Airworthiness Directives; DG Flugzeugbau GmbH Model DG-500MB Powered Sailplanes

[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 161 (Tuesday, August 19, 2008)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 48292-48294]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-18809]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2008-0649; Directorate Identifier 2008-CE-038-AD; 
Amendment 39-15646; AD 2008-17-08]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; DG Flugzeugbau GmbH Model DG-500MB 
Powered Sailplanes

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:

    A DG-500MB experienced, after the engine shutdown, an 
uncommanded retraction of its powerplant.
    Investigations revealed that some bolts of the extension 
retraction mechanism had

[[Page 48293]]

fractured because of fatigue stress due to increasing push-pull 
loads acting on incorrectly tightened screws.
    This condition, if not corrected, could lead to damage of the 
propeller and the fuselage, thereby reducing the structural 
integrity of the sailplane.

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

DATES: This AD becomes effective September 23, 2008.
    On September 23, 2008, 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://www.regulations.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: Gregory Davison, Aerospace Engineer, 
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 NPRM was published in the Federal Register on June 13, 2008 (73 FR 
33743). That NPRM proposed to correct an unsafe condition for the 
specified products. The MCAI states:

    A DG-500MB experienced, after the engine shutdown, an 
uncommanded retraction of its powerplant.
    Investigations revealed that some bolts of the extension 
retraction mechanism had fractured because of fatigue stress due to 
increasing push-pull loads acting on incorrectly tightened screws.
    This condition, if not corrected, could lead to damage of the 
propeller and the fuselage, thereby reducing the structural 
integrity of the sailplane.
    To address this unsafe condition, this Airworthiness Directive 
mandates the replacement of eight bolts, the four connecting the 
fork 5M203 to the 5M204 adapter and those connecting the adapter 
5M204 to the spindle drive, by new ones of higher strength and, a 
rework of the coupling of the 5M203 fork to the 5M204 adapter as 
well as the coupling of the 5M204 adapter to the spindle drive, by 
glueing the parts together, in addition to the pre-existing bolts.

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 4 products of U.S. registry. 
We also estimate that it will take about 3 work-hours per product to 
comply with the basic requirements of this AD. The average labor rate 
is $80 per work-hour. Required parts will cost about $63 per product.
    Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of the AD on U.S. 
operators to be $1,212, or $303 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://www.regulations.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:

2008-17-08 DG Flugzeugbau GmbH: Amendment 39-15646; Docket No. FAA-
2008-0649; Directorate Identifier 2008-CE-038-AD.

[[Page 48294]]

Effective Date

    (a) This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective 
September 23, 2008.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to DG-500MB powered sailplanes, all serial 
numbers, certificated in any category.

Subject

    (d) Air Transport Association of America (ATA) Code 71: Power 
Plant.

Reason

    (e) The mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) 
states:
    A DG-500MB experienced, after the engine shutdown, an 
uncommanded retraction of its powerplant.
    Investigations revealed that some bolts of the extension 
retraction mechanism had fractured because of fatigue stress due to 
increasing push-pull loads acting on incorrectly tightened screws.
    This condition, if not corrected, could lead to damage of the 
propeller and the fuselage, thereby reducing the structural 
integrity of the sailplane.
    To address this unsafe condition, this Airworthiness Directive 
mandates the replacement of eight bolts, the four connecting the 
fork 5M203 to the 5M204 adapter and those connecting the adapter 
5M204 to the spindle drive, by new ones of higher strength and, a 
rework of the coupling of the 5M203 fork to the 5M204 adapter as 
well as the coupling of the 5M204 adapter to the spindle drive, by 
glueing the parts together, in addition to the pre-existing bolts.

Actions and Compliance

    (f) Unless already done, within the next 30 days after September 
23, 2008 (the effective date of this AD), modify the spindle drive 
assembly in accordance with DG Flugzeugbau GmbH Technical Note No. 
843/27, dated April 14, 2008, and DG Flugzeugbau GmbH Drawing 5M210, 
dated April 14, 2008.

FAA AD Differences

    Note: This AD differs from the MCAI and/or service information 
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 Office, 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: Greg Davison, Aerospace Engineer, FAA, Small 
Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, Missouri 
64106; telephone: (816) 329-4130; fax: (816) 329-4090. Before using 
any approved AMOC on any powered sailplane 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. 
2008-0095, dated May 16, 2008; and DG Flugzeugbau GmbH Technical 
Note No. 843/27, dated April 14, 2008, for related information.

Material Incorporated by Reference

    (i) You must use DG Flugzeugbau GmbH Technical Note No. 843/27, 
dated April 14, 2008, and DG Flugzeugbau GmbH Drawing 5M210, dated 
April 14, 2008, 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, Im Schollengarten 20, D-76646 Bruchsal 4, Federal 
Republic of Germany.
    (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 August 8, 2008.
Kim Smith,
Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
 [FR Doc. E8-18809 Filed 8-18-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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