[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 109 (Wednesday, June 7, 1995)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 29978-29979]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-12948]



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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 91-CE-25-AD; Amendment 39-9248; AD 95-11-15]


Airworthiness Directives; Alexander Schleicher GmbH & Co. Model 
ASK 21 Gliders

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) that 
applies to Alexander Schleicher GmbH & Co. (Alexander Schleicher) Model 
ASK 21 gliders. The required action requires replacing the parallel 
rocker with a part of improved design, and incorporating flight manual 
revisions. Two incidents of the parallel rocker breaking at the 
elevator connection on the affected gliders prompted this action. The 
actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent possible loss of 
elevator control that could result from a broken parallel rocker.

DATES: Effective July 14, 1995.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of July 14, 1995.

ADDRESSES: Service information that applies to this AD may be obtained 
from Alexander Schleicher GmbH & Company, D-36163, Popppenhausen-
Wasserkuppe, Germany; or Eastern Sailplane, Heath Stage Route, 
Shelburne Falls, Massachusetts 01370; telephone (413) 625-6059. This 
information may also be examined at the 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 Belderok, Project Officer, 
Gliders, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft 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 certain Alexander Schleicher Model ASK 21 gliders was published in 
the Federal Register on January 18, 1995 (60 FR 3579). The action 
proposed to require replacing the parallel rocker at the automatic 
elevator connection with a part of improved design, and incorporating 
flight manual revisions. Accomplishment of the proposed action would be 
in accordance with Alexander Schleicher ASK 21 Technical Note No. 22, 
dated November 26, 1990.
    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.
    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 compliance time of this AD is in calendar time instead of hours 
time-in-service (TIS). The average monthly usage of the affected 
gliders ranges throughout the fleet. For example, one owner may operate 
the glider 25 hours TIS in one week, while another operator may operate 
the glider 25 hours in one year. For this reason, the FAA has 
[[Page 29979]] determined that, in order to ensure that all of the 
affected gliders have parallel rockers of improved design installed, a 
calendar compliance time is used.
    The FAA estimates that 35 gliders in the U.S. registry will be 
affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 1 workhour per 
glider to accomplish the required action, and that the average labor 
rate is approximately $60 an hour. Parts cost approximately $45 per 
glider. Based on these figures, the total cost impact of the AD on U.S. 
operators is estimated to be $3,675. This figure is based upon the 
assumption that no affected glider owner/operator has accomplished the 
required replacement.
    Alexander Schleicher has informed the FAA that improved design 
parallel rockers have been distributed for all 35 affected gliders. 
Assuming that each of these parts is installed on one of the affected 
gliders, the required action will not impose any cost impact upon U.S. 
operators.
    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:

95-11-15  Alexander Schleicher: Amendment 39-9248; Docket No. 91-CE-
25-AD.

    Applicability: Model ASK 21 gliders (all serial numbers), 
certificated in any category.

    Note 1: This AD applies to each glider 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 gliders 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 (g) 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 glider from the applicability of this AD.

    Compliance: Required within the next 30 calendar days after the 
effective date of this AD, unless already accomplished.
    To prevent possible loss of elevator control that could result 
from a broken parallel rocker, accomplish the following:
    (a) Replace the parallel rocker with an improved and stronger 
part (part number 99.000.4940 with modification status 1) in 
accordance with the instructions in Alexander Schleicher ASK 21 
Technical Note No. 22, dated November 26, 1991.
    (b) Incorporate the flight manual revisions included with the 
technical note referenced above.
    (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 glider to a location where the 
requirements of this AD can be accomplished.
    (d) 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, FAA, 1201 
Walnut, suite 900, Kansas City, Missouri 64106. The request should 
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) The replacement required by this AD shall be done in 
accordance with Alexander Schleicher ASK 21 Technical Note No. 22, 
dated November 26, 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 GmbH & Company, D-36163, Popppenhausen-
Wasserkuppe, Germany; or Eastern Sailplane, Heath Stage Route, 
Shelburne Falls, Massachusetts 01370. 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.
    (f) This amendment (39-9248) becomes effective on July 14, 1995.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on May 22, 1995.
Henry A. Armstrong,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 95-12948 Filed 6-6-95; 8:45 am]
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