Proposed Rule2022-25367
Airworthiness Directives; Schempp-Hirth Flugzeugbau GmbH Gliders
Primary source
Metadata and text below are from the Federal Register, a public-domain U.S. government work. Always verify the official published version before relying on it for any legal matter.
Published
November 22, 2022
Issuing agencies
Transportation DepartmentFederal Aviation Administration
Abstract
The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Schempp-Hirth Flugzeugbau GmbH Model Duo Discus and Duo Discus T gliders. This proposed AD results from 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 the airbrake becoming blocked or jammed in an extended position during high airspeed due to an incorrect adjustment on the airbrake system. This proposed AD would require repetitively inspecting the airbrake system and corrective action as necessary. 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 224 (Tuesday, November 22, 2022)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 224 (Tuesday, November 22, 2022)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 71264-71266]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2022-25367]
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Proposed Rules
Federal Register
________________________________________________________________________
This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains notices to the public of
the proposed issuance of rules and regulations. The purpose of these
notices is to give interested persons an opportunity to participate in
the rule making prior to the adoption of the final rules.
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Federal Register / Vol. 87 , No. 224 / Tuesday, November 22, 2022 /
Proposed Rules
[[Page 71264]]
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2022-1484; Project Identifier MCAI-2022-00897-G]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Schempp-Hirth Flugzeugbau GmbH Gliders
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 Schempp-Hirth Flugzeugbau GmbH Model Duo Discus and Duo Discus
T gliders. This proposed AD results from 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 the
airbrake becoming blocked or jammed in an extended position during high
airspeed due to an incorrect adjustment on the airbrake system. This
proposed AD would require repetitively inspecting the airbrake system
and corrective action as necessary. 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 6, 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-2022-1484; 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
information. The street address for Docket Operations is listed above.
Material Incorporated by Reference:
<bullet> For service information identified in this NPRM, contact
Schempp-Hirth Flugzeugbau GmbH, Krebenstrasse 25, Kirchheim unter Teck,
Germany; phone: +49 7021 7298-0; email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#e48d8a828ba497878c81899494c9d885c48c968182d9" http: hirth.com">hirth.com</a>">info@schempp-<a href="http://hirth.com">hirth.com</a></a>;
website: schempp-<a href="http://hirth.com">hirth.com</a>.
<bullet> You may view this 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.
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#78121115560a0d0c101d0a1e170a1c381e1919561f170e"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="bbd1d2d695c9cecfd3dec9ddd4c9dffbdddada95dcd4cd">[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-2022-1484; Project Identifier
MCAI-2022-00897-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
this 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 European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the
Technical Agent for the Member States of the European Union, has issued
EASA AD 2022-0138, dated July 7, 2022 (referred to after this as ``the
MCAI''), to correct an unsafe condition on all Schempp-Hirth
Flugzeugbau GmbH Model Duo Discus, Duo Discus C, and Duo Discus T
gliders. The MCAI states that an instance of the airbrake becoming
blocked or jammed in an extended position during high airspeed on a Duo
Discus glider occurred due to an incorrect adjustment on the airbrake
system. A review of the manufacturer's maintenance manual revealed more
maintenance information is needed to maintain the airbrake system in a
serviceable condition. Accordingly, the MCAI requires repetitive
inspections of the airbrake system and, depending on findings,
accomplishing corrective actions in accordance with existing Schempp-
Hirth Flugzeugbau GmbH maintenance instructions or instructions
received by contacting Schempp-Hirth Flugzeugbau GmbH.
This condition, if not detected and corrected, could lead to
blockage or
[[Page 71265]]
jamming of the airbrake and result in reduced control of the glider.
You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket at <a href="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a> under
Docket No. FAA-2022-1484.
Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51
The FAA reviewed Schempp-Hirth Flugzeugbau GmbH Maintenance
Information SHK-M-01-22 for the Duo Discus and Duo Discus T airbrake
system, dated January 26, 2022, which specifies procedures for
inspecting and adjusting the airbrake system.
This service information is reasonably available because the
interested parties have access to it through their normal course of
business or by the means identified in ADDRESSES.
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 require accomplishing the actions specified
in the MCAI, except as discussed under ``Differences Between this
Proposed AD and the MCAI.''
Differences Between This Proposed AD and the MCAI
The MCAI applies to Schempp-Hirth Flugzeugbau GmbH Model Duo Discus
C gliders, and this proposed AD does not because this model does not
have an FAA type certificate.
The MCAI requires accomplishing applicable corrective action in
accordance with approved Schempp-Hirth Flugzeugbau GmbH maintenance
instructions or contacting Schempp-Hirth Flugzeugbau GmbH for approved
instructions and accomplishing those instructions accordingly. This
proposed AD would require adjusting the airbrake system in accordance
with a method approved by the FAA; EASA; or Schempp-Hirth Flugzeugbau
GmbH's Design Organization Approval (DOA). If approved by the DOA, the
approval must include the DOA-authorized signature.
The MCAI references incorporating maintenance tasks into the
Schempp-Hirth Aircraft Maintenance Program (AMP) to ensure
accomplishment of the tasks required in the MCAI. Because the AMP is
not required by FAA regulations for U.S. operators of the affected
gliders, the proposed AD does not reference this and the actions are
contained within the proposed AD.
Costs of Compliance
The FAA estimates that this AD, if adopted as proposed, would
affect 32 gliders of U.S. registry.
The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this proposed
AD:
Estimated Costs
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Action Labor cost Parts cost Cost per product Cost on U.S. operators
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Inspect airbrake system............ 2 work-hours x $85 Not applicable.............. $170 per inspection cycle..... $5,440 per inspection cycle.
per hour = $170.
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The FAA estimates the following costs to do any necessary actions
that would be required based on the results of the proposed inspection.
The agency has no way of determining the number of gliders that might
need this action:
On-Condition Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cost per
Action Labor cost Parts cost product
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Adjust airbrake system....................... 4 work-hours x $85 per hour = $200 $540
$340.
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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 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 this 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:
[[Page 71266]]
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 adding the following new airworthiness
directive:
Schempp-Hirth Flugzeugbau GmbH: Docket No. FAA-2022-1484; Project
Identifier MCAI-2022-00897-G.
(a) Comments Due Date
The FAA must receive comments on this airworthiness directive
(AD) by January 6, 2023.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to Schempp-Hirth Flugzeugbau GmbH (Schempp-
Hirth) Model Duo Discus and Duo Discus T gliders, all serial
numbers, certificated in any category.
(d) Subject
Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 2760, Drag Control
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 blocking or
jamming of the airbrake. The FAA is issuing this AD to detect and
correct such blockage or jamming of the airbrake system. The unsafe
condition, if not addressed, could result in reduced control of the
glider.
(f) Compliance
Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified,
unless already done.
(g) Actions
(1) Within 12 months after the effective date of this AD and
thereafter at intervals not to exceed 12 months, inspect the
airbrake system for smooth operation, for sufficient airbrake panel
overlap, and for proper cockpit control adjustment in accordance
with Section I, and either II or III, depending on your glider
configuration, of Schempp-Hirth Flugzeugbau GmbH Maintenance
Information SHK-M-01-22 for the Duo Discus and Duo Discus T airbrake
system, dated January 26, 2022.
Note 1 to paragraph (g)(1): Schempp-Hirth Flugzeugbau GmbH
Technical Note 396-21, dated January 26, 2022; and Schempp-Hirth
Flugzeugbau GmbH Technical Note 890-17, dated January 26, 2022,
contain information related to this subject.
(2) If, during any inspection as required by paragraph (g)(1) of
this AD, any part of the airbrake system is not properly adjusted,
before further flight, adjust the airbrake system in accordance with
a method approved by the FAA; the European Union Aviation Safety
Agency (EASA); or Schempp-Hirth's Design Organization Approval
(DOA). If approved by the DOA, the approval must include the DOA-
authorized signature.
(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, send
it to the attention of the person identified in paragraph (i)(2) of
this AD or email to: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#566f7b1700057b171f047b6165667b171b19151630373778313920"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="e4ddc9a5b2b7c9a5adb6c9d3d7d4c9a5a9aba7a4828585ca838b92">[email protected]</span></a>. If mailing
information, also submit information by email.
(i) Additional Information
(1) Refer to EASA AD 2022-0138, dated July 7, 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-2022-1484.
(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#ee848783c09c9b9a868b9c88819c8aae888f8fc0898198"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="573d3e3a792522233f3225313825331731363679303821">[email protected]</span></a>.
(3) Service information identified in this AD that is not
incorporated by reference is available at the addresses specified in
paragraphs (j)(3) and (4) of this AD.
(j) Material Incorporated by Reference
(1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the
incorporation by reference of the service information listed in this
paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
(2) You must use this service information as applicable to do
the actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise.
(i) Schempp-Hirth Flugzeugbau GmbH Maintenance Information SHK-
M-01-22 for the Duo Discus and Duo Discus T airbrake system, dated
January 26, 2022.
(ii) [Reserved]
(3) For service information identified in this AD, contact
Schempp-Hirth Flugzeugbau GmbH, Krebenstrasse 25, Kirchheim unter
Teck, Germany; phone: +49 7021 7298-0; email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#61080f070e21120209040c11114c5d0041091304075c" http: hirth.com">hirth.com</a>">info@schempp-<a href="http://hirth.com">hirth.com</a></a>; website: schempp-<a href="http://hirth.com">hirth.com</a>.
(4) You may view this 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.
(5) You may view this service information that is incorporated
by reference at the National Archives and Records Administration
(NARA). For information on the availability of this material at
NARA, email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#583e2a7631362b283d3b2c3137361836392a39763f372e"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="8fe9fda1e6e1fcffeaecfbe6e0e1cfe1eefdeea1e8e0f9">[email protected]</span></a>, or go to: <a href="http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html">www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html</a>.
Issued on November 16, 2022.
Christina Underwood,
Acting Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2022-25367 Filed 11-21-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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