[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 97 (Monday, May 20, 2002)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 35456-35458]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-12520]


=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2002-CE-12-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Glaser-Dirks Flugzeugbau GmbH Models 
DG-400 and DG-800A 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 all Glaser-Dirks Flugzeugbau GmbH (DG 
Flugzeugbau) Models DG-400 and DG-800A sailplanes. This proposed AD 
would require you to inspect the rear plate of the propeller mount for 
marks and/or cracks and replace if necessary. This proposed AD would 
also require you to inspect the mounting blocks for cracks and replace 
if necessary. This proposed AD is the result of mandatory continuing 
airworthiness information (MCAI) issued by the airworthiness authority 
for Germany. The actions specified by this proposed AD are intended to 
detect and correct cracks in the propeller mount plate and mounting 
blocks, which could result in reduced structural integrity of the 
propeller mounting structure. This could lead to a hazardous flight 
condition or loss of control of the sailplane.

DATES: The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) must receive any 
comments on this proposed rule on or before June 17, 2002.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments to FAA, Central Region, Office of the 
Regional Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket No. 2002-CE-12-AD, 901 
Locust, Room 506, Kansas City, Missouri 64106. You may view any 
comments at this location between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through 
Friday, except Federal holidays. You may also send comments 
electronically to the following address: [email protected]. 
Comments sent electronically must contain ``Docket No. 2002-CE-12-AD'' 
in the subject line. If you send comments electronically as attached 
electronic files, the files must be formatted in Microsoft Word 97 for 
Windows or ASCII text.
    You may get service information that applies to this proposed AD 
from DG Flugzeugbau, Postbox 41 20, D-76625 Bruchsal, Federal Republic 
of Germany; telephone: ++49 7257-890; facsimile: ++49 7257-8922. You 
may also view 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 Proposed AD?

    The FAA invites comments on this 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 to the 
address specified under the caption ADDRESSES. We will consider all 
comments received on or before the closing date. We may amend this 
proposed rule in light of comments received. Factual information that 
supports your ideas and suggestions is extremely helpful in evaluating 
the effectiveness of this proposed AD action and determining whether we 
need to take additional rulemaking action.

Are There Any Specific Portions of This Proposed AD I Should Pay 
Attention To?

    The FAA specifically invites comments on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this proposed rule that 
might suggest a need to modify the rule. You may view all comments we 
receive before and after the closing date of the rule in the Rules 
Docket. We will file a report in the Rules Docket that summarizes each 
contact we have with the public that concerns the substantive parts of 
this proposed AD.

How Can I Be Sure FAA Receives My Comment?

    If you want FAA to acknowledge the receipt of your mailed comments, 
you must include a self-addressed, stamped postcard. On the postcard, 
write ``Comments to Docket No. 2002-CE-12-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 FAA that an 
unsafe condition may exist on all Model DG-400 and DG-800A sailplanes. 
The LBA reports that cracks have been found on the rear plate of the 
propeller mount on

[[Page 35457]]

one DG-400 sailplane. The cracks were found during regular maintenance. 
Models DG-400 and DG-800 sailplanes are equipped with the same 
propeller mount structure.

What Are the Consequences if the Condition Is Not Corrected?

    This condition, if left undetected and corrected, could result in 
reduced structural integrity of the propeller mounting structure. This 
could lead to a hazardous flight condition or loss of control of the 
sailplane.

Is There Service Information That Applies to This Subject?

    DG Flugzeugbau has issued Technical Note No. 826/42, dated August 
30, 2001, which applies to Model DG-400 sailplanes, and Technical Note 
No. 873/25, dated August 30, 2001, which applies to Model DG-800A 
sailplanes.

What are the Provisions of This Service Information?

    These technical notes include procedures for inspecting the rear 
plate of the propeller mount for marks and/or cracks and replacing if 
necessary, and inspecting the mounting blocks for cracks and replacing 
if necessary.

What Action Did the LBA take?

    The LBA classified these technical notes as mandatory and issued 
German AD 2001-346, dated December 13, 2001, and German AD 2001-340, 
dated December 13, 2001, in order 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.
    Pursuant to 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 
This 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 Models DG-400 and DG-800A sailplanes of 
the same type design that are on the U.S. registry;
--The actions specified in the previously-referenced service 
information should be accomplished on the affected sailplanes; and
--AD action should be taken in order to correct this unsafe condition.

What Would This Proposed AD Require?

    This proposed AD would require you to incorporate the actions in 
the previously-referenced service bulletin.

Cost Impact

How many sailplanes would this proposed AD impact?

    We estimate that this proposed AD affects 43 sailplanes in the U.S. 
registry.

What would be the cost impact of this proposed AD on owners/operators 
of the affected sailplanes?

    We estimate the following costs to accomplish the proposed 
inspection:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                    Total cost per
             Labor cost                        Parts  cost             sailplane    Total cost on U.S. operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1 workhour  x  $60 per hour = $60...  No parts required for the                $60  43  x  $60 = $2,580
                                       inspection.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    We estimate the following costs to accomplish any necessary 
replacements that would be required based on the results of the 
proposed inspection. We have no way of determining the number of 
sailplanes that may need such replacement:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                      Total cost per
           Labor cost              Parts  cost          sailplane
------------------------------------------------------------------------
2 workhours  x  $60 per hour =             $400  $120 + $400 = $520
 $120.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Compliance Time of This Proposed AD

What Would Be the Compliance Time of This Proposed AD?

    The compliance time of the proposed inspection is ``within the next 
25 hours time-in-service (TIS) or 3 calendar months after the effective 
date of this AD, whichever occurs first.''

Why Is the Compliance Time of This Proposed AD Presented in Both Hours 
TIS and Calendar Time?

    The unsafe condition on these sailplanes is not a result of the 
number of times the sailplane is operated. Sailplane operation varies 
among operators. For example, one operator may operate the sailplane 50 
hours TIS in 3 months while it may take another operator 12 months or 
more to accumulate 50 hours TIS. For this reason, the FAA has 
determined that the compliance time of this proposed AD should be 
specified in both hours time-in-service (TIS) and calendar time in 
order to ensure this condition is not allowed to go uncorrected over 
time.

Regulatory Impact

Would This Proposed AD Impact Various Entities?

    The regulations proposed herein 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 
promulgated, 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.

[[Page 35458]]

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

Glaser-Dirks Flugzeugbau GMBH: Docket No. 2002-CE-12-AD

    (a) What sailplanes are affected by this AD? This AD affects 
Models DG-400 and DG-800A sailplanes, all serial numbers, that are 
certificated in any category.
    (b) Who must comply with this AD? Anyone who wishes to operate 
any of the sailplanes identified in paragraph (a) of this AD must 
comply with this AD.
    (c) What problem does this AD address? The actions specified by 
this AD are intended to detect and correct cracks in the propeller 
mount plate, which could result in reduced structural integrity of 
the propeller mounting structure This could lead to a hazardous 
flight condition or loss of control of the sailplane.
    (d) What actions must I accomplish to address this problem? To 
address this problem, you must accomplish the following:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                             Actions                                               Compliance                                  Procedures
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Accomplish the following inspections:                          Inspect within the next 25 hours time-in-   In accordance with DG Flugzeugbau
(i) Inspect the rear plate of the propeller mount for cracks and    service (TIS) or 3 calendar months after    Technical Note No. 826/42, dated August
 any marks made by the mounting bolt washer; and                    the effective date of this AD, whichever    30, 2001, or DG Flugzeugbau Technical
(ii) Inspect the mounting blocks for the rear plate of the          occurs first.                               Note No. 873/25, dated August 30, 2001,
 propeller mount for cracks.                                                                                    as applicable maintenance manual.
(2) Accomplish the following if cracks and/or marks are found      Prior to further flight after the           In accordance with DG Flugzeugbau
 during the inspections required in paragraph (d)(1) of this AD:    inspections required in paragraph (d)(1)    Technical Note No. 826/42, dated August
(i) If a mark made by the mounting bolt washer is found and the     of this AD.                                 30, 2001, or DG Flugzeugbau Technical
 mark is 0.1 mm deep or less and no cracks are found on the rear                                                Note No. 873/25, dated August 30, 2001,
 plate of the propeller mount, polish out the mark using standard                                               as applicable, and the applicable
 maintenance practices;                                                                                         maintenance manual.
(ii) If a mark made by the moutning bolt washer is found and the
 mark is more than 0.1 mm deep and/or cracks are found on the
 rear plate of the propeller mount, replace the rear plate with a
 new one. Use new bolts and washers as required by paragraph
 (d)(3) of this AD; and
(iii) If cracks are found on the mounting block(s) of the rear
 plate of the propeller mount, replace the mounting block(s) with
 a new one. Use new bolts and washers as required by paragraph
 (d)(3) of this AD.
(3) Reinstall the rear plate of the propeller mount to the         Prior to further flight after the           In accordance with DG Flugzeugbau
 mounting blocks using new bolts, M10 x 25 DIN912-8.8zn with the    inspections required in paragraph (d)(1)    Technical Note No. 826/42, dated August
 aluminum washer S48 (or FAA-approved equivalent parts)             of this AD and/or after the replacements    30, 2001, or DG Flugzeugbau Technical
                                                                    required in paragraph (d)(2) of this AD.    Note No. 873/25, dated August 30, 2001,
                                                                                                                as applicable, and the applicable
                                                                                                                maintenance manual.
(4) Do not install any rear propeller mount plate mounting bolts   As of the effective date of this AD.        Not applicable.
 that are not bolts M10 x 25 DIN912-8.8zn with the aluminum
 washer S48 (or FAA-approved equivalent parts)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (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 Standards Office 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 Standards Office Manager.

    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 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 get copies of the documents referenced in this AD from DG 
Flugzeugbau, Postbox 41 20, D-76625 Bruchsal, Federal Republic of 
Germany. You may view 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 2001-
346, dated December 13, 2001, and German AD 2001-340, dated December 
13, 2001.



    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on May 10, 2002.
Michael Gallagher,
Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 02-12520 Filed 5-17-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P