AD 98-12-06

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.

Final rule

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 shouldinclude 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 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 requirementsof 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, 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 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 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: