[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 249 (Wednesday, December 27, 2000)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 81782-81784]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-32878]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 99-CE-89-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; DG Flugzeugbau GmbH Model DG-500MB
Sailplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
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SUMMARY: This document proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive
(AD) that would apply to certain DG Flugzeugbau GmbH (DG Flugzeugbau)
Model DG-500MB sailplanes equipped with a SOLO 2625 02 engine.
The proposed AD would require you to remove the engine from the
propeller mount; install additional access holes in the propeller
mount; install the modified engine to the propeller mount; do a ground
test run; and replace the digital engine indicator circuit breaker with
a new circuit breaker. The proposed AD is the result of mandatory
continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) issued by the airworthiness
authority for the Federal Republic of Germany. The actions specified by
the proposed AD are intended to correct propeller drive belt tension
that could cause damage to the engine crankshaft and to replace an
inadequate circuit breaker. This could lead to engine failure and loss
of sailplane control.
DATES: The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) must receive any
comments on this proposed rule by February 1, 2001.
ADDRESSES: Send three copies of your comments to FAA, Central Region,
Office of the Regional Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket No. 99-CE-89-
AD, 901 Locust, Room 506, Kansas City, Missouri 64106. Comments may be
inspected at this location between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through
Friday, except holidays.
You may get service information that applies to the proposed AD
from DG Flugzeugbau GmbH, Postbox 41 20, D-76646 Bruchsal, Federal
Republic of Germany; telephone: +49 7257-890; facsimile: +49 7257-8922.
You may also read this information at the Rules Docket at the address
above.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mike Kiesov, Aerospace Engineer, FAA,
Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, Missouri
64106; telephone: (816) 329-4144; facsimile: (816) 329-4090.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments Invited
How do I comment on the proposed AD? We invite your comments on the
proposed rule. You may send whatever written data, views, or arguments
you choose. You need to include the rule's docket number and send your
comments in triplicate to the address specified under the caption
ADDRESSES. We will consider all comments received by the closing date
specified above, before acting on the proposed rule. We may change the
proposals contained in this notice in light of the comments received.
Are there any specific portions of the proposed AD I should pay
attention to? The FAA specifically invites comments on the overall
regulatory, economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the proposed
rule that might require a change to the proposed rule. You may look at
all comments we receive. We will file a report in the Rules Docket that
summarizes each FAA contact with the public that concerns the
substantive parts of this proposal.
We are re-examining the writing style we currently use in
regulatory
[[Page 81783]]
documents, in response to the Presidential memorandum of June 1, 1998.
That memorandum requires federal agencies to communicate more clearly
with the public. We are interested in your comments on the ease of
understanding this document, and any other suggestions you might have
to improve the clarity of FAA communications that affect you. You can
get more information about the Presidential memorandum and the plain
language initiative at http://www.faa.gov/language/.
How can I be sure FAA receives my comment? If you want us to
acknowledge the receipt of your comments, you must include a self-
addressed, stamped postcard. On the postcard, write ``Comments to
Docket No. 99-CE-89-AD.'' We will date stamp and mail the postcard back
to you.
Discussion
What events have caused this proposed AD? The Luftfahrt-Bundesamt
(LBA), which is the airworthiness authority for the Federal Republic of
Germany, notified FAA that an unsafe condition may exist on all DG
Flugzeugbau Model DG-500MB sailplanes equipped with a SOLO 2625 02
engine. The LBA reports that the service history for the SOLO 2625 02
engine shows a need to modify the front crank shaft bearing.
Additionally, the digital engine indicator circuit breaker amperage is
too low for use and needs replacement.
What are the consequences if the condition is not corrected? The
actions specified by the proposed AD are intended to correct propeller
drive belt tension that could cause damage to the engine crankshaft,
and to replace an inadequate circuit breaker. Such failure could result
in loss of power and consequently the loss of sailplane control.
Is there service information that applies to this subject? DG
Flugzeugbau has issued: Technical Note No. 843/13, dated November 3,
1999. SOLO, the engine manufacturer, has issued Technical Note 4600-1.
What are the provisions of these technical notes? These technical
notes includes procedures for:
--Removing the engine from the propeller mount;
--Modifying the engine;
--Installing additional access holes in the propeller mount;
--Installing the modified engine to the propeller mount;
--Doing a ground test run; and
--Replacing the digital engine indicator circuit breaker with a new
circuit breaker.
What action did LBA take? The LBA classified this DG Flugzeugbau
technical note as mandatory and issued German AD Number 1999-383, dated
December 1, 1999, to ensure the continued airworthiness of these
sailplanes in Germany.
Was this in accordance with the bilateral airworthiness agreement?
These sailplane models are manufactured in Germany and are type
certificated for operation in the United States under the provisions of
section 21.29 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 21.29) and
the applicable bilateral airworthiness agreement. Complying with this
bilateral airworthiness agreement, the LBA has kept FAA informed of the
situation described above.
The FAA's Determination and an Explanation of the Provisions of the
Proposed AD
What has FAA decided? The FAA has examined the findings of the LBA;
reviewed all available information, including the technical note
referenced above; and determined that:
--The unsafe condition referenced in this document exists or could
develop on other DG Flugzeugbau Model DG-500MB sailplanes of the same
type design that are equipped with a SOLO 2625 02 engine;
--The actions specified in the previously-referenced technical note
should be accomplished on the affected sailplanes; and
--AD action should be taken in order to correct this unsafe condition.
What would the proposed AD require? This proposed AD would require
you to incorporate the actions in the previously referenced technical
notes.
Cost Impact
How many sailplanes would the proposed AD impact? We estimate that
the proposed AD affects 1 sailplane in the U.S. registry.
What would be the cost impact of the proposed AD on owners/
operators of the affected sailplanes? We estimate the following costs
to do the proposed modification:
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Total cost per
Labor cost Parts cost sailplane Total cost on U.S. operators
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12 workhours x $60 per hour = $720. The manufacturer will do $720. $720 x 1 = $720.
the engine modification
and provide the new
circuit breaker under
warranty.
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Regulatory Impact
Would this proposed AD impact various entities? The regulations
proposed here would 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. Therefore, it is determined that this proposed
rule would not have federalism implications under Executive Order
13132.
Would this proposed AD involve a significant rule or regulatory
action? For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this proposed
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) if
issued, 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 draft regulatory
evaluation prepared for this action has been placed 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, Safety.
The Proposed Amendment
Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration proposes to amend
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.
[[Page 81784]]
Sec. 39.13 [Amended]
2. FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by adding a new airworthiness directive
(AD) to read as follows:
DG Flugzeugbau GMBH: Docket No. 99-CE-89-AD.
(a) What sailplanes are affected by this AD? This AD affects
Model DG-500MB sailplanes, all serial numbers equipped with a SOLO
2625 02 engine, that are certificated in any category.
(b) Who must comply with this AD? Anyone who wishes to operate
any of the above sailplanes must comply with this AD.
(c) What problem does this AD address? The actions specified by
this AD are intended to correct propeller drive belt tension that
could cause damage to the engine crankshaft and to replace an
inadequate circuit breaker. Such failure could lead to engine
failure and loss of control of the sailplane.
(d) What actions must I accomplish to address this problem? To
address this problem, you must do the following, unless already
done:
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Actions Compliance time Procedures
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(1) Remove the engine from Within the next 25 Do this action
the propeller mount. hours time-in- following the
following service maintenance manual.
(TIS) after the Ship engine to the
effective date of engine
this AD. manufacturer, SOLO,
or a licensed
repair station, for
modification
according to the
SOLO Technical Note
(TN) 4600-1.
(2) Install additional Before further Do this action
access holes in the flight after following drawing
propeller mount. removing the engine 5M102 of DG
and before Flugzeugbau
installing the Technical Note 843/
modified engine to 13, dated November
the propeller mount. 3, 1999.
(3) Install the modified Before further Do this action
engine to the propeller flight after following the
mount. removing the engine maintenance manual.
and after the
engine modification.
(4) Do a ground test run.... Before further Do this action
flight after the following DG
previous action. Flugzeugbau
Technical Note 843/
13, dated November
3, 1999.
(5) Replace the digital Before further Do this action
engine indicator (DEI) flight after the following DG
circuit breaker with a new previous actions. Flugzeugbau
5 ampere Klixon 7277-2-5A Technical Note 843/
circuit breaker (or FAA- 13, dated November
approved equivalent part 3, 1999.
number).
(6) Do not install any As of the effective Not Applicable.
engine that has not been date of this AD.
modified following SOLO TN
4600-1.
(7) Do not install any DEI As of the effective Not Applicable.
circuit breaker that is not date of this AD.
a 5 ampere Klixon 7277-2-5A
circuit breaker (or FAA-
approved equivalent part
number).
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(e) Can I comply with this AD in any other way? You may use an
alternative method of compliance or adjust the compliance time if:
(1) Your alternative method of compliance provides an equivalent
level of safety; and
(2) The Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, approves your
alternative. Send your request through an FAA Principal Maintenance
Inspector, who may add comments and then send it to the Manager,
Small Airplane Directorate.
Note 1: This AD applies to each sailplane identified in
paragraph (a) of this AD, regardless of whether it has been
modified, altered, or repaired in the area subject to the
requirements of this AD. For sailplanes 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 (e) 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 you have not eliminated the unsafe
condition, specific actions you propose to address it.
(f) Where can I get information about any already-approved
alternative methods of compliance? Contact Mike Kiesov, Aerospace
Engineer, FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301,
Kansas City, Missouri 64106; telephone: (816) 329-4144; facsimile:
(816) 329-4090.
(g) What if I need to fly the sailplane to another location to
comply with this AD? The FAA can issue a special flight permit under
sections 21.197 and 21.199 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14
CFR 21.197 and 21.199) to operate your sailplane to a location where
you can accomplish the requirements of this AD.
(h) How do I get copies of the documents referenced in this AD?
You may get copies of the documents referenced in this AD from DG
Flugzeugbau GmbH, Postbox 41 20, D-76646 Bruchsal, Federal Republic
of Germany. You may read these documents at FAA, Central Region,
Office of the Regional Counsel, 901 Locust, Room 506, Kansas City,
Missouri 64106.
Note 2: The subject of this AD is addressed in German AD 1999-
383, dated December 1, 1999.
Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on December 19, 2000.
Michael Gallagher,
Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 00-32878 Filed 12-26-00; 8:45 am]
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