Airworthiness Directives; Glaser-Dirks Flugzeugbau GmbH Models DG-100 and DG-400 Gliders

[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 115 (Tuesday, June 16, 1998)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 32720-32722]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-15894]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 97-CE-133-AD; Amendment 39-10592; AD 98-13-04
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Glaser-Dirks Flugzeugbau GmbH Models 
DG-100 and 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) Models DG-
100 and DG-400 gliders. This AD requires repetitively inspecting the 
airbrakes to assure they retract at their outboard end first, and 
repairing the airbrakes if they do not retract at their outboard end 
first; and repetitively inspecting the airbrake torque tube in the 
fuselage for cracks or deformations, and reinforcing or replacing, as 
necessary, if cracks or deformations are found in the airbrake torque 
tube. 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 overloading of 
the airbrake control system caused by free play between the bellcrank 
and airbrake plate, which could result in failure of the operating 
lever of the airbrake torque tube in the fuselage.

DATES: Effective August 2, 1998.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of August 2, 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. 97-CE-133-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 
Models DG-100 and DG-400 gliders airplanes was published in the Federal 
Register as a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) on April 1, 1998 (63 
FR 15793). The NPRM proposed to require repetitively inspecting the 
airbrakes to assure they retract at their outboard end first, and 
repairing the airbrakes if they do not retract at their outboard end 
first; and repetitively inspecting the airbrake torque tube in the 
fuselage for cracks or deformations, and reinforcing or replacing, as 
necessary, if cracks or deformations are found in the airbrake torque 
tube. Accomplishment of the proposed action as specified in the NPRM 
would be in accordance with DG-Flugzeugbau Technical Note No. 301/18, 
No. 323/9, and No. 826/34, dated November 4, 1996.
    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

[[Page 32721]]

will not change the meaning of the AD and will not add any additional 
burden upon the public than was already proposed.

Compliance Time of This AD

    Although the problems identified with the airbrake control system 
will only be unsafe during flight, this condition is not a result of 
the number of times the glider is operated. The chance of this 
situation occurring is the same for a glider with 10 hours time-in-
service (TIS) as it is for a glider with 500 hours TIS. For this 
reason, 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 45 gliders in the U.S. registry will be 
affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 4 workhours per 
glider to accomplish this inspections, and that the average labor rate 
is approximately $60 an hour. Based on these figures, the total cost 
impact of this AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $10,800, or $240 
per glider.
    These figures are based only on the initial inspections and do not 
take into account the costs of any repetitive inspections or 
reinforcements and modifications that will be needed based on the 
results of this inspections. The FAA has no way of determining the 
number of repetitive inspections each owner/operator of the affected 
airplanes will incur, or the number of airbrake control systems that 
will require modification, reinforcement, or repair.

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:

98-13-04  Glaser-Dirks Flugzeugbau GMBH: Amendment 39-10592; Docket 
No. 97-CE-133-AD.

    Applicability: Models DG-100 and 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 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 overloading of the airbrake control system caused by 
free play between the bellcrank and airbrake plate, which could 
result in failure of the operating lever of the airbrake torque tube 
in the fuselage, accomplish the following:
    (a) Within the next 3 calendar months after the effective date 
of this AD, and thereafter at intervals not to exceed 12 calendar 
months, inspect the airbrakes to assure they retract at their 
outboard end first in accordance with DG-Flugzeugbau GmbH Working 
instructions No. 1 for Technical Notes No. 301/18, 323/9, and 826/
34, dated November 4, 1996. If the airbrakes do not retract at their 
outboard end first, prior to further flight, repair the airbrakes in 
accordance with the above-referenced working instructions.
    (b) Within the next 30 calendar days after the effective date of 
this AD, and thereafter at intervals not to exceed 12 calendar 
months, inspect the airbrake torque tube in the fuselage for cracks 
or deformations in accordance with DG-Flugzeugbau GmbH Working 
instructions No. 2 for Technical Notes No. 301/18, 323/9, and 826/
34, dated November 4, 1996. If cracks or deformations are found in 
the airbrake torque tube, prior to further flight, reinforce or 
replace, as necessary, in accordance with the above-referenced 
working instructions.
    (c) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with 
sections 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 
initial or repetitive 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 service 
information referenced in this AD 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 inspections, repair, reinforcement, and replacement 
required by this AD shall be done in accordance with DG-Flugzeugbau 
Working Instruction No. 1 and No. 2 for Technical Notes No. 301/18, 
No. 323/9, and No. 826/34, dated November 4, 1996. 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 97-011, 
dated January 30, 1997.

    (g) This amendment becomes effective on August 2, 1998.


[[Page 32722]]


    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on June 8, 1998.
Michael Gallagher,
Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 98-15894 Filed 6-15-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U

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