Airworthiness Directives; Alexander Schleicher Segelflugzeugbau Model ASH 26E Sailplanes

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 99-CE-06-AD; Amendment 39-11234; AD 99-15-13]

RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; Alexander Schleicher Segelflugzeugbau

Model ASH 26E Sailplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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[[Page 40284]]

SUMMARY: This amendment supersedes Airworthiness Directive (AD) 98-09-

09, which currently requires replacing the internal cooling air fan

with a fan that incorporates a white impeller on all Alexander

Schleicher Segelflugzeugbau (Alexander Schleicher) Model ASH 26E

sailplanes. This AD requires inspecting the internal cooling air fan

for damage, and replacing any fan that does not incorporate a black

impeller with a fan that incorporates a black impeller either

immediately or at a certain time period, depending on the results of

the inspection. 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

failure of the internal cooling system air fan caused by a certain

design configuration of the impeller, which could cause the engine to

overheat with possible engine failure.

DATES: Effective September 13, 1999.

The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in

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

of September 13, 1999.

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

from Alexander Schleicher Segelflugzeugbau, 6416 Poppenhausen,

Wasserkuppe, Federal Republic of Germany; telephone: 49.6658.890 or

49.6658.8920; facsimile: 49.6658.8923 or 49.6658.8940. This information

may also be examined at the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA),

Central Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket

No. 99-CE-06-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,

FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 1201 Walnut, suite 900, Kansas City,

Missouri 64106; telephone: (816) 426-6932; 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 all Alexander

Schleicher Model ASH 26E sailplanes was published in the Federal

Register as a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) on April 26, 1999

(64 FR 20231). The NPRM proposed to supersede AD 98-09-09, Amendment

39-10489 (63 FR 20308, April 24, 1998). AD 98-09-09 currently requires

replacing the internal cooling air fan with a fan that incorporates a

white impeller, part number (P/N) R1K059.

The NPRM proposed to require inspecting the internal cooling air

fan for damage, and replacing any fan that does not incorporate a black

impeller, P/N R1K074, with a fan that incorporates a P/N R1K074

impeller. The replacement would be accomplished either immediately or

at a certain time period, depending on the results of the inspection.

Accomplishment of the proposed actions as specified in the NPRM

would be required in accordance with Alexander Schleicher Technical

Note No. 5 , dated July 23, 1998, and Mid-West Service Bulletin No.

002, dated November 13, 1997.

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.

Differences Between the Service Bulletin, the German AD, and This

AD

Alexander Schleicher Technical Note No. 5, dated July 23, 1998,

specifies inspecting the internal air cooling air fan prior to further

flight, and German AD 1998-391, dated October 8, 1998, requires the

inspection prior to further flight on sailplanes registered in Germany.

The FAA does not have justification to require the inspection prior

to further flight. The FAA is utilizing the inspection compliance time

of ``within the next 30 calendar days after the effective date of the

AD.'' The FAA is utilizing the replacement compliance time of ``within

the next 9 calendar months after the effective date of the AD'', or if

damage is found during the inspection, ``prior to further flight.''

Compliance Time of This AD

Although a damaged impeller blade is only unsafe while the affected

sailplanes are in flight, the condition could occur at any time. For

example, damage could occur on one sailplane with 25 hours time-in-

service (TIS) while not occurring on another until 250 hours TIS. This

is due to different usage levels and the various ways sailplanes are

operated and utilized. In addition, the average monthly usage of the

affected sailplane ranges throughout the fleet. For example, one owner

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

may operate the sailplane 25 hours TIS in one year. In order to assure

that the unsafe condition is detected and corrected on all affected

sailplanes in a timely manner without inadvertently grounding any

affected sailplane, the FAA is utilizing compliance based on calendar

time instead of hours TIS.

Cost Impact

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

affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 14 workhours per

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

approximately $60 an hour. Parts are available from the manufacturer at

no cost. Based on these figures, the total cost impact of this AD on

U.S. operators is estimated to be $7,560, or $840 per sailplane.

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 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.

[[Page 40285]]

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 removing Airworthiness Directive

(AD) 98-09-09, Amendment 39-10489 (63 FR 20308, April 24, 1998), and by

adding a new airworthiness directive (AD) to read as follows:

99-15-13 Alexander Schleicher Segelflugzeugbau: Amendment 39-11234;

Docket No. 99-CE-06-AD; Supersedes AD 98-09-09; Amendment 39-10489.

Applicability: Model ASH 26E sailplanes, all serial numbers,

certificated in any category; that are equipped with an internal

cooling system air fan that does not incorporate a black impeller,

part number (P/N) R1K074.

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 failure of the internal cooling system air fan caused

by a certain design configuration of the impeller, which could cause

the engine to overheat with possible engine failure, accomplish the

following:

(a) Within the next 30 calendar days after the effective date of

this AD, inspect the internal cooling air fan for damage in

accordance with Alexander Schleicher Technical Note No. 5, dated

July 23, 1998.

(b) Replace the internal cooling system air fan with a fan that

incorporates a black impeller, P/N R1K074, at whichever of the

compliance times below (paragraphs (b)(1) and (b)(2) of this AD)

that applies. Accomplish this replacement in accordance with Mid-

West Service Bulletin No. 002, dated November 13, 1997:

(1) Prior to further flight if damage is found in the internal

cooling air fan during the inspection required by paragraph (a) of

this AD; or

(2) Within the next 9 calendar months after the effective date

of this AD if damage is not found during the inspection required by

paragraph (a) of this AD.

(c) As of the effective date of this AD, no person may install,

on any affected sailplane, an internal cooling system air fan that

does not incorporate a black impeller, P/N R1K074, as specified in

Mid-West Service Bulletin No. 002, dated November 13, 1997; and

Alexander Schleicher Technical Note No. 5, dated July 23, 1998.

(d) 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 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 Small Airplane Directorate.

(f) Questions or technical information related to Alexander

Schleicher Technical Note No. 5 , dated July 23, 1998, and Mid-West

Service Bulletin No. 002, dated November 13, 1997, should be

directed to Alexander Schleicher Segelflugzeugbau, 6416

Poppenhausen, Wasserkuppe, Federal Republic of Germany; telephone:

49.6658.890 or 49.6658.8920; facsimile: 49.6658.8923 or

49.6658.8940. 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 inspection required by this AD shall be done in

accordance with Alexander Schleicher GmbH & Co. Technical Note No.

5, dated July 23, 1998. The replacement required by this AD shall be

done in accordance with Mid-West Engines Ltd. Service Bulletin No.

002, dated November 13, 1997. 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 Segelflugzeugbau, 6416 Poppenhausen,

Wasserkuppe, 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 1998-

391, dated October 8, 1998.

(h) This amendment supersedes AD 98-09-09, Amendment 39-10489.

(i) This amendment becomes effective on September 13, 1999.

Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on July 14, 1999.

Michael Gallagher,

Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.

[FR Doc. 99-18625 Filed 7-23-99; 8:45 am]

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