AD 2004-08-14 ACTIVE

The FAA adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Glasflugel Models Mosquito and Club Libelle 205 sailplanes. This AD requires you to replace the rudder actuator arm with an improved design rudder actuator arm. This AD is the result of mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) issued by the airworthiness authority for Germany. We are issuing this AD to prevent the rudder attachment actuator arm from failing due to ground handling damage. This failure could eventually result in reduced or loss of sailplane control.

Final rule.

2004-08-14 Glasflugel: Amendment 39-13583; Docket No. 2003-CE-62-AD.

When Does This AD Become Effective?

(a) This AD becomes effective on May 28, 2004.

What Other ADs Are Affected by This Action?

(b) None.

What Sailplanes Are Affected by This AD?

(c) This AD affects the Models Mosquito and Club Libelle 205 sailplanes, all serial numbers, that are certificated in any category.

What Is the Unsafe Condition Presented in This AD?

(d) This AD is the result of mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) issued by the airworthiness authority for Germany. The actions of this AD are intended to prevent the rudder attachment actuator arm from failing due to ground handling damage. This failure could eventually result in reduced or loss of sailplane control.

What Must I Do To Address This Problem?

(e) To address this problem, you must do the following:

Actions
Compliance
Procedures
(1) Replace the rudder actuator arm (manufactured following drawing No. 203-45-10) with an improved design arm that is manufactured following drawing No. 203-45-10-2.
Within the next 25 hours time-in-service (TIS) after May 28, 2004 (the effective date of this AD), unless already done.
Follow Glasflugel Technical Note No. 205-22 and No. 206-21, dated October 14, 2002 (LBA-approved November 11, 2002); or Glasflugel Technical Note No. 303-23 and No. 304-10, dated October 14, 2002 (LBA-approved November 11, 202), as applicable.
(2) Do not install any rudder actuator arm that is not manufactured following drawing No. 203-45-10-2.
As of May 28, 2004 (the effective date of this AD).
Not Applicable.

May I Request an Alternative Method of Compliance?

(f) You may request a different method of compliance or a different compliance time for this AD by following the procedures in 14 CFR 39.19. Unless FAA authorizes otherwise, send your request to your principal inspector. The principal inspector may add comments and will send your request to the Manager, Standards Office, Small Airplane Directorate, FAA.

For information on any already approved alternative methods of compliance, contact Greg Davison, Aerospace Engineer, FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, Missouri 64106; telephone: (816) 329-4130; facsimile: (816) 329-4090.

Does This AD Incorporate Any Material by Reference?

(g) You must do the actions required by this AD following the instructions in Glasflugel Technical Note No. 205-22 and No. 206-21, dated October 14, 2002 (LBA-approved November 11, 2002); or Glasflugel Technical Note No. 303-23 and No. 304-10, dated October 14, 2002 (LBA-approved November 11, 2002), as applicable. The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of this service bulletin in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. You may get a copy from Glasflugel, Glasfaser-Flugzeug-Service GmbH, Hansjory Steifeneder, Hofener Weg, 72582 Grabenstetten,Germany; telephone: 011 49 7382 1032. You may review copies at FAA, Central Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, 901 Locust, Room 506, Kansas City, Missouri 64106; or at the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.

Is There Other Information That Relates to This Subject?

(h) German AD No. 2003-004 and No. 2003-005, both effective date: January 9, 2003, also address the subject of this AD.

Discussion

What events have caused this AD? The Luftfahrt-Bundesamt (LBA), which is the airworthiness authority for Germany, recently notified FAA that an unsafe condition may exist on all Glasflugel Models Mosquito and Club Libelle 205 sailplanes. The LBA reports incidents of rudder actuator arm failure. This failure is occurring through lifting the fuselage by the rudder.

Glasflugel has manufactured a new improved design rudder actuator arm that is less susceptible to such damage.

What is the potential impact if FAA took no action? Rudder attachment actuator arm failure could eventually result in reduced or loss of sailplane control.

Has FAA taken any action to this point? We issued a proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) to include an AD that would apply to all Glasflugel Models Mosquito and Club Libelle 205 sailplanes. This proposal was published in the Federal Register as a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) on February 17, 2004 (69 FR 7382). The NPRM proposed to require you to replace the rudder actuator arm with an improved design rudder actuator arm.

Comments

Was the public invited to comment? We provided the public the opportunity to participate in developing this AD. We received no comments on the proposal or on the determination of the cost to the public.

Conclusion

What is FAA's final determination on this issue? We have carefully reviewed the available data and determined that air safety and the public interest require adopting the AD as proposed except for minor editorial corrections. We have determined that these minor corrections:

--Are consistent with the intent that was proposed in the NPRM for correcting the unsafe condition; and
--Do not add any additional burden upon the public than was already proposed in the NPRM.

Changes to 14 CFR Part 39--Effect on the AD

How does the revision to 14 CFR part 39 affect this AD? On July 10, 2002, the FAA published a new version of 14 CFR part 39 (67 FR 47997, July 22, 2002), which governs the FAA's AD system. This regulation now includes material that relates to altered products, special flight permits, and alternative methods of compliance. This material previously was included in each individual AD. Since this material is included in 14 CFR part 39, we will not include it in future AD actions.

Costs of Compliance

How many sailplanes does this AD impact? We estimate that this AD affects 80 sailplanes in the U.S. registry.

What is the cost impact of this AD on owners/operators of the affected sailplanes? We estimate the following costs to do the replacement:

Labor cost
Parts cost
Total cost per sailplane
Total cost on U.S. operators
3 workhours x $65 per hour = $195
$90
$285
$22,800

Regulatory Findings

Will this AD impact various entities? We have determined that this AD will not have federalism implications under Executive Order 13132. This AD will 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.

Will this AD involve a significant rule or regulatory action? For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this AD:

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); 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.

We prepared a summary of the costs to comply with this AD and placed it in the AD Docket. You may get a copy of this summary by sending a request to us at the address listed under ADDRESSES. Include "AD Docket No. 2003-CE-62-AD" in yourrequest.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by reference, Safety.

Adoption of the Amendment

Accordingly, under 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. FAA amends 39.13 by adding a new AD to read as follows:

You may get the service information identified in this AD from Glasflugel, Glasfaser-Flugzeug-Service GmbH, Hansjory Steifeneder, Hofener Weg, 72582 Grabenstetten, Germany; telephone: 011 49 7382 1032.

You may view the AD docket at FAA, Central Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket No. 2003-CE-62-AD, 901 Locust, Room 506, Kansas City, Missouri 64106. Office hours are 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.

Greg Davison, Aerospace Engineer, FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, Missouri 64106; telephone: (816) 329-4130; facsimile: (816) 329-4090.