[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 88 (Monday, May 8, 1995)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 22498-22499]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-10830]



-----------------------------------------------------------------------


DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 94-CE-17-AD; Amendment 39-9215; AD 95-09-11]


Airworthiness Directives; Schempp-Hirth Cirrus and Cirrus VTC 
Sailplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) that 
applies to Schempp-Hirth Cirrus and Cirrus VTC sailplanes. This action 
requires modifying the airbrake actuating lever and replacing the 
airbrake system coupling balls. Reports of the coupling balls on the 
airbrake actuating lever breaking at the threaded end on several of the 
affected sailplanes prompted this action. The actions specified by this 
AD are intended to prevent airbrake system failure caused by the above 
condition, which, if not detected and corrected, could result in 
sailplane controllability problems.

DATES: Effective June 9, 1995.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of June 9, 1995.

ADDRESSES: Service information that applies to this AD may be obtained 
from Schempp-Hirth Flugzeubau GmbH, Krebenstr. 25, D-7312 Kirchheim/
Teck, Germany. This information may also be examined at the Federal 
Aviation Administration (FAA), Central Region, Office of the Assistant 
Chief Counsel, 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. Herman C. Belderok, Project 
Officer, Sailplanes, Small Airplane Directorate, Airplane Certification 
Service, FAA, 1201 Walnut, suite 900, Kansas City, Missouri 64106; 
telephone (816) 426-6932; facsimile (816) 426-2169.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal 
Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) to include an AD that would apply 
to Schempp-Hirth Cirrus and Cirrus VTC sailplanes was published in the 
Federal Register on December 20, 1994 (59 FR 65520). The action 
proposed modifying the airbrake actuating lever and replacing the 
airbrake system coupling balls. Accomplishment of the proposed actions 
would be in accordance with Schempp-Hirth Technical Note 265-10, dated 
November 5, 1992.
    Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate 
in the [[Page 22499]] making of this amendment. No comments were 
received on the proposed rule or the FAA's determination of the cost to 
the public.
    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.
    The FAA estimates that 21 sailplanes in the U.S. registry will be 
affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 1 workhour per 
sailplane to accomplish the required action, and that the average labor 
rate is approximately $60 an hour. Parts cost approximately $25 per 
sailplane. Based on these figures, the total cost impact of the AD on 
U.S. operators is estimated to be $1,785. This figure is based on the 
assumption that no affected sailplane owner/operator has accomplished 
the required modification. The FAA believes that several of the 21 
affected sailplane owners/operators have already accomplished the 
required modification, thereby reducing the cost impact upon the 
public.
    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. App. 1354(a), 1421 and 1423; 49 U.S.C. 
106(g); and 14 CFR 11.89.


Sec. 39.13  [Amended]

    2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding a new AD to read as follows:

95-09-11  Schempp-Hirth: Amendment 39-9215; Docket No. 94-CE-17-AD.

    Applicability: Cirrus and Cirrus VTC 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 use the authority 
provided in paragraph (c) of this AD to request approval from the 
FAA. This approval may address either no action, if the current 
configuration eliminates the unsafe condition, or different actions 
necessary to address the unsafe condition described in this AD. Such 
a request should include an assessment of the effect of the changed 
configuration on the unsafe condition addressed by this AD. In no 
case does the presence of any modification, alteration, or repair 
remove any sailplane from the applicability of this AD.

    Compliance: Required upon the accumulation of 500 hours time-in-
service (TIS) or within the next 20 hours TIS after the effective 
date of this AD, whichever occurs later, unless already 
accomplished.
    To prevent airbrake system failure caused by broken coupling 
balls on the airbrake actuating lever, which, if not detected and 
corrected, could result in sailplane controllability problems, 
accomplish the following:
    (a) Modify the airbrake actuating lever and replace the airbrake 
system coupling balls (located on the actuating lever) in accordance 
with the instructions in Schempp-Hirth Technical Note No. 265-10, 
dated November 5, 1992.
    (b) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with 
Secs. 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, Aircraft 
Certification Service, 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.

    (d) The modification required by this AD shall be done in 
accordance with Schempp-Hirth Technical Note No. 265-10, dated 
November 5, 1992. 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 Schempp-Hirth 
Flugzeubau GmbH, Krebenstr. 25, D-7312 Kirchheim/Teck, Germany. 
Copies may be inspected at the FAA, Central Region, Office of the 
Assistant Chief 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.
    (e) This amendment (39-9215) becomes effective on June 9, 1995.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on April 26, 1995.
Henry A. Armstrong,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 95-10830 Filed 5-5-95; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U