2018-21-04: Equipment/Furnishing

Adoption of the Amendment \n\n\n\tAccordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the Administrator, the FAA amends 14 CFR part 39 as follows: \n\nPART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES \n\n0 1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows: \n\n\n\tAuthority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701. \n\n\n\nSec. 39.13 (Amended) \n\n0 \n\t2. The FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness directive (AD): \n\n2018-21-04 Glasflugel: Amendment 39-19462; Docket No. FAA-2018-0891; Product Identifier 2018-CE-038-AD. \n\n(a) Effective Date \n\n\n\tThis AD becomes effective November 13, 2018. \n\n(b) Affected ADs \n\n\n\tNone. \n\n(c) Applicability \n\n\n\tThis AD applies to Glasflugel Models Club Libelle 205, H 301 ''Libelle,'' H 301B ''Libelle,'' Kestrel, Mosquito, Standard ''Libelle,'' and Standard Libelle-201B gliders, certificated in any category, with a center of gravity (C.G.) tow release installed. \n\n(d) Subject \n\n\n\tAir Transport Association of America (ATA) Code 25: Equipment/ Furnishing. \n\n(e) Reason \n\n\n\tThis AD was prompted by mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) issued by the 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 C.G. release mechanism. We are issuing this AD to prevent failure of the towing cable to disconnect, which could result in reduced or loss of control of the glider or the cable breaking and causing injury to people on the ground. \n\n(f) Actions and Compliance \n\n\n\tUnless already done, do the following actions in paragraphs (f)(1) and (3) of this AD. \n\t(1) Before the next winch launch after November 13, 2018 (the effective date of this AD), inspect the distance between the deflector-angles by following paragraph 1 in the Actions section of Glasfaser-Flugzeug-Service GmbH Technical Note No. 5-2018, dated June 25, 2018. \n\t(2) If the distance is less than 36 mm during the inspection required in paragraph (f)(1) of this AD, before the next winch launch after November 13, 2018 (the effective date of this AD), do the corrective action in paragraph 2 in the Actions section of Glasfaser-Flugzeug-Service GmbH Technical Note No. 5-2018, dated June 25, 2018. \n\n((Page 53575)) \n\n\n\t(3) Before the next winch launch after November 13, 2018 (the effective date of this AD), revise the flying operations section of the sailplane flight manual by inserting the text in paragraph (f)(3)(i) of this AD into the winch tow section. \n\t(i) Winch launching is permissible only with a connecting ring pair that conforms to aeronautical standard LN 65091. \n\t(ii) This action may be done by the owner/operator (pilot) holding at least a private pilot certificate and must be entered into the aircraft records showing compliance with this AD by following 14 CFR 43.9 (a)(1) through (4) and 14 CFR 91.417(a)(2)(v). The record must be maintained as required by 14 CFR 91.417, 121.380, or 135.439. \n\n(g) Other FAA AD Provisions \n\n\n\tThe following provisions also apply to this AD: \n\t(1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager, Small Airplane Standards Branch, FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. Send information to ATTN: Jim Rutherford, Aerospace Engineer, FAA, Policy and Innovation Division, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, Missouri 64106; telephone: (816) 329-4165; fax: (816) 329- 4090; email: jim.rutherford@faa.gov. Before using any approved AMOC on any glider to which the AMOC applies, notify your appropriate principal inspector (PI) in the FAA Flight Standards District Office (FSDO), or lacking a PI, your local FSDO. \n\t(2) Contacting the Manufacturer: For any requirement in this AD to obtain corrective actions from a manufacturer, the action must instead be accomplished using a method approved by theManager, Small Airplane Standards Branch, FAA; or the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA). \n\n(h) Related Information \n\n\n\tRefer to MCAI EASA AD No. 2018-0143-E, dated July 6, 2018, for related information. You may examine the MCAI on the internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2018-0891. \n\n(i) Material Incorporated by Reference \n\n\n\t(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. \n\t(2) You must use this service information as applicable to do the actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise. \n\t(i) Glasfaser-Flugzeug-Service GmbH Technical Note No. 5-2018, dated June 25, 2018. \n\t(ii) (Reserved) \n\t(3) For service information identified in this 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. \n\t(4) You may view this service information at the FAA, Policy and Innovation, 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 http://www.regulations.gov by searching for locating Docket No. FAA-2018- 0891. \n\t(5) 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, call 202-741-6030, or go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.