Airworthiness Directives; DG Flugzeugbau GmbH Gliders

[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 77 (Friday, April 20, 2018)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 17478-17480]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-07970]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2018-0014; Product Identifier 2017-CE-044-AD; Amendment 
39-19253; AD 2018-07-22]
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 superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2017-08-09 for 
DG Flugzeugbau GmbH Model DG-500MB gliders that are equipped with a 
Solo 2625 02 engine modified with a fuel injection system following the 
instructions of Solo Kleinmotoren GmbH Technische Mitteilung Nr. 4600-3 
and identified as Solo 2625 02i. This AD results from 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 the potential of an in-flight shut-down and engine fire 
due to failure of the connecting stud for the two fuel injector mounts 
of the engine redundancy system on gliders equipped with a Solo 2625 
02i engine. We are issuing this AD to add a model to the applicability 
and require actions to address the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective May 25, 2018.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of May 26, 2017 
(82 FR 18694, April 21, 2017).

ADDRESSES: You may examine the AD docket on the internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2018-
0014; or in person at Docket Operations, U.S. Department of 
Transportation, 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 600152, 71050 Sindelfingen, Germany; 
telephone: +49 703 1301-0; fax: +49 703 1301-136; email: germany.com">aircraft@solo-germany.com; internet: http://aircraft.solo-online.com. You may view 
this referenced service information at the FAA, Policy and Innovation 
Division, 901 Locust, Kansas City, Missouri 64106. For information on 
the availability of this material at the FAA, call (816) 329-4148. It 
is also available on the internet at http://www.regulations.gov by 
searching for Docket No. FAA-2018-0014.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:  Jim Rutherford, Aerospace Engineer, 
FAA, Small Airplane Standards Branch, 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 by adding an AD that would apply to DG Flugzeugbau GmbH Models 
DG-500MB and DG-1000M airplanes. That NPRM was published in the Federal 
Register on January 16, 2018 (83 FR 2088), and proposed to supersede AD 
2017-08-09, Amendment 39-18858 (82 FR 18694; April 21, 2017) (``AD 
2017-08-09''). Since we issued AD 2017-08-09, the FAA has now type 
certificated the DG Flugzeugbau GmbH Model DG-1000M glider and that 
glider model is equipped with a Solo 2625 02i engine.
    The NPRM proposed to correct an unsafe condition for the specified 
products and was based on mandatory continuing airworthiness 
information (MCAI) originated by an aviation authority of another 
country. You may examine the MCAI on the internet at: https://www.regulations.gov/document?D=FAA-2018-0014-0002.

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 for correcting the unsafe condition; and

[[Page 17479]]

    <bullet> Do not add any additional burden upon the public than was 
already proposed in the NPRM.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    We reviewed Solo Kleinmotoren GmbH issued Technische Mitteilung Nr. 
(English translation: Service Bulletin No.) 4600-5, Ausgabe 2 (English 
translation: Issue 2), dated December 12, 2014, approved for 
incorporation by reference on May 26, 2017 (82 FR 18694; April 21, 
2017). The service information describes procedures for changing the 
fuel injector mounts for the engine redundancy system and securing of 
the connection of the lower to the upper engine mount. This service 
information is reasonably available because the interested parties have 
access to it through their normal course of business or by the means 
identified in the ADDRESSES section of this AD.

Other Related Service Information

    We also reviewed Solo Kleinmotoren GmbH Technische Mitteilung Nr. 
(English translation: Service Bulletin No.) 4600-3, Ausgabe 3 (English 
translation: Issue 3), dated December 18, 2014, and the earlier 
versions. The service information describes procedures for modifying 
the engine Solo 2625 02 from the version with carburetors to the 
version with electronic engine management for fuel injection and 
ingnition.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD will affect 6 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 $67 per product.
    Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of this AD on U.S. 
operators to be $912, or $152 per product.

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.
    This AD is issued in accordance with authority delegated by the 
Executive Director, Aircraft Certification Service, as authorized by 
FAA Order 8000.51C. In accordance with that order, issuance of ADs is 
normally a function of the Compliance and Airworthiness Division, but 
during this transition period, the Executive Director has delegated the 
authority to issue ADs applicable to small airplanes, gliders, 
balloons, airships, and domestic business jet transport airplanes, and 
associated appliances to the Director of the Policy and Innovation 
Division.

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 by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2018-
0014; 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 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 removing Amendment 39-18858 (82 FR 
18694; April 21, 2017) and adding the following new AD:

2018-07-22 DG Flugzeugbau GmbH: Amendment 39-19253; Docket No. FAA-
2018-0014; Product Identifier 2017-CE-044-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective May 25, 
2018.

(b) Affected ADs

    This AD replaces AD 2017-08-09, Amendment 39-18858 (82 FR 18694; 
April 21, 2017) (``AD 2017-08-09'').

 (c) Applicability

    This AD applies to DG Flugzeugbau GmbH DG-500MB and DG-1000M 
gliders, all serial numbers, certificated in any category, that are:
    (1) Equipped with a Solo 2625 02 engine modified with a fuel 
injection system following the instructions of Solo Kleinmotoren 
GmbH Technische Mitteilung Nr. (English translation: Service 
Bulletin No.) 4600-3 and identified as Solo 2625 02i; or
    (2) equipped with a Solo 2625 02i engine at manufacture.

(d) Subject

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

(e) Reason

    This AD results from mandatory continuing airworthiness 
information (MCAI) originated by an aviation authority of another 
country to identify and address an unsafe condition on an aviation 
product. The MCAI describes the unsafe condition as the potential of 
an in-flight shut-down and engine fire resulting in loss of control 
due to failure of the connecting stud for the two fuel injector 
mounts of the engine redundancy system on gliders equipped with a 
Solo 2625 02i engine. We are issuing this AD to prevent such failure 
that could lead to the potential of an in-flight shut-down and 
engine fire and result in loss of control.

[[Page 17480]]

(f) Actions and Compliance

    Unless already done, do the following actions in paragraphs 
(f)(1) through (3) of this AD following Solo Kleinmotoren GmbH 
Technische Mitteilung Nr. (English translation: Service Bulletin 
No.), 4600-5, Ausgabe 2 (English translation: Issue 2), dated 
December 12, 2014.
    (1) For Model DG-500MB gliders: Within the next 60 days after 
May 26, 2017 (the effective date of AD 2017-08-09), modify the 
engine redundancy system.
    (2) For Model DG-1000M gliders: Within the next 60 days after 
May 25, 2018 (the effective date of this AD), modify the engine 
redundancy system.
    (3) For all gliders: The Note in Solo Kleinmotoren GmbH 
Technische Mitteilung (English translation: Service Bulletin), Nr. 
4600-5, Ausgabe 2 (English translation: Issue 2), dated December 12, 
2014, stating ``the actions have to be accomplished by a certified 
maintenance organization and must be released by certifying staff,'' 
is not applicable to this AD.

    Note 1 to paragraph (f) of this AD: This service information 
contains German to English translation. The EASA used the English 
translation in referencing the document. For enforceability 
purposes, we will refer to the Solo Kleinmotoren service information 
as it appears on the document.

(g) Credit for Actions Accomplished in Accordance With Previous Service 
Information

    This AD allows credit for modification of the engine redundancy 
system as required in paragraph (f)(1) of this AD if done before May 
26, 2017 (the effective date of AD 2017-08-09) and allows credit for 
modification of the engine redundancy system as required in 
paragraph (f)(2) of this AD if done before May 25, 2018 (the 
effective date of this AD) following Solo Kleinmotoren GmbH 
Technische Mitteilung (English translation: Service Bulletin), Nr. 
4600-5, Ausgabe 1 (English translation: Issue 1), dated November 24, 
2014.

(h) Other FAA AD Provisions

    The following provisions also apply to this AD:
    (1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager, 
Small Airplane Standards Branch, 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 Standards Branch, 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 glider 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) Contacting the Manufacturer: For any requirement in this AD 
to obtain corrective actions from a manufacturer, the action must be 
accomplished using a method approved by the Manager, Small Airplane 
Standards Branch, FAA; or the European Aviation Safety Agency 
(EASA).

(i) Related Information

    Refer to MCAI European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD No.: 
2014-0269, dated December 11, 2014, for related information. You may 
examine the MCAI on the internet at: https://www.regulations.gov/document?D=FAA-2018-0014-0002. You may also refer to Solo 
Kleinmotoren GmbH Technische Mitteilung Nr. (English translation: 
Service Bulletin No.) 4600-3, Ausgabe 3 (English translation: Issue 
3), dated December 18, 2014, and the earlier versions for 
information related to this AD. You may use the contact information 
found in paragraph (j)(4) of this AD to obtain copies of the 
information.

(j) 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.
    (3) The following service information was approved for IBR on 
May 26, 2017 (82 FR 18694; April 21, 2017).
    (i) Solo Kleinmotoren GmbH Technische Mitteilung (English 
translation: Service Bulletin), Nr. 4600-5, Ausgabe 2 (English 
translation: Issue 2), dated December 12, 2014.
    (ii) Reserved.
    (4) For service information related to this AD, contact Solo 
Kleinmotoren GmbH, Postfach 600152, 71050 Sindelfingen, Germany; 
telephone: +49 703 1301-0; fax: +49 703 1301-136; email: 
germany.com">aircraft@solo-germany.com; internet: http://aircraft.solo-online.com.
    (5) You may view this service information at FAA, Policy and 
Innovation Division, 901 Locust, Kansas City, Missouri 64106. For 
information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call 
816-329-4148. In addition, you can access this service information 
on the internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and 
locating Docket No. FAA-2018-0014.
    (6) 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/ibr-locations.html.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on April 11, 2018.
Pat Mullen,
Acting Deputy Director, Policy & Innovation Division, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2018-07970 Filed 4-19-18; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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