Airworthiness Directives; DG Flugzeugbau GmbH Models DG-500 Elan Series, DG-500M, and DG-500MB Sailplanes

[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 231 (Thursday, November 30, 2000)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 71235-71237]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-29920]



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Federal Register / Vol. 65, No. 231 / Thursday, November 30, 2000 / 
Rules and Regulations

[[Page 71235]]



DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 99-CE-88-AD; Amendment 39-12005; AD 2000-23-32]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; DG Flugzeugbau GmbH Models DG-500 Elan 
Series, DG-500M, and DG-500MB Sailplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) that 
applies to certain DG Flugzeugbau GmbH (DG Flugzeugbau) Models DG-500 
Elan Series, DG-500M, and DG-500MB sailplanes. This AD requires you to 
visually inspect the elevator control system for proper movement, 
obtain and incorporate a repair scheme if improper movement is found, 
and modify and install resin thickened cottonflock reinforcements to 
the elevator control system as a way to increase the stiffness of the 
elevator control support stand. 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 by 
this AD are intended to detect and correct improper movement in the 
elevator control system and to increase the stiffness of the elevator 
control support stand. Without accomplishing these actions, the pilot's 
capability to use full elevator control deflection could be limited, 
which could require increased force in moving the elevator control with 
a consequent potentially uncontrolled flight condition.

DATES: This AD becomes effective on January 13, 2001.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of certain publications listed in the regulations as of 
January 13, 2001.

ADDRESSES: You may get the service information referenced in this AD 
from DG Flugzeugbau GmbH, 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-88-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.

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 AD?

    The Luftfahrt-Bundesamt (LBA), which is the airworthiness authority 
for the Federal Republic of Germany, recently notified FAA that an 
unsafe condition may exist on certain DG Flugzeugbau Models DG-500 Elan 
Series, DG-500M, and DG-500MB sailplanes. The LBA reports an incident 
where a Model DG-500 sailplane experienced notably higher elevator 
control stiffness during an aerobatic flight. This situation was the 
result of the outer aluminum tube moving and slipping within the 
elevator control support stand.

What Are the Consequences If the Condition Is Not Corrected?

    If the elevator control support stand permits the outer aluminum 
tube to move, the pilot's capability to use full elevator control 
deflection could be limited, which could require increased force in 
moving the elevator control. This could lead to an uncontrolled flight 
condition.

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 Models DG-500 Elan Series, DG-500M, and DG-500MB 
sailplanes. This proposal was published in the Federal Register as a 
notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) on September 21, 2000 (65 FR 
57113). The NPRM proposed to require you to visually inspect the 
elevator control system for proper movement; obtain and incorporate a 
repair scheme if improper movement is found; and modify and install 
resin thickened cottonflock reinforcements to the elevator control 
system as a way to increase the stiffness of the elevator control 
support stand.

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:

--Will not change the meaning of the AD; and
--Will not add any additional burden upon the public than was already 
proposed.

Cost Impact

How Many Sailplanes Does This AD Impact?

    We estimate that this AD affects 10 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 inspection and 
modification:

[[Page 71236]]



----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                     Total cost per         Total cost on U.S.
              Labor cost                      Parts cost               sailplane           sailplane  operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3 workhours  x  $60 per hour = $180..  $25 per sailplane......  $180 + $25 = $205 per    $205  x  10 = $2,050.
                                                                 sailplane.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Compliance Time of This AD

What Is the Compliance Time of This AD?

    The compliance time of this AD is to accomplish the inspection 
``within the next 30 calendar days after the effective date of this 
AD'' and to accomplish the modification ``within the next 120 days 
after the effective date of this AD.''

Why Is the Compliance Time Presented in Calendar Time Instead of Hours 
Time-in-Service (TIS)?

    We have established the compliance in calendar time instead of 
hours time-in-service (TIS) because the unsafe condition described by 
this AD is not directly related to sailplane operation. The chance of 
this situation occurring is the same for a sailplane with 10 hours 
time-in-service (TIS) as it would be for a sailplane with 500 hours 
TIS. Calendar time for compliance will assure that the unsafe condition 
is addressed on all sailplanes in a reasonable time period.

Why Are the Compliance Times of the German AD Different Than the 
Compliance Times in This AD?

    The German AD requires the inspection before next flight and the 
modification within 45 days of the effective date of the German AD. We 
do not have justification to require the inspection before next flight. 
We use compliance times such as this when we have identified an urgent 
safety of flight situation. We believe that 30 calendar days will give 
the owners or operators of the affected sailplanes enough time to have 
the inspection accomplished without compromising the safety of the 
sailplanes.
    The 120-calendar day compliance time for the modification gives the 
owners/operators of the affected sailplanes enough time to adequately 
schedule the work to coincide with other maintenance activities.

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 Sec. 39.13 by adding a new AD to read as follows:

2000-23-32  DG Flugzeugbau GMBH: Amendment 39-12005; Docket No. 99-
CE-88-AD.

    (a) What sailplanes are affected by this AD? This AD affects 
Models DG-500 Elan Series, DG-500M, and DG-500MB sailplanes, all 
serial numbers up to and including 5E203, that are certificated in 
any category.
    (b) Who must comply with this AD? Anyone who wishes to operate 
any of the above sailplanes must comply with this AD.
    (c) What problem does this AD address? The actions specified by 
this AD are intended to detect and correct improper movement in the 
elevator control system and to increase the stiffness of the 
elevator control support stand. Without accomplishing these actions, 
the pilot's capability to use full elevator control deflection could 
be limited, which could require increased force in moving the 
elevator control with a consequent potentially uncontrolled flight 
condition.
    (d) What actions must I accomplish to address this problem? To 
address this problem, you must accomplish the following:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Action                           Compliance time                          Procedures
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Visually inspect the push rod    Within the next 30 days after January  Follow the inspection procedures in
 guide to ensure that the outer       13, 2001 (the effective date of this   the Instruction section of DG
 aluminum tube of the guide does      AD), and prior to accomplishing the    Flugzeugbau Technical Note (TN) 348/
 not move.                            modification required in paragraph     12 (applicable to the model DG-500
                                      (d)(3) of this AD. The second          Elan Series) or TN 843/12
                                      inspection is not required if the      (applicable to the models DG-500M
                                      modification is incorporated           and DG-500MB), both dated October
                                      immediately after the initial          6, 1999.
                                      inspection.
(2) If any movement is detected in   Required prior to further flight       In accordance with the repair scheme
 the outer aluminum tube as           after the inspection when the          obtained from the manufacturer.
 specified in this AD and the         discrepancy is found.
 referenced service information,
 accomplish the following.
(i) Obtain a repair scheme from the
 manufacturer at the address
 presented in paragraph (h) of this
 AD; and.
(ii) Incorporate this repair scheme

[[Page 71237]]

 
(3) Modify and install resin         Within the next 120 days after         Follow the modification procedures
 thickened cottonflock                January 13, 2001 (the effective date   in the Working Instructions No. 1
 reinforcements to the elevator       of this AD).                           for TN 348/12 (843/12), dated
 control system as a way to                                                  September 28, 1999. The
 increase the stiffness of the                                               instructions are referenced in DG
 elevator control support stand.                                             Flugzeugbau Technical Note (TN) 348/
                                                                             12 (applicable to the model DG-500
                                                                             Elan Series) or TN 843/12
                                                                             (applicable to the models DG-500M
                                                                             and DG-500MB), both dated October
                                                                             6, 1999.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (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 Working Instructions No. 1 for TN 348/12 (843/
12), dated September 28, 1999, and DG Flugzeugbau Technical Note No. 
348/12 and 843/12, dated October 6, 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. 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.
    (i) When does this amendment become effective? This amendment 
becomes effective on January 13, 2001.

    Note 2: The subject of this AD is addressed in German AD Number 
1999-341, dated November 18, 1999.


    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on November 14, 2000.
James E. Jackson,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 00-29920 Filed 11-29-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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