[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 79 (Friday, April 24, 1998)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 20308-20309]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-10593]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 97-CE-118-AD; Amendment 39-10489; AD 98-09-09]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Alexander Schleicher GmbH 
Segelflugzeugbau Model ASH-26E 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 certain Alexander Schleicher GmbH Segelflugzeugbau 
(Alexander Schleicher) Model ASH-26E sailplanes. This AD requires 
replacing the internal cooling air fan with a fan that incorporates a 
certain modification. 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 
failure of the internal cooling system air fan caused by the impeller 
slipping, which could result in loss of compression and power and 
possible engine failure.

DATES: Effective June 1, 1998.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of June 1, 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. 97-CE-118-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. J. Mike Kiesov, Project Officer, 
Sailplanes/Gliders, FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft 
Certification Service, 1201 Walnut, suite 900, Kansas City, Missouri 
64106; telephone: (816) 426-6932; 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 Alexander Schleicher 
Model ASH-26E sailplanes was published in the Federal Register as a 
notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) on February 2, 1998 (63 FR 5322). 
The NPRM proposed to require replacing the internal cooling air fan 
with a fan that incorporates a certain modification. Accomplishment of 
the proposed action as specified in the NPRM would be in accordance 
with Alexander Schleicher Technical Note No. 1, dated October 31, 1996; 
and Mid-West Engines Ltd. Service Bulletin No. 001, dated October 5, 
1996.
    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.

Cost Impact

    The FAA estimates that 8 sailplanes in the U.S. registry will be 
affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 13 workhours per 
sailplane to accomplish this action, and that the average labor rate is 
approximately $60 an hour. Parts cost approximately $380 per sailplane. 
Based on these figures, the total cost impact of this AD on U.S. 
operators is estimated to be $9,280, or $1,160 per sailplane.

Differences Between the Service Bulletin, German AD, and This AD

    Alexander Schleicher Technical Note No. 1, dated October 31, 1996, 
specifies in-flight temperature checks of the internal cooling air fan 
during each flight until the modification is accomplished. German AD 
No. 97-009, dated January 30, 1997, also requires these in-flight 
checks until accomplishment of the modification.
    The FAA does not have justification to require in-flight checks 
during each flight through AD action. The FAA suggests that the 
affected sailplane owners/operators have these checks accomplished, and 
the FAA is adding a note to the AD to recommend such action.

Compliance Time of this AD

    The unsafe condition described in this AD can happen at any time 
and is not based on the number of hours the sailplane is in operation. 
With this in mind, the compliance of this AD is presented in calendar 
time instead of hours time-in-service (TIS).

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.

[[Page 20309]]

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:

98-09-09  Alexander Schleicher Segelflugzeugbau: Amendment 39-10489; 
Docket No. 97-CE-118-AD.

    Applicability: Model ASH-26E 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 (c) 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 within the next 6 calendar months after the 
effective date of this AD, unless already accomplished.
    To prevent failure of the internal cooling system air fan caused 
by the impeller slipping, which could result in loss of compression 
and power and possible engine failure, accomplish the following:
    (a) Replace the internal cooling air fan with a fan that 
incorporates Modification Kit R1K555A in accordance with Mid-West 
Engines Ltd. Service Bulletin No. 001, dated October 5, 1996, as 
referenced in Alexander Schleicher Technical Note No. 1, dated 
October 31, 1996.

    Note 2: Modification Kit R1K555A includes the following 
provisions:

--A positive lock between the fan and spindle;
--A cable tie wrap for fan delivery duct sealing; and
--A smaller driven pulley on the fan spindle.

    Note 3: Although not required by this AD, the FAA recommends 
accomplishing in-flight temperature checks of the internal cooling 
air fan during each flight until the modification required by 
paragraph (a) of this AD is incorporated. These in-flight 
temperature checks are specified in Alexander Schleicher Technical 
Note No. 1, dated October 31, 1996, and are required by German AD 
No. 97-009, dated January 30, 1997, for sailplanes on the German 
registry.

    (b) 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.
    (c) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the 
compliance time 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 4: Information concerning the existence of approved 
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be 
obtained from the Small Airplane Directorate.

    (d) Questions or technical information related to Alexander 
Schleicher Technical Note No. 1, dated October 31, 1996; and Mid-
West Engines Ltd. Service Bulletin No. 001, dated October 5, 1996, 
should be directed to 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 service information may be examined at the FAA, 
Central Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, Room 1558, 601 E. 
12th Street, Kansas City, Missouri.
    (e) The replacement and modification required by this AD shall 
be done in accordance with Mid-West Engines Ltd. Service Bulletin 
No. 001, dated October 5, 1996, as referenced in Alexander 
Schleicher Technical Note No. 1, dated October 31, 1996. 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, Wasserkuppe, 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 5: The subject of this AD is addressed in German AD No. 97-
009, dated January 30, 1997.

    (f) This amendment becomes effective on June 1, 1998.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on April 15, 1997.
James E. Jackson,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 98-10593 Filed 4-23-98; 8:45 am]
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