Airworthiness Directives; DG Flugzeugbau GmbH Model DG-1000T Gliders

[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 183 (Friday, September 21, 2007)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 53923-53925]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-18474]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2007-27787 Directorate Identifier 2007-CE-032-AD; 
Amendment 39-15209; AD 2007-19-18]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; DG Flugzeugbau GmbH Model DG-1000T 
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 the 
products listed above. 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:

    The digital engine indicating system (DEI-NT) and associated 
control unit must get their latest software update. It has been 
found out in operation, that some combinations of system states 
while pressing switches can cause electrical damages to the system. 
A new software update is mandated to correct this deficiency and to 
incorporate additional safety functions to the system.

    We are issuing this AD to require actions to correct the unsafe 
condition on these products.

DATES: This AD becomes effective October 26, 2007.
    On October 26, 2007, the Director of the Federal Register approved 
the incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in this 
AD.

ADDRESSES: You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://dms.dot.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 FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Greg Davison, Glider Program Manager, 
FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, 
Missouri 64106; telephone: (816) 329-4130; fax: (816) 329-4090.

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

[[Page 53924]]

NPRM was published in the Federal Register on June 28, 2007 (72 FR 
35371). That NPRM proposed to correct an unsafe condition for the 
specified products. The MCAI states:

    The digital engine ind icating system (DEI-NT) and associated 
control unit must get their latest software update. It has been 
found out in operation, that some combinations of system states 
while pressing switches can cause electrical damages to the system. 
A new software update is mandated to correct this deficiency and to 
incorporate additional safety functions to the system.

    As a result, the Flight and Maintenance Manuals need to be 
revised, specifically regarding the stall warning.

    You may obtain further information by examining the MCAI in the AD 
docket.

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 available data and determined that air safety and 
the public interest require adopting the AD as proposed.

Differences Between This AD and the MCAI or Service Information

    We have reviewed the MCAI and related service information and, in 
general, agree with their substance. But we might have found it 
necessary to use different words from those in the MCAI to ensure the 
AD is clear for U.S. operators and is enforceable. In making these 
changes, we do not intend to differ substantively from the information 
provided in the MCAI and related service information.
    We might also have required different actions in this AD from those 
in the MCAI in order to follow FAA policies. Any such differences are 
highlighted in a NOTE within the AD.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD will affect 1 product of U.S. registry. We 
also estimate that it will take about 1 work-hour per product to comply 
with basic requirements of this AD. The average labor rate is $80 per 
work-hour.
    Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of this AD to the U.S. 
operators to be $80 or $80 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.

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 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.
    We prepared a regulatory evaluation of the estimated costs to 
comply with this AD and placed it in the AD Docket.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://dms.dot.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 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

0
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:

2007-19-18 DG Flugzeugbau GmbH: Amendment 39-15209; Docket No. FAA-
2007-27787; Directorate Identifier 2007-CE-032-AD.

Effective Date

    (a) This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective October 
26, 2007.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to DG-1000T gliders, all serial numbers, 
certificated in any category.

Subject

    (d) Air Transport Association of America (ATA) Code 77: Engine 
Indicating.

Reason

    (e) The mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) 
states:

    The digital engine indicating system (DEI-NT) and associated 
control unit must get their latest software update. It has been 
found out in operation, that some combinations of system states 
while pressing switches can cause electrical damages to the system. 
A new software update is mandated to correct this deficiency and to 
incorporate additional safety functions to the system.
    As a result, the Flight and Maintenance Manuals need to be 
revised, specifically regarding the stall warning.

Actions and Compliance

    (f) Within the next 60 days after October 26, 2007 (the 
effective day of this AD), unless already done, do the following 
actions:
    (1) Replace the Digital Indicating System (DEI-NT) unit with an 
updated unit that incorporates software version V1.5, and replace 
the control unit with an updated unit that incorporates software 
version V1.9 following DG-Flugzeugbau GmbH Technical Note No. 1000/
09, EASA approved December 12, 2006.
    (2) Insert the new Flight Manual pages 0.1, 0.5, 7.14, and 7.15 
and the new Maintenance Manual pages 0.1, 0.3, 0.6, 0.10, 1.22, and 
1.23, issued October 2006 marked with TN1000/09, and add Diagram 15a 
into your maintenance program (maintenance manual) following DG-
Flugzeugbau GmbH Technical Note No. 1000/09, EASA approved December 
12, 2006.
    (3) Prior to further flight after the action required by 
paragraph (f)(1) of this AD, do not install a DEI-NT or control unit 
in any DG-1000T airplane, unless it incorporates the software 
versions required in this AD.


[[Page 53925]]


    Note 1: The referenced DG-Flugzeugbau GmbH Technical Note No. 
1000/09, EASA approved December 12, 2006, also includes instructions 
for replacement of the fuel cock, which is not required by this AD.


    Note 2: As specified in the flight manual, the glider can only 
be operated in the non-powered configuration without the DEI-NT 
installed. Engine operation is not possible.

FAA AD Differences

    Note 3: This AD differs from the MCAI as follows: No 
differences.

Other FAA AD Provisions

    (g) The following provisions also apply to this AD:
    (1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager, 
Standards Staff, FAA, ATTN: Greg Davison, Glider Program Manager, 
FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, 
Missouri 64106; telephone: (816) 329-4130; fax: (816) 329-4090, has 
the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the 
procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. 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, under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 
U.S.C. 3501 et.seq.), the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has 
approved the information collection requirements and has assigned 
OMB Control Number 2120-0056.

Related Information

    (h) Refer to MCAI European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD No. 
2007-0040, dated February 23, 2007; and DG-Flugzeugbau GmbH 
Technical Note No. 1000/09, EASA approved December 12, 2006, for 
related information.

Material Incorporated by Reference

    (i)You must use DG-Flugzeugbau GmbH Technical Note No. 1000/09, 
EASA approved December 12, 2006, to do the actions required by this 
AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise.
    (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the 
incorporation by reference of this service information under 5 
U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
    (2) For service information identified in this AD, contact DG-
Flugzeugbau GmbH, Wilhelm Dirks, Chief of Design; Otto-Lilienthal-
Weg 2, 76646 Bruchsal, Germany; telephone: +49 7251 3020 140; fax: 
+49 7251 3020 149; e-mail: [email protected].
    (3) You may review copies at the FAA, Central Region, Office of 
the Regional Counsel, 901 Locust, Room 506, Kansas City, Missouri 
64106; or 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 September 13, 2007.
Kim Smith,
Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. E7-18474 Filed 9-20-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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