 

The FAA estimates the following 

costs to do any necessary actions that 

will be required based on the results of 

the inspection. The agency has no way 

of determining the number of gliders 

that might need this action: 

ON-CONDITION COSTS

Action Labor cost Parts cost Cost per 

product 

Replace airbrake bell cranks and drive funnels ........... 8 work-hours × $85 per hour = $680 ........................... $1,000 $1,680 

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: 


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Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 172 / Thursday, September 7, 2023 / Rules and Regulations 61469 

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: 

2023–17–05 Schempp-Hirth Flugzeugbau 

GmbH: Amendment 39–22531; Docket 

No. FAA–2023–1054; Project Identifier 

MCAI–2022–01513–G. 

(a) Effective Date 

This airworthiness directive (AD) is 

effective October 12, 2023. 

(b) Affected ADs 

None. 

(c) Applicability 

This AD applies to Schempp-Hirth 

Flugzeugbau GmbH (Schempp-Hirth) Model 

Ventus-2a and Ventus-2b gliders, all serial 

numbers, certificated in any category. 

(d) Subject 

Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) 

Code 2760, Drag Control System. 

(e) Unsafe Condition 

This AD is prompted by reports of 

uncommanded extraction of the airbrakes on 

one or both wings, possibly resulting in 

reduced control of the glider. The FAA is 

issuing this AD to address this condition. 

The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could 

result in reduced control of the glider. 

(f) Compliance 

Comply with this AD within the 

compliance times specified, unless already 

done. 

(g) Required Actions 

(1) Within 40 days after the effective date 

of this AD and thereafter at intervals not to 

exceed 100 hours time-in-service (TIS), do 

the actions in paragraphs (g)(1)(i) and (ii) of 

this AD. 

(i) Inspect the airbrake bell cranks and 

airbrake drive funnels for cracking at the 

welding seams, in accordance with Action 

paragraphs (1a) and (1b) in Schempp-Hirth 

Technical Note 349–43, dated August 9, 2022 

(Schempp-Hirth TN 349–43). 

(ii) Inspect the clearance of the airbrake 

control system, in accordance with Action 

paragraph (1c) in Schempp-Hirth TN 349–43; 

and Action paragraph (1.c) in Schempp-Hirth 

Working Instruction for Technical Note 349– 

43 dated August 9, 2022 (Schempp-Hirth 

Working Instruction TN 349–43). Where 

Schempp-Hirth Working Instruction TN 349– 

43 specifies ‘‘if in doubt’’ use plasticine lines, 

this AD requires using plasticine lines. 

Note 1 to paragraph (g)(1): This service 

information contains German to English 

translation. The European Union Aviation 

Safety Agency (EASA) used the English 

translation in referencing the document from 

Schempp-Hirth. For enforceability purposes, 

the FAA will refer to the Schempp-Hirth 

service information in English as it appears 

on the document. 

(2) If, during any inspection required by 

paragraph (g)(1)(i) of this AD, any cracking at 

the welding seams is detected, before next 

flight, do the applicable corrective actions in 

accordance with Action paragraph(s) (2a), 

(2b), (2c), and (2d), in Schempp-Hirth TN 

349–43; and Action paragraph(s) (2.a), (2.b), 

(2.c), and (2.d), in Schempp-Hirth Working 

Instruction TN 349–43. Where SchemppHirth Working Instruction TN 349–43 

specifies to purchase a new mounting plate 

with a reinforced airbrake bell crank installed 

from the manufacturer or its international 

representative, this AD does not specify the 

source from which new parts should be 

purchased. 

(3) If, during any inspection required by 

paragraph (g)(1)(ii) of this AD, it is 

determined that there is interference among 

the components of the airbrake control 

system and adjustments to the airbrake 

control system are needed, do those 

adjustments in accordance with a method 

approved by the FAA; EASA; or SchemppHirth’s EASA Design Organization Approval 

(DOA). If approved by the DOA, the approval 

must include the DOA-authorized signature. 

(4) Unless already accomplished as 

required by paragraph (g)(2) of this AD, 

within 12 months after the effective date of 

this AD, replace the airbrake bell cranks with 

reinforced airbrake bell cranks and replace 

the airbrake drive funnels with reinforced 

drive funnels, in accordance with Action 

paragraph (2d) in Schempp-Hirth TN 349–43; 

and Action paragraph(s) (2.a), (2.b), (2.c), and 

(2.d), in Schempp-Hirth Working Instruction 

TN 349–43. Where Schempp-Hirth Working 

Instruction TN 349–43 specifies to purchase 

a new mounting plate with a reinforced 

airbrake bell crank installed from the 

manufacturer or its international 

representative, this AD does not specify the 

source from which new parts should be 

purchased. 

(5) Replacement on a glider of each 

airbrake bell crank and airbrake drive funnel 

with a reinforced airbrake bell crank and a 

reinforced airbrake drive funnel, as required 

by paragraph (g)(2) or paragraph (g)(4) of this 

AD, constitutes terminating action for the 

repetitive inspections required by paragraph 

(g)(1) of this AD for that glider. The initial 

inspection is required for all gliders. 

(h) 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, mail it to the address identified in 

paragraph (i)(2) of this AD or email to: 9- 

AVS-AIR-730-AMOC@faa.gov. If mailing 

information, also submit information by 

email. 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. 

(i) Additional Information 

(1) Refer to EASA AD 2022–0229, dated 

November 28, 2022, for related information. 

This EASA AD may be found in the AD 

docket at regulations.gov under Docket No. 

FAA–2023–1054. 

(2) For more information about this AD, 

contact Jim Rutherford, Aviation Safety 

Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 

410, Westbury, NY 11590; phone: (816) 329– 

4165; email: jim.rutherford@faa.gov. 

(j) Material Incorporated by Reference 

(1) The Director of the Federal Register 

approved the incorporation by reference of 

the service information listed in this 

paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR 

part 51. 

(2) You must use this service information 

as applicable to do the actions required by 

this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise. 

(i) Schempp-Hirth Flugzeugbau GmbH 

Technical Note 349–43, dated August 9, 

2022. 

(ii) Schempp-Hirth Flugzeugbau GmbH 

Working Instruction for Technical Note 349– 

43, dated August 9, 2022. 

Note 1 to paragraph (j)(2): This service 

information contains German to English 

translation. EASA used the English 

translation in referencing the document from 

Schempp-Hirth Flugzeugbau GmbH. For 

enforceability purposes, the FAA will refer to 

the Schempp-Hirth Flugzeugbau GmbH 

service information in English as it appears 

on the document. 

(3) For service information identified in 

this AD, contact Schempp-Hirth Flugzeugbau 

GmbH, Krebenstrasse 25, Kirchheim unter 

Teck, Germany; phone: +49 7021 7298–0; 

email: info@schempp-hirth.com; website: 

schempp-hirth.com. 

(4) You may view this service information 

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 service information 

that is incorporated by reference at the 

National Archives and Records 

Administration (NARA). For information on 

the availability of this material at NARA, 

email: fr.inspection@nara.gov, or go to: 

www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibrlocations.html. 

Issued on August 17, 2023. 

Victor Wicklund, 

Deputy Director, Compliance & Airworthiness 

Division, Aircraft Certification Service. 

[FR Doc. 2023–19223 Filed 9–6–23; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4910–13–P 


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