[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 212 (Friday, November 1, 2002)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 66547-66548]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-27420]
[[Page 66547]]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 2002-CE-29-AD; Amendment 39-12928; AD 2002-22-04]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Stemme GmbH & Co. KG Model S10-VT
Sailplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) that
applies to certain Stemme GmbH & Co. KG (Stemme) Model S10-VT
sailplanes. This AD requires you to modify the engine compartment fuel
and oil system and firewall. 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
reduce the potential for a fire to ignite in the engine compartment and
increase the containment of an engine fire in the engine compartment. A
fire in the engine compartment could lead to loss of control of the
sailplane.
DATES: This AD becomes effective on December 20, 2002.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of certain publications listed in the regulations as of
December 20, 2002.
ADDRESSES: You may get the service information referenced in this AD
from Stemme GmbH & Co. KG, Gustav-Meyer-Allee 25, D-13355 Berlin,
Germany; telephone: 49.33.41.31.11.70; facsimile: 49.33.41.31.11.73.
You may view this information at the Federal Aviation Administration
(FAA), Central Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, Attention: Rules
Docket No. 2002-CE-29-AD, 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.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mike Kiesov, Aerospace Engineer, FAA,
Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, Missouri
64106; telephone: (816) 329-4144; facsimile: (816) 329-4090.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
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 certain Stemme Model sailplanes.
The LBA reports an incident of an in-flight fire on a Model sailplane.
The accident investigation revealed that the fire was not contained in
the engine compartment. The manufacturer conducted a design review and
determined that modifications to the fuel and oil system and the
firewall design will significantly reduce the potential for a fire to
ignite in the engine compartment and increase the containment of an
engine fire in the engine compartment.
What is the potential impact if FAA took no action? If this
condition is not corrected, there is potential for a fire to ignite in
the engine compartment and spread into the cockpit. Such a condition
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 certain Stemme Model sailplanes. This
proposal was published in the Federal Register as a notice of proposed
rulemaking (NPRM) on August 2, 2002 (67 FR 50383). The NPRM proposed to
require you to modify the engine compartment fuel and oil system and
modify the firewall by sealing all gaps.
Was the public invited to comment? The FAA encouraged interested
persons to participate in the making of this amendment. We did not
receive any comments on the proposed rule or on our determination of
the cost to the public.
FAA's Determination
What is FAA's final determination on this issue? After careful
review of all available information related to the subject presented
above, we have determined that air safety and the public interest
require the adoption of the rule as proposed except for minor editorial
corrections. We have determined that these minor corrections:
--Provide 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.
Cost Impact
How many sailplanes does this AD impact? We estimate that this AD
affects 41 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 accomplish the
modifications:
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Total cost per
Labor cost Parts cost sailplane Total cost on U.S. operators
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10 workhours x $60 per hour = $600.. $620 $1,220 $1,220 x 41 = $50,020.
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Compliance Time of This AD
What will be the compliance time of this AD? The compliance time of
this AD is ``within the next 50 hours time-in-service (TIS) or 3 months
after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs first.''
Why is the compliance time of this AD presented in both hours TIS
and calendar time? The unsafe condition on these sailplanes is not a
result of the number of times the sailplane is operated. Sailplane
operation varies among operators. For example, one operator may operate
the sailplane 50 hours TIS in 3 months while it may take another
operator 12 months or more to accumulate 50 hours TIS. For this reason,
the FAA has determined that the compliance time of this AD should be
specified in both hours time-in-service (TIS) and calendar time in
order to ensure this condition is not allowed to go uncorrected over
time.
Regulatory Impact
Does this AD impact various entities? The regulations adopted
herein 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. Therefore, it is determined that this final rule does not
have federalism implications under Executive Order 13132.
Does this AD involve a significant rule or regulatory action? 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
[[Page 66548]]
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, 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.
Sec. 39.13 [Amended]
2. FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by adding a new AD to read as follows:
2002-22-04 Stemme GmbH & Co. KG: Amendment 39-12928; Docket No.
2002-CE-29-AD.
(a) What sailplanes are affected by this AD? This AD affects
Model S10-VT sailplanes, serial numbers 11-002 through 11-072, that
are certificated in any category.
(b) Who must comply with this AD? Anyone who wishes to operate
any of the sailplanes identified in paragraph (a) of this AD must
comply with this AD.
(c) What problem does this AD address? The actions specified by
this AD are intended to reduce the potential for a fire to ignite in
the engine compartment and increase the containment of an engine
fire in the engine compartment. A fire in the engine compartment
could lead to loss of control of the sailplane.
(d) What actions must I accomplish to address this problem? To
address this problem, you must accomplish the following:
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Actions Compliance Procedures
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Modify the firewall by Within the next 50 Modify the firewall
sealing all gaps and modify hours time-in- in accordance with
the fuel and oil lines in service (TIS) or 3 Stemme Service
the engine compartment. months after Bulletin A31-10-
December 20, 2002 057, dated June 7,
(the effective date 2001, as specified
of this AD), in Stemme Service
whichever occurs Bulletin A31-10-
first. 061, dated April
22, 2002. Modify
the fuel oil lines
in accordance with
Stemme Service
Bulletin A31-10-
061, dated April
22, 2002, and
Stemme Installation
Instruction A34-10-
061E, dated April
22, 2002.
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(e) Can I comply with this AD in any other way? You may use an
alternative method of compliance or adjust the compliance time if:
(1) Your alternative method of compliance provides an equivalent
level of safety; and
(2) The Manager, Standards Office, Small Airplane Directorate,
approves your alternative. Submit your request through an FAA
Principal Maintenance Inspector, who may add comments and then send
it to the Manager, Standards Office.
Note 1: This AD applies to each sailplane identified in
paragraph (a) of this AD, 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 you have not eliminated the unsafe
condition, specific actions you propose to address it.
(f) Where can I get information about any already-approved
alternative methods of compliance? Contact Mike Kiesov, Aerospace
Engineer, FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301,
Kansas City, Missouri 64106; telephone: (816) 329-4144; facsimile:
(816) 329-4090.
(g) What if I need to fly the sailplane to another location to
comply with this AD? The FAA can issue a special flight permit under
sections 21.197 and 21.199 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14
CFR 21.197 and 21.199) to operate your sailplane to a location where
you can accomplish the requirements of this AD.
(h) Are any service bulletins incorporated into this AD by
reference? Actions required by this AD must be done in accordance
with Stemme Service Bulletin A31-10-057, dated June 7, 2001, Stemme
Service Bulletin A31-10-061, dated April 22, 2002, and Stemme
Installation Instruction A34-10-061E, dated April 22, 2002. The
Director of the Federal Register approved this incorporation by
reference under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. You may get
copies from Stemme GmbH & Co. KG, Gustav-Meyer-Allee 25, D-13355
Berlin, Germany; telephone: 49.33.41.31.11.70; facsimile:
49.33.41.31.11.73. You may view copies at the FAA, Central Region,
Office of the Regional Counsel, 901 Locust, Room 506, Kansas City,
Missouri, or at the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North
Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.
Note 2: The subject of this AD is addressed in German AD 2002-
156, dated June 13, 2002.
(i) When does this amendment become effective? This amendment
becomes effective on December 20, 2002.
Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on October 22, 2002.
David R. Showers,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 02-27420 Filed 10-31-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P