DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2019-0560; Product Identifier 2018-CE-056-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; Glasflugel Gliders

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of
Transportation (DOT).

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: We propose to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2018-21-
04 for Glasflugel Models Club Libelle 205, H 301 "Libelle," H 301B
"Libelle," Kestrel, Mosquito, Standard "Libelle," and Standard
Libelle-201B 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 describes the unsafe
condition as jamming between the double two-ring end of the towing
cable and the deflector angles of the center of gravity (C.G.) release
mechanism. We are issuing this proposed AD to require actions to
address the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by September 19, 2019.

ADDRESSES: You may send comments by any of the following methods:

Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the
instructions for submitting comments.

Fax: (202) 493-2251.

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.

Hand Delivery: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New
Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.,
Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.

For service information identified in this proposed AD, contact
Glasfaser Flugzeug-Service GmbH, Hansjorg Streifeneder, Hofener Weg 61,
72582 Grabenstetten, Germany; phone: +49 (0)7382/1032; fax: +49
(0)7382/1629; email: info@streifly.de; internet: http://www.streifly.de/
kontakt-e.htm. You may review copies of the referenced
service information at the FAA, Policy and Innovation Division, 901 Locust,
Kansas City, Missouri 64106. For information on the availability of
this material at the FAA, call (816) 329-4148.

Examining the AD Docket

You may examine the AD docket on the internet at http://www.regulations.
gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2019-0560; 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 proposed AD, the
regulatory evaluation, any comments received, and other information. The
street address for Docket Operations (telephone (800) 647-5527) is in the
ADDRESSES section. Comments will be available in the AD docket shortly
after receipt.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jim Rutherford, Aerospace Engineer,
FAA, Policy and Innovation Divsion, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City,
Missouri 64106; telephone: (816) 329-4165; fax: (816) 329-4090; email:
jim.rutherford@faa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or
arguments about this proposed AD. Send your comments to an address
listed under the ADDRESSES section. Include "Docket No. FAA-2019-0560;
Product Identifier 2018-CE-056-AD" at the beginning of your comments.
We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, economic,
environmental, and energy aspects of this proposed AD. We will consider
all comments received by the closing date and may amend this proposed
AD because of those comments.

We will post all comments we receive, without change, to http://
regulations.gov, including any personal information you provide. We
will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact we
receive about this proposed AD.

Discussion

We issued a Final rule; request for comment to add AD 2018-21-04,
Amendment 39-19462 (83 FR 53573, October 24, 2018) ("AD 2018-21-04")
to address an unsafe condition on Glasflugel Models Club Libelle 205, H
301 "Libelle," H 301B "Libelle," Kestrel, Mosquito, Standard
"Libelle," and Standard Libelle-201B gliders. AD 2018-21-04 requires
inspecting the distance between the deflector-angles of the C.G.
release mechanism and revising the operations section of the sailplane
flight manual (SFM) before the next winch launch.

AD 2018-21-04 was based on MCAI originated by an aviation authority
of another country. The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which
is the Technical Agent for the Member States of the European Community,
has issued Emergency AD No. 2018-0143-E (referred to after this as
"the MCAI"), to correct an unsafe condition for the specified
products. The MCAI states:

Jamming between the double two ring end of the towing cable and
the deflector angles of the C.G. release mechanism was reported.
Subsequent investigation identified incorrect geometry of the
deflector angles of the affected part as likely cause of the
jamming.

This condition, if not detected and corrected, could lead to
failure to disconnect the towing cable, possibly resulting in
reduced or loss of control of the sailplane.

To address this potential unsafe condition, Glasfaser Flugzeug-
Service GmbH issued the TN [Technical Note] to provide inspection
instructions and corrective action.

For the reasons described above, this [EASA] AD requires
repetitive inspections of the affected part, and, depending on
findings, accomplishment of applicable corrective action(s). This
[EASA] AD also requires amendment of the sailplane Aircraft Flight
Manual (AFM).

We issued AD 2018-21-04 as an interim action to address the
immediate need for the initial inspection of the distance between the
deflector-angles of the C.G. release mechanism, any necessary
corrective action, and the revision of the flying operations section of
the SFM. We are proposing this superseding AD to address the long-term
need to repeat the inspection of the C.G. release mechanism for the
distance between the deflector-angles at intervals not to exceed 12
months. Because this proposed requirement is for a longer interval, we
are providing the public an opportunity to comment. You may examine the
MCAI on the internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and
locating Docket No. FAA-2019-0560.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

We reviewed Glasfaser-Flugzeug-Service GmbH Technical Note No. 5-
2018, dated June 25, 2018, which is incorporated by reference in AD
2018-21-04. The service information describes procedures for measuring
the distance between the deflector-angles at the C.G. release and
modifying the deflector-angles if necessary. 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 the ADDRESSES section of this NPRM.

FAA's Determination and Requirements of the Proposed AD

This product has been approved by the aviation authority of another
country, and is approved for operation in the United States. Pursuant
to our bilateral agreement with this State of Design Authority, they
have notified us of the unsafe condition described in the MCAI and
service information referenced above. We are proposing this AD because
we evaluated all information and determined the unsafe condition exists
and is likely to exist or develop on other products of the same type
design.

Costs of Compliance

We estimate that this proposed AD will affect 177 products of U.S.
registry. We also estimate that it would take about 1 work-hour per
product to comply with the inspection requirements and revision of the
flying operations section of the sailplane flight manual of this
proposed AD. The average labor rate is $85 per work-hour.

Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of the AD on U.S.
operators to be $15,045, or $85 per product, per inspection cycle.

We estimate that any modification of the deflector-angles that may
be necessary as a result of the inspection would take about 4 work-
hours and require parts costing $100, for a cost of $440 per product.
We have no way of determining the number of products that may need
these actions.

This proposed AD retains the actions of AD 2018-21-04. The
estimated costs of initial inspection, any necessary modification, and
revision of the flying operations section of the SFM remain the same as
AD 2018-21-04 and do not impose an additional burden beyond the cost of
repeating the inspection every 12 months.

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.

We are 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.

This AD is issued in accordance with authority delegated by the
Executive Director, Aircraft Certification Service, as authorized by
FAA Order 8000.51C. In accordance with that order, issuance of ADs is
normally a function of the Compliance and Airworthiness Division, but
during this transition period, the Executive Director has delegated the
authority to issue ADs applicable to small airplanes, gliders,
balloons, airships, domestic business jet transport airplanes, and
associated appliances to the Director of the Policy and Innovation
Division.

Regulatory Findings

We 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) Is not a "significant rule" under the DOT Regulatory Policies
and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979),

(3) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and

(4) 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 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

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 removing Airworthiness Directive (AD)
2018-21-04, Amendment 39-19462 (83 FR 53573; October 24, 2018), and
adding the following new AD: