AD 2008-11-20 Airworthiness Directives; Stemme GmbH & Co. KG Model S10-VT Powered Sailplanes

This AD applies to Model S10-VT powered sailplanes, serial numbers 11-001 through 11-112, certificated in any category.

Unless already done, do the following actions: (1) For all sailplanes affected by this AD, except for serial numbers 11-036, 11-067, 11-068, and 11-090: Before further flight after March 21, 2008 (the compliance date retained from AD 2008-03-06), replace all plastic T- and Y-connectors in the fuel system with metal connectors. Do the replacements following STEMME F & D Service Bulletin A31-10-082, AM.—Index: 01.a, dated November 30, 2007. Note: Serial numbers 11-036, 11-067, 11-068, and 11-090 had the plastic T- and Y-connectors in the fuel system replaced with metal connectors by the manufacturer. (2) For all sailplanes affected by this AD: Before further flight after June 23, 2008 (the effective date of this AD), inspect the fuel system for possible leakage. Do the inspection following STEMME F & D Service Bulletin A31-10-083, Am-Index: 01.a, dated February 26, 2008. (3) For all sailplanes affected by this AD: If any leak is found during the inspection required in paragraph (f)(2) of this AD, before further flight, repair the leak following an FAA-approved repair procedure and replace all STEMME part number (P/N) M476 single-ear clamps in the fuel system with P/N 10M-181 single-ear clamps. Do the replacements following STEMME F & D Service Bulletin A31-10-083, Am-Index: 01.a, dated February 26, 2008. (4) After June 23, 2008 (the effective date of this AD), do not install plastic “T” and “Y” shape connectors and P/N M476 single-ear clamps in the fuel system. FAA AD Differences Note: This AD differs from the MCAI and/or service information as follows: (1) The MCAI and the service information require replacing all P/N M476 single-ear clamps in the fuel system with P/N 10M-181 single-ear clamps within the next 12 months after the effective date. (2) This AD is considered an interim action because we are not including a mandatory requirement to replace all STEMME P/N M476 single-ear clamps in the fuel system with P/N 10M-181 single-ear clamps on all affected sailplanes unless a leak in the fuel system is found. The Administrative Procedure Act does not permit the FAA to “bootstrap” a long-term requirement into an urgent safety of flight action where the rule becomes effective at the same time the public has the opportunity to comment. The short-term action and the long-term action are analyzed separately for justification to bypass prior public notice. (3) After issuing this AD, we may initiate further AD action (notice of proposed rulemaking followed by a final rule) to require replacing all P/N M476 single-ear clamps in the fuel system with P/N 10M-181 single-ear clamps on all affected sailplanes by a specified time. Credit will be given in any subsequent action for the replacement done under this AD. Other FAA AD Provisions (g) The following provisions also apply to this AD: (1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager, Standards Office, 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: Greg Davison, Aerospace Engineer, FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, Missouri 64106; telephone: (816) 329-4130; fax: (816) 329-409. Before using any approved AMOC on any sailplane 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. (2) Airworthy Product: For any requirement in this AD to obtain corrective actions from a manufacturer or other source, use these actions if they are FAA-approved. Corrective actions are considered FAA-approved if they are approved by the State of Design Authority (or their delegated agent). You are required to assure the product is airworthy before it is returned to service. (3) Reporting Requirements: For any reporting requirement in this AD, under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.), the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has approved the information collection requirements and has assigned OMB Control Number 2120-0056. Related Information (h) Refer to MCAI European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) Emergency AD No. 2008-0053-E, dated March 5, 2008; STEMME F & D Service Bulletin A31-10-082, AM.-Index: 01.a, dated November 30, 2007; and STEMME F & D Service Bulletin A31-10-083, Am-Index: 01.a, dated February 26, 2008, for related information. Material Incorporated by Reference (i) You must use STEMME F & D Service Bulletin A31-10-082, AM.-Index: 01.a, dated November 30, 2007, and STEMME F & D Service Bulletin A31-10-083, Am-Index: 01.a, dated February 26, 2008, to do the actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise. (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of STEMME F & D Service Bulletin A31-10-083, Am-Index: 01.a, dated February 26, 2008, under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. (2) On February 20, 2008 (73 FR 5733, January 31, 2008), the Director of the Federal Register previously approved the incorporation by reference of STEMME F & D Service Bulletin A31-10-082, AM.-Index: 01.a, dated November 30, 2007. (3) For service information identified in this AD, contact STEMME GmbH & Co. KG, Flugplatzstraβe F 2, Nr. 7, 15344 Strausberg, Federal Republic of Germany. (4) You may review copies at the FAA, Central Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, 901 Locust, Room 506, Kansas City, Missouri 64106; or 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 . Issued in Kansas City, Missouri on May 23, 2008. David R. Showers, Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. E8-12115 Filed 5-30-08; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

Unless already done, do the following actions: (1) For all sailplanes affected by this AD, except for serial numbers 11-036, 11-067, 11-068, and 11-090: Before further flight after March 21, 2008 (the compliance date retained from AD 2008-03-06), replace all plastic T- and Y-connectors in the fuel system with metal connectors. Do the replacements following STEMME F & D Service Bulletin A31-10-082, AM.—Index: 01.a, dated November 30, 2007. Note: Serial numbers 11-036, 11-067, 11-068, and 11-090 had the plastic T- and Y-connectors in the fuel system replaced with metal connectors by the manufacturer. (2) For all sailplanes affected by this AD: Before further flight after June 23, 2008 (the effective date of this AD), inspect the fuel system for possible leakage. Do the inspection following STEMME F & D Service Bulletin A31-10-083, Am-Index: 01.a, dated February 26, 2008. (3) For all sailplanes affected by this AD: If any leak is found during the inspection required in paragraph (f)(2) of this AD, before further flight, repair the leak following an FAA-approved repair procedure and replace all STEMME part number (P/N) M476 single-ear clamps in the fuel system with P/N 10M-181 single-ear clamps. Do the replacements following STEMME F & D Service Bulletin A31-10-083, Am-Index: 01.a, dated February 26, 2008. (4) After June 23, 2008 (the effective date of this AD), do not install plastic “T” and “Y” shape connectors and P/N M476 single-ear clamps in the fuel system. FAA AD Differences Note: This AD differs from the MCAI and/or service information as follows: (1) The MCAI and the service information require replacing all P/N M476 single-ear clamps in the fuel system with P/N 10M-181 single-ear clamps within the next 12 months after the effective date. (2) This AD is considered an interim action because we are not including a mandatory requirement to replace all STEMME P/N M476 single-ear clamps in the fuel system with P/N 10M-181 single-ear clamps on all affected sailplanes unless a leak in the fuel system is found. The Administrative Procedure Act does not permit the FAA to “bootstrap” a long-term requirement into an urgent safety of flight action where the rule becomes effective at the same time the public has the opportunity to comment. The short-term action and the long-term action are analyzed separately for justification to bypass prior public notice. (3) After issuing this AD, we may initiate further AD action (notice of proposed rulemaking followed by a final rule) to require replacing all P/N M476 single-ear clamps in the fuel system with P/N 10M-181 single-ear clamps on all affected sailplanes by a specified time. Credit will be given in any subsequent action for the replacement done under this AD. Other FAA AD Provisions (g) The following provisions also apply to this AD: (1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager, Standards Office, 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: Greg Davison, Aerospace Engineer, FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, Missouri 64106; telephone: (816) 329-4130; fax: (816) 329-409. Before using any approved AMOC on any sailplane 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. (2) Airworthy Product: For any requirement in this AD to obtain corrective actions from a manufacturer or other source, use these actions if they are FAA-approved. Corrective actions are considered FAA-approved if they are approved by the State of Design Authority (or their delegated agent). You are required to assure the product is airworthy before it is returned to service. (3) Reporting Requirements: For any reporting requirement in this AD, under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.), the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has approved the information collection requirements and has assigned OMB Control Number 2120-0056. Related Information (h) Refer to MCAI European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) Emergency AD No. 2008-0053-E, dated March 5, 2008; STEMME F & D Service Bulletin A31-10-082, AM.-Index: 01.a, dated November 30, 2007; and STEMME F & D Service Bulletin A31-10-083, Am-Index: 01.a, dated February 26, 2008, for related information. Material Incorporated by Reference (i) You must use STEMME F & D Service Bulletin A31-10-082, AM.-Index: 01.a, dated November 30, 2007, and STEMME F & D Service Bulletin A31-10-083, Am-Index: 01.a, dated February 26, 2008, to do the actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise. (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of STEMME F & D Service Bulletin A31-10-083, Am-Index: 01.a, dated February 26, 2008, under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. (2) On February 20, 2008 (73 FR 5733, January 31, 2008), the Director of the Federal Register previously approved the incorporation by reference of STEMME F & D Service Bulletin A31-10-082, AM.-Index: 01.a, dated November 30, 2007. (3) For service information identified in this AD, contact STEMME GmbH & Co. KG, Flugplatzstraβe F 2, Nr. 7, 15344 Strausberg, Federal Republic of Germany. (4) You may review copies at the FAA, Central Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, 901 Locust, Room 506, Kansas City, Missouri 64106; or 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 . Issued in Kansas City, Missouri on May 23, 2008. David R. Showers, Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. E8-12115 Filed 5-30-08; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910-13-P