AD 98-13-05

This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) that applies to certain Alexander Schleicher Segelflugzeugbau (Alexander Schleicher) Model AS-K13 sailplanes. This AD requires inspecting the main spar fitting for excessive tolerance, traces, movement, etc., and repairing the main spar fitting if any of the above conditions exist. 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 main spar caused by excessive movement of the main spar fitting, which could result in loss of control of the sailplane.

Final rule

98-13-05 ALEXANDER SCHLEICHER SEGELFLUGZEUGBAU: Amendment 39-10593; Docket No. 98-CE-04-AD.

Applicability: Model AS-K13 sailplanes, serial numbers 13618 through 13689 (with or without an A.B. suffix), 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 (d) 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 main spar caused by excessive movement of the main spar fitting, which could result in loss of control of the sailplane, accomplish the following:

(a) Within the next 6 calendar months after the effective date of this AD, inspect the main spar fitting for excessive tolerance, traces, movement, etc., in accordance with Sportflugzeugbau JUBI GmbH AS-K13 Service Bulletin No. 13, dated December 19, 1990.

(b) If any excessive tolerance, traces, movement, etc., is found in the area of the main spar fitting during the inspection required by paragraph (a) of this AD, prior to further flight, accomplish the following:

(1) Obtain a repair scheme from the manufacturer through the FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, at the address specified in paragraph (d) of this AD; and

(2) Incorporate this scheme in accordance with the instructions to the repair scheme.

(c) 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.

(d) 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.

(e) Questions or technical information related to Sportflugzeugbau JUBI GmbH AS-K13 Service Bulletin No. 13, dated December 19, 1990, should be directed to Alexander Schleicher Segelflugzeugbau, 6416 Poppenhausen, Wasserkuppe, 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.

(f) The inspection required by this AD shall be done in accordance with Sportflugzeugbau JUBI GmbH AS-K13 Service Bulletin No. 13, dated December 19, 1990. 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 91-144, dated July 31, 1991.

(g) This amendment becomes effective on August 1, 1998.

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 Alexander Schleicher Model AS-K13 sailplanes was published in the Federal Register as a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) on April 2, 1998 (63 FR 16163). The NPRM proposed to require inspecting the main spar fitting for excessive tolerance, traces, movement, etc., and repairing the main fitting if any of the above conditions exist. Accomplishment of the proposed action as specified in the NPRM would be in accordance with Sportflugzeugbau JUBI GmbH AS-K13 Service Bulletin No. 13, dated December 19, 1990.

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.

Compliance Time of This AD
Although the problems identified with the main spar fitting will only be unsafe during flight, this condition is not a result of the number of times the sailplane is operated. The chance of this situation occurring is the same for a sailplane with 10 hours time-in-service (TIS) as it is for a sailplane with 500 hours TIS. For this reason, the FAA has determined that a compliance based on calendar time should be utilized in this AD in order to assure that the unsafecondition is addressed on all gliders in a reasonable time period.

Cost Impact
The FAA estimates that 2 sailplanes in the U.S. registry will be affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 5 work hours per sailplane to accomplish this inspection, and that the average labor rate is approximately $60 an hour. Based on these figures, the total cost impact of this inspection on U.S. operators is estimated to be $600, or $300 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".

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.

39.13 [Amended]
2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding a new airworthiness directive (AD) to read as follows: