Document ID: FAA-2021-0842-0003
Agency: faa
Document Type: Rule
Title: Airworthiness Directives: Stemme AG Gliders
Posted Date: 2022-01-20T05:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 13 (Thursday, January 20, 2022)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 3030-3032]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-00968]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2021-0842; Project Identifier 2019-CE-032-AD; Amendment 
39-21871; AD 2021-26-12]
RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; Stemme AG Gliders

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for 
certain Stemme AG Model Stemme S 12 gliders. This AD was prompted by 
mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) issued by the 
aviation authority of another country to identify and correct an unsafe 
condition on an aviation product. The MCAI describes the unsafe 
condition as the incorrect installation of an axle connecting the main 
landing gear (MLG) to the center steel frame. This AD requires 
inspecting the MLG installation and repairing if necessary. The FAA is 
issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective February 24, 2022.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of February 24, 
2022.

ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this final rule, 
contact STEMME AG, Flugplatzstrasse F2, Nr. 6-7, D-15344 Strausberg, 
Germany; phone: +49 (0) 3341 3612-0; fax: +49 (0) 3341 3612-30; email: 
[email protected]; website: https://www.stemme.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-2021-0842.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket at https://www.regulations.gov by 
searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2021-0842; 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

[[Page 3031]]

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; fax: (816) 329-4090; 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 certain serial-numbered 
Stemme AG Model Stemme S 12 gliders. The NPRM published in the Federal 
Register on October 8, 2021 (86 FR 56225). 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 2019-0130-E, dated June 7, 2019 (referred to 
after this as ``the MCAI''), to address an unsafe condition on Stemme 
AG Model Stemme S 12 gliders. The MCAI states:

    Following a production acceptance flight, the pilot noticed that 
the aeroplane was in a banked position on the ground. Further 
examination determined that an axle, connecting the main landing 
gear (MLG) leg to the centre steel frame of the aeroplane, had been 
installed incorrectly. Other S12 aeroplanes may also be affected by 
this installation error.
    This condition, if not detected and corrected, could lead to 
damage to the aeroplane, possibly resulting in injury to occupants.
    To address this unsafe condition, Stemme issued the SB [service 
bulletin] to provide inspection instructions.
    For the reason described above, this [EASA] AD requires a one-
time inspection of the MLG installation and, depending on findings, 
the accomplishment of applicable corrective action(s).

    You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket at https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2021-
0842.

Discussion of Final Airworthiness Directive

Comments

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

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. This AD is adopted as proposed in the NPRM.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    The FAA reviewed Stemme Service Bulletin No. P062-980037, Revision 
00, dated June 5, 2019 (SB P062-980037). The service information 
specifies inspecting and repairing, if necessary, the MLG leg 
connection to the center steel frame. 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 
ADDRESSES.

Differences Between This AD and the Service Information

    SB P062-980037 allows the pilot/owner to perform the initial 
inspection for correct installation, and this AD does not. SB P062-
980037 specifies contacting Stemme AG for certain repair instructions, 
while this AD requires repair using a method approved by the FAA or 
EASA.

Costs of Compliance

    The FAA estimates that this AD affects 11 gliders of U.S. registry. 
The FAA estimates that it would take 0.5 work hour per glider to 
inspect the MLG installation. The average labor rate is $85 per work 
hour. Based on these figures, the FAA estimates the cost to inspect the 
MLG installation on U.S. operators to be $467.50 or $42.50 per glider.
    In addition, the FAA estimates that further inspection for damage 
of an improperly installed MLG would take about 4 work-hours costing 
$340 per glider. If any damage is found during this MLG inspection, it 
may vary considerably from glider to glider, and the FAA has no way of 
estimating a repair cost.
    The FAA has included all known costs in its cost estimate. 
According to the manufacturer, however, some of the costs of this AD 
may be covered under warranty, thereby reducing the cost impact on 
affected operators.

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 that 
this AD. 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.

[[Page 3032]]

Sec.  39.13  [Amended]

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

2021-26-12 Stemme AG: Amendment 39-21871; Docket No. FAA-2021-0842; 
Project Identifier 2019-CE-032-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective February 24, 
2022.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Stemme AG Model Stemme S 12 gliders, serial 
numbers 12-002 through 12-026, inclusive, certificated in any 
category.

(d) Subject

    Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 3200, Landing Gear 
System.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by mandatory continuing airworthiness 
information (MCAI) issued by the aviation authority of another 
country to identify and correct an unsafe condition on an aviation 
product. The MCAI describes the unsafe condition as incorrect 
installation of an axle connecting the main landing gear (MLG) to 
the center steel frame of the glider. The FAA is issuing this AD to 
prevent failure of the MLG. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, 
could result in damage to the glider and possible injury to 
occupants.

(f) Compliance

    Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, 
unless already done.

(g) Required Actions

    (1) Before further flight after the effective date of this AD, 
visually inspect the MLG left-hand and right-hand legs for proper 
installation as depicted in Figure 3 of Stemme Service Bulletin No. 
P062-980037, Revision 00, dated June 5, 2019 (SB P062-980037).
    (2) If the MLG installation is not as depicted in Figure 3 of SB 
P062-980037, before further flight, inspect the MLG installation for 
damage in accordance with the Actions section, Action 2, in SB P062-
980037, except you are not required to contact Stemme if there is 
damage. Instead, repair any damage using a method approved by the 
FAA or the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA).

(h) 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 certification office, send it to the 
attention of the person identified in paragraph (i)(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.

(i) 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; fax: (816) 329-4090; email: 
[email protected].
    (2) Refer to EASA AD 2019-0130-E, dated June 7, 2019, 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-
2021-0842.

(j) 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) Stemme Service Bulletin No. P062-980037, Revision 00, dated 
June 5, 2019.
    Note 1 to paragraph (j)(2)(i): This service information has Feb-
29 and July 14, 2017, in the footer of the document. Feb-29 refers 
to the form number and July 14, 2017, is the revision date of the 
form used to write the service information. For enforceability 
purposes, the FAA will cite the Stemme AG service information using 
the release date of June 5, 2019, that is located in the footer on 
the bottom of page 1 and used in EASA AD 2019-0130-E, dated June 7, 
2019.
    Note 2 to paragraph (j)(2)(i): This service information contains 
German to English translation. EASA used the English translation in 
referencing the document from Stemme AG. For enforceability 
purposes, the FAA will cite the Stemme AG service information in 
English as it appears on the document.
    (ii) [Reserved]
    (3) For service information identified in this AD, contact 
STEMME AG, Flugplatzstrasse F2, Nr. 6-7, D-15344 Strausberg, 
Germany; phone: +49 (0) 3341 3612-0; fax: +49 (0) 3341 3612-30; 
email: [email protected]; website: https://www.stemme.com.
    (4) You may view this service information at 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 December 9, 2021.
Lance T. Gant,
Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2022-00968 Filed 1-19-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P