[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 180 (Thursday, September 17, 1998)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 49653-49654]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-24641]



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 Rules and Regulations
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  Federal Register / Vol. 63, No. 180 / Thursday, September 17, 1998 / 
Rules and Regulations  

[[Page 49653]]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 98-CE-12-AD; Amendment 39-10757; AD 98-19-17]
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 certain Glaser-Dirks Flugzeugbau GmbH (Glaser-Dirks) Model 
DG-400 gliders. This AD requires inspecting the powerplant mount and 
the propeller mount for any loose parts. This AD also requires 
modifying the starter motor, retrofitting the holder for the starter 
motor, and checking the engine ignition timing; either immediately or 
at a certain time depending on the results of the inspection. 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 damage to the engine 
caused by vibration, which could result in loss of engine power during 
critical phases of flight.

DATES: Effective October 30, 1998.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of October 30, 1998.

ADDRESSES: Service information that applies to this AD may be obtained 
from DG 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-12-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, 
FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 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 certain Glaser-Dirks 
Model DG-400 gliders was published in the Federal Register as a notice 
of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) on June 8, 1998 (63 FR 31375). The NPRM 
proposed to require inspecting the powerplant mount and the propeller 
mount for loose parts. The NPRM also proposed to require modifying the 
starter motor, retrofitting the holder for the starter motor, checking 
the engine ignition timing, and adjusting the timing if necessary; 
either immediately or at a certain time depending on the results of the 
inspection. The engine and propeller mount inspection, modifications, 
and retrofit specified in the NPRM would be accomplished in accordance 
with DG Flugzeugbau Technical Note (TN) Nr. 826/22, dated January 10, 
1990; DG Flugzeugbau Working Instruction No. 1 for TN Nr. 826/22, not 
dated; DG Flugzeugbau Working Instruction No. 2 for TN Nr. 826/22, not 
dated; and DG Flugzeugbau Working Instruction No. 3 for TN Nr. 826/22, 
not dated.
    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.

Differences Between the Service Information and This AD

    The manufacturer's service information specifies procedures for 
inspecting the powerplant mount for a secure, tight condition prior to 
every flight. This service information also specifies inserting revised 
pages into the maintenance manual. This AD requires neither one of 
these items.
    The FAA does not have justification to require an inspection prior 
to each flight, and will recommend inserting the revised pages into the 
AFM through a NOTE in the AD.

Cost Impact

    The FAA estimates that 35 gliders in the U.S. registry will be 
affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 4 workhours per 
airplane to accomplish this action, and that the average labor rate is 
approximately $60 an hour. Parts cost approximately $150 per airplane. 
Based on these figures, the total cost impact of this AD on U.S. 
operators is estimated to be $13,650, or $390 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 assure that all of the 
owners/operators of the affected glider have inspected the powerplant 
and propeller mounts for loose parts within a reasonable amount of 
time, the FAA is utilizing a compliance based on calendar time.

Regulatory Impact

    The regulations adopted herein will not have substantial direct 
effects on the

[[Page 49654]]

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:

98-19-17  Glaser-Dirks Flugzeugbau GMBH: Amendment 39-10757; Docket 
No. 98-CE-12-AD.

    Applicability: Model DG-400 gliders, serial numbers 4-1 through 
4-249, 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 (d) 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 as indicated in the body of this AD, unless 
already accomplished.
    To prevent damage to the engine caused by vibration, which could 
result in loss of engine power during critical phases of flight, 
accomplish the following:
    (a) Within the next 1 calendar month after the effective date of 
this AD, inspect the powerplant (engine) mount and propeller mount 
for any loose parts in accordance with paragraph 1 in the 
Instructions section of Glaser-Dirks Technical Note (TN) Nr. 826/22, 
dated January 10, 1990.
    (b) Within 3 calendar months after the inspection required in 
paragraph (a) of this AD or prior to further flight after any part 
of the powerplant mount or propeller mount is found loose, whichever 
occurs first, accomplish the following:
    (1) Incorporate the modifications, retrofitting, and engine 
ignition timing procedures, as applicable, in accordance with 
paragraphs 2 through 4 in the Instructions section of Glaser-Dirks 
TN Nr. 826/22, dated January 10, 1990.
    (2) The engine ignition timing procedures shall be accomplished 
in accordance with the appropriate Bombardier ROTAX maintenance 
manual for ROTAX engine type 505, which is referenced in Working 
Instruction No. 3, Instruction 4 of the Glaser-Dirks TN Nr. 826/22.
    (3) After the engine timing is correct, accomplish the actions 
in paragraph 3 of Working Instruction No. 3, Instruction 4 of the 
Glaser-Dirks TN Nr. 826/22, dated January 10, 1990. These 
instructions reference the procedures in Rotax Technical Bulletin 
No. 505-04, pages 3 through 5, not dated.

    Note 2: It is recommended that the manual pages referenced in 
the Instructions section of Glaser-Dirks TN Nr. 826/22 be inserted 
into the maintenance manual.

    (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 the glider to a location where the 
requirements of this AD can be accomplished.
    (d) 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 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) Questions or technical information related to DG Flugzeugbau 
Technical Note Nr. 826/22, dated January 10, 1990, 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.
    (f) The engine and propeller mount inspection, modifications, 
and retrofit required by this AD shall be done in accordance with DG 
Flugzeugbau Technical Note Nr. 826/22, dated January 10, 1990; DG 
Flugzeugbau Working Instruction No. 1 for Technical Note Nr. 826/22, 
not dated; and DG Flugzeugbau Working Instruction No. 2 to Technical 
Note Nr. 826/22, not dated. The engine timing procedures required by 
this AD shall be done in accordance with DG Flugzeugbau Working 
Instruction No. 3 to Technical Note Nr. 826/22, not dated, and Rotax 
Technical Service Bulletin No. 505-04, pages 3 through 5, not dated. 
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 4: The subject of this AD is addressed in German AD 90-43 
Glaser-Dirks, dated February 26, 1990.

    (g) This amendment becomes effective on October 30, 1998.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on September 3, 1998.
Michael Gallagher,
Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 98-24641 Filed 9-16-98; 8:45 am]
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