[Federal Register: April 22, 2004 (Volume 69, Number 78)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 21771-21774]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr22ap04-24]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 2003-CE-56-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Valentin GmbH & Co. Taifun 17E
Sailplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
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SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD)
for all Valentin GmbH & Co. Taifun 17E sailplanes. This proposed AD
would require you to do an operational check of the front wing-locking
mechanism left and right, inspect stop key movement, inspect wing and
fuselage side root ribs, inspect the wing side shear force fittings,
and take any corrective actions that may be required. 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 malfunction of wing-locking
mechanism, which could result in failure of the wing-locking mechanism
disengagement. This failure could lead to unlocking of wing in flight
and consequent loss of control of the sailplane.
DATES: We must receive any comments on this proposed AD by May 27,
2004.
ADDRESSES: Use one of the following to submit comments on this proposed
AD:
By mail: FAA, Central Region, Office of the
Regional Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket No. 2003-CE-56-AD, 901
Locust, Room 506, Kansas City, Missouri 64106.
By fax: (816) 329-3771.
By e-mail: 9-ACE-7-Docket@faa.gov. Comments sent
electronically must contain ``Docket No. 2003-CE-56-AD'' in the subject
line. If you send comments electronically as attached electronic files,
the files must be formatted in Microsoft Word 97 for Windows or ASCII.
You may get the service information identified in this proposed AD
from KORFF + CO.KG, Dieselstrasse 5, D-63128 Dietzenbach, Germany.
You may view the AD docket at FAA, Central Region, Office of the
Regional Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket No. 2003-CE-56-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.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Gregory M. Davison, Aerospace
Engineer, Small Airplane Directorate, ACE-112, 901 Locust, Room 301,
Kansas City, Missouri 64106; telephone: 816-329-4130; facsimile: 816-
329-4090.
SUPPLEMENTARY 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. 2003-CE-56-AD'' 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 date-stamp 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 Luftfahrt-Bundesamt (LBA), which is the airworthiness authority
for Germany, recently notified FAA that an
[[Page 21772]]
unsafe condition may exist on all Valentin GmbH & Co. Tailfun 17E
sailplanes. The LBA reports that during an investigation, an incorrect
locked shear force fitting was found.
What Are the Consequences if the Condition Is Not Corrected?
Malfunction of wing-locking mechanism could result in failure of
the wing-locking mechanism disengagement. This failure could lead to
unlocking of wing in flight and consequent loss of control of the
sailplane.
Is There Service Information That Applies to This Subject?
KORFF & Co. KG has issued Service Bulletin SB-KOCO 03/818, dated
December 20, 2002.
What Are the Provisions of This Service Information?
The service bulletin either includes procedures for or specifies
the following:
--Inspecting the motor glider rigged;
--Inspecting the motor glider derigged;
--Inspecting the wing side shear force fittings;
--Inspecting the wing and fuselage side root ribs;
--Amending text to the Flight Manual and Instruction for Continued
Airworthiness;
--Replacing the stop key F1-1300 if any malfunction is found; and
--Possible repairing or replacing of wing and fuselage connection if
damage is found.
What Action Did the LBA Take?
The LBA classified this service bulletin as mandatory and issued
German AD Number 2003-051, dated January 29, 2003, to ensure the
continued airworthiness of these sailplanes in Germany.
Did the LBA Inform the United States Under the Bilateral Airworthiness
Agreement?
These Valentin GmbH & Co. Taifun 17E sailplanes are manufactured in
Germany and are type-certificated 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 Valentin GmbH & Co. Taifun 17E sailplanes of the
same type design that are registered in the United States, we are
proposing AD action to detect and correct malfunction of wing-locking
mechanism, which could result in failure of the wing-locking mechanism
disengagement. This failure could lead to unlocking of wing in flight
and consequent loss of control of the sailplane.
What Would This Proposed AD Require?
This proposed AD would require you to incorporate the actions in
the previously-referenced service bulletin.
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 this proposed AD affects 25 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
inspections:
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Total cost per Total cost on
Labor cost Parts cost sailplane U.S. operators
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2 work hours x $65 per hour = $130............ No parts needed for inspection.. $130 $3,250
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We estimate the following costs to accomplish replacement of the
stop key F1-1300 that would be required based on the results of the
proposed inspections. We have no way of determining the number of
sailplanes that may need the stop key F1-1300 replaced or the number of
sailplanes that may need additional repair because of abrasion. We also
do not know the cost that would be associated with any abrasion repair:
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Total cost per
Labor cost Parts cost sailplane
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3 work hours x $65 per hour = $195 $16 each x 2 (2 are $227
required) = $32.
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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 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 proposed AD
and placed it in the AD Docket. You may get
[[Page 21773]]
a copy of this summary by sending a request to us at the address listed
under ADDRESSES. Include ``AD Docket No. 2003-CE-56-AD'' in your
request.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Safety.
The Proposed Amendment
Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration proposes to amend 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. The FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by adding the following new
airworthiness directive (AD):
Valentin GmbH & Co.: Docket No. 2003-CE-56-AD.
When Is the Last Date I Can Submit Comments on This Proposed AD?
(a) We must receive comments on this proposed airworthiness
directive (AD) by May 27, 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: Valentin GmbH & Co.
Taifun 17E, all serial numbers are affected except those where
Service Bulletin 23-818 has been complied with.
What Is the Unsafe Condition Presented in This AD?
(d) This AD is the result of an incorrect locked shear force
fitting, which may have caused wing-locking mechanism disengagement.
The actions specified in this AD are intended to detect and correct
malfunction of the wing-locking mechanism, which could result in
wing-locking mechanism disengagement. This failure could lead to
unlocking of wing in flight and subsequent loss of control of the
sailplane.
What Must I Do To Address This Problem?
(e) To address this problem, you must do the following:
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Actions Compliance Procedures
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(1) Perform the following Inspect within 25 Inspect following
actions with the motor hours time in the Korff + CO.KG
glider rigged. service (TIS) after Service Bulletin SB-
(i) An operational check of the effective date KOCO 03/818, dated
the front wing locking of this AD. December 20, 2002.
mechanism left and right Repetitively
for damage, deformation, inspect every 25
and smooth operation over hours TIS
full travel range.. thereafter.
(ii) A visual inspection of
the motor glider for stop
key movement. The stop key
should not move more than
2mm (the maximum tolerable
distance to stop position)
in the full front stop
position.
(2) Perform the following Inspect within 25 Inspect following
actions with the motor hours TIS after the the Korff + CO.KG
glider derigged. effective date of Service Bulletin SB-
(i) An operational check of this AD. KOCO 03/818, dated
the front wing locking Repetitively December 20, 2002.
mechanism left and right inspect every 25
for damage, deformation, hours TIS
and smooth operation over thereafter.
full travel range..
(ii) A visual inspection of
the motor glider for stop
key movement. You should
not be able to move the
stop key by hand more than
2mm backwards in the full
locked front position.
(3) If deficiencies are Do corrective Correct, repair, or
found during the actions prior to replace defective
inspections required in further flight. parts following the
paragraphs (e)(1) and Korff + CO.KG
(e)(2), correct, repair, or Service Bulletin SB-
replace the defective parts. KOCO 03/818, dated
December 20, 2002.
(4) Inspect the wing side Inspect within 25 Inspect following
shear force fittings, wing hours TIS after the the Korff + CO.KG
and fuselage side root effective date of Service Bulletin SB-
ribs, and around all this AD. KOCO 03/818, dated
fittings (shear force Repetitively December 20, 2002.
fittings, wing connections inspect every 25
studs, wing connection hours TIS
bushings, connection to the thereafter. Perform
telescopic rods, rear corrective action
center studs and bushings) prior to further
for abrasion, deformation, flight.
damage, defective bonding,
and defective connections.
If any of the above
conditions are found,
contact the manufacturer at
the address specified in
paragraph (g) of this AD
for FAA-approved corrective
action and perform the
corrective action. You must
send a copy of
correspondence you send to
the manufacturer to the FAA
at the address in paragraph
(f).
(5) When corrective action After corrective Do the operational
or maintenance is done, do action or check following the
an operational check of the maintenance is Korff + CO.KG
motor glider in the rigged done, you must do Service Bulletin SB-
and derigged configuration. the operational KOCO 03/818, dated
check prior to December 20, 2002.
further flight.
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[[Page 21774]]
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. The principal inspector may add comments and will send
your request to the Manager, Standards Office, FAA, Small Airplane
Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, Missouri 64106. For
information on any already approved alternative methods of
compliance, contact Gregory M. Davison, Aerospace Engineer, Small
Airplane Directorate, ACE-112, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City,
Missouri 64106; telephone: 816-329-4130; facsimile: 816-329-4090.
May I Get Copies of the Documents Referenced in This AD?
(g) You may get copies of the documents referenced in this AD
from KORFF + CO.KG, Dieselstrasse 5, D-63128 Dietzenbach, Germany.
You may view these documents at FAA, Central Region, Office of the
Regional Counsel, 901 Locust, Room 506, Kansas City, Missouri 64106.
Is There Other Information That Relates to This Subject?
(h) LBA airworthiness directive 2003-051, dated January 29,
2003; and Korff + CO.KG Service Bulletin SB-KOCO 03/818, dated
December 20, 2002, also address the subject of this AD.
Issued in Kansas City, Missouri on April 16, 2004.
James E. Jackson,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 04-9113 Filed 4-21-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P