[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 102 (Thursday, May 28, 1998)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 29099-29100]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-13818]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 98-CE-11-AD; Amendment 39-10542; AD 98-11-17]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Glaser-Dirks Flugzeugbau GmbH Model DG-
400 Gliders

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) that 
applies to all Glaser-Dirks Flugzeugbau GmbH (Glaser-Dirks) Model DG-
400 gliders. This AD requires replacing the Bosch electrical system 
regulator, part number (P/N) 0212920001, with a type 4 E 26 regulator. 
This AD is the result of mandatory continuing airworthiness information 
(MCAI) issued by the airworthiness authority for Germany. The actions 
specified by this AD are intended to prevent failure of the electrical 
system regulator, which could result in smoke entering the cockpit with 
consequent passenger injury.

DATES: Effective July 10, 1998.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of July 10, 1998.

ADDRESSES: Service information that applies to this AD may be obtained 
from DG Flugzeugbau GmbH, Postfach 4120, D-76625 Bruchsal 4, Germany; 
telephone: +49 7257-89-0; facsimile: +49 7257-8922. This information 
may also be examined at the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), 
Central Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket 
No. 98-CE-11-AD, 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. Mike Kiesov, Aerospace Engineer, 
Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service, FAA, 1201 
Walnut, suite 900, Kansas City, Missouri 64106; telephone: (816) 426-
6934; facsimile: (816) 426-2169.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Events Leading to the Issuance of This AD

    A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 
CFR part 39) to include an AD that would apply to all Glaser-Dirks 
Model DG-400 gliders was published in the Federal Register as a notice 
of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) on March 19, 1998 (63 FR 13381). The NPRM 
proposed to require replacing the Bosch electrical system regulator, 
part number (P/N) 0212920001, with a type 4 E 26 regulator. 
Accomplishment of the proposed action as specified in the NPRM would be 
in accordance with DG Flugzeubau GmbH Technical Note No. 826/33, dated 
July 19, 1996.
    The NPRM was the result of mandatory continuing airworthiness 
information (MCAI) issued by the airworthiness authority for Germany.
    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.

The FAA's Determination

    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.

Compliance Time of This AD

    Although failure of the electrical system regulator will only be 
unsafe while the glider is in flight, this unsafe condition is not a 
result of the number of times the glider is operated. The chance of 
this situation occurring is the same for a glider with 10 hours time-
in-service (TIS) as it is for a glider with 500

[[Page 29100]]

hours TIS. For this reason, the FAA has determined that a compliance 
based on calendar time should be utilized in this AD in order to assure 
that the unsafe condition is addressed on all gliders in a reasonable 
time period.

Cost Impact

    The FAA estimates that 35 gliders in the U.S. registry will be 
affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 2 workhours per 
glider to accomplish this action, and that the average labor rate is 
approximately $60 an hour. Parts cost approximately $200 per glider. 
Based on these figures, the total cost impact of this AD on U.S. 
operators is estimated to be $11,200, or $320 per glider.

Regulatory Impact

    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. 106(g), 40113, 44701.


Sec. 39.13  [Amended]

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

98-11-17  Glaser-Dirks Flugzeugbau GMBH: Amendment 39-10542; Docket 
No. 98-CE-11-AD.

    Applicability: Model DG-400 gliders, all serial numbers, 
certificated in any category.

    Note 1: This AD applies to each glider 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 gliders 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 (c) 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 the unsafe condition has not been 
eliminated, the request should include specific proposed actions to 
address it.

    Compliance: Required within the next 4 calendar months after the 
effective date of this AD, unless already accomplished.
    To prevent failure of the electrical system regulator, which 
could result in smoke entering the cockpit with consequent passenger 
injury, accomplish the following:
    (a) Replace the Bosch electrical system regulator, part number 
(P/N) 0212920001, with a type 4 E 26 regulator in accordance with DG 
Flugzeugbau GmbH Z 33 Conversion Kit Saprisa regulator Installation 
Instructions, dated July 4, 1996, and Glaser-Dirks Drawing 4 E 26. 
These documents are referenced in DG Flugzeugbau GmbH Technical Note 
No. 826/33, dated July 19, 1996.
    (b) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with 
Secs. 21.197 and 21.199 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 
21.197 and 21.199) to operate the glider to a location where the 
requirements of this AD can be accomplished.
    (c) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the 
compliance time 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 shall be 
forwarded through an appropriate FAA Maintenance Inspector, who may 
add comments and then send it to the Manager, Small Airplane 
Directorate.

    Note 2: Information concerning the existence of approved 
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be 
obtained from the Small Airplane Directorate.

    (d) Questions or technical information related to the service 
information referenced in this AD should be directed to DG 
Flugzeugbau GmbH, Postfach 4120, D-76625 Bruchsal 4, Germany; 
telephone: +49 7257-89-0; facsimile: +49 7257-8922. This service 
information may be examined at the FAA, Central Region, Office of 
the Regional Counsel, Room 1558, 601 E. 12th Street, Kansas City, 
Missouri 64106.
    (e) The replacement required by this AD shall be done in 
accordance with DG Flugzeugbau GmbH Z 33 Conversion Kit Saprisa 
regulator Installation Instructions, dated July 4, 1996, and Glaser-
Dirks Drawing 4 E 26, as referenced in DG Flugzeugbau GmbH Technical 
Note No. 826/33, dated July 19, 1996. 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 DG Flugzeugbau GmbH, Postfach 4120, D-76625 Bruchsal 
4, Germany. Copies may be inspected at the FAA, Central Region, 
Office of the Regional 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.

    Note 3: The subject of this AD is addressed in German AD 96-242, 
dated August 29, 1996.

    (f) This amendment becomes effective on July 10, 1998.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on May 15, 1998.
Michael Gallagher,
Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 98-13818 Filed 5-27-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U