Airworthiness Directives; DG Flugzeugbau GmbH Model DG-800B Sailplanes

[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 199 (Friday, October 13, 2000)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 60848-60850]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-25550]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 99-CE-90-AD; Amendment 39-11921; AD 2000-20-10]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; DG Flugzeugbau GmbH Model DG-800B 
Sailplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) that 
applies to certain DG Flugzeugbau (DG Flugzeugbau) GmbH Model DG 800B 
sailplanes. This AD requires you to measure and correct improper 
propeller drive belt tension. This AD is the result of mandatory 
continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) issued by the airworthiness 
authority for the Federal Republic of Germany. The actions specified in 
this AD are intended to correct improper drive belt tension and 
consequent engine crankshaft or connecting rod bearing damage. Such 
damage could result in loss of propulsion during critical phases of 
flight.

DATES: This AD becomes effective on November 27, 2000.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of certain publications listed in the regulations as of 
November 27, 2000.

[[Page 60849]]


ADDRESSES: You may get the service information referenced in this AD 
from DG Flugzeugbau, Postbox 41 20, D-76646 Bruchsal, Federal Republic 
of Germany; telephone: +49 7257-890; facsimile: +49 7257-8922. You may 
examine this information at the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), 
Central Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket 
No. 99-CE-90-AD, 901 Locust, Room 506, Kansas City, Missouri 64106; or 
at the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW, 
suite 700, Washington, DC 20001.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mike Kiesov, Aerospace Engineer, FAA, 
Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, Missouri 
64106; telephone: (816) 329-4144; facsimile: (816) 329-4090.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

    What events have caused this proposed AD? The Luftfahrt-Bundesamt 
(LBA), which is the airworthiness authority for the Federal Republic of 
Germany, recently notified the FAA that an unsafe condition may exist 
on all DG Flugzeugbau GmbH Model DG-800B sailplanes equipped with a 
SOLO engine. The LBA reports that 5 sailplanes had a broken crankshaft 
or connecting rod bearing failures. Improper drive belt tension caused 
the damage and failures.
    What happens if you do not correct the condition? This condition, 
if not corrected, could result in loss of propulsion during critical 
phases of flight.
    Has FAA taken any action to this point? We issued a proposal to 
amend part 39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) to 
include an AD that would apply to certain DG Flugzeugbau Model DG 800B 
sailplanes. This proposal was published in the Federal Register as a 
notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) on August 10, 2000 (65 FR 48931). 
The NPRM proposed to measure and correct improper propeller drive belt 
tension.
    Was the public invited to comment? Interested persons were afforded 
an opportunity to participate in the making of this amendment. No 
comments were received on the proposed rule or the FAA's determination 
of the cost to the public.

The FAA's Determination

    What is FAA's Final Determination on this Issue? After careful 
review of all available information related to the subject presented 
above, we have determined that air safety and the public interest 
require the adoption of the rule as proposed except for minor editorial 
corrections. We determined that these minor corrections:
    <bullet> Will not change the meaning of the AD; and
    <bullet> Will not add any additional burden upon the public than 
was already proposed.
    What are the differences between the LBA AD and this AD? The German 
AD requires measuring the drive belt tension within the next 25 hours 
time-in-service but no later than December 31, 1999, on the affected 
sailplanes registered in Germany. We require measuring the drive belt 
tension within the next 25 hours time-in-service or 90 days after the 
effective date of this AD, whichever occurs first.
    Why is the compliance time in both hours time-in-service and 
calendar time? The unsafe condition described in this AD does not 
originate as a result of sailplane operation. Applying improper tension 
to the propeller belt drive can occur at any time. The condition 
worsens with sailplane operation, but could already exist now. The 
compliance times afford the following:
    <bullet> The 25 hours TIS provides that the high-usage sailplanes 
are inspected for improper tension in a reasonable time period; and
    <bullet> The 90 day compliance time provides that improper tension 
does not go undetected for a long period of time on low-usage 
sailplanes.

Cost Impact

    How many sailplanes does this AD impact? We estimate that this AD 
affects 6 sailplanes in the U.S. registry.
    What is the cost impact of this AD on owners/operators of the 
affected sailplanes? We estimate the following costs to accomplish the 
measurement:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                     Total cost per         Total cost on U.S.
              Labor cost                      Parts cost               sailplane           sailplane operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3 workhours  x  $60 per hour = $180..  Not applicable.........  $180 per sailplane.....  $180  x  6 = $1,080.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Regulatory Impact

    Does this AD impact various entities? The regulations adopted 
herein 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. Therefore, it is determined that this final rule does not 
have federalism implications under Executive Order 13132.
    Does this AD involve a significant rule or regulatory action? For 
the reasons discussed above, I certify that this action (1) is not a 
``significant regulatory action'' under Executive Order 12866; (2) is 
not a ``significant rule'' under DOT Regulatory Policies and Procedures 
(44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979); 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.
    A copy of the final evaluation prepared for this action is 
contained in the Rules Docket. A copy of it may be obtained by 
contacting the Rules Docket at the location provided under the caption 
ADDRESSES.

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 Federal Aviation Administration amends part 39 of 
the Federal Aviation Regulations (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. FAA amends Section 39.13 by adding a new AD to read as follows:

2000-20-10  DG Flugzeugbau GMBH: Amendment 39-11921; Docket No. 99-
CE-90-AD.
    (a) What sailplanes are affected by this AD? Model DG-800B 
sailplanes, all serial numbers, that are:
    (1) certificated in any category; and
    (2) equipped with SOLO engines.
    (b) Who must comply with this AD? Anyone who wishes to operate 
any of the above sailplanes on the U.S. Register must comply with 
this AD.

[[Page 60850]]

    (c) What problem does this AD address? The actions specified by 
this AD are intended to correct improper drive belt tension and 
consequent engine crankshaft or connecting rod bearing damage. Such 
damage could result in loss of propulsion during critical phases of 
flight.
    (d) What actions must I accomplish to address this problem? To 
address this problem, you must accomplish the following:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
           Actions              Compliance times         Procedures
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Measure the drive belt    Within the next 25    Follow the
 tension. The difference       hours time-in-        procedures in DG
 should be a minimum of 6      service (TIS) or 90   Flugzeugbau
 millimeters (mm) (0.236       days after November   Technical Note (TN)
 inches (in)) and should not   27, 2000, (the        873/16, dated
 exceed 11 mm (0.433 in).      effective date of     October 25, 1999,
                               this AD),whichever    and the Maintenance
                               comes first.          Manual for DG-800B.
(2) If you find improper      Before operating the
 tension as specified in       sailplane.
 this AD, accomplish the
 following:.
(i) Lower the tension if it
 is too high. Check the
 position of the propeller
 in relation to the engine
 compression point to assure
 it is within limits, and
 adjust if necessary.
(ii) If you have to reduce
 the drive belt tension,
 execute a ground test run.
 Check to assure that the
 position of the propeller
 in relation to the engine
 compression point has not
 changed, and adjust as
 necessary. If this has
 happened, the drive belt
 has slipped due to too low
 tension.
(iii) Notify DG Flugzeugbau
 if tension problems are
 still not resolved.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (e) Can I comply with this AD in any other way? You may use an 
alternative method of compliance or adjust the compliance time if:
    (1) Your alternative method of compliance provides an equivalent 
level of safety; and
    (2) The Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, approves your 
alternative. Submit your request through an FAA Principal 
Maintenance Inspector, who may add comments and then send it to the 
Manager, Small Airplane Directorate.

    Note 1: This AD applies to each sailplane identified in 
paragraph (a) of this AD, regardless of whether it has been 
modified, altered, or repaired in the area subject to the 
requirements of this AD. For sailplanes that have been modified, 
altered, or repaired so that the performance of the requirements of 
this AD is affected, the owner/operator must request approval for an 
alternative method of compliance in accordance with paragraph (e) of 
this AD. The request should include an assessment of the effect of 
the modification, alteration, or repair on the unsafe condition 
addressed by this AD; and, if you have not eliminated the unsafe 
condition, specific actions you propose to address it.

    (f) Where can I get information about any already-approved 
alternative methods of compliance? Contact Mike Kiesov, Aerospace 
Engineer, FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301, 
Kansas City, Missouri 64106; telephone: (816) 329-4144; facsimile: 
(816) 329-4090.
    (g) What if I need to fly the sailplane to another location to 
comply with this AD? The FAA can issue a special flight permit under 
sections 21.197 and 21.199 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 
CFR 21.197 and 21.199) to operate your sailplane to a location where 
you can accomplish the requirements of this AD.
    (h) Are any service bulletins incorporated into this AD by 
reference? Actions required by this AD must be done in accordance 
with DG Flugzeugbau Technical Note (TN) 873/16, dated October 25, 
1999. The Director of the Federal Register approved this 
incorporation by reference under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. 
You can get copies from DG Flugzeugbau, Postbox 41 20, D-76646 
Bruchsal, Federal Republic of Germany; telephone: +49 7257-890; 
facsimile: +49 7257-8922. You can look at copies at the FAA, Central 
Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, 901 Locust, Room 506, Kansas 
City, Missouri, or at the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North 
Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC 20001.


    Note 2: The subject of this AD is addressed in German AD Number 
1999-377, dated December 2, 1999.


    (i) When does this amendment become effective? This amendment 
becomes effective on November 27, 2000.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on September 28, 2000.
Michael Gallagher,
Manager, Small Airplane Directorate,, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 00-25550 Filed 10-12-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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