[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 70 (Monday, April 12, 2004)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 19135-19137]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-8220]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2003-CE-65-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


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

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) 
for all Glaser-Dirks Flugzeugbau GmbH (DG Flugzeugbau) Model DG-800B 
sailplanes equipped with engine SOLO 2625 or Mid-West AE 50T. This 
proposed AD would require you to modify the coolant pump and fuel pump 
electrical circuits, replace the non-resettable circuit breaker with a 
resettable circuit breaker, and (for a version of the Mikuni 
carburetor) secure the choke butterfly valve axis. This proposed AD is 
the result of mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) 
issued by the airworthiness authority for Germany. We are issuing this 
proposed AD to prevent fuel pump electrical failure if a non-resettable 
circuit breaker trips. This could result in power loss with the 
inability to restart the fuel pump during a critical phase of flight 
(for example, takeoff under own power).

DATES: We must receive any comments on this proposed AD by May 24, 
2004.

ADDRESSES: Use one of the following to submit comments on this proposed 
AD:
     By mail: FAA, Central Region, Office of the 
Regional Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket No. 2003-CE-65-AD, 901 
Locust, Room 506, Kansas City, Missouri 64106.
     By fax: (816) 329-3771.
     By e-mail: [email protected]. Comments sent 
electronically must contain ``Docket No. 2003-CE-65-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.
    You may get the service information identified in this proposed AD 
from DG Flugzeugbau, Postbox 41 20, D-76625 Bruchsal, Federal Republic 
of Germany; telephone: 011-49 7257-890; facsimile: 011-49 7257-8922.
    You may view the AD docket at FAA, Central Region, Office of the 
Regional Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket No. 2003-CE-65-AD, 901 
Locust, Room 506, Kansas City, Missouri 64106. Office hours are 8 a.m. 
to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Greg Davison, Aerospace Engineer, FAA, 
Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, Missouri 
64106; telephone: (816) 329-4130; facsimile: (816) 329-4090.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

How Do I Comment on This Proposed AD?

    We invite you to submit any written relevant data, views, or 
arguments regarding this proposal. Send your comments to an address 
listed under ADDRESSES. Include ``AD Docket No. 2003-CE-65-AD'' in the 
subject line of your comments. If you want us to acknowledge receipt of 
your mailed comments, send us a self-addressed, stamped postcard with 
the docket number written on it. We will date-stamp your postcard and 
mail it back to you.

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

    We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this proposed AD. If you 
contact us through a nonwritten communication and that contact relates 
to a substantive part of this proposed AD, we will summarize the 
contact and place the summary in the docket. We will consider all 
comments received by the closing date and may amend this proposed AD in 
light of those comments and contacts.

Discussion

What Events Have Caused This Proposed AD?

    The Luftfahrt-Bundesamt (LBA), which is the airworthiness authority 
for Germany, recently notified FAA that an unsafe condition may exist 
on DG Flugzeugbau Model DG-800B sailplanes. The LBA reports both 
electrical circuits of the fuel pump and the coolant pump (on engine 
SOLO 2625 or Mid-West AE 50T) are protected by a non-resettable digital 
engine indicator (DEI) circuit breaker. The pumps will stop running if 
the non-resettable circuit breaker activates.

What Are the Consequences if the Condition Is Not Corrected?

    If a non-resettable circuit breaker trips, this could result in 
power loss with the inability to restart the fuel pump during a 
critical phase of flight (for example, takeoff under own power).

Is There Service Information That Applies to This Subject?

    DG Flugzeugbau has issued:
    --Technical Note No. 873/26, dated November 12, 2001; and
    --Technical Note No. 873/27, dated November 29, 2001.

What Are the Provisions of This Service Information?

    The service bulletins include procedures for:
    --Modifying the coolant pump and fuel pump electrical circuits;
    --Replacing the non-resettable circuit breaker with a resettable 
circuit breaker; and
    --Securing the choke butterfly valve axis for a version of the 
Mikuni carburetor.

What Action Did the LBA Take?

    The LBA classified these service bulletins as mandatory and issued 
German AD Number 2002-083, dated April 4, 2002, to ensure the continued 
airworthiness of these sailplanes in Germany.

Did the LBA Inform the United States Under the Bilateral Airworthiness 
Agreement?

    These DG Flugzeugbau Model DG-800B sailplanes 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.
    Under this bilateral airworthiness agreement, the LBA has kept us 
informed of the situation described above.

[[Page 19136]]

FAA's Determination and Requirements of This Proposed AD

What Has FAA Decided?

    We have examined the LBA's findings, reviewed all available 
information, and determined that AD action is necessary for products of 
this type design that are certificated for operation in the United 
States.
    Since the unsafe condition described previously is likely to exist 
or develop on other DG Flugzeugbau Model DG-800B sailplanes of the same 
type design that are registered in the United States, we are proposing 
AD action to prevent fuel pump electrical failure if a non-resettable 
circuit breaker trips. This could result in power loss with the 
inability to restart the fuel pump during a critical phase of flight 
(for example, takeoff under own power).

What Would This Proposed AD Require?

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

How Does the Revision to 14 CFR Part 39 Affect This Proposed AD?

    On July 10, 2002, we published a new version of 14 CFR part 39 (67 
FR 47997, July 22, 2002), which governs FAA's AD system. This 
regulation now includes material that relates to altered products, 
special flight permits, and alternative methods of compliance. This 
material previously was included in each individual AD. Since this 
material is included in 14 CFR part 39, we will not include it in 
future AD actions.

Costs of Compliance

How Many Sailplanes Would This Proposed AD Impact?

    We estimate that this proposed AD affects 25 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 this proposed 
modification:

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                                                           Total cost
               Labor cost                  Parts cost     per sailplane       Total cost on U.S.  operators
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6 workhours at $65 per hour = $390.....            $100            $490  25 x $490 = $12,250.
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Regulatory Findings

Would This Proposed AD Impact Various Entities?

    We have determined that this proposed AD would not have federalism 
implications under Executive Order 13132. This proposed AD 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.

Would This Proposed AD Involve a Significant Rule or Regulatory Action?

    For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this proposed AD:
    1. Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive Order 
12866;
    2. Is not a ``significant rule'' under the 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.
    We prepared a summary of the costs to comply with this proposed AD 
and placed it in the AD Docket. You may get a copy of this summary by 
sending a request to us at the address listed under ADDRESSES. Include 
``AD Docket No. 2003-CE-65-AD'' in your request.

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 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. The FAA amends Sec.  39.13 by adding the following new 
airworthiness directive (AD):

Glaser-Dirks Flugzeugbau GmbH: Docket No. 2003-CE-65-AD.

When Is the Last Date I Can Submit Comments on This Proposed AD?

    (a) We must receive comments on this proposed airworthiness 
directive (AD) by May 24, 2004.

What Other ADs Are Affected by This Action?

    (b) None.

What Sailplanes Are Affected by This AD?

    (c) This AD affects all Model DG-800B sailplanes, all serial 
numbers, that are:
    (1) certificated in any category; and
    (2) equipped with engine SOLO 2625 or Mid-West AE 50T.

What Is the Unsafe Condition Presented in This AD?

    (d) This AD is the result mandatory continuing airworthiness 
information (MCAI) issued by the airworthiness authority for 
Germany. The actions specified in this AD are intended to prevent 
fuel pump electrical failure if a non-resettable circuit breaker 
trips. This could result in power loss with the inability to restart 
the fuel pump during a critical phase of flight (for example, 
takeoff under own power).

What Must I Do To Address This Problem?

    (e) To address this problem, you must do the following:

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                            Actions                                                         Compliance                                                      Procedures
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(1) Modify the coolant pump and fuel pump electrical circuits..  Within the next 50 hours time-in-service (TIS) after the         For sailplanes with engine SOLO 2625: Follow DG Flugzeugbau
                                                                  effective date of this AD, unless already done.                  GmbH Technical Note No. 873/26, dated November 12, 2001; For
                                                                                                                                   sailplanes with engine Mid-West AE 50T: Follow DG Flugzeugbau
                                                                                                                                   GmbH Technical Note No. 873/27, dated November 29, 2001.

[[Page 19137]]

 
(2) Remove the non-resettable digital engine indicator (DEI)     Before further flight after the modification of the coolant      For sailplanes with engine SOLO 2625: Follow DG Flugzeugbau
 circuit breaker (4-ampere) and replace with a resettable 5-      pump and fuel pump electrical circuits required by paragraph     GmbH Technical Note No. 873/26, dated November 12, 2001; For
 ampere circuit breaker.                                          (e)(1) of this AD.                                               sailplanes with engine Mid-West AE 50T: Follow DG Flugzeugbau
                                                                                                                                   GmbH Technical Note No. 873/27, dated November 29, 2001.
(3) For sailplanes with engine SOLO 2625 (New version Mikuni     Before further flight after the modification of the coolant      For sailplanes with engine SOLO 2625: Follow DG Flugzeugbau
 carburetor): Secure the choke butterfly valve axis.              pump and fuel pump electrical circuits required by paragraph     GmbH Technical Note No. 873/26, dated November 12, 2001.
                                                                  (e)(1) of this AD and the removal and replacement required by
                                                                  paragraph (e)(2) of this AD.
(4) Do not install any engine SOLO 2625 or Mid-West AE 50T       As of the effective date of this AD............................  Not Applicable.
 unless the modifications required by paragraphs (e)(1),
 (e)(2), and (e)(3) have been done.
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May I Request an Alternative Method of Compliance?

    (f) You may request a different method of compliance or a 
different compliance time for this AD by following the procedures in 
14 CFR 39.19. Unless FAA authorizes otherwise, send your request to 
your principal inspector. The principal inspector may add comments 
and will send your request to the Manager, Standards Office, Small 
Airplane Directorate, FAA. For information on any already approved 
alternative methods of compliance, contact Greg Davison, Aerospace 
Engineer, FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301, 
Kansas City, Missouri 64106; telephone: (816) 329-4130; facsimile: 
(816) 329-4090.

May I Get Copies of the Documents Referenced in This AD?

    (g) You may get copies of the documents referenced in this AD 
from DG Flugzeugbau, Postbox 41 20, D-76625 Bruchsal, Federal 
Republic of Germany; telephone: 011-49 7257-890; facsimile: 011-49 
7257-8922. You may view these documents at FAA, Central Region, 
Office of the Regional Counsel, 901 Locust, Room 506, Kansas City, 
Missouri 64106.

Is There Other Information That Relates to This Subject?

    (h) German AD Number 2002-083, dated April 4, 2002, also 
addresses the subject of this AD.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on April 5, 2004.
Dorenda D. Baker,
Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 04-8220 Filed 4-9-04; 8:45 am]
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