[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 155 (Thursday, August 10, 2000)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 48931-48933]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-20251]


 ========================================================================
 Proposed Rules
                                                 Federal Register
 ________________________________________________________________________
 
 This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains notices to the public of 
 the proposed issuance of rules and regulations. The purpose of these 
 notices is to give interested persons an opportunity to participate in 
 the rule making prior to the adoption of the final rules.
 
 ========================================================================
 

  Federal Register / Vol. 65, No. 155 / Thursday, August 10, 2000 / 
Proposed Rules  

[[Page 48931]]



DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 99-CE-90-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; DG Flugzeugbau GmbH Model DG-800B 
Sailplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: This document proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive 
(AD) that would apply to certain DG Flugzeugbau (DG Flugzeugbau) GmbH 
Model DG 800B sailplanes. The proposed AD would require you to measure 
and correct improper propeller drive belt tension. 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 in the proposed AD are intended to 
correct improper drive belt tension and consequent engine crankshaft or 
connecting rod bearing damage. Such damage could result in loss of 
propulsion during critical phases of flight.

DATES: The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) must receive any 
comments on this proposed rule on or before September 11, 2000.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Central Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 99-CE-90-AD, 901 Locust, Room 506, Kansas 
City, Missouri 64106. You may inspect comments at this location between 
8 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, except holidays.
    Service information that applies to the proposed AD may be obtained 
from DG Flugzeugbau, Postbox 41 20, D-76646 Bruchsal, Federal Republic 
of Germany; telephone: +49 7257-890; facsimile: +49 7257-8922. You may 
examine 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 
64016; telephone: (816) 329-4144; facsimile: (816) 329-4090.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

How Do I Comment on This AD?

    We invite your comments on the proposed rule. You may submit 
whatever written data, views, or arguments you choose. You need to 
include the rule's docket number and submit your comments in triplicate 
to the address specified under the caption ADDRESSES. We will consider 
all comments received on or before 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 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 necessitate a need to modify the proposed rule. You may examine 
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.
    The FAA is reexamining the writing style we currently use in 
regulatory 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-90-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, recently notified the FAA that an 
unsafe condition may exist on all DG Flugzeugbau GmbH Model DG-800B 
sailplanes equipped with a SOLO engine. The LBA reports that 5 
sailplanes had a broken crankshaft or connecting rod bearing failures. 
Improper drive belt tension caused the damage and failures.

What Happens If You Do Not Correct the Condition?

    This condition, if not corrected, could result in loss of 
propulsion during critical phases of flight.

Relevant Service Information

Is There Service Information That Applies to This Subject?

    DG Flugzeugbau has issued Technical Note (TN) 873/16, dated October 
25, 1999.

What Are the Provisions of This Service Bulletin?

    The service bulletin describes procedures for measuring drive belt 
tension, and specifies where you can obtain procedures for correcting 
improper tension.

What Actions Did LBA Take?

    The LBA issued German AD Number 1999-377, dated December 2, 1999, 
referencing DG Flugzeugbau TN 873/16, in order to assure the continued 
airworthiness of these sailplanes in Germany.

Was This in Accordance With the Bilateral Airworthiness Agreement?

    DG Flugzeugbau manufactured this sailplane model in Germany. The 
FAA type certificated the sailplane model for operation in the United 
States under the provisions of section 21.29 of the

[[Page 48932]]

Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 21.29) and the applicable 
bilateral airworthiness agreement. Complying with this bilateral 
airworthiness agreement, the LBA informed the FAA 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 service information referenced 
above, and determined that:

--the unsafe condition referenced in this document exists or could 
develop on other DG Flugzeugbau GmbH Model DG-800B sailplanes of the 
same type design that are equipped with SOLO engines;
--these sailplanes should have the actions specified in the above 
service bulletin incorporated; and
--the FAA should take AD action to correct this unsafe condition.

What Does This Proposed AD Require?

    This proposed AD requires you to measure and correct improper 
propeller drive belt tension.

What Are the Differences Between the LBA AD and the Proposed AD?

    The German AD requires measuring the drive belt tension within the 
next 25 hour time-in-service but no later than December 31, 1999, on 
the affected sailplanes registered in Germany. We propose a requirement 
that you measure drive belt tension within the next 25 hours time-in-
service or 90 days after the effective date of the proposed AD, 
whichever occurs first.

Why Is the Compliance Time in Both Hours Time-in-Service and Calendar 
Time?

    The unsafe condition described in this AD does not originate as a 
result of sailplane operation. Applying improper tension to the 
propeller belt drive can occur at any time. The condition worsens with 
sailplane operation, but could already exist now.
    The compliance times afford the following:
--the 25 hours TIS provides that the high-usage sailplanes are 
inspected for improper tension in a reasonable time period; and
--the 90 day compliance time provides that improper tension does not go 
undetected for a long period of time on low-usage sailplanes.

Cost Impact

This Proposed AD Impacts How Many Sailplanes?

    We estimate that the proposed AD would affect 6 sailplanes in the 
U.S. registry.

What Is the Cost Impact of the Proposed Measurement for the Affected 
Sailplanes on the U.S. Register?

    We estimate that it would take approximately 3 workhours per 
sailplane to accomplish the proposed measurement, at an average labor 
rate of $60 an hour. Based on the cost factors presented above, we 
estimate the total cost impact of the proposed measurement on U.S. 
operators to be $180 per sailplane.

Regulatory Impact

How Does This AD Impact Relations Between Federal and State 
Governments?

    The proposed regulations would 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. We have determined that this proposed 
rule would not have federalism implications under Executive Order 
13132.

How Does This AD Involve a Significant Rule or Regulatory Action?

    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 Department of Transportation 
Regulatory Policies and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979); 
and (3) if put into effect, 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. We have placed a 
copy of the draft regulatory evaluation prepared for this action in the 
Rules Docket. You may obtain a copy of it 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.


Sec. 39.13  [Amended]

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

DG Flugzeugbau GMBH: Docket No. 99-CE-90-AD.

    (a) What sailplanes are affected by this AD? Model DG-800B 
sailplanes, all serial numbers, that are:
    (1) certificated in any category; and
    (2) equipped with SOLO engines.
    (b) Who must comply with this AD? Anyone who wishes to operate 
any of the above sailplanes on the U.S. Register must comply with 
this AD.
    (c) What problem does this AD address? Our intent is that the 
actions specified in the AD correct improper drive belt tension and 
consequent engine crankshaft or connecting rod bearing damage. Such 
damage could result in loss of propulsion during critical phases of 
flight.
    (d) What must I do to address this problem? To address this 
problem, you must accomplish the following actions:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
          Actions                Compliance times          Procedures
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Measure the drive belt  Within the next 25 hours    Follow the
 tension. The difference     time-in-service or 90       procedures in
 should be a minimum of 6    days after the effective    DG Flugzeugbau
 millimeters (mm) (0.236     date of the AD, whichever   Technical Note
 inches (in)) and should     comes first                 (TN) 873/16,
 not exceed 11 mm (0.433                                 dated October
 in)                                                     25, 1999, and
                                                         the Maintenance
                                                         Manual for DG-
                                                         800B.

[[Page 48933]]

 
(2) If you find improper    Before operating the
 tension as specified in     sailplane.
 this AD, accomplish the
 following:
(i) Lower the tension if
 it is too high. Check the
 position of the propeller
 in relation to the engine
 compression point to
 assure it is within
 limits, and adjust if
 necessary
(ii) If you have to reduce
 the drive belt tension,
 execute a ground test
 run. Check to assure that
 the position of the
 propeller in relation to
 the engine compression
 point has not changed,
 and adjust as necessary.
 If this has happened, the
 drive belt has slipped
 due to too low tension
(iii) Notify DG
 Flugzeugbau if tension
 problems are still not
 resolved
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (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. Submit your request through an FAA Principal 
Maintenance Inspector, who may add comments and then send it to the 
Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas 
City, Missouri 64106.

    Note: 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. You should 
include in the request 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? You can contact Mike Kiesov, 
Aerospace Engineer, FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, 
Room 301, Kansas City, Missouri 64016; 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 obtain copies of the documents referenced in this AD from DG 
Flugzeugbau, Postbox 41 20, D-76646 Bruchsal, Federal Republic of 
Germany; telephone: +49 7257-890; facsimile: +49 7257-8922. You may 
examine these documents at FAA, Central Region, Office of the 
Regional Counsel, 901 Locust, Room 506, Kansas City, Missouri 64106.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on August 3, 2000.
Michael Gallagher,
Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 00-20251 Filed 8-9-00; 8:45 am]
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