[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 249 (Wednesday, December 27, 2000)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 81782-81784]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-32878]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 99-CE-89-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; DG Flugzeugbau GmbH Model DG-500MB 
Sailplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: This document proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive 
(AD) that would apply to certain DG Flugzeugbau GmbH (DG Flugzeugbau) 
Model DG-500MB sailplanes equipped with a SOLO 2625 02 engine.
    The proposed AD would require you to remove the engine from the 
propeller mount; install additional access holes in the propeller 
mount; install the modified engine to the propeller mount; do a ground 
test run; and replace the digital engine indicator circuit breaker with 
a new circuit breaker. 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 by 
the proposed AD are intended to correct propeller drive belt tension 
that could cause damage to the engine crankshaft and to replace an 
inadequate circuit breaker. This could lead to engine failure and loss 
of sailplane control.

DATES: The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) must receive any 
comments on this proposed rule by February 1, 2001.

ADDRESSES: Send three copies of your comments to FAA, Central Region, 
Office of the Regional Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket No. 99-CE-89-
AD, 901 Locust, Room 506, Kansas City, Missouri 64106. Comments may be 
inspected at this location between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through 
Friday, except holidays.
    You may get service information that applies to the proposed AD 
from DG Flugzeugbau GmbH, Postbox 41 20, D-76646 Bruchsal, Federal 
Republic of Germany; telephone: +49 7257-890; facsimile: +49 7257-8922. 
You may also read 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 
64106; telephone: (816) 329-4144; facsimile: (816) 329-4090.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

    How do I comment on the proposed AD? We invite your comments on the 
proposed rule. You may send whatever written data, views, or arguments 
you choose. You need to include the rule's docket number and send your 
comments in triplicate to the address specified under the caption 
ADDRESSES. We will consider all comments received by 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 proposed 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 require a change to the proposed rule. You may look at 
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.
    We are re-examining the writing style we currently use in 
regulatory

[[Page 81783]]

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-89-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, notified FAA that an unsafe condition may exist on all DG 
Flugzeugbau Model DG-500MB sailplanes equipped with a SOLO 2625 02 
engine. The LBA reports that the service history for the SOLO 2625 02 
engine shows a need to modify the front crank shaft bearing. 
Additionally, the digital engine indicator circuit breaker amperage is 
too low for use and needs replacement.
    What are the consequences if the condition is not corrected? The 
actions specified by the proposed AD are intended to correct propeller 
drive belt tension that could cause damage to the engine crankshaft, 
and to replace an inadequate circuit breaker. Such failure could result 
in loss of power and consequently the loss of sailplane control.
    Is there service information that applies to this subject? DG 
Flugzeugbau has issued: Technical Note No. 843/13, dated November 3, 
1999. SOLO, the engine manufacturer, has issued Technical Note 4600-1.
    What are the provisions of these technical notes? These technical 
notes includes procedures for:

--Removing the engine from the propeller mount;
--Modifying the engine;
--Installing additional access holes in the propeller mount;
--Installing the modified engine to the propeller mount;
--Doing a ground test run; and
--Replacing the digital engine indicator circuit breaker with a new 
circuit breaker.
    What action did LBA take? The LBA classified this DG Flugzeugbau 
technical note as mandatory and issued German AD Number 1999-383, dated 
December 1, 1999, to ensure the continued airworthiness of these 
sailplanes in Germany.
    Was this in accordance with the bilateral airworthiness agreement? 
These sailplane models are manufactured in Germany and are type 
certificated for operation in the United States under the provisions of 
section 21.29 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 21.29) and 
the applicable bilateral airworthiness agreement. Complying with this 
bilateral airworthiness agreement, the LBA has kept FAA informed 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 technical note 
referenced above; and determined that:

--The unsafe condition referenced in this document exists or could 
develop on other DG Flugzeugbau Model DG-500MB sailplanes of the same 
type design that are equipped with a SOLO 2625 02 engine;
--The actions specified in the previously-referenced technical note 
should be accomplished on the affected sailplanes; and
--AD action should be taken in order to correct this unsafe condition.
    What would the proposed AD require? This proposed AD would require 
you to incorporate the actions in the previously referenced technical 
notes.

Cost Impact

    How many sailplanes would the proposed AD impact? We estimate that 
the proposed AD affects 1 sailplane in the U.S. registry.
    What would be the cost impact of the proposed AD on owners/
operators of the affected sailplanes? We estimate the following costs 
to do the proposed modification:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                 Total cost per
              Labor cost                      Parts cost            sailplane     Total cost on U.S.  operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
12 workhours  x  $60 per hour = $720.  The manufacturer will do           $720.  $720  x  1 = $720.
                                        the engine modification
                                        and provide the new
                                        circuit breaker under
                                        warranty.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Regulatory Impact

    Would this proposed AD impact various entities? The regulations 
proposed here would not have a substantial direct effect 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, it is determined that this proposed 
rule would not have federalism implications under Executive Order 
13132.
    Would this proposed AD involve a significant rule or regulatory 
action? For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this proposed 
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) if 
issued, 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 draft regulatory 
evaluation prepared for this action has been placed 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, 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.

[[Page 81784]]

Sec. 39.13  [Amended]

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

DG Flugzeugbau GMBH: Docket No. 99-CE-89-AD.

    (a) What sailplanes are affected by this AD? This AD affects 
Model DG-500MB sailplanes, all serial numbers equipped with a SOLO 
2625 02 engine, that are certificated in any category.
    (b) Who must comply with this AD? Anyone who wishes to operate 
any of the above sailplanes must comply with this AD.
    (c) What problem does this AD address? The actions specified by 
this AD are intended to correct propeller drive belt tension that 
could cause damage to the engine crankshaft and to replace an 
inadequate circuit breaker. Such failure could lead to engine 
failure and loss of control of the sailplane.
    (d) What actions must I accomplish to address this problem? To 
address this problem, you must do the following, unless already 
done:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
           Actions               Compliance time         Procedures
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Remove the engine from    Within the next 25    Do this action
 the propeller mount.          hours time-in-        following the
                               following service     maintenance manual.
                               (TIS) after the       Ship engine to the
                               effective date of     engine
                               this AD.              manufacturer, SOLO,
                                                     or a licensed
                                                     repair station, for
                                                     modification
                                                     according to the
                                                     SOLO Technical Note
                                                     (TN) 4600-1.
(2) Install additional        Before further        Do this action
 access holes in the           flight after          following drawing
 propeller mount.              removing the engine   5M102 of DG
                               and before            Flugzeugbau
                               installing the        Technical Note 843/
                               modified engine to    13, dated November
                               the propeller mount.  3, 1999.
(3) Install the modified      Before further        Do this action
 engine to the propeller       flight after          following the
 mount.                        removing the engine   maintenance manual.
                               and after the
                               engine modification.
(4) Do a ground test run....  Before further        Do this action
                               flight after the      following DG
                               previous action.      Flugzeugbau
                                                     Technical Note 843/
                                                     13, dated November
                                                     3, 1999.
(5) Replace the digital       Before further        Do this action
 engine indicator (DEI)        flight after the      following DG
 circuit breaker with a new    previous actions.     Flugzeugbau
 5 ampere Klixon 7277-2-5A                           Technical Note 843/
 circuit breaker (or FAA-                            13, dated November
 approved equivalent part                            3, 1999.
 number).
(6) Do not install any        As of the effective   Not Applicable.
 engine that has not been      date of this AD.
 modified following SOLO TN
 4600-1.
(7) Do not install any DEI    As of the effective   Not Applicable.
 circuit breaker that is not   date of this AD.
 a 5 ampere Klixon 7277-2-5A
 circuit breaker (or FAA-
 approved equivalent part
 number).
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (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. Send your request through an FAA Principal Maintenance 
Inspector, who may add comments and then send it to the Manager, 
Small Airplane Directorate.

    Note 1: 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. 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 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? Contact Mike Kiesov, Aerospace 
Engineer, FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301, 
Kansas City, Missouri 64106; 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 get copies of the documents referenced in this AD from DG 
Flugzeugbau GmbH, Postbox 41 20, D-76646 Bruchsal, Federal Republic 
of Germany. You may read these documents at FAA, Central Region, 
Office of the Regional Counsel, 901 Locust, Room 506, Kansas City, 
Missouri 64106.

    Note 2: The subject of this AD is addressed in German AD 1999-
383, dated December 1, 1999.


    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on December 19, 2000.
Michael Gallagher,
Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 00-32878 Filed 12-26-00; 8:45 am]
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