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

[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 66 (Thursday, April 5, 2001)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 18047-18050]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-8067]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 99-CE-67-AD; Amendment 39-12166; AD 2001-07-01]
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 GmbH (DG Flugzeugbau) Model DG-800B 
sailplanes. This AD requires you to install an additional filter for 
the primer valve; inspect and align the exhaust system; modify the 
placement of the fuel lines if the fuel filter is installed at the 
front mounting point of the spindle drive; and secure the gas strut 
piston rod end using Loctite if the piston rod does rotate. This AD is 
the result of mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) 
issued by the airworthiness authority for Germany. The actions 
specified by this AD are intended to prevent failure of the fuel line, 
exhaust system, and piston rod of the gas strut, which could result in 
failure of the engine. Such failure could lead to loss of power during 
critical stages of flight.

DATES: This AD becomes effective on May 26, 2001.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of certain publications listed in the regulations as of May 
26, 2001.

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;

[[Page 18048]]

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-67-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 all DG Flugzeugbau Model DG-800B 
sailplanes equipped with a SOLO engine. The LBA reports that an 
extensive review of the service history revealed failures of the primer 
valve, exhaust system, fuel line, exhaust and piston rod of the gas 
strut for the engine.

What Are the Consequences if the Condition Is Not Corrected?

    The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent failure of 
the fuel line, exhaust system, and piston rod of the gas strut, which 
could result in failure of the engine. Such failure could lead to loss 
of power during critical stages 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 January 9, 2001 (66 FR 1607). The NPRM proposed to require 
you to install an additional filter for the primer valve; inspect and 
align the exhaust system; modify the placement of the fuel lines if the 
fuel filter is installed at the front mounting point of the spindle 
drive; and secure the gas strut piston rod end using Loctite if the 
piston rod does rotate.

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 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 do the installation of an 
additional filter for the primer valve:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                    Total cost per        Total cost on U.S.
               Labor cost                       Parts cost             sailplane               operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2 workhours  x  $60 = $120.............  Manufacturer will                      $120  $120  x  6 = $720.
                                          provide the parts at
                                          no cost.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    We estimate the following costs to inspect and align the exhaust 
system:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                    Total cost per        Total cost on U.S.
               Labor cost                       Parts cost             sailplane               operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1 workhour  x  $60 = $60...............  Manufacturer will                       $60  $60  x  6 = $360.
                                          provide the parts at
                                          no cost.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    We estimate the following costs to modify the placement of the fuel 
lines:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                    Total cost per        Total cost on U.S.
               Labor cost                       Parts cost             sailplane               operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1 workhour  x  $60 = $60...............  Manufacturer will                       $60  $60  x  6 = $360.
                                          provide the parts at
                                          no cost.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    We estimate the following costs to secure the gas strut rod end:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                    Total cost per        Total cost on U.S.
               Labor cost                       Parts cost             sailplane               operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1 workhour  x  $60 = $60...............  Manufacturer will                       $60  $60  x  6 = $360.
                                          provide the parts at
                                          no cost.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


[[Page 18049]]

Compliance Time of This AD

What Will Be the Compliance Time of This AD?

    Unless already done, the compliance times of this AD are:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
             Compliance                             Action
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Within the next 3 calendar months    Install an additional filter for
 after the effective date of this     the primer valve.
 AD.
Within the next 3 calendar months    Inspect and align the exhaust
 after the effective date of this     system.
 AD.
Within the next 30 days after the    Modify the placement of the fuel
 effective date of this AD.           lines.
Within the next 30 days after the    Remove the gas strut from the
 effective date of this AD.           engine mount and secure the rod
                                      end using Loctite.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

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

    Although the failures of the fuel line, exhaust system, and piston 
rod of the gas strut occur during flight, the condition is not a direct 
result of sailplane operation. A calendar time for compliance will 
ensure that the unsafe conditions are addressed on all sailplanes in a 
reasonable time period. Sailplane operation varies among operators. For 
example, one operator may use the sailplane 50 hours TIS in 3 months 
while it may take another 12 months or more to accumulate 50 hours TIS. 
In order to ensure that preventive and corrective actions are done in a 
timely manner, the compliance time for installing an additional filter 
for the primer valve and inspecting and aligning the exhaust system is 
required within the next 3 calendar months after the effective date of 
this AD, unless already done.
    Because of the impact on safety, the compliance time for modifying 
the placement of the fuel lines and removing the gas strut from the 
engine mount and securing the rod end using Loctite is required within 
the next 30 days after the effective date of this AD, unless already 
done.

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:

2001-07-01  DG FLUGZEUGBAU GMBH: Amendment 39-12166; Docket No. 99-
CE-67-AD.

    (a) What sailplanes are affected by this AD? This AD affects the 
following sailplane models and serial numbers that are certificated 
in any category:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                   Model                                                                   Serial numbers
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DG-800B with SOLO engine..................  8-001 through 8-128 for paragraph (d)(1) of this AD.
DG-800B with SOLO engine..................  8-001 through 8-154 for paragraph (d)(2) of this AD.
DG-800B with SOLO engine..................  all serial numbers for paragraphs (d)(3) through (4) of this AD.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (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 prevent failure of the fuel line, exhaust 
system, and piston rod of the gas strut, which could result in 
failure of the engine. Such failure could lead to loss of power 
during critical stages of flight.
    (d) What actions must I accomplish to address this problem? To 
address this problem, you must do the following unless already done:

 
------------------------------------------------------------------------
           Actions                 Compliance            Procedures
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) If the fuel filter is     Within the next 30    Do this action
 installed at the front        days after May 26,    following the
 mounting point of the         2001 (the effective   Instructions
 spindle drive, modify the     date of this AD).     paragraph of DG
 placement of the fuel lines.                        Flugzeugbau
                                                     Technical Note (TN)
                                                     No. 873/13, dated
                                                     June 30, 1999.

[[Page 18050]]

 
(2) If there is no paint      Within the next 30    Do this action
 marking (torque putty) or     days after May 26,    following the
 if marking proves that the    2001 (the effective   Instructions
 piston rod rotates remove     date of this AD).     paragraph of DG
 the gas strut from the                              Flugzeugbau TN No.
 engine mount and secure the                         873/13, dated June
 rod end using Loctite, then                         30, 1999, and the
 apply marking paint line                            maintenance manual.
 (torque putty).
(3) Install an additional     Within the next 3     Do this action
 filter for the primer valve.  calendar months       following the
                               after May 26, 2001    Instructions
                               (the effective date   paragraph of DG
                               of this AD).          Flugzeugbau TN No.
                                                     873/12, dated March
                                                     9, 1999, and
                                                     Working Instruction
                                                     No. 1 for TN No.
                                                     873/12.
(4) Inspect and align the     Within the next 3     Do this action
 exhaust system.               calendar months       following the
                               after May 26, 2001    Instructions
                               (the effective date   paragraph of DG of
                               this AD).             Flugzeugbau TN No.
                                                     873/12, dated March
                                                     9, 1999, and
                                                     Working Instruction
                                                     No. 2 for TN No.
                                                     873/12.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (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 64016; 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 No. 873/12 (including Working 
Instruction No. 1 and No. 2), dated March 9, 1999, and DG 
Flugzeugbau Technical Note No. 873/13, dated June 30, 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 May 26, 2001.

    Note 2: The subjects of this AD are addressed in German AD 1999-
269, Effective Date: July 22, 1999, and German AD 1999-167, 
Effective Date: May 20, 1999.


    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on March 27, 2001.
David R. Showers,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 01-8067 Filed 4-4-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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