2022-14-11: Wing Structure

1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows: Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701. 2. The FAA amends § 39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness directive: 2022-14-11 Stemme AG (Type Certificate Previously Held by Stemme GmbH & Co. KG): Amendment 39-22116; Docket No. FAA-2022-0809; Project Identifier MCAI-2022-00711-G. (a) Effective Date This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective July 26, 2022. (b) Affected ADs None. (c) Applicability This AD applies to Stemme AG (type certificate previously held by Stemme GmbH & Co. KG) Model Stemme S 12 gliders, serial numbers 12-002 through 12-042 inclusive and serial number 12-044, certificated in any category. (d) Subject Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 5700, Wing Structure. (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 identifies the unsafe condition as a deviation in the construction of the connection of the inner wing to the outer wing, resulting in a wrong positioning of the left-hand (LH) and right-hand (RH) outer wing spar glass-fiber reinforced plastic (GFRP) blocks. The FAA is issuing this AD to detect wrong positioning of the GFRP blocks, which, if not corrected, could cause a rupture of the affected wing and consequent loss of control of the glider. (f) Compliance Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, unless already done. (g) Inspection and Replacement Before further flight after the effective date of this AD, inspect the LH and RH outer wing spars for positioning of the GFRP blocks by following Working Steps 1.1 through 3.2 in Stemme Procedural Instruction P320-912060, Revision 00, dated May 20, 2022. (1) If a GFRP block is correctly positioned, seal the inspection holes by following Working Steps 4.1 through 4.3 in Stemme Procedural Instruction P320-912060, Revision 00, dated May 20, 2022. (2) If a GFRP block is incorrectly positioned, before further flight, repair using a method approved by the FAA; the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA); or Stemme AG's Design Organization Approval (DOA). If approved by the DOA, the approval must include the DOA-authorized signature. (h) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs) (1) The Manager, International Validation Branch, FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. In accordance with 14 CFR 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, send it to the attention of the person identified in paragraph (i)(1) of this AD and email to: [email protected]. (2) 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) Related Information (1) 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: [email protected]. (2) Refer to EASA Emergency AD 2022-0101-E, dated June 2, 2022, for more information. You may examine the EASA AD at https://www.regulations.gov in Docket No. FAA-2022-0809. (j) Material Incorporated by Reference (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference 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 this AD specifies otherwise. (i) Stemme Procedural Instruction P320-912060, Revision 00, dated May 20, 2022. Note 1 to paragraph (j)(2)(i): This service information contains German to English translation. EASA used the English translation in referencing the document from Stemme. For enforceability purposes, the FAA will cite the service information in English as it appears on the document. Note 2 to paragraph (j)(2)(i): Only the first page of the document contains the document date. (ii) [Reserved] (3) For service information identified in this AD, contact Stemme AG, Flugplatzstrasse F2 Nr. 6-7, Strausberg, Germany; phone: +49 3341 3612 0; email: [email protected]; website: https://stemme.com. (4) 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. (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, email: [email protected], or go to: https://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html. Issued on June 29, 2022. Christina Underwood, Acting Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. 2022-14810 Filed 7-7-22; 4:15 pm]BILLING CODE 4910-13-P