Airworthiness Directives; Glaser-Dirks Flugzeugbau GmbH Models DG-100 and DG-400 Sailplanes and DG Flugzeugbau GmbH Models DG-500 Elan Series and DG-500M Sailplanes

[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 22 (Thursday, February 2, 2006)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 5584-5587]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 06-735]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2005-22157; Directorate Identifier 2005-CE-44-AD; 
Amendment 39-14464; AD 2006-02-12]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Glaser-Dirks Flugzeugbau GmbH Models 
DG-100 and DG-400 Sailplanes and DG Flugzeugbau GmbH Models DG-500 Elan 
Series and DG-500M Sailplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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

SUMMARY: The FAA adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all 
Glaser-Dirks Flugzeugbau GmbH Models DG-100 and DG-400 sailplanes and 
certain DG Flugzeugbau GmbH Models DG-500 Elan Series and DG-500M 
sailplanes. This AD requires you to modify or replace the complete 
rudder mount assembly and ensure that the securing washer, castellated 
nut, and new split pins are installed. This AD results from mandatory 
continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) issued by the airworthiness 
authority for

[[Page 5585]]

Germany. We are issuing this AD to prevent the universal bearing of the 
lower rudder mounting from slipping out of the bearing support. The 
universal bearing slipping out could result in the rudder separating 
from its support. This failure could lead to loss of sailplane control 
during flight operations.

DATES: This AD becomes effective on March 15, 2006.
    As of March 15, 2006, the Director of the Federal Register approved 
the incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in the 
regulation.

ADDRESSES: To get the service information identified in this AD, 
contact DG Flugzeugbau, Postbox 41 20, D-76625 Bruchsal, Federal 
Republic of Germany; telephone: 011-49 7257-890; facsimile: 011-49 
7257-8922.
    To view the AD docket, go to the Docket Management Facility; U.S. 
Department of Transportation, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Nassif Building, 
Room PL-401, Washington, DC 20590-001 or on the Internet at http://dms.dot.gov. The docket number is FAA-2005-22157; Directorate 
Identifier 2005-CE-44-AD.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Gregory Davison, Aerospace Engineer, 
FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, ACE-112, Room 301, 901 Locust, 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 all Glaser-Dirks Flugzeugbau GmbH 
Models DG-100 and DG-400 sailplanes and certain DG Flugzeugbau GmbH 
Models DG-500 Elan Series and DG-500M sailplanes. The LBA reports that 
on a Model DG-100 sailplane the universal bearing of the lower rudder 
mounting slipped out of the bearing support and the rudder fell out. 
Further, the LBA reports that this kind of failure may occur on other 
DG series sailplanes.
    What is the potential impact if FAA took no action? The universal 
bearing slipping out could result in the rudder separating from its 
support. This failure could lead to loss of sailplane control during 
flight operations.
    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 
Models DG-100 and DG-400 sailplanes and certain DG Flugzeugbau GmbH 
Models DG-500 Elan Series and DG-500M sailplanes. This proposal was 
published in the Federal Register as a notice of proposed rulemaking 
(NPRM) on October 5, 2005 (70 FR 58110). The NPRM proposed to require 
you to modify or replace the complete rudder mount assembly and ensure 
that the securing washer, castellated nut, and new split pins are 
installed.

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 75 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 
replacement of the complete rudder mount assembly. We have no way of 
determining the number of sailplanes that may need this replacement:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                            Total cost
               Labor cost                   Parts cost     per sailplane
------------------------------------------------------------------------
2 work hours x $65 = $130...............           $265            $395
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    We estimate the following costs to do the modification of the 
complete rudder mount assembly. We have no way of determining the 
number of sailplanes that may need this modification:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                            Total cost
            Labor cost                   Parts cost        per sailplane
------------------------------------------------------------------------
3 work hours x $65 = $195.........  Not applicable......           $195
------------------------------------------------------------------------

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

[[Page 5586]]

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 ``Docket 
No. FAA-2005-22157; Directorate Identifier 2005-CE-44-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:

2006-02-12 DG Flugzeugbau GmbH and Glaser-Dirks Flugzeugbau GmbH: 
Amendment 39-14464; Docket No. FAA-2005-22157; Directorate 
Identifier 2005-CE-44-AD.

When Does This AD Become Effective?

    (a) This AD becomes effective on March 15, 2006.

What Other ADs Are Affected by This Action?

    (b) None.

What Sailplanes Are Affected by This AD?

    (c) This AD affects the following sailplane models and serial 
numbers that are certificated in any category:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                Model                           Serial numbers
------------------------------------------------------------------------
DG-100..............................  All Serial Numbers.
DG-400..............................  All Serial Numbers.
DG-500..............................  All Serial Numbers
Elan Series.........................  Through 5E23.
DG-500M.............................  All Serial Numbers
                                      Through 5E23.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

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 
the universal bearing of the lower rudder mounting from slipping out 
of the bearing support. The universal bearing slipping out could 
result in the rudder separating from its support. This failure could 
lead to loss of sailplane control during flight operations.
    (e) To address this problem, you must do the following:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
           Actions                 Compliance            Procedures
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Modify or replace the     Within the next 25    Follow DG
 complete rudder mounting      hours time-in-        Flugzeugbau GmbH
 assembly.                     service (TIS) after   Technical Note No.
                               March 15, 2006 (the   301/23 issue 2, 323/
                               effective date of     14 issue 2, 348/18
                               this AD), unless      issue 2, 359/21
                               already done.         issue 2, 370/9
                                                     issue 2, 826/44
                                                     issue 2, 843/21
                                                     issue 2, 866/10
                                                     issue 2, dated June
                                                     11, 2004, amended
                                                     July 7, 2004.
(2) Ensure that the securing  Before further        Follow DG
 washer, castellated nut,      flight after the      Flugzeugbau GmbH
 and split pins are            modification or       Technical Note No.
 installed as specified by     replacement of the    301/23 issue 2, 323/
 the DG Flugzeugbau GmbH       mounting assembly     14 issue 2, 348/18
 Technical Note No. 301/23     required by           issue 2, 359/21
 issue 2, 323/14 issue 2,      paragraph (e)(1) of   issue 2, 370/9
 348/18 issue 2, 359/21        this AD.              issue 2, 826/44
 issue 2, 370/9 issue 2, 826/                        issue 2, 843/21
 44 issue 2, 370/9 issue, 2,                         issue 2, 866/10
 826/44 issue 2, 843/21                              issue 2, dated June
 issue 2, 866/10 issue 2,                            11, 2004, amended
 dated June 11, 2004,                                July 7, 2004.
 amended July 7, 2004.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

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, Small 
Airplane Directorate, FAA. For information on any already approved 
alternative methods of compliance, contact Gregory Davison, 
Aerospace Engineer, FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, ACE-112, Room 
301, 901 Locust, Kansas City, Missouri 64106; telephone: 816-329-
4130; facsimile: 816-329-4090.

Is There Other Information That Relates to This Subject?

    (g) German AD Number D-2004-348R1, dated September 16, 2004, 
also addresses the subject of this AD.

Does This AD Incorporate Any Material by Reference?

    (h) You must do the actions required by this AD following the 
instructions in DG Flugzeugbau GmbH Technical Note No. 301/23 issue 
2, 323/14 issue 2, 348/18 issue 2, 359/21 issue 2, 370/9 issue 2, 
826/44 issue 2, 843/21 issue 2, 866/10 issue 2, dated June 11, 2004, 
amended July 7, 2004 (LBA-approved). 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. To 
get a copy of this service information, contact DG Flugzeugbau, 
Postbox 41 20, D-76625 Bruchsal, Federal Republic of Germany; 
telephone: 011-49 7257-890; facsimile: 011-49 7257-8922. To review 
copies of this service information, go to the National Archives and 
Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability 
of this material at NARA, go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html or call 
(202) 741-6030. To view the AD docket, go to the Docket Management 
Facility; U.S. Department of Transportation, 400 Seventh Street, 
SW., Nassif Building, Room PL-401, Washington, DC 20590-001 or on 
the Internet at http://

[[Page 5587]]

dms.dot.gov. The docket number is FAA-2005-22157; Directorate 
Identifier 2005-CE-44-AD.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on January 20, 2006.
John Colomy,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 06-735 Filed 2-1-06; 8:45 am]
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