Proposed RuleR1-2022-22698
Airworthiness Directives; Alexander Schleicher GmbH & Co. Segelflugzeugbau Gliders
Primary source
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Published
November 10, 2022
Issuing agencies
Transportation DepartmentFederal Aviation Administration
Abstract
The FAA proposes to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2022-14-14, which applies to all Alexander Schleicher GmbH & Co. Segelflugzeugbau Model ASW-15 gliders. AD 2022-14-14 requires 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 Since the FAA issued AD 2022-14-14, the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) superseded its mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) to add all Model ASW-15B gliders to the applicability.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 proposed 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 proposed AD would 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 would add the Model ASW-15B gliders to the applicability. 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 217 (Thursday, November 10, 2022)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 217 (Thursday, November 10, 2022)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 67837-67840]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: R1-2022-22698]
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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]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Alexander Schleicher GmbH & Co.
Segelflugzeugbau Gliders
Editorial Note: Proposed rule document 2022-22698 was originally
published on pages 64734 through 64737 in the issue of Wednesday,
October 26, 2022. In that publication on page 64737, in the first
column, under the ``(j) Material Incorporated by Reference''
heading, paragraph ``(3)'', ``November 30, 2022'' should read
``[DATE 35 DAYS AFTER PUBLICATION OF THE FINAL RULE]''. The
corrected document is published here in its entirety.
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)
2022-14-14, which applies to all Alexander Schleicher GmbH & Co.
Segelflugzeugbau Model ASW-15 gliders. AD 2022-14-14 requires
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 proposed 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 proposed AD
would 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 would add the Model ASW-15B gliders to the
applicability. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe
condition on these products.
DATES: The FAA must receive comments on this NPRM by December 12, 2022.
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- 2022-1303; 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 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
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#c2abaca4ad82a3aea7baa3aca6a7b0efb1a1aaaea7aba1aaa7b0eca6a7"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="bdd4d3dbd2fddcd1d8c5dcd3d9d8cf90ceded5d1d8d4ded5d8cf93d9d8">[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.
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#58323135762a2d2c303d2a3e372a3c183e3939763f372e"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="e58f8c88cb9790918d8097838a9781a5838484cb828a93">[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-2022-1303; Project Identifier
MCAI-2022-01001-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 2022-14-14, Amendment 39-22119 (87 FR 43403, July
21, 2022), (AD 2022-14-14), for all serial-numbered Alexander
Schleicher GmbH & Co. Segelflugzeugbau Model ASW-15 gliders. AD 2022-
14-14 was prompted by MCAI originated by EASA, which is the Technical
Agent for the
[[Page 67838]]
Member States of the European Union. EASA issued EASA AD 2021-0187,
dated August 9, 2021 (EASA AD 2021-0187), for all Alexander Schleicher
GmbH & Co. Segelflugzeugbau Model ASW 15 gliders to correct an unsafe
condition identified as wing root rib damage.
AD 2022-14-14 requires 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.
Actions Since AD 2022-14-14 Was Issued
Since the FAA issued AD 2022-14-14, Alexander Schleicher GmbH & Co.
Segelflugzeugbau determined that Model ASW-15B gliders can also be
affected by wing root rib damage. As a result, EASA superseded EASA AD
2021-0187, and issued EASA AD 2022-0146, dated July 11, 2022 (referred
to after this as ``the MCAI''). 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. The MCAI retains
the requirements of EASA AD 2021-0187 and expands the applicability to
include all Model ASW-15B gliders.
You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket at <a href="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a> under
Docket No. FAA-2022-1303.
Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51
The FAA reviewed Alexander Schleicher GmbH & Co. Segelflugzeugbau
ASW 15 Technical Note No. 29, Issue II (TN No. 29, Issue II), dated May
4, 2022. This service information specifies replacement of root ribs.
This proposed AD would also require Alexander Schleicher GmbH & Co.
Segelflugzeugbau ASW 15 Technical Note No. 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.
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 all of the requirements of AD 2022-
14-14, would add Model ASW-15B gliders to the applicability, and would
provide the option of using the service material from AD 2022-14-14 or
the updated service material.
Differences Between This Proposed AD and the Service Information
TN No. 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 proposed AD do not.
Costs of Compliance
The FAA estimates that this AD, if adopted as proposed, would
affect 29 gliders of U.S. registry.
The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this proposed
AD:
Estimated Costs
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Cost on U.S.
Action Labor cost Parts cost Cost per product operators
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Inspect root ribs.............. 1 work-hour x $85 Not Applicable........ $85 per product $2,465 per
per hour = $85. per inspection inspection
cycle. cycle.
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The FAA estimates the following costs to do any necessary
replacements 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 these replacements:
On-Condition Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cost per
Action Labor cost Parts cost product
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Replace all four root ribs.................... 8 work-hours x $85 per hour = $1,000 $1,680
$680.
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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
[[Page 67839]]
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 AD 2022-14-14, Amendment 39-22119
(87 FR 43403, July 21, 2022); and
0
b. Adding the following new airworthiness directive:
Alexander Schleicher GmbH & Co. Segelflugzeugbau: Docket No. FAA-
2022-1303; Project Identifier MCAI-2022-01001-G.
(a) Comments Due Date
The FAA must receive comments on this airworthiness directive
(AD) by December 12, 2022.
(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.
(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) Action
(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 No. 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 No. 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 No. 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 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#023b2f4354512f434b502f3531322f434f4d41426463632c656d74"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="ecd5c1adbabfc1ada5bec1dbdfdcc1ada1a3afac8a8d8dc28b839a">[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#9ef4f7f3b0ecebeaf6fbecf8f1ecfadef8ffffb0f9f1e8"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="bad0d3d794c8cfced2dfc8dcd5c8defadcdbdb94ddd5cc">[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 Director of the Federal Register approved the following
service information for incorporation by reference on [DATE 35 DAYS
AFTER PUBLICATION OF THE FINAL RULE].
(i) Alexander Schleicher GmbH & Co. Segelflugzeugbau ASW 15
Technical Note No. 29, Issue II dated May 4, 2022.
(ii) [Reserved]
(4) The Director of the Federal Register approved the following
service information for incorporation by reference 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 No. 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#40292e262f00212c2538212e2425326d3323282c2529232825326e2425"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="d9b0b7bfb699b8b5bca1b8b7bdbcabf4aabab1b5bcb0bab1bcabf7bdbc">[email protected]</span></a>; website: alexander-
schleicher.de.
(6) You may view this service information at the FAA,
Airworthiness Products Section,
[[Page 67840]]
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#bfd9cd91d6d1cccfdadccbd6d0d1ffd1decdde91d8d0c9"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="3e584c1057504d4e5b5d4a5751507e505f4c5f10595148">[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 October 13, 2022.
Christina Underwood,
Acting Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. R1-2022-22698 Filed 11-9-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 099-10-D
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