Airworthiness Directives; Glaser-Dirks Flugzeugbau GmbH Models DG-400 and DG-800A Sailplanes

[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 134 (Friday, July 12, 2002)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 46100-46102]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-17304]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2002-CE-12-AD; Amendment 39-12818; AD 2002-14-18]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Glaser-Dirks Flugzeugbau GmbH Models 
DG-400 and DG-800A 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 all Glaser-Dirks Flugzeugbau GmbH (DG Flugzeugbau) Models 
DG-400 and DG-800A sailplanes. This AD requires you to inspect the rear 
plate of the propeller mount for marks and/or cracks and replace if 
necessary. This AD also requires you to inspect the mounting blocks for 
cracks and replace if necessary. 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 
detect and correct cracks in the propeller mount plate and mounting 
blocks, which could result in reduced structural integrity of the 
propeller mounting structure. This could lead to a hazardous flight 
condition or loss of control of the sailplane.

DATES: This AD becomes effective on August 23, 2002.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of certain publications listed in the regulations as of 
August 23, 2002.

ADDRESSES: You may get the service information referenced in this AD 
from DG Flugzeugbau, Postbox 41 20, D-76625 Bruchsal, Federal Republic 
of Germany; telephone: ++49 7257-890; facsimile: ++49 72578922. You may 
view this information at the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), 
Central Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket 
No. 2002CE-12AD, 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 
64016; 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 Model DG-400 and DG-800A sailplanes. 
The LBA reports that cracks have been found on the rear plate of the 
propeller mount on one DG-400 sailplane. The cracks were found during 
regular maintenance. Models DG-400 and DG-800A sailplanes are equipped 
with the same propeller mount structure.

What Is the Potential Impact if FAA Took No Action?

    This condition, if left undetected and corrected, could result in 
reduced structural integrity of the propeller mounting structure. This 
could lead to a hazardous flight condition or 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 all 
DG Flugzeugbau Models DG-400 and DG-800A sailplanes. This proposal was 
published in the Federal Register as a notice of proposed rulemaking 
(NPRM) on May 20, 2002 (67 FR 35456). The NPRM proposed to require you 
to inspect the rear plate of the propeller mount for marks and/or 
cracks and replace if necessary. The NPRM also proposed to require you 
to inspect the mounting

[[Page 46101]]

blocks for cracks and replace if necessary.

Was the Public Invited To Comment?

    The FAA encouraged interested persons to participate in the making 
of this amendment. We did not receive any comments on the proposed rule 
or on our 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 have determined that these minor 
corrections:

--provide the intent that was proposed in the NPRM for correcting the 
unsafe condition; and
--do not add any additional burden upon the public than was already 
proposed in the NPRM.

Cost Impact

How Many Sailplanes Does This AD Impact?

    We estimate that this AD affects 43 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:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                        Total cost per      Total cost on U.S.
               Labor cost                         Parts cost              sailplane             operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1 workhour  x  $60 per hour = $60.......  No parts required for the                 $60     43  x  $60 = $2,580.
                                           inspection.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    We estimate the following costs to accomplish any necessary 
replacements that will be required based on the results of the 
inspection. We have no way of determining the number of sailplanes that 
may need such replacement:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                      Total cost per
          Labor cost              Parts cost            sailplane
------------------------------------------------------------------------
2 workhours  x  $60 per hour               $400      $120 + $400 = $520.
 = $120......................
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Compliance Time of This AD

What Will Be the Compliance Time of This AD?

    The compliance time of the inspection is ``within the next 25 hours 
time-in-service (TIS) or 3 calendar months after the effective date of 
this AD, whichever occurs first.''

Why Is the Compliance Time of This AD Presented in Both Hours TIS and 
Calendar Time?

    The unsafe condition on these sailplanes is not a result of the 
number of times the sailplane is operated. Sailplane operation varies 
among operators. For example, one operator may operate the sailplane 50 
hours TIS in 3 months while it may take another operator 12 months or 
more to accumulate 50 hours TIS. For this reason, the FAA has 
determined that the compliance time of this AD should be specified in 
both hours TIS and calendar time in order to ensure this condition is 
not allowed to go uncorrected over time.

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:

2002-14-18  Glaser-Dirks Flugzeugbau GMBH: Amendment 39-12818; 
Docket No. 2002-CE-12-AD.

    (a) What sailplanes are affected by this AD? This AD affects 
Models DG-400 and DG-800A sailplanes, all serial numbers, that are 
certificated in any category.
    (b) Who must comply with this AD? Anyone who wishes to operate 
any of the sailplanes identified in paragraph (a) of this AD must 
comply with this AD.
    (c) What problem does this AD address? The actions specified by 
this AD are intended to detect and correct cracks in the propeller 
mount plate, which could result in reduced structural integrity of 
the propeller mounting structure. This could lead to a hazardous 
flight condition or 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:

[[Page 46102]]



------------------------------------------------------------------------
           Actions                 Compliance            Procedures
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Accomplish the following  Inspect within the    In accordance with
 inspections:.                 next 25 hours time-   DG Flugzeugbau
(i) Inspect the rear plate     in-service (TIS) or   Technical Note No.
 of the propeller mount for    3 calendar months     826/42, dated
 cracks and any marks made     after August 23,      August 30, 2001; or
 by the mounting bolt          2002 (the effective   DG Flugzeugbau
 washer; and.                  date of this AD),     Technical Note No.
(ii) Inspect the mounting      whichever occurs      873/25, dated
 blocks for the rear plate     first.                August 30, 2001, as
 of the propeller mount for                          applicable, and the
 cracks.                                             applicable
                                                     maintenance manual.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(2) Accomplish the following  Prior to further      In accordance with
 if cracks and/or marks are    flight after the      DG Flugzeugbau
 found during the              inspections           Technical Note No.
 inspections required in       required in           826/42, dated
 paragraph (d)(1) of this      paragraph (d)(1) of   August 30, 2001; or
 AD:.                          this AD.              DG Flugzeugbau
(i) If a mark made by the                            Technical Note No.
 mounting bolt washer is                             873/25, dated
 found and the mark is 0.1                           August 30, 2001, as
 mm deep or less and no                              applicable, and the
 cracks are found on the                             applicable
 rear plate of the propeller                         maintenance manual.
 mount, polish out the mark
 using standard maintenance
 practices;.
(ii) If a mark made by the
 mounting bolt washer is
 found and the mark is more
 than 0.1 mm deep and/or
 cracks are found on the
 rear plate of the propeller
 mount, replace the rear
 plate with a new one. Use
 new bolts and washers as
 required by paragraph
 (d)(3) of this AD; and.
(iii) If cracks are found on
 the mounting block(s) of
 the rear plate of the
 propeller mount, replace
 the mounting block(s) with
 a new one. Use new bolts
 and washers as required by
 paragraph (d)(3) of this Ad.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(3) Reinstall the rear plate  Prior to further      In accordance with
 of the propeller mount to     flight after the      DG Flugzeugbau
 the mounting blocks using     inspections           Technical Note No.
 new bolts, M10x25 DIN912-     required in           826/42, dated
 8.8zn with the aluminum       paragraph (d)(1) of   August 30, 2001; or
 washer S48 (or FAA-approved   this AD and/or        DG Flugzeugbau
 equivalent parts).            after the             Technical Note No.
                               replacements          873/25, dated
                               required in           August 30, 2001, as
                               paragraph (d)(2) of   applicable, and the
                               this AD.              applicable
                                                     maintenance manual.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(4) Do not install any rear   As of August 23,      Not applicable.
 propeller mount plate         2002 (the effective
 mounting bolts that are not   date of this AD).
 bolts M10x25 DIN912-8.8zn
 with aluminum washer S48
 (or FAA-approved equivalent
 parts).
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (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 Standards Office 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, Standards Office Manager.

    Note: 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. 826/42, dated August 30, 
2001; or DG Flugzeugbau Technical Note No. 873/25, dated August 30, 
2001. The Director of the Federal Register approved this 
incorporation by reference under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. 
You may get copies from DG Flugzeugbau, Postbox 41 20, D-76625 
Bruchsal, Federal Republic of Germany. You may view 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 August 23, 2002.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on July 3, 2002.
Dorenda D. Baker,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 02-17304 Filed 7-11-02; 8:45 am]
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