Airworthiness Directives; Glaser-Dirks Flugzeugbau GmbH Model DG- 400 Gliders

[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 102 (Thursday, May 28, 1998)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 29100-29102]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-13823]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 98-CE-14-AD; Amendment 39-10543; AD 98-11-18]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Glaser-Dirks Flugzeugbau GmbH Model DG-
400 Gliders

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) that 
applies to all Glaser-Dirks Flugzeugbau GmbH (Glaser-Dirks) Model DG-
400 gliders. This AD requires replacing the upper rubber shock mounts 
with mounts made of stainless steel. This AD will also require 
inspecting the rear plate of the propeller mount for cracks and proper 
mounting, and replacing or modifying as necessary. This AD is the 
result of mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) issued 
by the airworthiness authority for Germany. The actions specified by 
this AD are intended to prevent failure of the propeller suspension 
system caused by cracks in the propeller mounts, which could result in 
loss of the propeller with consequent reduced glider controllability.

DATES: Effective July 10, 1998.

[[Page 29101]]

    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of July 10, 1998.

ADDRESSES: Service information that applies to this AD may be obtained 
from DG Flugzeugbau GmbH, Postfach 4120, D-76625 Bruchsal 4, Germany; 
telephone: +49 7257-89-0; facsimile: +49 7257-8922. This information 
may also be examined at the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), 
Central Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket 
No. 98-CE-14-AD, Room 1558, 601 E. 12th Street, Kansas City, Missouri 
64106; or at the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol 
Street, NW, suite 700, Washington, DC.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Mike Kiesov, Aerospace Engineer, 
Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service, FAA, 1201 
Walnut, suite 900, Kansas City, Missouri 64106; telephone: (816) 426-
6934; facsimile: (816) 426-2169.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Events Leading to the Issuance of This AD

    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 
Model DG-400 gliders was published in the Federal Register as a notice 
of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) on March 18, 1998 (63 FR 13151). The NPRM 
proposed to require the following:

--Replacing the upper rubber shock mounts with mounts made of stainless 
steel;
--Inspecting the rear plate of the propeller mount for cracks and an 
excessive gap between the aluminum blocks and the plate (more than 1 mm 
or .04 inches);
--Replacing the rear plate of the propeller mount if cracks are found; 
and
--Installing washers if an excessive gap exists between the aluminum 
blocks and the plate.

    Accomplishment of the proposed shock mounts replacement, the 
proposed inspections, and the proposed installation, as specified in 
the NPRM would be in accordance with Glaser-Dirks Technical Note No. 
826/11, dated August 29, 1984. Accomplishment of the proposed propeller 
mount replacement, as required, as specified in the NPRM, would be 
required in accordance with the applicable maintenance manual.
    The NPRM was the result of mandatory continuing airworthiness 
information (MCAI) issued by the airworthiness authority for Germany.
    Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate 
in the making of this amendment. No comments were received on the 
proposed rule or the FAA's determination of the cost to the public.

The FAA's Determination

    After careful review of all available information related to the 
subject presented above, the FAA has determined that air safety and the 
public interest require the adoption of the rule as proposed except for 
minor editorial corrections. The FAA has determined that these minor 
corrections will not change the meaning of the AD and will not add any 
additional burden upon the public than was already proposed.

Difference Between the Technical Note, German AD, and This AD

    Both Glaser-Dirks Technical Note No. 826/11, dated August 29, 1984, 
and German AD 84-157, dated September 24, 1984, specify accomplishing 
the actions in this AD prior to further flight. The FAA does not have 
justification for requiring the action prior to further flight. 
Instead, the FAA has determined that 3 calendar months is a reasonable 
time period for accomplishing the actions in this AD.

Compliance Time of This AD

    The compliance time of this AD is presented in calendar time 
instead of hours time-in-service (TIS) because of the typical usage of 
the affected gliders. For example, an operator of an affected glider 
may only utilize the glider 50 hours TIS in a year, while another 
operator may utilize an affected glider 50 hours TIS in one month. The 
FAA has determined that a compliance based on calendar time should be 
utilized in this AD in order to assure that the unsafe condition is 
addressed on all gliders in a reasonable time period.

Cost Impact

    The FAA estimates that 35 gliders in the U.S. registry will be 
affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 6 workhours per 
glider to accomplish this action, and that the average labor rate is 
approximately $60 an hour. Parts cost approximately $100 per glider. 
Based on these figures, the total cost impact of this AD on U.S. 
operators is estimated to be $16,100, or $460 per glider.

Regulatory Impact

    The regulations adopted herein will not have substantial direct 
effects 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. Therefore, in 
accordance with Executive Order 12612, it is determined that this final 
rule does not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant the 
preparation of a Federalism Assessment.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this action (1) is 
not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive Order 12866; 
(2) is not a ``significant rule'' under 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. A copy of the final evaluation prepared for this 
action is contained in the Rules Docket. A copy of it may be obtained 
by contacting the Rules Docket at the location provided under the 
caption ADDRESSES.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

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

Adoption of the Amendment

    Accordingly, pursuant to 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

    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]

    2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding a new airworthiness directive 
(AD) to read as follows:

98-11-18  Glaser-Dirks Flugzeugbau GMBH: Amendment 39-10543; Docket 
No. 98-CE-14-AD.

    Applicability: Model DG-400 gliders, all serial numbers, 
certificated in any category.

    Note 1: This AD applies to each glider identified in the 
preceding applicability provision, regardless of whether it has been 
modified, altered, or repaired in the area subject to the 
requirements of this AD. For gliders that have been modified, 
altered, or repaired so that the performance of the requirements of 
this AD is affected, the owner/operator must request approval for an 
alternative method of compliance in accordance with paragraph (d) of 
this AD. The request should include an assessment of the effect of 
the modification, alteration, or repair on the unsafe condition 
addressed by

[[Page 29102]]

this AD; and, if the unsafe condition has not been eliminated, the 
request should include specific proposed actions to address it.

    Compliance: Required as indicated in the body of this AD, unless 
already accomplished.
    To prevent failure of the propeller suspension system caused by 
cracks in the propeller mounts, which could result in loss of the 
propeller with consequent reduced glider controllability, accomplish 
the following:
    (a) Within the next 3 calendar months after the effective date 
of this AD, replace the upper rubber shock mounts with mounts made 
of stainless steel in accordance with the Instructions section of 
Glaser-Dirks Technical Note TN 826/11, dated August 29, 1984.
    (b) Within the next 3 calendar months after the effective date 
of this AD, inspect (using 2 x  or greater lens) the rear plate of 
the propeller mount for cracks and an excessive gap between the 
aluminum blocks and the plate (more than 1 mm or .04 inches). 
Accomplish these inspections in accordance with the Instructions 
section of Glaser-Dirks Technical Note TN 826/11, dated August 29, 
1984.
    (1) If any cracks are found in the propeller mount, prior to 
further flight, replace the propeller mount with an uncracked mount 
in accordance with the applicable maintenance manual.
    (2) If an excessive gap exists between the aluminum blocks and 
the plate, prior to further flight, install washers in accordance 
with the Instructions section of Glaser-Dirks Technical Note TN 826/
11, dated August 29, 1984.
    (c) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with 
Secs. 21.197 and 21.199 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 
21.197 and 21.199) to operate the glider to a location where the 
requirements of this AD can be accomplished.
    (d) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the 
compliance times that provides an equivalent level of safety may be 
approved by the Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, FAA, 1201 
Walnut, suite 900, Kansas City, Missouri 64106. The request shall be 
forwarded through an appropriate FAA Maintenance Inspector, who may 
add comments and then send it to the Manager, Small Airplane 
Directorate.

    Note 2: Information concerning the existence of approved 
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be 
obtained from the Small Airplane Directorate.

    (e) Questions or technical information related to Glaser-Dirks 
Technical Note No. 826/11, dated August 29, 1984, should be directed 
to DG Flugzeugbau GmbH, Postfach 4120, D-76625 Bruchsal 4, Germany; 
telephone: +49 7257-89-0; facsimile: +49 7257-8922. This service 
information may be examined at the FAA, Central Region, Office of 
the Regional Counsel, Room 1558, 601 E. 12th Street, Kansas City, 
Missouri 64106.
    (f) The replacement, inspection, and installation required by 
this AD shall be done in accordance with Glaser-Dirks Technical Note 
No. 826/11, dated August 29, 1984. This incorporation by reference 
was approved by the Director of the Federal Register in accordance 
with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. Copies may be obtained from 
DG Flugzeugbau GmbH, Postfach 4120, D-76625 Bruchsal 4, Germany. 
Copies may be inspected at the FAA, Central Region, Office of the 
Regional Counsel, Room 1558, 601 E. 12th Street, Kansas City, 
Missouri, or at the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North 
Capitol Street, NW, suite 700, Washington, DC.

    Note 3: The subject of this AD is addressed in German AD 84-157, 
dated September 24, 1984.

    (g) This amendment becomes effective on July 10, 1998.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on May 15, 1998.
Michael Gallagher,
Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 98-13823 Filed 5-27-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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