DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2019-0560; Product Identifier 2018-CE-056-AD; Amendment
39-21255; AD No. 2020-19-12]
RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; Glasflugel

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: The FAA is superseding 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 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. The FAA is
issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective October 22, 2020.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of November 13,
2018 (83 FR 53573, October 24, 2018).

ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this final rule,
contact Glasfaser Flugzeug-Service GmbH, Hansjorg Streifeneder, Hofener
Weg 61, 72582 Grabenstetten, Germany; telephone: +49 (0)7382/1032; fax:
+49 (0)7382/1629; email: info@streifly.de; internet: https://www.streifly.de/
kontakt-e.htm. You may review this referenced service
information at the FAA, Airworthiness Products Section, Operational
Safety Branch, 901 Locust, Kansas City, Missouri 64106. For information
on the availability of this material at the FAA, call (816) 329-4148.
It is also available on the internet at https://www.regulations.gov by
searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2019-0560.

Examining the AD Docket

You may examine the AD docket on the internet at https://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 final rule, the regulatory evaluation, any comments received, and
other information. The address for Docket Operations is Docket
Operations, U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30,
West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE,
Washington, DC 20590.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jim Rutherford, Aerospace Engineer,
FAA, General Aviation & Rotorcraft Section, International Validation
Branch, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, Missouri 64106; telephone:
(816) 329-4165; fax: (816) 329-4090; email: jim.rutherford@faa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

The FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14
CFR part 39 by removing AD 2018-21-04, Amendment 39-19462 (83 FR 53573,
October 24, 2018) (``AD 2018-21-04'') and adding a new AD. AD 2018-21-
04 applied to Glasflugel Models Club Libelle 205, H 301 ``Libelle,'' H
301B ``Libelle,'' Kestrel, Mosquito, Standard ``Libelle,'' and Standard
Libelle-201B gliders and required 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. The NPRM published in the Federal Register on August 5,
2019 (84 FR 37974).
AD 2018-21-04 was based on MCAI originated by the European Aviation
Safety Agency (EASA), which is the Technical Agent for the Member
States of the European Community. EASA issued Emergency AD No. 2018-
0143-E, dated July 6, 2018 (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).

You may examine the MCAI on the internet at https://www.regulations.gov
by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2019-0560.
The FAA 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. In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to supersede AD 2018-21-04 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.

Comments

The FAA gave the public the opportunity to participate in
developing this final rule. No comments were received on the NPRM or on
the determination of the cost to the public.

Conclusion

The FAA reviewed the relevant data and determined that air safety
and the public interest require adopting this final rule as proposed.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

The FAA 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 provides instructions 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.

Costs of Compliance

The FAA estimates that this AD will affect 177 products of U.S.
registry. The FAA also estimates 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
AD. The average labor rate is $85 per work-hour.
Based on these figures, the FAA estimates the cost of this AD on
U.S. operators to be $15,045, or $85 per product, per inspection cycle.
The FAA estimates 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.
The FAA has no way of determining the number of products that may need
these actions.
This AD retains the actions of AD 2018-21-04. The estimated costs
of the 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.
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

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:
(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.

Adoption of 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

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:

a. Removing Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2018-21-04, Amendment 39-19462
(83 FR 53573, October 24, 2018); and

b. Adding the following new AD: