Airworthiness Directives; Schempp-Hirth Flugzeugbau GmbH Gliders

AGENCY:

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of Transportation (DOT).

ACTION:

Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

SUMMARY:

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Schempp-Hirth Flugzeugbau GmbH Models Discus-2a, Discus-2b, Discus-2c, Discus 2cT, Ventus-2a, and Ventus-2b gliders. This proposed AD results from 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 insufficient overlap of the airbrake panels. We are issuing this proposed AD to require actions to address the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES:

We must receive comments on this proposed AD by June 13, 2016.

ADDRESSES:

You may send comments by any of the following methods:

• Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
• Fax: (202) 493-2251.
• Mail: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590.
• Hand Delivery: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.

For service information identified in this proposed AD, contact Schempp-Hirth Flugzeugbau GmbH, Krebenstrasse 25, 73230 Kirchheim/Teck, Germany; telephone: +49 7021 7298-0; fax: +49 7021 7298-199; email: info@schempp-hirth.com; Internet: http://www.schempp-hirth.com. You may review this referenced service information at the FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Kansas City, Missouri 64106. For information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call (816) 329-4148.

Examining the AD Docket

You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2016-6123; or in person at the Docket Management Facility between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The AD docket contains this proposed AD, the regulatory evaluation, any comments received, and other information. The street address for the Docket Office (telephone (800) 647-5527) is in the ADDRESSES section. Comments will be available in the AD docket shortly after receipt.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Jim Rutherford, Aerospace Engineer, FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, Missouri 64106; telephone: (816) 329-4165; fax: (816) 329-4090; email: jim.rutherford@faa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or arguments about this proposed AD. Send your comments to an address listed under the ADDRESSES section. Include “Docket No. FAA-2016-6123; Directorate Identifier 2016-CE-007-AD” at the beginning of your comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this proposed AD. We will consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend this proposed AD because of those comments.

We will post all comments we receive, without change, to http://regulations.gov,, including any personal information you provide. We will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact we receive about this proposed AD.

Discussion

The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of the European Community, has issued AD No.: 2016-0027, dated February 9, 2016 (referred to after this as “the MCAI”), to correct an unsafe condition for the specified products. The MCAI states:

Operational experience shows that, under certain conditions, the overlap between the two airbrake panels can be insufficient and the panels can interlock.

This condition, if not corrected, could lead to blockage of the airbrakes, possibly resulting in reduced control of the (powered) sailplane.

To address this potential unsafe condition, Schempp-Hirth Flugzeugbau GmbH issued TN 349-39, 360-29, 825-55 and 863-22 (single document, hereafter referred to as `the TN' in this AD), to provide inspection instructions to verify the correct overlap between the two affected airbrake panels.

For the reason described above, this AD requires a one-time inspection of the overlap of the affected airbrake panels and, depending on findings, accomplishment of applicable corrective action(s).

You may examine the MCAI on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2016-6123.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

Schempp-Hirth Flugzeugbau GmbH has issued Technical Note No. 349-39, 360-29, 825-55, 863-22; dated January 29, 2016 (published as a single document), and Arbeitsanweisung (English translation: Working instructions) for Technische Mitteilung Nr. (English translation: Technical Note No.) 349-39, 360-29, 825-55, 863-22, Ausgabe (English translation: Issue) 1, Datum (English translation: Dated) January 22, 2016. The service information describes procedures for inspection of the overlap of the airbrake panels and, if necessary, replacement of the airbrake panels. 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 of this NPRM.

FAA's Determination and Requirements of the Proposed AD

This product has been approved by the aviation authority of another country, and is approved for operation in the United States. Pursuant to our bilateral agreement with this State of Design Authority, they have notified us of the unsafe condition described in the MCAI and service information referenced above. We are proposing this AD because we evaluated all information and determined the unsafe condition exists and is likely to exist or develop on other products of the same type design.

Costs of Compliance

We estimate that this proposed AD will affect 86 products of U.S. registry. We also estimate that it would take about 2 work-hours per product to comply with the basic requirements of this proposed AD.

Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of the proposed AD on U.S. operators to be $14,620, or $170 per product.

In addition, we estimate that any necessary follow-on actions would take about 4 work-hours and require parts costing $100, for a cost of $440 per product. We have no way of determining the number of products that may need these actions.

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.

We are 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

We determined that this proposed AD would not have federalism implications under Executive Order 13132. This proposed AD would 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 proposed regulation:

(1) Is not a “significant regulatory action” under Executive Order 12866,

(2) Is not a “significant rule” under the DOT Regulatory Policies and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979),

(3) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and

(4) 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 Proposed Amendment

Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the Administrator, the FAA proposes to amend 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.

2. The FAA amends § 39.13 by adding the following new AD:

Schempp-Hirth Flugzeugbau GmbH: Docket No. FAA-2016-6123; Directorate Identifier 2016-CE-007-AD.

(a) Comments Due Date

We must receive comments by June 13, 2016.

(b) Affected ADs

None.

(c) Applicability

This AD applies to the following Schempp-Hirth Flugzeugbau GmbH model and serial number gliders, certificated in any category:

(1) Model Discus-2a, serial numbers 1 through 253;

(2) Model Discus-2b, serial numbers 1 through 255;

(3) Model Discus-2c, serial numbers 1 through 61;

(4) Model Discus 2cT, serial numbers 1 through 127;

(5) Model Ventus-2a, serial numbers 1 through 178; and

(6) Model Ventus-2b, serial numbers 1 through 175.

(d) Subject

Air Transport Association of America (ATA) Code 27: Flight Controls.

(e) Reason

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 insufficient overlap of the airbrake panels. We are issuing this proposed AD to require actions to address the unsafe condition on these products. We are issuing this AD to prevent interlocking of the airbrake panels, which could lead to blockage of the airbrakes and possible loss of control.

(f) Actions and Compliance

Unless already done, do the following actions in paragraphs (f)(1) and (f)(2) of this AD:

(1) Within the next 40 days after the effective date of this AD, inspect the overlap of the airbrake panels for a minimum overlap of at least 3 millimeters following Action 1 in Schempp-Hirth Flugzeugbau GmbH Technische Mitteilung Nr. (English translation: Technical Note No.) 349-39, 360-29, 825-55, 863-22, dated January 29, 2016 (published as a single document); and Action 1 in the associated Arbeitsanweisung (English translation: Working instructions) for Technische Mitteilung Nr. (English translation: Technical Note No.) 349-39, 360-29, 825-55, 863-22, Ausgabe (English translation: issue) 1, Datum (English translation: dated) January 22, 2016.

Note 1 to paragraph (f)(1) and (f)(2) of this AD: This service information contains German to English translation. The EASA used the English translation in referencing the document. For enforceability purposes, we will refer to the Schempp-Hirth Flugzeugbau GmbH service information as it appears on the document.

(2) If, during the inspection required in paragraph (f)(1) of this AD, the overlap on the airbrake panels is found to be less than 3 millimeters, before further flight, install eccentric bushings and make adjustments following Action 2 in Schempp-Hirth Flugzeugbau GmbH Technische Mitteilung Nr. (English translation: Technical Note No.) 349-39, 360-29, 825-55, 863-22, dated January 29, 2016 (published as a single document); and Action 2 in the associated Arbeitsanweisung (English translation: Working instructions) for Technische Mitteilung Nr. (English translation: Technical Note No.) 349-39, 360-29, 825-55, 863-22, Ausgabe (English translation: issue) 1, Datum (English translation: dated) January 22, 2016.

(g) Other FAA AD Provisions

The following provisions also apply to this AD:

(1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager, Standards Office, FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. Send information to ATTN: Jim Rutherford, Aerospace Engineer, FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, Missouri 64106; telephone: (816) 329-4165; fax: (816) 329-4090; email: jim.rutherford@faa.gov. Before using any approved AMOC on any airplane to which the AMOC applies, notify your appropriate principal inspector (PI) in the FAA Flight Standards District Office (FSDO), or lacking a PI, your local FSDO.

(2) Airworthy Product: For any requirement in this AD to obtain corrective actions from a manufacturer or other source, use these actions if they are FAA-approved. Corrective actions are considered FAA-approved if they are approved by the State of Design Authority (or their delegated agent). You are required to assure the product is airworthy before it is returned to service.

(h) Related Information

Refer to MCAI European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD No.: 2016-0027, dated February 9, 2016, for related information. You may examine the MCAI on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2016-6123. For service information related to this AD, contact Schempp-Hirth Flugzeugbau GmbH, Krebenstrasse 25, 73230 Kirchheim/Teck, Germany; telephone: +49 7021 7298-0; fax: +49 7021 7298-199; email: info@schempp-hirth.com; Internet: http://www.schempp-hirth.com. You may review this referenced service information at the FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Kansas City, Missouri 64106. For information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call (816) 329-4148.