Federal Register: July 13, 2004 (Volume 69, Number 133)
DOCID: FR Doc 04-15667
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
CFR Citation: 14 CFR Part 39
Docket ID: [Docket No. 2003-CE-58-AD; Amendment 39-13730; AD 2004-14-21]
RIN ID: RIN 2120-AA64
NOTICE: RULES
ACTION: Airworthiness directives:
DOCUMENT ACTION: Final rule.
SUBJECT CATEGORY:
Airworthiness Directives; Stemme GmbH & Co. Models S10, S10-V, and S10-VT Sailplanes
DATES: This AD becomes effective on August 21, 2004.
As of August 21, 2004, the Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in the regulation.
DOCUMENT SUMMARY:
The FAA adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Stemme GmbH & Co. Models S10, S10V, and S10VT sailplanes. This AD requires you to remove the drive shaft assembly and ship it to the service department of Stemme GmbH & Co. The engine is mounted behind the two sidebyside seats. The engine combined with the carbon fiber drive shaft turn the centrifugally extended propeller. After an initial visual inspection, the service department will perform an operational check to determine whether the drive shaft can be further used or must be replaced. Once corrective action is identified, a drive shaft will be shipped to you for installation. This AD is the result of mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) issued by the airworthiness authority for Germany. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct incorrectly glued drive shafts, which could result in drive shaft failure. During selftakeoff or critical periods of landing, failure of the drive shaft could lead to loss of control of the sailplane.
SUMMARY:
Stemme GmbH & Co.,
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION
Discussion
What events have caused this AD? The LuftfahrtBundesamt (LBA), which is the airworthiness authority for Germany, recently notified FAA that an unsafe condition may exist on all Stemme GmbH & Co. Models S10, S10V, and S10VT sailplanes. The LBA reports that two drive shafts have failed during normal operation of the sailplane. The flanges of the drive shafts started to rotate within the carbon fiber reinforced plasticstube (CFRPtube), while the drive shafts still appeared to be intact when looking at them from the outside. The metal flanges on both ends of the drive shafts might not have been properly glued to the CFRPtube.
What is the potential impact if FAA took no action? Incorrectly glued drive shafts could result in drive shaft failure. This failure could lead to loss of control of the sailplane.
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 Stemme GmbH & Co. Models S10, S10V, and S10VT sailplanes. This proposal was published in the Federal Register as a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) on April 16, 2004 (69 FR 74). The NPRM proposed to require you to remove the drive shaft assembly and ship it to the service department of Stemme GmbH & Co. After an initial visual inspection, the service department will perform an operational check to determine whether the drive shaft can be further used or must be replaced. Once corrective action is taken, the NPRM also proposed to require you to install the returned drive shaft.
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
[[Page 41924]]
Do not add any additional burden upon the public than was already proposed in the NPRM.
Changes to 14 CFR Part 39Effect 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 57 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 remove the drive shaft, ship it to and from manufacturer's service department, and install the drive shaft after manufacturer's inspection is complete: Shipping cost to Labor cost Parts cost and from Total cost per Total cost on manufacturer sailplane U.S operations 6 workhours x $65 per hour = $390....... N/A $1,080 $1,470 $83,790
We estimate the following costs for the manufacturer to do the
inspection and any necessary repairs that will be required based on the
results of this inspection. We have no way of determining the number of sailplanes that may need this repair:
Total cost per
Labor cost Parts cost sailplane
Inspection and testing by N/A $210 manufacturer$210.................
Replacement of drive shaftlabor is $5,780 5780 included in the parts cost.........
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. 2003CE58AD'' in your request.
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 39AIRWORTHINESS 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. FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by adding a new AD to read as follows:
20041421 Stemme GmbH & Co.: Amendment 3913730; Docket No. 2003 CE58AD.
When Does This AD Become Effective?
(a) This AD becomes effective on August 21, 2004.
What Other ADs Are Affected by This Action?
(b) None.
What Sailplanes Are Affected by This AD?
(c) This AD affects the following sailplane models and serial numbers that are certificated in any category:
Models Serial nos.
(1) S10VT........................... 11001 through 11055, 11057, 11
058, and 11060 through 11066;
(2) S10V............................ 14003, 14004, 14007, 14014,
14015, and 14018 through 14
030, as well as conversion
serial numbers 14028M, 14036M,
and 14038M; and 1008 and 10 13.
(3) S10.............................. 1008 and 1013.
What Is the Unsafe Condition Presented in This AD?
(d) The actions specified in this AD are intended to identify
incorrectly glued drive shafts, which could result in drive shaft
failure. This failure could lead to loss of control of the sailplane.
What Must I Do To Address This Problem?
(e) To address this problem, you must do the following: [[Page 41925]]
Actions Compliance Procedures
(1) Remove the drive shaft Do within 50 hours Follow the
and ship it to the service timeinservice procedures in the
department of Stemme GmbH & after August 21, Stemme GmbH & Co.
Co. for inspection at the 2004 (the effective Service Bulletin
following address: Stemme date of this AD). A3110058, dated
GmbH & Co. AG, November 8, 2001. Flugplatzstra[eszett]e F 2,
Nr. 7, D15344 Strausberg,
Germany. The sailplane's
Component History Card and
information about the
current operating times
(time since new, time since
overhaul) must be included.
(2) Install the drive shaft Before further Follow the
after Stemme GmbH & Co. has flight after procedures in the
performed the inspections, receiving the Stemme GmbH & Co.
determined corrective returned drive Service Bulletin
action, and returned the shaft. A3110058, dated
drive shaft. November 8, 2001. 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 Gregory M. Davison,
Aerospace Engineer, Small Airplane Directorate, ACE112, 901 Locust,
Room 301, Kansas City, Missouri 64106; telephone: 8163294130; facsimile: 8163294090.
Does This AD Incorporate Any Material by Reference?
(g) You must do the actions required by this AD following the
instructions in Stemme GmbH & Co. Service Bulletin A3110058, dated
November 8, 2001. 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
Stemme GmbH & Co., Flugplatzstra[eszett]e F 2, Nr. 7, D15344
Strausberg, Germany. You may review copies at FAA, Central Region,
Office of the Regional Counsel, 901 Locust, Room 506, Kansas City, Missouri 64106; or at the National Archives and Records
Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of this
material at NARA, call (202) 7416030, or go to: http:// www. archives. gov/ federalregister/ code of federal
regulations/ ibr locations. html.
Is There Other Information That Relates to This Subject?
(h) LBA Airworthiness Directive No. 2002113, dated May 2, 2002,
and Stemme GmbH & Co. Service Bulletin A3110058, dated November 8, 2001, also address the subject of this AD.
Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on June 30, 2004. David R. Showers,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 0415667 Filed 71204; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 491013P
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT
Gregory Davison, Aerospace Engineer, Small Airplane Directorate, ACE112, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, Missouri 64106; telephone: 8163294130; facsimile: 8163294090.