[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 98 (Monday, May 23, 2005)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 29440-29442]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-9975]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2004-19959; Directorate Identifier 2004-CE-46-AD; 
Amendment 39-14101; AD 2005-10-23]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; DG Flugzeugbau GmbH Model DG-500MB 
Sailplanes and Glaser-Dirks Flugzeugbau GmbH Model DG-800B Sailplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: The FAA adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all DG 
Flugzeugbau GmbH Model DG-500MB sailplanes equipped with a Solo engine 
and Glaser-Dirks Flugzeugbau GmbH Model DG-800B sailplanes equipped 
with a Solo engine. This AD requires you to inspect the propeller for 
damage, specifically foam core separation, and replace any damaged 
propeller. This AD results from mandatory continuing airworthiness 
information (MCAI) issued by the airworthiness authority for Germany. 
We are issuing this AD to detect and correct damage to the propeller, 
which could result in failure of the propeller to perform properly. 
This failure could lead to reduced or loss of control of the sailplane.

DATES: This AD becomes effective on June 30, 2005.
    As of June 30, 2005, the Director of the Federal Register approved 
the incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in the 
regulation.

ADDRESSES: To get the service information identified in this AD, 
contact DG Flugzeugbau, Postbox 41 20, 76625 Bruchsal, Germany; 
telephone, 49 7257 890; fax, 49 7257 8922.
    To view the AD docket, go to the Docket Management Facility; U.S. 
Department of Transportation, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Nassif Building, 
Room PL-401, Washington, DC 20590-001 or on the Internet at http://dms.dot.gov. The docket number is FAA-2004-19959; Directorate 
Identifier 2004-CE-46-AD.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Gregory Davison, Aerospace Engineer, 
FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, ACE-112, Room 301, 901 Locust, Kansas 
City, Missouri 64106; telephone: 816-329-4130; facsimile: 816-329-4090.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

    What events have caused this AD? The Luftfahrt-Bundesamt (LBA), 
which is the airworthiness authority for Germany, recently notified FAA 
that an unsafe condition may exist on all DG Flugzeugbau GmbH Model DG-
500MB sailplanes equipped with a Solo engine and all Glaser-Dirks 
Flugzeugbau GmbH Model DG-800B sailplanes equipped with a Solo engine. 
The LBA reports that a damaged propeller was found on a Model DG-800B 
sailplane.
    The foam core inside the propeller separated and caused one blade 
to be thicker than the other. The propeller became overheated after the 
engine was retracted. This was possibly due to limited ventilation. The 
LBA reports three occurrences of this condition.
    The propeller on Model DG-500MB sailplanes equipped with a Solo 
engine is of a similar design to Model DG-800B sailplanes equipped with 
a Solo engine.
    What is the potential impact if FAA took no action? If not detected 
and corrected, damage to the propeller, specifically foam core 
separation, could cause the propeller to fail to perform properly. This 
failure could lead to reduced or loss of control of the sailplane.

[[Page 29441]]

    Has FAA taken any action to this point? We issued a proposal to 
amend part 39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) to 
include an AD that would apply to all DG Flugzeugbau GmbH Model DG-
500MB sailplanes equipped with a Solo engine and Glaser-Dirks 
Flugzeugbau GmbH Model DG-800B sailplanes equipped with a Solo engine. 
This proposal was published in the Federal Register as a notice of 
proposed rulemaking (NPRM) on February 14, 2005 (70 FR 7443). The NPRM 
proposed to require you to inspect the propeller for damage, 
specifically foam core separation, and replace any damaged propeller.

Comments

    Was the public invited to comment? We provided the public the 
opportunity to participate in developing this AD. We received no 
comments on the proposal or on the determination of the cost to the 
public.

Conclusion

    What is FAA's final determination on this issue? We have carefully 
reviewed the available data and determined that air safety and the 
public interest require adopting the AD as proposed except for minor 
editorial corrections. We have determined that these minor corrections:
     Are consistent with the intent that was proposed in the 
NPRM for correcting the unsafe condition; and
     Do not add any additional burden upon the public than was 
already proposed in the NPRM.

Changes to 14 CFR Part 39--Effect on the AD

    How does the revision to 14 CFR part 39 affect this AD? On July 10, 
2002, the FAA published a new version of 14 CFR part 39 (67 FR 47997, 
July 22, 2002), which governs the 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 does this AD impact? We estimate that this AD 
affects 31 sailplanes in the U.S. registry.
    What is the cost impact of this AD on owners/operators of the 
affected sailplanes? We estimate the following costs to accomplish the 
inspection:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                   Total cost
           Labor cost                       Parts cost                 per        Total cost on  U.S. operators
                                                                    sailplane
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1 work hour x $65 per hour = $65  Not applicable................          $65   $65 x 31 = $2,015.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                               Total cost per
                              Labor cost                                   Parts cost            sailplane
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1 work hour x $65 per hour = $65.....................................             $4,000                $4,065.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Authority for This Rulemaking

    What authority does FAA have for issuing this rulemaking action? 
Title 49 of the United States Code specifies the FAA's authority to 
issue rules on aviation safety. Subtitle I, Section 106 describes the 
authority of the FAA Administrator. Subtitle VII, Aviation Programs, 
describes in more detail the scope of the agency's authority.
    We are issuing this rulemaking under the authority described in 
Subtitle VII, Part A, Subpart III, Section 44701, ``General 
requirements.'' Under that section, Congress charges the FAA with 
promoting safe flight of civil aircraft in air commerce by prescribing 
regulations for practices, methods, and procedures the Administrator 
finds necessary for safety in air commerce. This regulation is within 
the scope of that authority because it addresses an unsafe condition 
that is likely to exist or develop on products identified in this AD.

Regulatory Findings

    Will this AD impact various entities? We have determined that this 
AD will not have federalism implications under Executive Order 13132. 
This AD will 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.
    Will this AD involve a significant rule or regulatory action? For 
the reasons discussed above, I certify that this 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 AD (and 
other information as included in the Regulatory Evaluation) 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 ``Docket 
No. FAA-2004-19959; Directorate Identifier 2004-CE-46-AD'' in your 
request.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by 
reference, Safety.

Adoption of the Amendment

0
Accordingly, under 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

0
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]

0
2. FAA amends Sec.  39.13 by adding a new AD to read as follows:

2005-10-23 DG Flugzeugbau GmbH and Glaser-Dirks Flugzeugbau GmbH: 
Amendment 39-14101; Docket No. FAA-2004-19959; Directorate 
Identifier 2004-CE-46-AD.

[[Page 29442]]

When Does This AD Become Effective?

    (a) This AD becomes effective on June 30, 2005.

What Other ADs Are Affected By This Action?

    (b) None.

What Sailplanes Are Affected By This AD?

    (c) This AD affects all Model DG-500MB and DG-800B sailplanes 
that are:
    (1) Certificated in any category; and
    (2) Equipped with a Solo engine.

What Is the Unsafe Condition Presented in This AD?

    (d) This AD is the result of mandatory continuing airworthiness 
information (MCAI) issued by the airworthiness authority for 
Germany. The actions specified in this AD are intended to detect and 
correct damage to the propeller, which could result in failure of 
the propeller to perform properly. This failure could lead to 
reduced or loss of control of the sailplane.

What Must I Do To Address This Problem?

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

------------------------------------------------------------------------
           Actions                 Compliance            Procedures
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Inspect the propeller     Within 25 hours time- Follow DG
 for any signs of damage.      in-service (TIS)      Flugzeugbau
                               after June 30, 2005   Technical Note No.
                               (the effective date   843/19 (LBA
                               of this AD).          approved on April
                                                     7, 2004; EASA
                                                     approved on April
                                                     26, 2004); and DG
                                                     Flugzeugbau
                                                     Technical Note 873/
                                                     29 (LBA approved on
                                                     April 7, 2004; EASA
                                                     approved April 26,
                                                     2004), as
                                                     applicable.
(2) If any damage is found    Before further        Follow DG
 during the inspection         flight after the      Flugzeugbau
 required in paragraph         inspection required   Technical Note No.
 (e)(1) of this AD, replace    in paragraph (e)(1)   843/19 (LBA
 the propeller.                approved on this AD.  approved on April
                                                     7, 2004; EASA
                                                     approved on April
                                                     26, 2004); and DG
                                                     Flugzeugbau
                                                     Technical Note 873/
                                                     29 (LBA approved on
                                                     April 7, 2004; EASA
                                                     approved April 26,
                                                     2004), as
                                                     applicable.
(3) Insert the following      Within 25 hours TIS   The owner/operator
 language in the Limitations   after June 30, 2005   holding at least a
 Section of the AFM:.          (the effective date   private pilot
``Caution: With high           of this AD).          certificate as
 temperatures (temperature                           authorized by
 on ground above 25 [deg]C/                          section 43.7 of the
 77 [deg]F) there is the                             Federal Aviation
 risk of overheating the                             Regulations (14 CFR
 propeller after engine                              43.7) may do the
 retraction. To avoid                                flight manual
 damage, extend the engine                           changes requirement
 again via the manual switch                         of this AD. Make an
 (approx. 1 second) to open                          entry in the
 the engine doors. Retract                           aircraft records
 again after 5 minutes.''.                           showing compliance
                                                     with this portion
                                                     of the AD following
                                                     section 43.9 of the
                                                     Federal Aviation
                                                     Regulations (14 CFR
                                                     43.9).
------------------------------------------------------------------------


    Note: For Model DG-500MB sailplanes, FAA recommends you install 
a polyurethane shock absorber at the retaining cable mounting in the 
fuselage. This is specified in DG Flugzeugbau Technical Note No. 
843/19 (LBA approved on April 7, 2004; EASA approved on April 26, 
2004). The approximate cost to install the shock absorber is $520 (4 
work hours x $65 per hour for labor = $260 + $260 for parts).

    Starting with serial number 5E243B20 and on, this shock absorber 
is being installed at production.

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 Gregory Davison, 
Aerospace Engineer, FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, ACE-112, Room 
301, 901 Locust, Kansas City, Missouri 64106; telephone: 816-329-
4130; facsimile: 816-329-4090.

Is There Other Information That Relates to This Subject?

    (g) German AD Number D-2004-195 and AD Number D-2004-196, both 
dated April 23, 2004, also address the subject of this AD.

Does This AD Incorporate Any Material by Reference?

    (h) You must do the actions required by this AD following the DG 
Flugzeugbau Technical Note No. 843/19 (LBA approved on April 7, 
2004; EASA approved on April 26, 2004); and DG Flugzeugbau Technical 
Note 873/29 (LBA approved on April 7, 2004; EASA approved April 26, 
2004). The Director of the Federal Register approved the 
incorporation by reference of these service bulletins in accordance 
with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. To get a copy of this 
service information, contact DG Flugzeugbau, Postbox 41 20, 76625 
Bruchsal, Germany; telephone, 49 7257 890; fax, 49 7257 8922. To 
review copies of this service information, go to the National 
Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information on the 
availability of this material at NARA, go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html or call (202) 741-6030. To view the AD docket, 
go to the Docket Management Facility; U.S. Department of 
Transportation, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Nassif Building, Room PL-
401, Washington, DC 20590-001 or on the Internet at http://dms.dot.gov. The docket number is FAA-2004-19959; Directorate 
Identifier 2004-CE-46-AD.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on May 13, 2005.
David R. Showers,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 05-9975 Filed 5-20-05; 8:45 am]
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