Airworthiness Directives; DG Flugzeugbau GmbH Models DG-500MB, DG-808C and DG-800B Gliders

[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 229 (Tuesday, December 1, 2009)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 62689-62691]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-28455]



[[Page 62689]]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2009-1103; Directorate Identifier 2009-CE-053-AD; 
Amendment 39-16110; AD 2009-24-16]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; DG Flugzeugbau GmbH Models DG-500MB, 
DG-808C and DG-800B Gliders

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.

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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 the aviation authority of 
another country to identify and correct an unsafe condition on an 
aviation product. The MCAI describes the unsafe condition as:

    Zinc-coated starter ring gears installed on Solo 2625 01 and 
2625 02 engines have shown to be prone to cracking. For that reason, 
AD 2009-0169-E has been published in July 2009.
    From that date, collected in-service data have been revealed 
that painted starter ring gears with lightening holes are also 
subject to cracks. The reason for these cracks is still unknown at 
the present time.

This AD requires actions that are intended to address the unsafe 
condition described in the MCAI.

DATES: This AD becomes effective December 21, 2009.
    On December 21, 2009, the Director of the Federal Register approved 
the incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in this 
AD.
    We must receive comments on this AD by January 15, 2010.

ADDRESSES: You may send comments by any of the following methods:
    <bullet> Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
    <bullet> Fax: (202) 493-2251.
    <bullet> Mail: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket 
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590.
    <bullet> Hand Delivery: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket 
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., 
Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.

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 this AD, 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.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Greg 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

    The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the Technical 
Agent for the Member States of the European Community, has issued EASA 
Emergency AD No.: 2009-0239-E, dated November 3, 2009 (referred to 
after this as ``the MCAI''), to correct an unsafe condition for the 
specified products. The MCAI states:

    Zinc-coated starter ring gears installed on Solo 2625 01 and 
2625 02 engines have shown to be prone to cracking. For that reason, 
AD 2009-0169-E has been published in July 2009.
    From that date, collected in-service data have been revealed 
that painted starter ring gears with lightening holes are also 
subject to cracks. The reason for these cracks is still unknown at 
the present time.
    As a consequence, Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2009-0225 dated 
22 October 2009 had been published to mandate repetitive inspections 
of zinc-coated starter ring gears as well as painted starter ring 
gears with lightening holes, and their replacement when cracks are 
found.
    This AD retains the requirements of AD 2009-0225-E which is 
superseded, and extends the applicability to model DG-808C 
sailplanes that were inadvertently omitted in the applicability of 
AD 2009-0225-E. On the other hand, the required actions remain 
unchanged.

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

Relevant Service Information

    DG Flugzeugbau GmbH has issued Technical note No. 800/36, 843/30, 
Revision 1, dated September 16, 2009. The actions described in this 
service information are intended to correct the unsafe condition 
identified in the MCAI.

FAA's Determination and Requirements of the AD

    This product has been approved by the aviation authority of another 
country, and is approved for operation in the United States. Pursuant 
to our bilateral agreement with this State of Design Authority, they 
have notified us of the unsafe condition described in the MCAI and 
service information referenced above. We are issuing this AD because we 
evaluated all information provided by the State of Design Authority and 
determined the unsafe condition exists and is likely to exist or 
develop on other products of the same type design.

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 have also required different actions in this AD from those 
in the MCAI in order to follow FAA policies. Any such differences are 
described in a separate paragraph of the AD. These requirements take 
precedence over those copied from the MCAI.

FAA's Determination of the Effective Date

    An unsafe condition exists that requires the immediate adoption of 
this AD. The FAA has found that the risk to the flying public justifies 
waiving notice and comment prior to adoption of this rule because it 
has been determined that zinc-coated and paint-coated starter ring 
gears installed on Solo 2625 01 and 2625 02 engines are prone to 
cracking. These engines are certificated with the airframes. One of the 
zinc-coated ring gears cracked, and the escaping parts caused severe 
damage to the starter motor, the engine mount, and the drive belt. 
Therefore, we determined that notice and opportunity for public comment 
before issuing this AD are impracticable and that good cause exists for 
making this amendment effective in fewer than 30 days.

Comments Invited

    This AD is a final rule that involves requirements affecting flight 
safety, and we did not precede it by notice and opportunity for public 
comment. We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or 
arguments about this AD.

[[Page 62690]]

Send your comments to an address listed under the ADDRESSES section. 
Include ``Docket No. FAA-2009-1103; Directorate Identifier 2009-CE-053-
AD'' at the beginning of your comments. We specifically invite comments 
on the overall regulatory, economic, environmental, and energy aspects 
of this AD. We will consider all comments received by the closing date 
and may amend this AD because of those comments.
    We will post all comments we receive, without change, to http://www.regulations.gov, including any personal information you provide. We 
will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact we 
receive about this AD.

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 that 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.

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

    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:

2009-24-16 DG Flugzeugbau GmbH: Amendment 39-16110; Docket No. FAA-
2009-1103; Directorate Identifier 2009-CE-053-AD.

Effective Date

    (a) This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective December 
21, 2009.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to Models DG-500MB, DG-808C, and DG-800B 
gliders, all serial numbers, certificated in any category.

Subject

    (d) Air Transport Association of America (ATA) Code 80: 
Starting.

Reason

    (e) The mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) 
states:
    Zinc-coated starter ring gears installed on Solo 2625 01 and 
2625 02 engines have shown to be prone to cracking. For that reason, 
AD 2009-0169-E has been published in July 2009.
    From that date, collected in-service data have been revealed 
that painted starter ring gears with lightening holes are also 
subject to cracks. The reason for these cracks is still unknown at 
the present time.
    As a consequence, Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2009-0225 dated 
22 October 2009 had been published to mandate repetitive inspections 
of zinc-coated starter ring gears as well as painted starter ring 
gears with lightening holes, and their replacement when cracks are 
found.
    This AD retains the requirements of AD 2009-0225-E which is 
superseded, and extends the applicability to model DG-808C 
sailplanes that were inadvertently omitted in the applicability of 
AD 2009-0225-E. On the other hand, the required actions remain 
unchanged.

Actions and Compliance

    (f) Unless already done, do the following actions.
    (1) Before further flight after December 21, 2009 (the effective 
date of this AD), and repetitively thereafter before every flight, 
inspect the installed version of the starter ring gear for cracks 
following paragraph 2 of the Instructions section of DG Flugzeugbau 
Technical note No. 800/36, 843/30, Revision 1, dated September 16, 
2009.
    (2) If, during the inspection required in paragraph (f)(1) of 
this AD, any crack is found, before further engine operation, 
replace the starter ring gear following paragraph 3 of the 
Instructions section of DG Flugzeugbau Technical note No. 800/36, 
843/30, Revision 1, dated September 16, 2009.
    (3) Within 90 days after December 21, 2009 (the effective date 
of this AD), replace the starter ring gear following paragraph 3 of 
the Instructions section of DG Flugzeugbau Technical note No. 800/
36, 843/30, Revision 1, dated September 16, 2009. Replacement of the 
starter ring gear following paragraph 3 of the Instructions section 
of DG Flugzeugbau Technical note No. 800/36, 843/30, Revision 1, 
dated September 16, 2009, terminates the repetitive inspection 
requirement in paragraph (f)(1) of this AD.

FAA AD Differences

    Note: This AD differs from the MCAI and/or service information 
as follows:
    Although the MCAI or service information provides for a 
terminating action as an option, paragraph (f)(3) of this AD 
requires that you perform the terminating action within 90 days 
after December 21, 2009 (the effective date of this AD). This is 
consistent with paragraph 125 of the FAA AD Manual, FAA-IR-M-8040.1B 
(FAA-AIR-M-8040.1), which states: ``The FAA has determined that 
long-term continued operational safety will be better assured by 
design changes that remove the source of the problem, rather than by 
repetitive inspections or other special procedures.''

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 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.

[[Page 62691]]

    (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 EASA Emergency AD No.: 2009-0239-E, dated 
November 3, 2009; and DG Flugzeugbau Technical note No. 800/36, 843/
30, Revision 1, dated September 16, 2009, for related information.

Material Incorporated by Reference

    (i) You must use DG Flugzeugbau Technical note No. 800/36, 843/
30, Revision 1, dated September 16, 2009, 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, Otto-Lilienthal-Weg 2, 76646 Bruchsal, Federal 
Republic of Germany; telephone: + 49 (0) 7251 3020140; Fax: +49 (0) 
7251 3020149; Internet: http://www.dg-flugzeugbau.de/index-e.html; 
E-Mail: [email protected].
    (3) You may review copies of the service information 
incorporated by reference for this AD at the FAA, Central Region, 
Office of the Regional Counsel, 901 Locust, Kansas City, Missouri 
64106. For information on the availability of this material at the 
Central Region, call (816) 329-3768.
    (4) You may also review copies of the service information 
incorporated by reference for this AD 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/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri on November 18, 2009.
Patrick R. Mullen,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. E9-28455 Filed 11-30-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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