Airworthiness Directives; DG Flugzeugbau GmbH Model DG-500MB Sailplanes

[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 48 (Monday, March 12, 2001)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 14304-14306]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-5276]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 99-CE-89-AD; Amendment 39-12137; AD 2001-05-01]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; DG Flugzeugbau GmbH Model DG-500MB 
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 GmbH (DG Flugzeugbau) Model DG-500MB 
sailplanes equipped with a SOLO 2625 02 engine. This AD requires you to 
install additional access holes in the propeller mount and modify the 
engine. This AD also requires you to do a ground test run and replace 
the digital engine indicator circuit breaker. 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 correct an inadequate 
circuit breaker and unsatisfactory drive belt tension that could cause 
damage to the engine crankshaft. Such damage could lead to engine 
failure and loss of control of the sailplane.

DATES: This AD becomes effective on April 27, 2001.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of certain publications listed in the regulations as of April 
27, 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-89-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, notified FAA that an unsafe condition may exist on all DG 
Flugzeugbau Model DG-500MB sailplanes equipped with a SOLO 2625 02 
engine. The LBA reports that the service history for the SOLO 2625 02 
engine shows a need to modify the front crank shaft bearing. 
Additionally, the digital engine indicator circuit breaker amperage is 
too low for use and needs replacement.
    What are the consequences if the condition is not corrected? The 
actions specified by this AD are intended to correct an inadequate 
circuit breaker and unsatisfactory drive belt tension that could cause 
damage to the engine crankshaft. Such damage could lead to engine 
failure and loss of control of the sailplane.
    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-500MB 
sailplanes equipped with a SOLO 2625 02 engine. This proposal was 
published in the Federal Register as a notice of proposed rulemaking 
(NPRM) on December 27, 2000 (65 FR 81782). The NPRM proposed to require 
you install additional access holes in the propeller mount and modify 
the engine. The NPRM also proposed to require you to do a ground test 
run and replace the digital engine indicator circuit breaker.
    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.

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 1 sailplane 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 
modification:

[[Page 14305]]



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                                                                  Total cost per
             Labor cost                      Parts cost             sailplane      Total cost on U.S. operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
12 workhours  x  $60 per hour =      The manufacturer will do              $720   $720  x  1 = $720
 $720.                                the engine modification
                                      and provide the new
                                      circuit breaker under
                                      warranty.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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:


2001-05-01  DG Flugzeugbau GMBH: Amendment 39-12137; Docket No. 99-
CE-89-AD.

    (a) What sailplanes are affected by this AD? This AD affects 
Model DG-500MB sailplanes, all serial numbers equipped with a SOLO 
2625 02 engine, 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 correct an inadequate circuit breaker and 
unsatisfactory drive belt tension that could cause damage to the 
engine crankshaft. Such damage could lead to engine failure and loss 
of control of the sailplane.
    (d) What actions must I accomplish to address this problem? To 
address this problem, you must accomplish the following:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
           Actions                 Compliance            Procedures
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Remove the engine from    Within the next 25    In accordance with
 the propeller mount.          hours time-in-        the maintenance
                               service (TIS) after   manual. Ship engine
                               April 27, 2001 (the   to the engine
                               effective date of     manufacturer, SOLO,
                               this AD).             or a licensed
                                                     repair station, for
                                                     modification
                                                     according to the
                                                     SOLO Technical Note
                                                     (TN) 4600-1.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(2) Install additional        Before further        In accordance with
 access holes in the           flight after          drawing 5M102 of DG
 propeller mount.              removing the engine   Flugzeugbau
                               and before            Technical Note 843/
                               installing the        13, dated November
                               modified engine to    3, 1999.
                               the propeller mount.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(3) Install the modified      Before further        In accordance with
 engine to the propeller       flight after          the maintenance
 mount.                        rermoving the         manual.
                               engine and after
                               the engine
                               modification.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(4) Do a gound test run.....  Before further        In accordance with
                               flight after the      DG Flugzeugbau
                               previous action.      Technical Note 843/
                                                     13, dated November
                                                     3, 1999.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(5) Replace the digital       Before further        In accordance with
 engine indicator (DEI)        flight after the      DG Flugzeugbau
 circuit breaker with a new    previous actions.     Technical Note 843/
 5 ampere Klixon 7277-2-5A                           13, dated November
 circuit breaker (or FAA-                            3, 1999.
 approved equivalent part
 number).
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(6) Do not install any        As of April 27, 2001  Not Applicable.
 engine that has not been      (the effective date
 modified following SOLO TN    of this AD).
 4600-1.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(7) Do not install any DEI    As of April 27, 2001  Not applicable.
 circuit breaker that is not   (the effective date
 a 5 ampere Klixon 7277-2-5A   of this AD.
 circuit breaker (or FAA-
 approved equivalent part
 number).
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (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

[[Page 14306]]

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 GmbH Technical Note No. 843/13, dated November 
3, 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 GmbH, 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 April 27, 2001.

    Note 2: The subject of this AD is addressed in German AD Number 
1999-383, dated December 1, 1999.


    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on February 26, 2001.
Michael Gallagher,
Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 01-5276 Filed 3-9-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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