Proposed Rule2022-25020
Airworthiness Directives; Stemme AG Gliders
Primary source
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Published
November 18, 2022
Issuing agencies
Transportation DepartmentFederal Aviation Administration
Abstract
The FAA proposes to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2022-01-09, which applies to certain Stemme AG Model Stemme S 10-VT and Model Stemme S 12 gliders. AD 2022-01-09 requires removing the affected freewheel clutch from service and prohibits the installation of affected parts. Since the FAA issued AD 2022-01-09, the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) superseded its mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) to amend the definition of an affected part. This proposed AD would retain the requirements of AD 2022-01-09 for removing the affected freewheel clutch from service and continue to prohibit the installation of an affected part, and would amend the definition of an affected part and clarify the part installation prohibition. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 87 Issue 222 (Friday, November 18, 2022)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 222 (Friday, November 18, 2022)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 69220-69222]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2022-25020]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2022-1421; Project Identifier MCAI-2022-01088-G]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Stemme AG Gliders
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
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SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD)
2022-01-09, which applies to certain Stemme AG Model Stemme S 10-VT and
Model Stemme S 12 gliders. AD 2022-01-09 requires removing the affected
freewheel clutch from service and prohibits the installation of
affected parts. Since the FAA issued AD 2022-01-09, the European Union
Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) superseded its mandatory continuing
airworthiness information (MCAI) to amend the definition of an affected
part. This proposed AD would retain the requirements of AD 2022-01-09
for removing the affected freewheel clutch from service and continue to
prohibit the installation of an affected part, and would amend the
definition of an affected part and clarify the part installation
prohibition. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe
condition on these products.
DATES: The FAA must receive comments on this NPRM by January 3, 2023.
ADDRESSES: You may send comments, using the procedures found in 14 CFR
11.43 and 11.45, by any of the following methods:
<bullet> Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to <a href="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a>. Follow
the instructions for submitting comments.
<bullet> Fax: (202) 493-2251.
<bullet> Mail: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New
Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590.
<bullet> Hand Delivery: Deliver to Mail address above between 9
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at <a href="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a> under
Docket No. FAA-2022-1421; or in person at Docket Operations between 9
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The AD
docket contains this NPRM, the MCAI, any comments received, and other
[[Page 69221]]
information. The street address for Docket Operations is listed above.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jim Rutherford, Aviation Safety
Engineer, General Aviation & Rotorcraft Section, International
Validation Branch, FAA, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, MO 64106;
phone: (816) 329-4165; email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#f9939094d78b8c8d919c8b9f968b9db99f9898d79e968f"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="91fbf8fcbfe3e4e5f9f4e3f7fee3f5d1f7f0f0bff6fee7">[email protected]</span></a>.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments Invited
The FAA invites you to send any written relevant data, views, or
arguments about this proposal. Send your comments to an address listed
under ADDRESSES. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2022-1421; Project Identifier
MCAI-2022-01088-G'' at the beginning of your comments. The most helpful
comments reference a specific portion of the proposal, explain the
reason for any recommended change, and include supporting data. The FAA
will consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend
the proposal because of those comments.
Except for Confidential Business Information (CBI) as described in
the following paragraph, and other information as described in 14 CFR
11.35, the FAA will post all comments received, without change, to
<a href="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a>, including any personal information you provide. The
agency will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal
contact received about this NPRM.
Confidential Business Information
CBI is commercial or financial information that is both customarily
and actually treated as private by its owner. Under the Freedom of
Information Act (FOIA) (5 U.S.C. 552), CBI is exempt from public
disclosure. If your comments responsive to this NPRM contain commercial
or financial information that is customarily treated as private, that
you actually treat as private, and that is relevant or responsive to
this NPRM, it is important that you clearly designate the submitted
comments as CBI. Please mark each page of your submission containing
CBI as ``PROPIN.'' The FAA will treat such marked submissions as
confidential under the FOIA, and they will not be placed in the public
docket of this NPRM. Submissions containing CBI should be sent to Jim
Rutherford, Aviation Safety Engineer, General Aviation & Rotorcraft
Section, International Validation Branch, FAA, 901 Locust, Room 301,
Kansas City, MO 64106. Any commentary that the FAA receives which is
not specifically designated as CBI will be placed in the public docket
for this rulemaking.
Background
The FAA issued AD 2022-01-09, Amendment 39-21897 (87 FR 1666,
January 12, 2022) (AD 2022-01-09), for all Stemme AG Model Stemme S 10-
VT and Model Stemme S 12 gliders with a freewheel clutch part number
(P/N) 12AK with a serial number starting with ``12-'' installed. AD
2022-01-09 was prompted by MCAI originated by EASA, which is the
Technical Agent for the Member States of the European Union. EASA
issued EASA Emergency AD 2021-0278-E, dated December 15, 2021 (EASA AD
2021-0278-E), to correct an unsafe condition identified as unintended
slipping of the freewheel clutch with overheating (burnishing) of the
friction pads inside of the clutch.
AD 2022-01-09 requires removing the affected freewheel clutch from
service and prohibits installing an affected part on any glider. The
FAA issued AD 2022-01-09 to address unintended slipping of the
freewheel clutch with overheating (burnishing) of the friction pads
inside of the clutch, which if not addressed, could result in a loss of
thrust and consequent loss of glider control.
Actions Since AD 2022-01-09 Was Issued
Since the FAA issued AD 2022-01-09, EASA superseded EASA AD 2021-
0278-E and issued EASA AD 2021-0278R1, dated August 11, 2022 (referred
to after this as ``the MCAI''), to correct an unsafe condition on all
Stemme AG Model Stemme S 10-VT and Stemme S 12 gliders. The MCAI states
that the definition of affected part was amended to exclude certain
modified and re-identified freewheel clutches.
You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket at <a href="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a> under
Docket No. FAA-2022-1421.
FAA's Determination
These products have been approved by the aviation authority of
another country and are approved for operation in the United States.
Pursuant to the FAA's bilateral agreement with this State of Design
Authority, it has notified the FAA of the unsafe condition described in
the MCAI and service information described above. The FAA is issuing
this NPRM after determining that the unsafe condition described
previously is likely to exist or develop on other products of these
same type designs.
Proposed AD Requirements in this NPRM
This proposed AD would retain the requirements of AD 2022-01-09 for
removing the affected freewheel clutch from service and continue to
prohibit the installation of an affected part, and would amend the
definition of an affected part and clarify the part installation
prohibition.
Costs of Compliance
The FAA estimates that this AD, if adopted as proposed, would
affect 63 gliders of U.S. registry.
The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this proposed
AD:
Estimated Costs
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Cost per Cost on U.S.
Action Labor cost Parts cost product operators
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Remove freewheel clutch from service.. 4 work-hours x $85 per $500 $840 $52,920
hour = $340.
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The new requirements of this proposed AD add no additional economic
burden over that already required by AD 2022-01-09.
Authority for This Rulemaking
Title 49 of the United States Code specifies the FAA's authority to
issue rules on aviation safety. Subtitle I, section 106, describes the
authority of the FAA Administrator. Subtitle VII, Aviation Programs,
describes in more detail the scope of the Agency's authority.
The FAA is issuing this rulemaking under the authority described in
Subtitle VII, Part A, Subpart III, Section 44701: General requirements.
Under that section, Congress charges the FAA with promoting safe flight
of civil aircraft in air commerce by prescribing regulations for
practices, methods, and procedures the Administrator finds necessary
for safety in air commerce. This regulation is within the scope of that
authority because it addresses an unsafe condition that is likely to
exist or
[[Page 69222]]
develop on products identified in this rulemaking action.
Regulatory Findings
The FAA 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.
For the reasons discussed above, I certify that the proposed
regulation:
(1) Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive
Order 12866,
(2) Would not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and
(3) Would not have a significant economic impact, positive or
negative, on a substantial number of small entities under the criteria
of the Regulatory Flexibility Act.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by
reference, Safety.
The Proposed Amendment
Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the
Administrator, the FAA proposes to amend 14 CFR part 39 as follows:
PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
0
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]
0
2. The FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by:
0
a. Removing Airworthiness Directive 2022-01-09, Amendment 39-21897 (87
FR 1666, January 12, 2022); and
0
b. Adding the following new airworthiness directive:
Stemme AG: Docket No. FAA-2022-1421; Project Identifier MCAI-2022-
01088-G.
(a) Comments Due Date
The FAA must receive comments on this airworthiness directive
(AD) by January 3, 2023.
(b) Affected ADs
This AD replaces AD 2022-01-09, Amendment 39-21897 (87 FR 1666,
January 12, 2022).
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to Stemme AG Model Stemme S 10-VT and Model
Stemme S 12 gliders, all serial numbers, certificated in any
category, with a freewheel clutch having part number 12AK with a
serial number starting with ``12-'' installed, except those which
have been modified by following the instructions of Stemme Service
Bulletin Doc. No. P062-980058, Revision 02, dated April 19, 2022,
and have been re-identified with ``M'' at the end of the serial
number.
(d) Subject
Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 7100, Powerplant
System.
(e) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by mandatory continuing airworthiness
information (MCAI) originated by an aviation authority of another
country to identify and correct an unsafe condition on an aviation
product. The MCAI identifies the unsafe condition as unintended
slipping of the freewheel clutch with overheating (burnishing) of
the friction pads inside of the clutch. The FAA is issuing this AD
to ensure removal of the affected freewheel clutch from service. The
unsafe condition, if not addressed, could result in a loss of thrust
and consequent loss of glider control.
(f) Compliance
Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified,
unless already done.
(g) Required Action and Compliance
(1) Before further flight after the effective date of this AD,
remove the freewheel clutch from service.
(2) As of the effective date of this AD, do not install a
freewheel clutch part number 12AK with a serial number starting with
201F;12-'' on any glider, unless it has been modified by following
the instructions of Stemme Service Bulletin Doc. No. P062-980058,
Revision 02, dated April 19, 2022, and has been re-identified with
``/M'' at the end of the serial number.
(h) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)
The Manager, International Validation Branch, FAA, has the
authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the
procedures found in Sec. 39.19. In accordance with Sec. 39.19,
send your request to your principal inspector or local Flight
Standards District Office, as appropriate. If sending information
directly to the manager of the International Validation Branch, mail
it to the address identified in paragraph (i)(2) of this AD or email
to: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#90a9bdd1c6c3bdd1d9c2bda7a3a0bdd1dddfd3d0f6f1f1bef7ffe6"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="447d6905121769050d16697377746905090b07042225256a232b32">[email protected]</span></a>. If mailing information, also submit
information by email. Before using any approved AMOC, notify your
appropriate principal inspector, or lacking a principal inspector,
the manager of the local flight standards district office/
certificate holding district office. AMOCs approved for AD 2022-01-
09 are approved as AMOCs for the corresponding provisions of this
AD.
(i) Additional Information
(1) Refer to European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD
2021-0278R1, dated August 11, 2022, for related information. This
EASA AD may be found in the AD docket at <a href="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a> under
Docket No. FAA-2022-1421.
(2) For more information about this AD, contact Jim Rutherford,
Aviation Safety Engineer, General Aviation & Rotorcraft Section,
International Validation Branch, FAA, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas
City, MO 64106; phone: (816) 329-4165; email:
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#cea4a7a3e0bcbbbaa6abbca8a1bcaa8ea8afafe0a9a1b8"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="d3b9babefda1a6a7bbb6a1b5bca1b793b5b2b2fdb4bca5">[email protected]</span></a>.
(3) For service information identified in this AD that is not
incorporated by reference, contact Stemme AG, Flugplatzstrasse F2,
Nr. 6-7, D-15344 Strausberg, Germany; phone: +49 (0) 3341 3612-0;
fax: +49 (0) 3341 3612-30; email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#fd9c948f8a928f89959493988e8ebd8e8998909098d39998"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="3b5a52494c54494f5352555e48487b484f5e56565e155f5e">[email protected]</span></a>; website:
<a href="http://stemme.com">stemme.com</a>. You may view this referenced service information at the
FAA, Airworthiness Products Section, Operational Safety Branch, 901
Locust, Kansas City, MO 64106. For information on the availability
of this material at the FAA, call (817) 222-5110.
(j) Material Incorporated by Reference
None.
Issued on November 9, 2022.
Christina Underwood,
Acting Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2022-25020 Filed 11-17-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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