Document ID: FAA-2021-1019-0003
Agency: faa
Document Type: Rule
Title: Airworthiness Directives: Schempp-Hirth Flugzeugbau GmbH Gliders
Posted Date: 2022-03-07T05:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 44 (Monday, March 7, 2022)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 12559-12561]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-04650]

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 Rules and Regulations
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  Federal Register / Vol. 87, No. 44 / Monday, March 7, 2022 / Rules 
and Regulations  

[[Page 12559]]

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2021-1019; Project Identifier 2020-CE-006-AD; Amendment 
39-21956; AD 2022-05-05]
RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; Schempp-Hirth 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 Model Ventus-2a and Ventus-2b gliders. 
This AD was prompted by mandatory continuing airworthiness information 
(MCAI) originated by an aviation authority of another country to 
identify and correct an unsafe condition on an aviation product. The 
MCAI describes the unsafe condition as severe corrosion on the inboard 
flaperon actuation push rods and ball bearing connecting the flaperon 
push rod to the bell crank inside the wing. This AD requires inspecting 
the affected parts of the flaperon control in the wings and taking 
corrective actions if necessary. The FAA is issuing this AD to address 
the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective April 11, 2022.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of April 11, 
2022.

ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this final rule, 
contact Schempp-Hirth Flugzeugbau GmbH, Krebenstrasse 25, 73230 
Kirchheim/Teck, Germany; phone: +49 7021 7298-0; fax: +49 7021 7298-
199; email: hirth.com">[email protected]hirth.com; website: https://www.schempp-
hirth.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 
https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. 
FAA-2021-1019.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket at https://www.regulations.gov by 
searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2021-1019; 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 
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.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jim Rutherford, Aviation Safety 
Engineer, General Aviation & Rotorcraft Section, International 
Validation Branch, FAA, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, MO 64106; 
phone: (816) 329-4165; email: [email protected].

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 
Flugzeugbau GmbH Model Ventus-2a and Ventus-2b gliders. The NPRM 
published in the Federal Register on December 6, 2021 (86 FR 68937). 
The NPRM was prompted by MCAI originated by the European Union Aviation 
Safety Agency (EASA), which is the Technical Agent for the Member 
States of the European Union. EASA issued AD 2020-0063, dated March 18, 
2020 (referred to after this as ``the MCAI''), to address an unsafe 
condition on Schempp-Hirth Flugzeugbau GmbH Models Ventus-2a, Ventus-
2b, Ventus-2c, Ventus-2cM, and Ventus-2cT gliders. The MCAI states:

    Severe corrosion has been found on the inboard flaperon 
actuation push rod of some sailplanes. Subsequent investigation 
determined that, when water ballast is dumped in flight, some water 
may be sucked into the wing upper side and enter the wing via the 
flaperon push rod. Intruding water may cause corrosion especially on 
the ball bearing connecting the flaperon push rod to the bell crank 
inside the wing.
    This condition, if not detected an[d] corrected, could lead to 
hard steering (when the ball bearing is damaged) or increased play 
(when the ball bearing has failed), possibly resulting in reduced 
control of the (powered) sailplane.
    To address this potential unsafe condition, Schempp-Hirth 
Flugzeugbau GmbH issued the [technical note] TN to provide 
inspection and replacement instructions.
    For the reason described above, this [EASA] AD requires 
repetitive inspections of the affected parts, as identified in the 
TN, and, depending on findings, replacement with serviceable parts.

    You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket at https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2021-
1019.
    In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to require compliance with the 
version of the TN (revision 2) identified in the MCAI. The FAA is 
issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

Discussion of Final Airworthiness Directive

Comments

    The FAA received no comments on the NPRM or on the determination of 
the costs.

Changes Made to This AD

    After the NPRM was issued, the FAA received a copy of Schempp-Hirth 
Flugzeugbau GmbH Working Instructions for Technical Note No. 349-42/
825-57, Revision 4, dated August 31, 2020. This revision of the TN 
provides clarification regarding the inspection area and instructions 
(including specifying that the mount is an affected part that must be 
inspected), the types of corrosion, and repair methods and 
instructions. This revision of the service information does not require 
additional work, because it does not impose any substantive changes to 
the procedures in revision 2.
    As a result, the FAA has revised paragraph (g) of this AD to 
specify that the mount is an affected part that must be inspected and 
to require compliance with Schempp-Hirth Flugzeugbau GmbH Working 
Instructions for Technical Note No. 349-42/825-57, Revision 4, dated 
August 31, 2020. The FAA has also added paragraph (h) of this AD to 
provide credit for work done before the effective date of the AD using

[[Page 12560]]

Schempp-Hirth Flugzeugbau GmbH Working Instructions for Technical Note 
No. 349-42/825-57, Revision 2, dated February 24, 2020; or Schempp-
Hirth Flugzeugbau GmbH Working Instructions for Technical Note No. 349-
42/825-57, Revision 3, dated March 31, 2020. Lastly, the FAA has 
revised the preamble of this final rule accordingly.

Conclusion

    This product has been approved by the aviation authority of another 
country and is 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 the changes described previously, this AD is 
adopted as proposed in the NPRM.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    The FAA reviewed Schempp-Hirth Flugzeugbau GmbH Working 
Instructions for Technical Note No. 349-42/825-57, Revision 4, dated 
August 31, 2020. This service information contains procedures for 
inspecting the pushrod, joint head, mount, and bell crank of the 
flaperon control of the wings for corrosion or other damage, and 
replacing or servicing (repair) if necessary. 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 the ADDRESSES section.

Other Related Service Information

    The FAA also reviewed Schempp-Hirth Flugzeugbau GmbH Technical Note 
No. 349-42/825-57, Revision 4, dated August 31, 2020. This service 
information specifies inspecting the pushrod, joint head, mount, and 
bell crank of the flaperon control of the wings by following Schempp-
Hirth Flugzeugbau GmbH Working Instructions for Technical Note No. 349-
42/825-57, Revision 4, dated August 31, 2020.

Differences Between This AD and the MCAI

    The MCAI applies to Schempp-Hirth Flugzeugbau GmbH Model Ventus-2c, 
Ventus-2cM, and Ventus-2cT gliders, and this AD does not because they 
do not have an FAA type certificate.

Costs of Compliance

    The FAA estimates that this AD affects 33 gliders of U.S. registry. 
The FAA also estimates that it would take about 1 work-hour per glider 
to comply with the inspection required by this AD. Based on these 
figures, the FAA estimates the inspection cost of this AD on U.S. 
operators to be $2,805 or $85 per glider, per inspection cycle.
    In addition, the FAA estimates that each repair or replacement 
action required by this AD would take up to 8 work-hours and require 
parts costing up to $800. Based on these figures, the FAA estimates the 
repair or replacement cost of this AD on U.S. operators to be up to 
$1,480 per glider.

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 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:

PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES

0
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]

0
2. The FAA amends Sec.  39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness 
directive:

2022-05-05 Schempp-Hirth Flugzeugbau GmbH: Amendment 39-21956; 
Docket No. FAA-2021-1019; Project Identifier 2020-CE-006-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective April 11, 2022.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Schempp-Hirth Flugzeugbau GmbH Model Ventus-
2a and Ventus-2b gliders, all serial numbers, certificated in any 
category.

(d) Subject

    Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 2700, Flight Control 
System.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by mandatory continuing airworthiness 
information (MCAI) originated by an aviation authority of another 
country to identify and correct an unsafe condition on an aviation 
product. The MCAI describes the unsafe condition as severe corrosion 
on the inboard flaperon actuation push rods and ball bearing 
connecting the flaperon push rod to the bell crank inside the wing. 
The FAA is issuing this AD to prevent hard steering and increased 
play. 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) Inspections and Corrective Actions

    Within 90 days after the effective date of this AD and 
thereafter at intervals not to exceed 12 months, inspect the 
pushrod, joint head, mount, and bell crank of the flaperon control 
of the wings for corrosion and other damage, in accordance with 
Action 1 in Schempp-Hirth Flugzeugbau GmbH Working Instructions for 
Technical Note No. 349-42/825-57, Revision 4, dated August 31, 2020,

[[Page 12561]]

and before further flight, repair or replace the affected part, as 
applicable, in accordance with Action 2 in Schempp-Hirth Flugzeugbau 
GmbH Working Instructions for Technical Note No. 349-42/825-57, 
Revision 4, dated August 31, 2020.

(h) Credit for Previous Actions

    You may take credit for the actions required by paragraph (g) of 
this AD if you performed those actions before the effective date of 
this AD using Schempp-Hirth Flugzeugbau GmbH Working Instructions 
for Technical Note No. 349-42/825-57, Revision 2, dated February 24, 
2020; or Schempp-Hirth Flugzeugbau GmbH Working Instructions for 
Technical Note No. 349-42/825-57, Revision 3, dated March 31, 2020.

(i) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (1) 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, send 
it to the attention of the person identified in paragraph (j)(1) of 
this AD and email to: [email protected].
    (2) 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.

(j) Related Information

    (1) For more information about this AD, contact Jim Rutherford, 
Aviation Safety Engineer, General Aviation & Rotorcraft Section, 
International Validation Branch, FAA, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas 
City, MO 64106; phone: (816) 329-4165; email: 
[email protected].
    (2) Refer to European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 
2020-0063, dated March 18, 2020, for more information. You may 
examine the EASA AD in the AD docket at https://www.regulations.gov 
by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2021-1019.
    (3) Service information identified in this AD that is not 
incorporated by reference is available at the addresses specified in 
paragraphs (k)(3) and (4) of this AD.

(k) 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 Working Instructions for 
Technical Note No. 349-42/825-57, Revision 4, dated August 31, 2020.

    Note 1 to paragraph (k)(2)(i): 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 cite references to the service 
information in English as it appears on the document.

    (ii) [Reserved]
    (3) For service information identified in this AD, contact 
Schempp-Hirth Flugzeugbau GmbH, Krebenstrasse 25, 73230 Kirchheim/
Teck, Germany; phone: +49 7021 7298-0; fax: +49 7021 7298-199; 
email: hirth.com">[email protected]hirth.com; website: https://www.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: [email protected], or go to: https://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.

    Issued on February 17, 2022.
Lance T. Gant,
Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2022-04650 Filed 3-4-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P