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

[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 76 (Thursday, April 21, 2005)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 20710-20713]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-7790]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2003-CE-65-AD; Amendment 39-14065; AD 2005-08-13]
RIN 2120-AA64


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

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: The FAA adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all 
Glaser-Dirks Flugzeugbau GmbH (DG Flugzeugbau) Model DG-800B

[[Page 20711]]

sailplanes equipped with a SOLO 2625 engine or a Mid-West AE 50T 
engine. This AD requires you to modify the coolant pump and fuel pump 
electrical circuits, remove the non-resettable digital engine indicator 
(DEI) circuit breaker (4-ampere) and replace with a resettable 5-ampere 
circuit breaker, secure (for sailplanes with a SOLO 2625 engine) the 
choke butterfly valve axis, install edge protection at the sharp edges 
of the resettable 5-ampere DEI circuit breaker, and incorporate changes 
in the FAA-approved sailplane flight manual. This AD is the result of 
mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) issued by the 
airworthiness authority for Germany. We are issuing this AD to prevent 
electrical failure of the fuel and coolant pumps if a non-resettable 
circuit breaker trips. This could result in power loss with the 
inability to restart the fuel pump during a critical phase of flight 
(for example, takeoff under own power).

DATES: This AD becomes effective on June 6, 2005.
    As of June 6, 2005, the Director of the Federal Register approved 
the incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in the 
regulation.

ADDRESSES: You may get the service information identified in this AD 
from DG Flugzeugbau, Postbox 41 20, D-76625 Bruchsal, Federal Republic 
of Germany; telephone: 011-49 7257-890; facsimile: 011-49 7257-8922.
    You may view the AD docket at FAA, Central Region, Office of the 
Regional Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket No. 2003-CE-65-AD, 901 
Locust, Room 506, Kansas City, Missouri 64106. Office hours are 8 a.m. 
to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Greg Davison, Aerospace Engineer, FAA, 
Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, Missouri 
64106; telephone: (816) 329-4130; facsimile: (816) 329-4090.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

    What events have caused this AD? The Luftfahrt-Bundesamt (LBA), 
which is the airworthiness authority for Germany, recently notified FAA 
that an unsafe condition may exist on DG Flugzeugbau Model DG-800B 
sailplanes. The LBA reports both electrical circuits of the fuel pump 
and the coolant pump (on a SOLO 2625 engine or a Mid-West AE 50T 
engine) are protected by a non-resettable digital engine indicator 
(DEI) circuit breaker. The pumps will stop running if the non-
resettable circuit breaker activates.
    What is the potential impact if FAA took no action? If a non-
resettable circuit breaker trips, this could result in power loss with 
the inability to restart the fuel pump during a critical phase of 
flight (for example, takeoff under own power).
    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 Glaser-Dirks Flugzeugbau GmbH (DG 
Flugzeugbau) Model DG-800B sailplanes equipped with a SOLO 2625 engine 
or a Mid-West AE 50T engine. This proposal was published in the Federal 
Register as a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) on April 12, 2004 
(69 FR 19135). The NPRM proposed to require you to modify the coolant 
pump and fuel pump electrical circuits, replace the non-resettable 
circuit breaker with a resettable circuit breaker, and (for a version 
of the Mikuni carburetor) secure the choke butterfly valve axis.
    As a result of our further analysis of the service information and 
determining that important actions were omitted in the NPRM and should 
be incorporated, we issued a supplemental proposal to amend part 39 of 
the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) to include an AD that 
would apply to all Glaser-Dirks Flugzeugbau GmbH (DG Flugzeugbau) Model 
DG-800B sailplanes equipped with a SOLO 2625 engine or a Mid-West AE 
50T engine sailplanes. This proposal was published in the Federal 
Register as a supplemental NPRM on November 8, 2004 (69 FR 64692). The 
supplemental NPRM proposed to require you to do the following:

--Modify the coolant pump and fuel pump electrical circuits;
--Remove the non-resettable digital engine indicator (DEI) circuit 
breaker (4-ampere) and replace with a resettable 5-ampere circuit 
breaker;
--Secure the choke butterfly valve axis that is on the SOLO 2625 engine 
(new version Mikuni carburetor);
--Install edge protection at the sharp edges of the resettable 5-ampere 
DEI circuit breaker; and
--Incorporate ``Flight Manual'' changes that are listed in the service 
information.

Comments

    Was the public invited to comment? We provided the public the 
opportunity to participate in developing this AD. We received no 
comments on the proposal or on the determination of the cost to the 
public.

Conclusion

    What is FAA's final determination on this issue? We have carefully 
reviewed the available data and determined that air safety and the 
public interest require adopting the AD as proposed except for minor 
editorial corrections. We have determined that these minor corrections:

--Are consistent with 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.

Changes to 14 CFR Part 39--Effect on the AD

    How does the revision to 14 CFR part 39 affect this AD? On July 10, 
2002, the FAA published a new version of 14 CFR part 39 (67 FR 47997, 
July 22, 2002), which governs the FAA's AD system. This regulation now 
includes material that relates to altered products, special flight 
permits, and alternative methods of compliance. This material 
previously was included in each individual AD. Since this material is 
included in 14 CFR part 39, we will not include it in future AD 
actions.

Costs of Compliance

    How many sailplanes does this AD impact? We estimate that this AD 
affects 25 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 
modification:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                           Total cost
                        Labor cost                           Parts cost        per         Total cost on U.S.
                                                                            sailplane           operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
6 workhours at $65 per hour = $390........................          $100          $490      25 x $490 = $12,250
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[[Page 20712]]

Authority for This Rulemaking

    What authority does FAA have for issuing this rulemaking action? 
Title 49 of the United States Code specifies the FAA's authority to 
issue rules on aviation safety. Subtitle I, section 106 describes the 
authority of the FAA Administrator. Subtitle VII, Aviation Programs, 
describes in more detail the scope of the agency's authority.
    We are issuing this rulemaking under the authority described in 
subtitle VII, part A, subpart III, section 44701, ``General 
requirements.'' Under that section, Congress charges the FAA with 
promoting safe flight of civil aircraft in air commerce by prescribing 
regulations for practices, methods, and procedures the Administrator 
finds necessary for safety in air commerce. This regulation is within 
the scope of that authority because it addresses an unsafe condition 
that is likely to exist or develop on products identified in this AD.

Regulatory Findings

    Will this AD impact various entities? We have determined that this 
AD will not have federalism implications under Executive Order 13132. 
This AD 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.
    Will this AD involve a significant rule or regulatory action? For 
the reasons discussed above, I certify that this AD:
    1. Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive Order 
12866;
    2. Is not a ``significant rule'' under the 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.
    We prepared a summary of the costs to comply with this AD (and 
other information as included in the Regulatory Evaluation) and placed 
it in the AD Docket. You may get a copy of this summary by sending a 
request to us at the address listed under ADDRESSES. Include ``AD 
Docket No. 2003-CE-65-AD'' in your request.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by 
reference, Safety.

Adoption of the Amendment

0
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

0
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]

0
2. FAA amends Sec.  39.13 by adding a new AD to read as follows:

2005-08-13 Glaser-Dirks Flugzeugbau GmbH: Amendment 39-14065; Docket 
No. 2003-CE-65-AD.

When Does This AD Become Effective?

    (a) This AD becomes effective on June 6, 2005.

What Other ADs Are Affected by This Action?

    (b) None.

What Sailplanes Are Affected by This AD?

    (c) This AD affects all Model DG-800B sailplanes, all serial 
numbers, that are:
    (1) Certificated in any category; and
    (2) Equipped with a SOLO 2625 engine or a Mid-West AE 50T 
engine.

What Is the Unsafe Condition Presented in This AD?

    (d) This AD is the result of mandatory continuing airworthiness 
information (MCAI) issued by the airworthiness authority for 
Germany. The actions specified in this AD are intended to prevent 
electrical failure of the fuel and coolant pumps if a non-resettable 
circuit breaker trips. This could result in power loss with the 
inability to restart the fuel pump during a critical phase of flight 
(for example, takeoff under own power).

What Must I Do To Address This Problem?

    (e) To address this problem, you must do the following:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
           Actions                 Compliance            Procedures
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Modify the coolant pump   Within the next 50    For sailplanes with
 and fuel pump electrical      hours time-in-        a SOLO 2625 engine:
 circuits.                     service (TIS) after   Follow DG
                               June 6, 2005 (the     Flugzeugbau GmbH
                               effective date of     Technical Note No.
                               this AD), unless      873/26, dated
                               already done.         November 12, 2001;
                                                     For sailplanes with
                                                     a Mid-West AE 50T
                                                     engine: Follow DG
                                                     Flugzeugbau GmbH
                                                     Technical Note No.
                                                     873/27, dated
                                                     November 29, 2001.
-----------------------------
(2) Remove the non-           Before further        For sailplanes with
 resettable digital engine     flight after the      a SOLO 2625 engine:
 indicator (DEI) circuit       modification of the   Follow DG
 breaker (4-ampere) and        coolant pump and      Flugzeugbau GmbH
 replace with a resettable 5-  fuel pump             Technical Note No.
 ampere circuit breaker.       electrical circuits   873/26, dated
                               required by           November 12, 2001;
                               paragraph (e)(1) of   For sailplanes with
                               this AD.              a Mid-West AE 50T
                                                     engine: Follow GD
                                                     Flugzeugbau GmbH
                                                     Technical Note No.
                                                     873/27, dated
                                                     November 29, 2001.
-----------------------------
(3) For sailplanes with       Before further        For sailplanes with
 engine SOLO 2625 (New         flight after the      a SOLO 2625 engine:
 version Mikuni carburetor):   modificaiton of the   Follow DG
 Secure the choke butterfly    coolant pump and      Flugzeugbau GmbH
 valve axis.                   fuel pump             Technical Note No.
                               electrical circuits   873/26, dated
                               required by           November 12, 2001.
                               paragraph (e)(1) of
                               this AD and the
                               removal and
                               replacement
                               required by
                               paragraph (e)(2) of
                               this AD.
-----------------------------
(4) Install edge protection   Before further        For sailplanes with
 at the sharp edges of the     flight after the      a SOLO 2625 engine:
 resettable 5-ampere DEI       modification of the   Follow DG
 circuit breaker.              coolant pump and      Flugzeugbau GmbH
                               fuel pump             Technical Note No.
                               electrical circuits   873/26, dated
                               required by           November 12, 2001;
                               paragraph (e)(1) of   For sailplanes with
                               this AD and the       a Mid-West AE 50T
                               removal and           engine: Follow DG
                               replacement           Flugzeugbau GmbH
                               required by           Technical Note No.
                               paragraph (e)(2) of   873/27, dated
                               this AD.              November 29, 2001.
-----------------------------

[[Page 20713]]

 
(5) Incorporate changes in    Before further        For sailplanes with
 the FAA-approved sailplane    flight after the      a SOLO 2625 engine:
 flight manual (SFM).          modifications         Follow DG
(i) The owner/operator         required by           Flugzeugbau GmbH
 holding at least a private    paragraphs (e)(1),    Technical Note No.
 pilot certificate as          (e)(2), (e)(3), and   873/26, dated
 authorized by section 43.7    (e)(4) of this AD.    November 12, 2001;
 of the Federal Aviation                             For sailplanes with
 Regulations (14 CFR 43.7)                           a Mid-West AE 50T
 may do the flight manual                            engine: Follow DG
 changes requirement of this                         Flugzeugbau GmbH
 AD.                                                 Technical Note No.
(ii) Make an entry in the                            873/27, dated
 aircraft records showing                            November 29, 2001.
 compliance with this
 portion of the AD following
 section 43.9 of the Federal
 Aviation Regulations (14
 CFR 43.9).
-----------------------------
(6) Do not install any SOLO   As of June 6, 2005    Not Applicable.
 2625 engine or Mid-West AE    (the effective date
 50T engine unless the         of this AD).
 modifications required by
 paragraphs (e)(1), (e)(2),
 (e)(3), and (e)(4) of this
 AD have been done.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

May I Request an Alternative Method of Compliance?

    (f) You may request a different method of compliance or a 
different compliance time for this AD by following the procedures in 
14 CFR 39.19. Unless FAA authorizes otherwise, send your request to 
your principal inspector. The principal inspector may add comments 
and will send your request to the Manager, Standards Office, FAA. 
For information on any already approved alternative methods of 
compliance, contact Greg Davison, Aerospace Engineer, FAA, Small 
Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, Missouri 
64106; telephone: (816) 329-4130; facsimile: (816) 329-4090.

Does This AD Incorporate Any Material by Reference?

    (g) You must do the actions required by this AD following the 
instructions in DG Flugzeugbau GmbH Technical Note No. 873/26, dated 
November 12, 2001, and DG Flugzeugbau GmbH Technical Note No. 873/
27, dated November 29, 2001. The Director of the Federal Register 
approved the incorporation by reference of this service bulletin in 
accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. You may get a 
copy from DG Flugzeugbau, Postbox 41 20, D-76625 Bruchsal, Federal 
Republic of Germany; telephone: 011-49 7257-890; facsimile: 011-49 
7257-8922. You may review copies at FAA, Central Region, Office of 
the Regional Counsel, 901 Locust, Room 506, Kansas City, Missouri 
64106; or at the National Archives and Records Administration 
(NARA). For information on the availability of this material at 
NARA, call (202) 741-6030, or go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html.

Is There Other Information That Relates to This Subject?

    (h) German AD Number 2002-083, dated April 4, 2002, also 
addresses the subject of this AD.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on April 12, 2005.
Nancy C. Lane,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 05-7790 Filed 4-20-05; 8:45 am]
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