Airworthiness Directives; Stemme GmbH & Co. KG Models S10 and S10-V Sailplanes.

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 97-CE-129-AD; Amendment 39-10562; AD 98-12-06]

RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; Stemme GmbH & Co. KG Models S10 and

S10-V Sailplanes.

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) that

applies to certain Stemme GmbH & Co. KG (Stemme) Models S10 and S10-V

sailplanes. This AD requires replacing the fuel filter if it is

contaminated, inserting a revision to the Limitations Section of the

flight manual, and inspecting the engine valve shafts for brownish-

black sticky residue. If a residue is found on the valve shafts, this

action will require cleaning the engine. This AD is the result of

mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) issued by the

airworthiness authority for Germany. The actions specified by this AD

are intended to prevent engine valve malfunction, which could cause

engine failure during flight and loss of control of the sailplane.

DATES: Effective July 17, 1998.

The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in

the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as

of July 17, 1998.

ADDRESSES: Service information that applies to this AD may be obtained

from Stemme GmbH & Co. KG, Gustav-Meyer-Allee 25, D-13355 Berlin,

Federal Republic of Germany. This information may also be examined at

the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Central Region, Office of

the Regional Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket No. 97-CE-129-AD, 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. Mike Kiesov, Aerospace Engineer,

Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service, FAA, 1201

Walnut, suite 900, Kansas City, Missouri 64106; telephone (816) 426-

6934; facsimile (816) 426-2169.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Events Leading to the Issuance of This AD

A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14

CFR part 39) to include an AD that would apply to certain Stemme Models

S10 and S10-V sailplanes was published in the Federal Register as a

notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) on March 16, 1998 (63 FR 12706).

The NPRM proposed to require replacing the fuel filter if contaminated,

inserting a revision to the Limitations Section of the flight manual

(FM), and inspecting the engine valve shafts for brownish-black sticky

residue. If a residue is found on the valve shafts, the proposed action

would require cleaning the engine. Accomplishment of the proposed

insertion, inspection, and cleaning as specified in the NPRM would be

in accordance with Stemme Service Bulletin No. A31-10-021, dated June

28, 1995, and Limbach Flugmotoren Technical Bulletin No. 47, dated June

28, 1995.

The NPRM was the result of mandatory continuing airworthiness

information (MCAI) issued by the airworthiness authority for Germany.

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.

The FAA's Determination

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.

Cost Impact

The FAA estimates that 9 sailplanes in the U.S. registry will be

affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 5 workhours per

sailplane to accomplish this action, and that the average labor rate is

approximately $60 an hour. Parts cost approximately $30 per sailplane.

Based on these figures, the total cost impact of this AD on U.S.

operators is estimated to be $2,970, or $330 per sailplane.

Compliance Time of This AD

The compliance time of this AD is presented in calendar compliance

time instead of hours time-in-service (TIS) because the average monthly

usage of the affected sailplanes varies throughout the fleet. For

example, one owner may operate the sailplane 25 hours TIS in one week,

while another operator may operate the sailplane 25 hours TIS in one

year. In order to assure that all of the affected sailplanes are in

compliance within a reasonable amount of time, the FAA has determined a

compliance time of 30 days after the effective date of this AD to

insert the FM Limitations Section revision, and 60 days after the

effective date of this AD to replace the fuel filter and inspect the

engine is appropriate.

Regulatory Impact

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

[[Page 30378]]

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. 106(g), 40113, 44701.

Sec. 39.13 [Amended]

2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding a new airworthiness directive

(AD) to read as follows:

98-12-06 Stemme GmbH & Co. KG: Amendment 39-10562; Docket No. 97-

CE-129-AD.

Applicability: Model S10 (serial numbers 10-12 through 10-60),

and Model S10-V (serial numbers 14-002 through 14-022) and

transformed Model S10-V (serial numbers 14-012M to 14-060M)

sailplanes, 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 request approval for an

alternative method of compliance in accordance with paragraph (e) of

this AD. The request should include an assessment of the effect of

the modification, alteration, or repair on the unsafe condition

addressed by this AD; and, if the unsafe condition has not been

eliminated, the request should include specific proposed actions to

address it.

Compliance: Required as indicated in the body of this AD, unless

already accomplished.

To prevent engine valve malfunction, which could cause engine

failure during flight and loss of control of the sailplane,

accomplish the following:

(a) Within the next 30 days after the effective date of this AD,

insert a revision in the Limitations Section 2.4.2.1, Fuel, of the

flight manual (FM) that states: ``Only authorized fuel is AVGAS

100LL'' in accordance with the Instructions section of Stemme

Service Bulletin (SB) Document No. A31-10-021, dated June 28, 1995.

(b) Incorporating the revision to the Limitations Section of the

FM, as required by paragraph (a) of this AD, may be performed by the

owner/operator holding at least a private pilot certificate as

authorized by section 43.7 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14

CFR 43.7), and must be entered into the aircraft records showing

compliance with this AD in accordance with section 43.9 of the

Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 43.9).

(c) Within the next 60 days after the effective date of this AD,

accomplish paragraphs (c)(1), (c)(2), and (c)(3) of this AD;

(1) Inspect the fine fuel filter for the accumulation of chopped

cotton fibers, and replace the filter if it is contaminated, prior

to further flight, in accordance with the Instructions section of

Stemme SB Document No. A31-10-021, dated June 28, 1995; and,

(2) Inspect the engine in accordance with LIMBACH Flugmotoren

Technical Bulletin No. 47, dated June 28, 1995.

(3) If a brownish-black sticky residue is found on the engine,

prior to further flight, disassemble and clean the engine in

accordance with LIMBACH Flugmotoren Technical Bulletin No. 47, dated

June 28, 1995.

(d) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with

Secs. 1.197 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.

(e) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the

compliance times 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 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 Manager, Small Airplane Directorate.

(f) Questions or technical information related to Stemme Service

Bulletin No. A31-10-021, dated June 28, 1995, and LIMBACH

Flugmotoren Technical Bulletin No. 47, dated June 28, 1995, should

be directed to Stemme GmbH & Co. KG, Gustav-Meyer-Allee 25, D-13355

Berlin, Federal Republic of Germany. This service information may be

examined at the FAA, Central Region, Office of the Regional Counsel,

Room 1558, 601 E. 12th Street, Kansas City, Missouri 64106.

(g) The insertion, inspections, and replacement required by this

AD shall be done in accordance with Stemme Service Bulletin No. A31-

10-021, dated June 28, 1995, and Limbach Flugmotoren Technical

Bulletin No. 47, dated June 28, 1995. 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 Stemme GmbH & Co. KG, Gustav-Meyer-Allee 25, D-13355

Berlin, Federal Republic of Germany. Copies may be inspected at the

FAA, Central Region, Office of the Regional 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.

Note 3: The subject of this AD is addressed in German AD 95-273,

dated July 11, 1995.

(h) This amendment becomes effective on July 17, 998.

Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on May 27, 1998.

Marvin R. Nuss,

Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification

Service.

[FR Doc. 98-14614 Filed 6-3-98; 8:45 am]

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