Federal Register: February 17, 2004 (Volume 69, Number 31)
DOCID: FR Doc 04-3353
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
CFR Citation: 14 CFR Part 39
Docket ID: [Docket No. 2003-CE-59-AD]
RIN ID: RIN 2120-AA64
NOTICE: PROPOSED RULES
ACTION: Airworthiness directives:
DOCUMENT ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
SUBJECT CATEGORY:
Airworthiness Directives; Schempp-Hirth Flugzeugbau GmbH Models Ventus-2a, Ventus-2b, Discus-2a, and Discuss-2b Sailplanes
DATES: We must receive any comments on this proposed AD by March 25, 2004.
DOCUMENT SUMMARY:
The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all SchemppHirth Flugzeugbau GmbH (SchemppHirth) Models Ventus 2a, Ventus2b, Discus2a, and Discuss2b sailplanes. This proposed AD would require you to inspect and modify the elevator mass balance. For Models Discus2a and Discus2b sailplanes only, this proposed AD would also require you to replace the elevator pushrod. This proposed AD is the result of mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) issued by the airworthiness authority for Germany. We are issuing this proposed AD to detect and correct problems within the sailplane elevator control system before they lead to flutter and sailplane instability. This could eventually result in loss of sailplane control.
SUMMARY:
Schempp-Hirth Flugzeugbau GmbH,
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION
Comments Invited
How do I comment on this proposed AD? We invite you to submit any written relevant data, views, or arguments regarding this proposal. Send your comments to an address listed under ADDRESSES. Include ``AD Docket No. 2003CE59AD'' in the subject line of your comments. If you want us to acknowledge receipt of your mailed comments, send us a self addressed, stamped postcard with the docket number written on it. We will datestamp your postcard and mail it back to you.
Are there any specific portions of this proposed AD I should pay attention to? We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this proposed AD. If you contact us through a nonwritten communication and that contact relates to a substantive part of this proposed AD, we will summarize the contact and place the summary in the docket. We will consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend this proposed AD in light of those comments and contacts.
Discussion
What events have caused this proposed AD? The LuftfahrtBundesamt (LBA), which is the airworthiness authority for Germany, recently notified FAA that an unsafe condition may exist on SchemppHirth Models Ventus2a, Ventus2b, Discus2a, and Discuss2b sailplanes. The LBA reports that the potential exists for elevator mass balance problems on the referenced sailplanes.
What are the consequences if the condition is not corrected? Elevator mass balance problems, if not detected and corrected, could lead to flutter and sailplane instability. This could eventually result in loss of sailplane control.
Is there service information that applies to this subject? Schempp Hirth has issued the following:
[[Page 7381]]
Service Document Models Affected Procedures
Technical Note No. 36019, Discus2a and Adding a mass balance
dated December 20, 2002. Discus2b. to the elevators;
and installing an
elevator pushrod in
the vertical fin.
Technical Note No. 34928 (No. Ventus2a, Ventus Modifying the mass
36020, No. 8638), dated 2b, Discus2a, balance weights. September 16, 2003. and Discus2b.
What action did the LBA take? The LBA classified these technical
notes as mandatory and issued the following to ensure the continued airworthiness of these sailplanes in Germany:
Did the LBA inform the United States under the bilateral airworthiness agreement? These SchemppHirth Models Ventus2a, Ventus 2b, Discus2a, and Discus2b sailplanes are manufactured in Germany and are typecertificated for operation in the United States under the provisions of section 21.29 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 21.29) and the applicable bilateral airworthiness agreement.
Under this bilateral airworthiness agreement, the LBA has kept us informed of the situation described above.
FAA's Determination and Requirements of This Proposed AD
What has FAA decided? We have examined the LBA's findings, reviewed all available information, and determined that AD action is necessary for products of this type design that are certificated for operation in the United States.
Since the unsafe condition described previously is likely to exist or develop on other SchemppHirth Models Ventus2a, Ventus2b, Discus 2a, and Discus2b sailplanes of the same type design that are registered in the United States, we are proposing AD action to detect and correct problems within the sailplane elevator control system before they lead to flutter and sailplane instability. This could eventually result in loss of sailplane control.
What would this proposed AD require? This proposed AD would require you to incorporate the actions in the previouslyreferenced technical notes.
How does the revision to 14 CFR part 39 affect this proposed AD? On July 10, 2002, we published a new version of 14 CFR part 39 (67 FR 47997, July 22, 2002), which governs 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 would this proposed AD impact? We estimate that the actions specified in SchemppHirth Technical Note No. 36019 would affect 15 sailplanes in the U.S. registry and the actions specified in SchemppHirth Technical Note No. 34928 would affect 51 sailplanes in the U.S. registry.
What would be the cost impact of this proposed AD on owners/
operators of the affected sailplanes? We estimate the following costs to accomplish the proposed actions:
Total cost per Total cost
Affected technical note Labor cost Parts cost sailplane U.S. operators
No. 36019................. 17 workhours at $65 per $135 per sailplane. $1,240 per $18,600
hour = $1,105. sailplane.
No. 34928................. 4 workhours at $65 per No cost for parts.. $260 per sailplane. $13,260 hour = $260.
Regulatory Findings
Would this proposed AD impact various entities? We have determined that this proposed AD would not have federalism implications under Executive Order 13132. This proposed AD would 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.
Would this proposed AD involve a significant rule or regulatory action? For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this proposed
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT
Greg Davison, Aerospace Engineer, FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, Missouri 64106; telephone: (816) 3294130; facsimile: (816) 3294090.