[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 130 (Friday, July 7, 1995)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 35324-35326]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-15928]



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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 92-CE-21-AD; Amendment 39-9293; AD 95-14-01]


Airworthiness Directives; Glaser-Dirks Flugzeugbau GmbH Model DG-
100 Sailplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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[[Page 35325]]


SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) that 
applies to Glaser-Dirks Flugzeugbau GmbH (Glaser-Dirks) Model DG-100 
sailplanes equipped with the main L4 fitting of the all flying 
tailplane. This action requires inspecting (one-time) the tailplane 
main fitting to ensure the part is accurately welded, and modifying the 
tailplane main fitting if not accurately welded. A report of tailplane 
main fitting failure on one of the affected sailplanes, where the 
welding did not completely cover the entire wall thickness of the 
fitting, prompted this action. The actions specified by this AD are 
intended to prevent loss of control of the sailplane because of 
tailplane main fitting failure.

DATES: Effective August 24, 1995.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of August 24, 1995.

ADDRESSES: Service information that applies to this AD may be obtained 
from Glaser-Dirks Flugzeugbau GmbH, lm Schollengarten 19-20, 7520 
Buchsal 4, Germany. This information may also be examined at the FAA, 
Central Region, Office of the Assistant Chief Counsel, 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. Herman Belderok, Project Officer, 
Sailplanes, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service, 
FAA, 1201 Walnut, suite 900, Kansas City, Missouri 64106; telephone 
(816) 426-6932; facsimile (816) 426-2169.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal 
Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) to include an AD that would apply 
to Glaser-Dirks Model DG-100 sailplanes equipped with the main L4 
fitting of the all flying tailplane was published in the Federal 
Register on January 18, 1995 (60 FR 3587). The action proposed to 
require inspecting (one-time) the tailplane main fitting to ensure the 
part is accurately welded, and modifying the tailplane main fitting if 
not accurately welded. Accomplishment of the proposed actions would be 
accomplished in accordance with Enclosure to Technical Note 301/15, 
which is a supplement to Glaser-Dirks Technical Note 301/15, dated July 
7, 1989.
    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.
    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 will not change the meaning of the AD and will not add any 
additional burden upon the public than was already proposed.
    The FAA estimates that 16 sailplanes in the U.S. registry will be 
affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 1 workhour per 
sailplane to accomplish the required action, and that the average labor 
rate is approximately $60 an hour. Based on these figures, the total 
cost impact of the AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $960. This 
figure is based on the assumption that no affected owner/operator has 
accomplished the proposed one-time inspection. The FAA anticipates that 
several owners/operators have already accomplished this inspection, 
thus reducing the cost impact upon the public imposed by this AD.
    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. App. 1354(a), 1421 and 1423; 49 U.S.C. 
106(g); and 14 CFR 11.89.


Sec. 39.13  [Amended]

    2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding a new AD to read as follows:


95-14-01 Glaser-Dirks Flugzeugbau GmbH: Amendment 39-9293; Docket 
No. 92-CE-21-AD.

    Applicability: Model DG-100 sailplanes (all serial numbers) that 
are equipped with the main L4 fitting of the all flying tailplane, 
certificated in any category.

    Note 1: This AD applies to each sailplane 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 sailplanes that have been modified, 
altered, or repaired so that the performance of the requirements of 
this AD is affected, the owner/operator must use the authority 
provided in paragraph (d) of this AD to request approval from the 
FAA. This approval may address either no action, if the current 
configuration eliminates the unsafe condition, or different actions 
necessary to address the unsafe condition described in this AD. Such 
a request should include an assessment of the effect of the changed 
configuration on the unsafe condition addressed by this AD. In no 
case does the presence of any modification, alteration, or repair 
remove any sailplane from the applicability of this AD.

    Compliance: Required within the next 100 hours time-in-service 
after the effective date of this AD, unless already accomplished.
    To prevent loss of control of the sailplane caused by failure of 
the tailplane main fitting, accomplish the following:
    (a) Inspect the tailplane main fitting to ensure that the 
welding covers the entire wall thickness of the fitting in 
accordance with the instructions in paragraph 3 of the Enclosure to 
Technical Note (TN) 301/15, which is a supplement to Glaser-Dirks TN 
301/15, dated July 7, 1989.
    (b) If the welding does not cover the entire wall thickness of 
the fitting, prior to further flight, modify the tailplane main 
fitting in accordance with instructions in paragraph 4 of the 
Enclosure to TN 301/15, which is a supplement to Glaser-Dirks TN 
301/15, dated July 7, 1989.

    Note 2: The service information specifies inspection and 
possible modification for the Model DG-100 Elan sailplanes, as well 
as the Model DG-100 sailplanes. Even though the Model DG-100 Elan 
sailplanes are not certificated for operation in the United States 
under the provisions of section 21.29 of the Federal Aviation 
Regulations (14 CFR 21.29), 

[[Page 35326]]
the actions in this AD are recommended for any of these sailplanes 
certificated otherwise, i.e., experimental category.

    (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 sailplanes to a location where the 
requirements of this AD can be accomplished.
    (d) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the 
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 should 
be forwarded through an appropriate FAA Maintenance Inspector, who 
may add comments and then send it to the Manager, Small Airplane 
Directorate.

    Note 3: Information concerning the existence of approved 
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be 
obtained from the Small Airplane Directorate.

    (e) The inspection required by this AD shall be done in 
accordance with the Enclosure to Technical Note 301/15, which is a 
supplement to Glaser-Dirks Technical Note 301/15, dated July 7, 
1989. 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 Glaser-Dirks Flugzeugbau GmbH, 
lm Schollengarten 19-20, 7520 Buchsal 4, Germany. Copies may be 
inspected at the FAA, Central Region, Office of the Assistant Chief 
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.
    (f) This amendment (39-9293) becomes effective on August 24, 
1995.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on June 22, 1995.
Gerald W. Pierce,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 95-15928 Filed 7-6-95; 8:45 am]
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