Airworthiness Directives; DG Flugzeugbau GmbH Gliders

[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 187 (Thursday, September 30, 2021)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 54037-54039]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-21095]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2021-0212; Project Identifier 2018-CE-032-AD; Amendment 
39-21715; AD 2021-18-14]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; DG Flugzeugbau GmbH Gliders

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all 
DG Flugzeugbau GmbH Models DG-808C and DG-1000T gliders. 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 identifies 
the unsafe condition as damaged fuel hoses due to environmental and 
fatigue deterioration. This AD requires inspecting the polyurethane 
(PU) fuel hoses, replacing the PU fuel hoses if there is damage, and 
establishing a life limit for the PU fuel hoses. The FAA is issuing 
this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective November 4, 2021.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of certain publications listed in this AD as of November 4, 
2021.

ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this final rule, 
contact DG Flugzeugbau GmbH, Otto-Lilienthal Weg 2, D-76646 Bruchsal, 
Germany; phone: +49 (0)7251 3202-0; email: [email protected]; 
website: https://www.dg-flugzeugbau.de/. You may view this service 
information at the FAA, Airworthiness Products Section, Operational 
Safety Branch, 901 Locust, Kansas City, MO 64106. For information on 
the availability of this material at the FAA, call (816) 329-4148. It 
is also available at https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and 
locating Docket No. FAA-2021-0212.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket at https://www.regulations.gov by 
searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2021-0212; or in person at 
Docket Operations between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, 
except Federal holidays. The AD docket contains this final rule, the 
MCAI, any comments received, and other information. The address for 
Docket Operations is 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 FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jim Rutherford, Aviation Safety 
Engineer, General Aviation & Rotorcraft Section, International 
Validation Branch, FAA, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, MO 64106; 
phone: (816) 329-4165; fax: (816) 329-4090; email: 
[email protected].

[[Page 54038]]


SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    The FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 
CFR part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to all DG Flugzeugbau GmbH 
Models DG-808C and DG-1000T gliders. The NPRM published in the Federal 
Register on July 1, 2021 (86 FR 35027). The NPRM was prompted by MCAI 
originated by the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the 
Technical Agent for the Member States of the European Union. EASA has 
issued EASA AD 2018-0127, dated June 11, 2018 (referred to after this 
as ``the MCAI''), to address an unsafe condition on DG Flugzeugbau GmbH 
Models DG-808C and DG-1000T gliders. The MCAI states:

    An occurrence was reported where, during accomplishment of a 10 
years inspection on a DG-808C powered sailplane, a damaged (broken) 
PU [polyurethane] fuel hose was found. The result of subsequent 
investigation indicated that the damage mode has features of 
environmental and fatigue deterioration. Additionally, it was 
determined that similar PU fuel hoses are also installed on other 
powered sailplane types of the same manufacturer.
    This condition, if not detected and corrected, could lead to 
reduced or interrupted fuel supply to the engine, consequent loss of 
the available power or fire, possibly resulting in reduced control 
of the powered sailplane.
    To address this potential unsafe condition, DG-Flugzeugbau GmbH 
issued the applicable TN [Technical Note], providing instructions to 
inspect the affected parts and replace these with serviceable parts. 
Additionally, service life limits were established for those 
serviceable parts.
    For the reasons described above, this [EASA] AD requires 
repetitive inspections of the affected parts. This [EASA] AD also 
requires replacement of the affected parts with serviceable parts 
and introduces life limits for serviceable parts.

    You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket at https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2021-
0212.

Discussion of Final Airworthiness Directive

Comments

    The FAA received no comments on the NPRM or on the determination of 
the costs.

Conclusion

    This product has been approved by the aviation authority of another 
country and is approved for operation in the United States. Pursuant to 
the FAA's bilateral agreement with this State of Design Authority, it 
has notified the FAA of the unsafe condition described in the MCAI and 
service information referenced above. The FAA reviewed the relevant 
data and determined that air safety requires adopting this AD as 
proposed. Accordingly, the FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe 
condition on these products. This AD is adopted as proposed in the 
NPRM.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    The FAA reviewed DG Flugzeugbau GmbH Technical Note No. 800/46, 
Doc. No. TM800-46 FE-29-01 (English version), Issue 01.a, dated March 
7, 2018, for Model DG-808C gliders; and Technical Note No. 1000/38, 
Doc. No. TM1000-38 FE-29-01 (English version), Issue 01.a, dated 
February 15, 2018, for Model DG-1000T gliders. The service information, 
as applicable to the appropriate model glider, specifies inspections of 
the PU fuel hoses, replacement of the PU fuel hoses if damage is found 
during an inspection, and actions to take when the hoses have reached 
their life limit. 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 ADDRESSES.

Differences Between This AD and the MCAI

    The MCAI requires replacing any damaged fuel hoses before next 
engine operation, while this AD requires replacing damaged fuel hoses 
before further flight. Even though use of the engine is optional and 
the glider can operate without the engine, the glider has other 
electronic equipment installed that could cause arcing and result in an 
in-flight fire if there is a fuel leak.

Costs of Compliance

    The FAA estimates that this AD affects 10 gliders of U.S. registry. 
The FAA also estimates that inspecting the fuel hoses will take about 2 
work-hours. The average labor rate is $85 per work-hour.
    Based on these figures, the FAA estimates the cost of this AD on 
U.S. operators to be $1,700, or $170 per glider, each inspection cycle.
    In addition, the FAA estimates that each replacement required by 
this AD would take about 8 work-hours and require parts costing $500. 
Based on these figures, the FAA estimates the replacement cost of this 
AD to be $1,180 per glider.

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.
    The FAA is 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

    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 that this AD:
    (1) Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive 
Order 12866,
    (2) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, 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.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

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

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 airworthiness 
directive:

2021-18-14 DG Flugzeugbau GmbH: Amendment 39-21715; Docket No. FAA-
2021-0212; Project Identifier 2018-CE-032-AD.

[[Page 54039]]

(a) Effective Date

    This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective November 4, 2021.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to DG Flugzeugbau GmbH Models DG-808C and DG-
1000T gliders, all serial numbers, certificated in any category.

(d) Subject

    Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 2800, Aircraft Fuel 
System.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    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 damaged 
polyurethane (PU) fuel hoses due to environmental and fatigue 
deterioration. The FAA is issuing this AD to prevent reduced or 
interrupted fuel supply to the engine or fuel leakage. The unsafe 
condition, if not addressed, could result in loss of engine power or 
in-flight fire.

(f) Definitions

    (1) For purposes of this AD, an ``affected part'' is a PU fuel 
hose installed in an airframe fuel system or engine compartment 
that:
    (i) Does not meet industrial standard DIN 73379-2A, or
    (ii) Does not meet ISO 7840-A1 without metal shielding.
    (2) For purposes of this AD, a ``serviceable part'' is a PU fuel 
hose installed in an airframe fuel system or engine compartment 
that:
    (i) Meets industrial standard DIN 73379-2A, or
    (ii) Meets industrial standard ISO 7840-A1 without metal 
shielding.

(g) Inspections for Gliders With An Affected Part Installed

    Within the next 30 days after the effective date of this AD and 
thereafter at intervals not to exceed 12 months, visually inspect 
each affected part for fissures, kinks, and leaks. For this 
inspection, the ignition switch must be turned on to run the 
electric fuel pump to demonstrate an operating fuel pressure.
    (1) If a fissure, kink, or leak is found on an affected part 
during any inspection required by the introductory language to 
paragraph (g) of this AD, before further flight: Replace all 
affected parts with unused (zero hours time-in-service (TIS)) 
serviceable parts by following paragraphs 3 and 4 of the 
Instructions in DG Flugzeugbau GmbH Technical Note No. 800/46, Doc. 
No. TM800-46 FE-29-01 (English version) Issue 01.a, dated March 7, 
2018 (TN No. 800/46), or paragraphs 3 through 5 of the Instructions 
in DG Flugzeugbau GmbH Technical Note No. 1000/38, Doc. No. TM1000-
38 FE-29-01 (English version) Issue 01.a, dated February 15, 2018 
(TN No. 1000/38), as applicable to your model glider.
    (2) If no fissures, kinks, and leaks are found on all affected 
parts during any inspection required by the introductory language to 
paragraph (g) of this AD, before each affected part accumulates 6 
years since first installation on a glider or within 6 months after 
the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs later: Replace all 
affected parts with unused (zero hours TIS) serviceable parts by 
following paragraphs 3 and 4 of the Instructions in TN No. 800/46 or 
paragraphs 3 through 5 of the Instructions in TN No. 1000/38, as 
applicable to your model glider. If the date of first installation 
on a glider is unknown for any affected hose, replace all affected 
hoses within 6 months after the effective date of this AD.

(h) Inspections for Gliders With Only Serviceable Parts Installed

    (1) Before or upon accumulating 6 years since first installation 
on a glider and thereafter at intervals not to exceed 12 months, 
visually inspect each serviceable part for fissures, kinks, and 
leaks. For this inspection, the ignition switch must be turned on to 
run the electric fuel pump to demonstrate an operating fuel 
pressure.
    (2) If a fissure, a kink, or a leak is found during any 
inspection required by paragraph (h)(1) of this AD, before further 
flight, replace the part with an unused (zero hours TIS) serviceable 
part by following paragraphs 3 and 4 of the Instructions in TN No. 
800/46 or paragraphs 3 through 5 of the Instructions in TN No. 1000/
38, as applicable to your model glider.

(i) Life Limit

    Before accumulating 10 years since first installation on a 
glider and thereafter at intervals not to exceed 10 years, remove 
each serviceable part from service and replace with an unused (zero 
hours TIS) serviceable part by following paragraphs 3 and 4 of the 
Instructions in TN No. 800/46 or paragraphs 3 through 5 of the 
Instructions in TN No. 1000/38, as applicable to your model glider.

(j) Parts Installation Prohibition

    As of the effective date of this AD, do not install an affected 
part on any glider.

(k) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (1) The Manager, International Validation Branch, has the 
authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the 
procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. In accordance with 14 CFR 39.19, 
send your request to your principal inspector or local Flight 
Standards District Office, as appropriate. If sending information 
directly to the manager of the certification office, send it to the 
attention of the person identified in Related Information or email: 
[email protected].
    (2) Before using any approved AMOC, notify your appropriate 
principal inspector, or lacking a principal inspector, the manager 
of the local flight standards district office/certificate holding 
district office.

(l) Related Information

    (1) For more information about this AD contact Jim Rutherford, 
Aviation Safety Engineer, General Aviation & Rotorcraft Section, 
International Validation Branch, FAA, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas 
City, MO 64106; phone: (816) 329-4165; fax: (816) 329-4090; email: 
[email protected].
    (2) Refer to European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2018-
0127, dated June 11, 2018, for more information. You may examine the 
EASA AD in the AD docket on the website at https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-
2021-0212.

(m) Material Incorporated by Reference

    (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the 
incorporation by reference 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) DG Flugzeugbau GmbH Technical Note No. 800/46, Doc. No. 
TM800-46 FE-29-01 (English version), Issue 01.a, dated March 7, 
2018.
    (ii) DG Flugzeugbau GmbH Technical Note No. 1000/38, Doc. No. 
TM1000-38 FE-29-01 (English version), Issue 01.a, dated February 15, 
2018.
    (3) For service information identified in this AD, contact DG 
Flugzeugbau GmbH, Otto-Lilienthal Weg 2, D-76646 Bruchsal, Germany; 
phone: +49 (0)7251 3202-0; email: [email protected]; website: 
https://www.dg-flugzeugbau.de/.
    (4) You may view this service information at FAA, Airworthiness 
Products Section, Operational Safety Branch, 901 Locust, Kansas 
City, MO 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, email: [email protected], or go to: https://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.

    Issued on August 26, 2021.
Lance T. Gant,
Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2021-21095 Filed 9-29-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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