[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 115 (Tuesday, June 16, 1998)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 32719-32720]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-15889]



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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 98-CE-04-AD; Amendment 39-10593; AD 98-13-05]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Alexander Schleicher Segelflugzeugbau 
Model AS-K13 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 Segelflugzeugbau (Alexander 
Schleicher) Model AS-K13 sailplanes. This AD requires inspecting the 
main spar fitting for excessive tolerance, traces, movement, etc., and 
repairing the main spar fitting if any of the above conditions exist. 
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 main spar 
caused by excessive movement of the main spar fitting, which could 
result in loss of control of the sailplane.

DATES: Effective August 1, 1998.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of August 1, 1998.

ADDRESSES: Service information that applies to this AD may be obtained 
from Alexander Schleicher Segelflugzeugbau, 6416 Poppenhausen, 
Wasserkuppe, Federal Republic of Germany. This information may also be 
examined at the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Central Region, 
Office of the Regional Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket No. 98-CE-04-
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. Mike Kiesov, Project Officer, FAA, 
Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service, 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 certain Alexander 
Schleicher Model AS-K13 sailplanes was published in the Federal 
Register as a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) on April 2, 1998 (63 
FR 16163). The NPRM proposed to require inspecting the main spar 
fitting for excessive tolerance, traces, movement, etc., and repairing 
the main fitting if any of the above conditions exist. Accomplishment 
of the proposed action as specified in the NPRM would be in accordance 
with Sportflugzeugbau JUBI GmbH AS-K13 Service Bulletin No. 13, dated 
December 19, 1990.
    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.

Compliance Time of This AD

    Although the problems identified with the main spar fitting will 
only be unsafe during flight, this condition is not a result of the 
number of times the sailplane is operated. The chance of this situation 
occurring is the same for a sailplane with 10 hours time-in-service 
(TIS) as it is for a sailplane with 500 hours TIS. For this reason, the 
FAA has determined that a compliance based on calendar time should be 
utilized in this AD in order to assure that the unsafe condition is 
addressed on all gliders in a reasonable time period.

Cost Impact

    The FAA estimates that 2 sailplanes in the U.S. registry will be 
affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 5 workhours per 
sailplane to accomplish this inspection, and that the average labor 
rate is approximately $60 an hour. Based on these figures, the total 
cost impact of this inspection on U.S. operators is estimated to be 
$600, or $300 per sailplane.

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:

98-13-05  Alexander Schleicher Segelflugzeugbau: Amendment 39-10593; 
Docket No. 98-CE-04-AD.

    Applicability: Model AS-K13 sailplanes, serial numbers 13618 
through 13689 (with or without an A.B. suffix), 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

[[Page 32720]]

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 prevent failure of the main spar caused by excessive movement 
of the main spar fitting, which could result in loss of control of 
the sailplane, accomplish the following:
    (a) Within the next 6 calendar months after the effective date 
of this AD, inspect the main spar fitting for excessive tolerance, 
traces, movement, etc., in accordance with Sportflugzeugbau JUBI 
GmbH AS-K13 Service Bulletin No. 13, dated December 19, 1990.
    (b) If any excessive tolerance, traces, movement, etc., is found 
in the area of the main spar fitting during the inspection required 
by paragraph (a) of this AD, prior to further flight, accomplish the 
following:
    (1) Obtain a repair scheme from the manufacturer through the 
FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, at the address specified in 
paragraph (d) of this AD; and
    (2) Incorporate this scheme in accordance with the instructions 
to the repair scheme.
    (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 
compliance times that provides an equivalent level of safety may be 
approved by the Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, FAA, 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 
Sportflugzeugbau JUBI GmbH AS-K13 Service Bulletin No. 13, dated 
December 19, 1990, should be directed to Alexander Schleicher 
Segelflugzeugbau, 6416 Poppenhausen, Wasserkuppe, Federal Republic 
of 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 inspection required by this AD shall be done in 
accordance with Sportflugzeugbau JUBI GmbH AS-K13 Service Bulletin 
No. 13, dated December 19, 1990. 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 3: The subject of this AD is addressed in German AD 91-144, 
dated July 31, 1991.

    (g) This amendment becomes effective on August 1, 1998.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on June 8, 1998.
Michael Gallagher,
Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 98-15889 Filed 6-15-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U