DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2022-0293; Project Identifier MCAI-2021-01125-G;
Amendment 39-22079; AD 2022-12-07]
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) 75-23-03
for all Alexander Schleicher GmbH & Co. Segelflugzeugbau (Alexander
Schleicher) Model Ka2B, Ka 6, Ka 6 B, Ka 6 BR, Ka 6 C, Ka 6 CR, K 7, K
8, and AS-K 13 gliders. AD 75-23-03 required visually inspecting the
glue joint between the elevator nose rib number 1 and the nose plywood
skin and replacing the glue joint if insufficient glue adhesion was
found. Since the FAA issued AD 75-23-03, the European Union Aviation
Safety Agency (EASA) superseded prior EASA ADs for the unsafe condition
on these products. This AD adds the Model K 8 B gliders to the
applicability and requires repetitively inspecting the glue joint at
elevator rib number 1 and repairing any damage found. The FAA is
issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective July 21, 2022.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of July 21,
2022.

ADDRESSES: 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: info@alexander-schleicher.de; website: https://www.alexander-
schleicher.de. 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
https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No.
FAA-2022-0293.

Examining the AD Docket

You may examine the AD docket at https://www.regulations.gov by
searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2022-0293; 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
mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI), any comments
received, 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.

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: jim.rutherford@faa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

The FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14
CFR part 39 to supersede AD 75-23-03, Amendment 39-2414 (40 FR 50706,
October 31, 1975) (AD 75-23-03). AD 75-23-03 applied to all Alexander
Schleicher Model Ka2B, Ka 6, Ka 6 B, Ka 6 BR, Ka 6 C, Ka 6 CR, K 7, K
8, and AS-K 13 gliders. AD 75-23-03 required visually inspecting the
glue joint between the elevator nose rib number 1 and the nose plywood
skin and replacing the glue joint if insufficient glue adhesion was
found.
The NPRM published in the Federal Register on March 28, 2022 (87 FR
17204). The NPRM was prompted by AD 2021-0230, dated October 14, 2021
(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:

An occurrence was reported of structural failure of an elevator
during winch launching of a K 7 sailplane. Subsequent investigation
results determined that the occurrence was due to damaged glue of
the elevator's rib No. 1.
This condition, if not detected and corrected, could affect the
structural integrity of an elevator, possibly resulting in reduced
control of the aeroplane.
To address this potential unsafe condition, Schleicher issued
the glued joint inspection TN [Technical Note], as defined in this
[EASA] AD, to provide inspection instructions and LBA Germany issued
AD 72-7 (later revised) to require those actions.
Since that [LBA Germany] AD was issued, additional similar
occurrences were reported of structural elevator failure, also on
(powered) sailplanes originally not affected by LBA 72-7/3. Prompted
by this development, Schleicher issued the applicable TN, providing
inspections instructions for all (powered) sailplanes having an
elevator of a similar design and making the inspections dependent
also on the number of take-offs.
For the reason described above, this [EASA] AD supersedes LBA
Germany AD 72-7/3 [dated December 13, 1989] and requires repetitive
inspections of the elevator and, depending on findings,
accomplishment of applicable corrective action(s).

In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to require repetitively inspecting
the glue joint between elevator rib number 1 and the plywood skin and
repairing if necessary. In the NPRM, the FAA also proposed to add Model
K 8 B gliders to the applicability. The FAA is issuing this AD to
prevent structural failure of an elevator, which could lead to loss of
glider control.
You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket at https://www.regulations.gov
by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2022-0293.

Discussion of Final Airworthiness Directive

Comments

The FAA received no comments on the NPRM or on the determination of
the costs.

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 and
determined that air safety requires adopting the AD as proposed.
Accordingly, the FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition
on these products. 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
Appendix 01-2021, Flight and Operating Manual, dated March 1, 2021.
This service information specifies procedures for protecting the glider
from moisture and repetitively inspecting the glue joint between
elevator rib number 1 and the plywood skin. 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.

Differences Between This AD and the MCAI

The MCAI applies to Model ASK 16, ASK 16B, ASK 18, ASK 18 B, K 8 C,
and Ka 6/0 gliders, and this AD does not because they do not have an
FAA type certificate.
This AD includes the Model Ka2B glider whereas the MCAI does not.
Although the technical notes required by the MCAI specify to report
findings of damage to the manufacturer, this AD does not require that
action.

Costs of Compliance

The FAA estimates that this AD affects 83 gliders of U.S. registry.
The FAA also estimates that it will take 4 work-hours per glider to
inspect the glue joint at elevator rib number 1 and requires parts
costing $50. The average labor rate is $85 per work-hour.
Based on these figures, the FAA estimates the cost on U.S.
operators to be $32,370 or $390 per glider, per inspection cycle.
The FAA estimates that replacing the glue joint, if necessary,
takes 8 work-hours and requires parts costing $250 for an estimated
cost of $930 per glider. The FAA has no way of determining the number
of gliders that may need this action.

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:
(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

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 75-23-03, Amendment 39-2414 (40 FR
50706, October 31, 1975); and

b. Adding the following new airworthiness directive: