Rule2023-05082
Airworthiness Directives; Alexander Schleicher GmbH & Co. Segelflugzeugbau Gliders
Primary source
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Published
March 14, 2023
Effective
April 18, 2023
Issuing agencies
Transportation DepartmentFederal Aviation Administration
Abstract
The FAA is superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2022-14- 14, which applied to all Alexander Schleicher GmbH & Co. Segelflugzeugbau Model ASW-15 gliders. AD 2022-14-14 required repetitively inspecting the wing root ribs for cracks, looseness, and damage and replacing any root rib with a crack, a loose rib or lift pin bushing, or any damage. Since the FAA issued AD 2022-14-14, the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) superseded its mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) to add all Model ASW-15B gliders to the applicability. This AD is prompted by MCAI originated by an aviation authority of another country to identify and correct an unsafe condition on an aviation product. This AD retains the requirements from AD 2022-14-14 of repetitively inspecting the wing root ribs for cracks, looseness, and damage and replacing any root rib with a crack, a loose rib or lift pin bushing or any damage; and revises the applicability by adding Model ASW-15B gliders and specifying that this AD applies to all Model ASW-15 and ASW-15B gliders equipped with wooden wing root ribs. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 88 Issue 49 (Tuesday, March 14, 2023)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 49 (Tuesday, March 14, 2023)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 15604-15606]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2023-05082]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2022-1303; Project Identifier MCAI-2022-01001-G;
Amendment 39-22372; AD 2023-05-03]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Alexander Schleicher GmbH & Co.
Segelflugzeugbau Gliders
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: The FAA is superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2022-14-
14, which applied to all Alexander Schleicher GmbH & Co.
Segelflugzeugbau Model ASW-15 gliders. AD 2022-14-14 required
repetitively inspecting the wing root ribs for cracks, looseness, and
damage and replacing any root rib with a crack, a loose rib or lift pin
bushing, or any damage. Since the FAA issued AD 2022-14-14, the
European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) superseded its mandatory
continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) to add all Model ASW-15B
gliders to the applicability. This AD is prompted by MCAI originated by
an aviation authority of another country to identify and correct an
unsafe condition on an aviation product. This AD retains the
requirements from AD 2022-14-14 of repetitively inspecting the wing
root ribs for cracks, looseness, and damage and replacing any root rib
with a crack, a loose rib or lift pin bushing or any damage; and
revises the applicability by adding Model ASW-15B gliders and
specifying that this AD applies to all Model ASW-15 and ASW-15B gliders
equipped with wooden wing root ribs. The FAA is issuing this AD to
address the unsafe condition on these products.
DATES: This AD is effective April 18, 2023.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of April 18,
2023.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of certain other publications listed in this AD as of August
25, 2022 (87 FR 43403, July 21, 2022).
ADDRESSES:
AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at <a href="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a> under
Docket No. FAA-2022-1303; 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 final rule, any comments received, the MCAI, and
other information. The address for Docket Operations is U.S. Department
of Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor,
Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590.
Material Incorporated by Reference:
<bullet> For service information identified in this final rule,
contact Alexander Schleicher GmbH & Co. Segelflugzeugbau, Alexander-
Schleicher-Str. 1, Poppenhausen, Germany D-36163; phone: +49 (0) 06658
89-0; email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#cba2a5ada48baaa7aeb3aaa5afaeb9e6b8a8a3a7aea2a8a3aeb9e5afae"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="355c5b535a755459504d545b5150471846565d59505c565d50471b5150">[email protected]</span></a>; website: alexander-
schleicher.de.
<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. It is also available at
<a href="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a> under Docket No. FAA-2022-1303.
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#d8b2b1b5f6aaadacb0bdaabeb7aabc98beb9b9f6bfb7ae"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="98f2f1f5b6eaedecf0fdeafef7eafcd8fef9f9b6fff7ee">[email protected]</span></a>.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
The FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14
CFR part 39 to supersede AD 2022-14-14, Amendment 39-22119 (87 FR
43403, July 21, 2022) (AD 2022-14-14). AD 2022-14-14 applied to all
serial-numbered Alexander Schleicher GmbH & Co. Segelflugzeugbau Model
ASW-15 gliders. AD 2022-14-14 required repetitively inspecting the wing
root ribs for cracks, looseness, and damage and replacing any root rib
with a crack, a loose rib or lift pin bushing, or any damage. The FAA
issued AD 2022-14-14 to detect and correct damaged root ribs.
The NPRM published in the Federal Register on October 26, 2022 (87
FR 64734; corrected November 10, 2022 (87 FR 67837)). The NPRM was
prompted by EASA AD 2022-0146, dated July 11, 2022 (EASA AD 2022-0146)
(referred to after this as ``the MCAI''), issued by EASA, which is the
Technical Agent for the Member States of the European Union. The MCAI
states that wing root rib damage can also affect Model ASW-15B gliders,
and the Model ASW-15B as well as the ASW-15 gliders require
repetitively inspecting the wing root ribs and replacing any damaged
wing root ribs. You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket at
<a href="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a> under Docket No. FAA-2022-1303.
In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to retain the requirements from AD
2022-14-14 of repetitively inspecting the wing root ribs for cracks,
looseness, and damage and replacing any root rib with a crack, a loose
rib or lift pin bushing, or any damage; and add the Model ASW-15B
gliders to the applicability.
Discussion of Final Airworthiness Directive
Comments
The FAA received comments from three individual commenters. The
following presents the comments received on the NPRM and the FAA's
response to each comment.
Request Regarding Applicability
Three individual commenters requested that the FAA change the
applicability of the proposed AD to specify that only Model ASW-15 and
ASW-15B gliders equipped with
[[Page 15605]]
wooden wing root ribs would be affected. The commenters stated that
EASA AD 2022-0146 and Alexander Schleicher GmbH & Co. Segelflugzeugbau
ASW 15 Technical Note 29, Issue II, dated May 4, 2022 (TN 29, Issue
II), are for all models and serial numbers of ASW 15 gliders built with
wooden wing root ribs and that in the proposed AD the FAA did not
specify that only gliders equipped with wooden wing root ribs would be
affected.
The FAA agrees. The FAA revised paragraph (c), Applicability, of
this AD to specify Alexander Schleicher GmbH & Co. Segelflugzeugbau
Model ASW-15 and ASW-15B gliders, all serial numbers, certificated in
any category, equipped with wooden wing root ribs.
Request Regarding On-Condition Costs
An individual commenter requested that the FAA increase the
proposed work-hour estimates in the NPRM for replacing all wing root
ribs. The individual stated that the estimate of 8 work-hours to
replace all wing root ribs is a significant underestimate.
The FAA agrees. The FAA researched the work-hour estimate for
replacing all four wing root ribs and has since determined that it
should be an estimate of 55 work-hours. Based on this information, the
FAA revised the on-condition cost estimate in this final rule to
include 55 work-hours for the replacement of all four wing root ribs.
Conclusion
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 referenced above. The FAA reviewed the relevant data,
considered the comments received, and determined that air safety
requires adopting this AD as proposed. Accordingly, the FAA is issuing
this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products. Except for
any changes described previously, this AD is adopted as proposed in the
NPRM.
Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51
The FAA reviewed Alexander Schleicher GmbH & Co. Segelflugzeugbau
ASW 15 Technical Note 29, Issue II, dated May 4, 2022 (TN 29, Issue
II). This service information specifies replacement of wooden wing root
ribs with new ribs.
This AD also requires Alexander Schleicher GmbH & Co.
Segelflugzeugbau ASW 15 Technical Note 29, dated June 28, 2021;
Alexander Schleicher GmbH & Co. Segelflugzeugbau ASW 15 Repair
instruction exchange of wing root ribs according to TN 29, dated June
28, 2021; and Alexander Schleicher GmbH & Co. Segelflugzeugbau ASW 15
Maintenance Instruction G, Issue 1, dated June 28, 2021, which the
Director of the Federal Register approved for incorporation by
reference as of August 25, 2022 (87 FR 43403, July 21, 2022).
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.
Differences Between This AD and the Service Information
TN 29, Issue II, specifies the exchange of page 22A and page 27A of
the Flight and Operations Manual for the Model ASW-15 and ASW-15B
gliders, respectively, with a new version of those pages and then
specifies documenting this change on page 3, Amendments, of the
respective manual, and the MCAI and this AD do not.
Costs of Compliance
The FAA estimates that this AD affects 29 gliders of U.S. registry.
The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this AD:
Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cost on U.S.
Action Labor cost Parts cost Cost per product operators
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Inspection of root ribs....... 1 work-hour x $85 Not Applicable.......... $85 per $2,465 per
per hour = $85. inspection cycle. inspection
cycle.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The FAA estimates the following costs to do any necessary
replacements that would be required based on the results of the
inspection. The agency has no data to determine the number of gliders
that might need these replacements:
On-Condition Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cost per
Action Labor cost Parts cost product
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Replace all four root ribs.................... 55 work-hours x $85 per hour = $1,000 $5,675
$4,675.
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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 has 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.
For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this AD:
[[Page 15606]]
(1) Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive
Order 12866,
(2) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, 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.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by
reference, Safety.
The Amendment
Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the
Administrator, the FAA amends 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 AD 2022-14-14, Amendment 39-22119
(87 FR 43403, July 21, 2022); and
0
b. Adding the following new airworthiness directive:
2023-05-03 Alexander Schleicher GmbH & Co. Segelflugzeugbau:
Amendment 39-22372; Docket No. FAA-2022-1303; Project Identifier
MCAI-2022-01001-G.
(a) Effective Date
This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective April 18, 2023.
(b) Affected ADs
This AD replaces AD 2022-14-14, Amendment 39-22119 (87 FR 43403,
July 21, 2022) (AD 2022-14-14).
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to Alexander Schleicher GmbH & Co.
Segelflugzeugbau Model ASW-15 and ASW-15B gliders, all serial
numbers, certificated in any category, equipped with wooden wing
root ribs.
(d) Subject
Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 5712, Wing, Rib/
Bulkhead.
(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 describes the unsafe condition as wing root rib
damage. The FAA is issuing this AD to detect and correct damaged
root ribs. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could result in
reduced structural integrity of the wing assembly, which could lead
to loss of control of the glider.
(f) Compliance
Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified,
unless already done.
(g) Required Actions
(1) For Model ASW-15 gliders: Within 30 days after August 25,
2022 (effective date of AD 2022-14-14), and thereafter at intervals
not to exceed 12 months, inspect all wing root ribs (4 places) for
cracks, looseness, and damage, in accordance with the Action section
in Alexander Schleicher GmbH & Co. Segelflugzeugbau ASW 15
Maintenance Instruction G, Issue 1, dated June 28, 2021. If there is
a crack in any root rib, a loose rib or lift pin bushing, or any
damage, before further flight, replace the root rib in accordance
with Action paragraph (B) in Alexander Schleicher GmbH & Co.
Segelflugzeugbau ASW 15 Technical Note 29, dated June 28, 2021, and
steps 1 through 7 in Alexander Schleicher GmbH & Co.
Segelflugzeugbau ASW 15 Repair instruction exchange of wing root
ribs according to TN 29, dated June 28, 2021; or Action paragraph
(C) in Alexander Schleicher GmbH & Co. Segelflugzeugbau ASW 15
Technical Note 29, Issue II, dated May 4, 2022, and steps 1 through
7 in Alexander Schleicher GmbH & Co. Segelflugzeugbau ASW 15 Repair
instruction exchange of wing root ribs according to TN 29, dated
June 28, 2021.
(2) For Model ASW-15B gliders: Within 30 days after the
effective date of this AD and thereafter at intervals not to exceed
12 months, inspect all wing root ribs (4 places) for cracks,
looseness, and damage, in accordance with the Action section in
Alexander Schleicher GmbH & Co. Segelflugzeugbau ASW 15 Maintenance
Instruction G, Issue 1, dated June 28, 2021. If there is a crack in
any root rib, a loose rib or lift pin bushing, or any damage, before
further flight, replace the root rib in accordance with Action
paragraph (C) in Alexander Schleicher GmbH & Co. Segelflugzeugbau
ASW 15 Technical Note 29, Issue II, dated May 4, 2022, and steps 1
through 7 in Alexander Schleicher GmbH & Co. Segelflugzeugbau ASW 15
Repair instruction exchange of wing root ribs according to TN 29,
dated June 28, 2021.
(3) For Model ASW-15 and ASW-15B gliders: Replacing all four
wing root ribs with new ribs is terminating action for the
repetitive inspections required by this AD.
(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#0e37234f585d234f475c23393d3e234f43414d4e686f6f20696178"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="dbe2f69a8d88f69a9289f6ece8ebf69a9694989bbdbabaf5bcb4ad">[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.
(i) Additional Information
(1) Refer to European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD
2022-0146, dated July 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-2022-1303.
(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#107a797d3e626564787562767f6274507671713e777f66"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="d1bbb8bcffa3a4a5b9b4a3b7bea3b591b7b0b0ffb6bea7">[email protected]</span></a>.
(j) Material Incorporated by Reference
(1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the
incorporation by reference (IBR) 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.
(3) The following service information was approved for IBR on
April 18, 2023.
(i) Alexander Schleicher GmbH & Co. Segelflugzeugbau ASW 15
Technical Note 29, Issue II, dated May 4, 2022.
(ii) [Reserved]
(4) The following service information was approved for IBR on
August 25, 2022 (87 FR 43403, July 21, 2022).
(i) Alexander Schleicher GmbH & Co. Segelflugzeugbau ASW 15
Maintenance Instruction G, Issue 1, dated June 28, 2021.
(ii) Alexander Schleicher GmbH & Co. Segelflugzeugbau ASW 15
Repair instruction exchange of wing root ribs according to TN 29,
dated June 28, 2021.
(iii) Alexander Schleicher GmbH & Co. Segelflugzeugbau ASW 15
Technical Note 29, dated June 28, 2021.
(5) For service information identified in this AD, contact
Alexander Schleicher GmbH & Co. Segelflugzeugbau, Alexander-
Schleicher-Str. 1, Poppenhausen, Germany D-36163; phone: +49 (0)
06658 89-0; email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#244d4a424b644548415c454a4041560957474c48414d474c41560a4041"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="aac3c4ccc5eacbc6cfd2cbc4cecfd887d9c9c2c6cfc3c9c2cfd884cecf">[email protected]</span></a>; website: alexander-
schleicher.de.
(6) 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.
(7) 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#4d2b3f6324233e3d282e392422230d232c3f2c632a223b"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="d4b2a6fabdbaa7a4b1b7a0bdbbba94bab5a6b5fab3bba2">[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 March 5, 2023.
Christina Underwood,
Acting Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2023-05082 Filed 3-13-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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