[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 155 (Wednesday, August 12, 1998)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 43072-43073]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-21493]



[[Page 43072]]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 98-CE-07-AD; Amendment 39-10705; AD 98-17-03]
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 propeller shaft, the 
bearings, and the front drive belt retaining rings with ones of 
improved design. 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 propeller shaft caused by an ineffective design, which 
could result in loss of glider propulsion during critical phases of 
flight.

DATES: Effective September 26, 1998.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of September 26, 1998.

ADDRESSES: Service information that applies to this AD may be obtained 
from Glaser-Dirks Flugzeugbau GmbH, Im Schollengarten 19-20, 7520 
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-07-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: Mike Kiesov, Aerospace Engineer, FAA, 
Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service, 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 May 21, 1998 (63 FR 27870). The NPRM 
proposed to require replacing the propeller shaft, the bearings, and 
the front drive belt retaining rings with parts of improved design. 
Accomplishment of the proposed action as specified in the NPRM would be 
in accordance with DG Flugzeugbau Technical Note No. 826/32, dated July 
19, 1996, and DG Flugzeugbau WORKING INSTRUCTION No. 1 for TN 826/32, 
dated July, 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.

Cost Impact

    The FAA estimates that 35 gliders in the U.S. registry will be 
affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 5 workhours per 
glider to accomplish this action, and that the average labor rate is 
approximately $60 an hour. Parts cost approximately $460 per glider. 
Based on these figures, the total cost impact of this AD on U.S. 
operators is estimated to be $26,600, or $760 per glider.

Compliance Time of this AD

    The compliance time of this AD is in calendar time instead of hours 
time-in-service (TIS). The average monthly usage of the affected glider 
ranges throughout the fleet. For example, one owner may operate the 
glider 25 hours TIS in one week, while another operator may operate the 
glider 25 hours TIS in one year. In order to ensure that all of the 
owners/operators of the affected glider have replaced the propeller 
shaft, bearings and front drive belt retaining rings within a 
reasonable amount of time, the FAA is utilizing a compliance time of 4 
calendar months after the effective date of this AD.

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:

98-17-03 Glaser-Dirks Flugzeugbau GMBH: Amendment 39-10705; Docket 
No. 98-CE-07-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

[[Page 43073]]

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 propeller shaft caused by an 
ineffective design, which could result in loss of glider propulsion 
during critical phases of flight, accomplish the following:
    (a) Replace the propeller shaft, the bearings, and the front 
drive belt retaining rings with parts of improved design in 
accordance with paragraph 2 of the Instructions section of DG 
Flugzeugbau Technical Note No. 826/32, dated July 19, 1996, and 
WORKING INSTRUCTION No. 1 for TN 826/32, dated July, 1996.
    (b) 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 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 DG Flugzeugbau 
Technical Note No. 826/32, dated July 19, 1996, and DG Flugzeugbau 
WORKING INSTRUCTION No. 1 for TN 826/32, dated July, 1996, should be 
directed to DG Flugzeugbau GmbH, P.O. Box 4120, 76625 Bruchsal, 
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 replacements required by this AD shall be done in 
accordance with DG Flugzeugbau Technical Note No. 826/32, dated July 
19, 1996, and DG Flugzeugbau WORKING INSTRUCTION No. 1 for TN 826/
32, dated July, 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, P.O. Box 4120, 76625 Bruchsal, 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 96-243 
DG-Flugzeugbau, dated August 29, 1996.

    (f) This amendment becomes effective on September 26, 1998.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on August 4, 1998.
Michael Gallagher,
Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 98-21493 Filed 8-11-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U