Airworthiness Directives; DG Flugzeugbau GmbH Gliders

[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 29 (Tuesday, February 12, 2013)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 9792-9793]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-02718]



[[Page 9792]]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2012-1250; Directorate Identifier 2012-CE-043-AD; 
Amendment 39-17344; AD 2013-03-09]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; DG Flugzeugbau GmbH Gliders

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of 
Transportation (DOT).

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for DG 
Flugzeugbau GmbH Model DG-1000T gliders equipped with Solo Kleinmotoren 
Model 2350 C engines. This AD results from mandatory continuing 
airworthiness information (MCAI) issued by an aviation authority of 
another country to identify and correct an unsafe condition on an 
aviation product. The MCAI describes the unsafe condition as a material 
defect of the propeller shaft, most likely caused by a manufacturing 
error. We are issuing this AD to require actions to address the unsafe 
condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective March 19, 2013.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in the AD as of March 19, 
2013.

ADDRESSES: You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov or in person at Document Management Facility, U.S. 
Department of Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30, West Building 
Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 
20590.
    For service information identified in this AD, contact Solo 
Kleinmotoren GmbH, Postfach 60 01 52, D 71050 Sindelfingen, Germany; 
telephone: +49 07031-301-0; fax: +49 07031-301-136; email: 
germany.com">aircraft@solo-germany.com; Internet: http://aircraft.solo-online.com/. 
You may review copies of the referenced service information at the FAA, 
Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Kansas City, Missouri 64106. 
For information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call 
(816) 329-4148.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jim Rutherford, Aerospace Engineer, 
FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, 
Missouri 64106; telephone: (816) 329-4165; fax: (816) 329-4090; email: 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

    We issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR 
part 39 to include an AD that would apply to the specified products. 
That NPRM was published in the Federal Register on November 30, 2012 
(77 FR 71359). That NPRM proposed to correct an unsafe condition for 
the specified products. The MCAI states:

    Two reports have been received of a broken P/N 20 31 211 
propeller shaft on a Solo 2350 C engine. The results of the 
investigation showed that the failures were due to a material 
defect, most likely caused by a manufacturing error.
    This condition, if not detected and corrected, could lead to 
failure of the shaft and detachment of the propeller from the 
aeroplane, which, depending on the flight conditions, could result 
in reduced control of the aeroplane, or injury to persons on the 
ground.
    For the reasons described above, this AD requires a one-time 
inspection (magnetic particle or dye penetrant) of the affected 
propeller shafts to detect cracks and, depending on findings, 
replacement of the propeller pulley assembly (module) with a 
serviceable module.

Comments

    We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing 
this AD. We received no comments on the NPRM or on the determination of 
the cost to the public.

Conclusion

    We reviewed the relevant data and determined that air safety and 
the public interest require adopting the AD as proposed except for 
minor editorial changes. We have determined that these minor changes:
    <bullet> Are consistent with the intent that was proposed in the 
NPRM (77 FR 71359, November 30, 2012) for correcting the unsafe 
condition; and
    <bullet> Do not add any additional burden upon the public than was 
already proposed in the NPRM (77 FR 71359, November 30, 2012).

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD will affect 2 products of U.S. registry. 
We also estimate that it would take about 1 work-hour per product to 
comply with the basic requirements of this AD. The average labor rate 
is $85 per work-hour. Required parts would cost about $0 per product.
    Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of the AD on U.S. 
operators to be $170, or $85 per product.
    In addition, we estimate that any necessary follow-on actions would 
take about 1 work-hour and require parts costing $197, for a cost of 
$282 per product. We have no way of determining the number of products 
that may need these actions.

Authority for This Rulemaking

    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 
rulemaking action.

Regulatory Findings

    We 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.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify 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),
    (3) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and
    (4) 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.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov; or in person at the Docket Management Facility 
between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal 
holidays. The AD docket contains the NPRM, the regulatory evaluation, 
any comments received, and other information. The

[[Page 9793]]

street address for the Docket Office (telephone (800) 647-5527) is in 
the ADDRESSES section. Comments will be available in the AD docket 
shortly after receipt.

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 FAA amends 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. The FAA amends Sec.  39.13 by adding the following new AD:

2013-03-09 DG Flugzeugbau GmbH: Amendment 39-17344; Docket No. FAA-
2012-1250; Directorate Identifier 2012-CE-043-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective March 19, 
2013.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to DG Flugzeugbau GmbH Model DG-1000T gliders 
equipped with Solo Kleinmotoren Model 2350 C engines, all serial 
numbers, certificated in any category.

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association of America (ATA) Code 72: Engine.

(e) Reason

    This AD was prompted by mandatory continuing airworthiness 
information (MCAI) originated by an aviation authority of another 
country to identify and correct an unsafe condition on an aviation 
product. The MCAI describes the unsafe condition as a material 
defect within the propeller shaft, most likely caused by a 
manufacturing error. We are issuing this AD to prevent failure of 
the propeller shaft and detachment of the propeller, which could 
result in reduced control of the aircraft or injury to persons on 
the ground.

(f) Actions and Compliance

    Unless already done, do the following actions:
    (1) Within 25 hours time-in-service (TIS) after March 19, 2013 
(the effective date of this AD) or 6 months after March 19, 2013 
(the effective date of this AD), whichever occurs first, remove the 
propeller pulley assembly (module) from the engine and inspect the 
transition region of the part number (P/N) 20 31 211 shaft following 
the Actions section of Solo Kleinmotoren GmbH Service Bulletin Nr. 
4603-13, Issue 1, dated September 24, 2012.
    (2) If, during the inspection required by paragraph (f)(1) of 
this AD, cracks are detected in the P/N 20 31 211 shaft, before 
further flight, do the following:
    (i) Replace the P/N 20 31 211 shaft with an airworthy P/N 20 31 
211 shaft; or
    (ii) Replace the propeller pulley assembly (module) with an 
airworthy propeller pulley assembly (module).

(g) Other FAA AD Provisions

    The following provisions also apply to this AD:
    (1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager, 
Standards Office, FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs for this 
AD, if requested using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. Send 
information to ATTN: Jim Rutherford, Aerospace Engineer, FAA, Small 
Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, Missouri 
64106; telephone: (816) 329-4165; fax: (816) 329-4090; email: 
[email protected]. Before using any approved AMOC on any 
airplane to which the AMOC applies, notify your appropriate 
principal inspector (PI) in the FAA Flight Standards District Office 
(FSDO), or lacking a PI, your local FSDO.
    (2) Airworthy Product: For any requirement in this AD to obtain 
corrective actions from a manufacturer or other source, use these 
actions if they are FAA-approved. Corrective actions are considered 
FAA-approved if they are approved by the State of Design Authority 
(or their delegated agent). You are required to assure the product 
is airworthy before it is returned to service.
    (3) Reporting Requirements: For any reporting requirement in 
this AD, a federal agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person 
is not required to respond to, nor shall a person be subject to a 
penalty for failure to comply with a collection of information 
subject to the requirements of the Paperwork Reduction Act unless 
that collection of information displays a current valid OMB Control 
Number. The OMB Control Number for this information collection is 
2120-0056. Public reporting for this collection of information is 
estimated to be approximately 5 minutes per response, including the 
time for reviewing instructions, completing and reviewing the 
collection of information. All responses to this collection of 
information are mandatory. Comments concerning the accuracy of this 
burden and suggestions for reducing the burden should be directed to 
the FAA at: 800 Independence Ave. SW., Washington, DC 20591, Attn: 
Information Collection Clearance Officer, AES-200.

(h) Related Information

    Refer to MCAI European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD No.: 
2012-0197, dated September 25, 2012; and Solo Kleinmotoren GmbH 
Service Bulletin Nr. 4603-13, Issue 1, dated September 24, 2012, for 
related information.

(i) Material Incorporated by Reference

    (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the 
incorporation by reference (IBR) of the service information listed 
in this paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
    (2) You must use this service information as applicable to do 
the actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise.
    (i) Solo Kleinmotoren GmbH Service Bulletin Nr. 4603-13, Issue 
1, dated September 24, 2012.
    (ii) Reserved.
    (3) For Solo Kleinmotoren GmbH service information identified in 
this AD, contact Solo Kleinmotoren GmbH, Postfach 60 01 52, D 71050 
Sindelfingen, Germany; telephone: +49 07031-301-0; fax: +49 07031-
301-136; email: germany.com">aircraft@solo-germany.com; Internet: http://aircraft.solo-online.com/.
    (4) You may view this service information at FAA, Small Airplane 
Directorate, 901 Locust, Kansas City, Missouri 64106. For 
information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call 
(816) 329-4148.
    (5) You may view this service information that is incorporated 
by reference 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/cfr/index.html.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on February 1, 2013.
Earl Lawrence,
Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2013-02718 Filed 2-11-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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