[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 94 (Tuesday, May 16, 2006)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 28287-28289]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-7394]


 ========================================================================
 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. 71, No. 94 / Tuesday, May 16, 2006 / Proposed 
Rules  

[[Page 28287]]



DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2006-24255; Directorate Identifier 2006-CE-25-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; DG Flugzeugbau GmbH Model DG-1000S 
Sailplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of 
Transportation (DOT).

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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

SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all 
DG Flugzeugbau GmbH Model DG-1000S sailplanes. This proposed AD would 
require you to modify the elevator control at the stabilizer assembly, 
replace a placard on the fin, and incorporate changes in the FAA-
approved sailplane flight manual. This proposed AD results from 
mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) issued by the 
airworthiness authority for Germany. We are proposing this AD to 
prevent the rigging of the horizontal stabilizer without properly 
connecting the elevator, which, if not prevented, could lead to an 
inoperative elevator.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by June 12, 2006.

ADDRESSES: Use one of the following addresses to comment on this 
proposed AD:
     DOT Docket Web site: Go to http://dms.dot.gov and follow 
the instructions for sending your comments electronically.
     Government-wide rulemaking Web site: Go to http://www.regulations.gov and follow the instructions for sending your 
comments electronically.
     Mail: Docket Management Facility; U.S. Department of 
Transportation, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Nassif Building, Room PL-401, 
Washington, DC 20590-0001.
     Fax: (202) 493-2251.
     Hand Delivery: Room PL-401 on the plaza level of the 
Nassif Building, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Washington, DC, between 9 
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
    For service information identified in this proposed AD, contact DG-
Flugzeugbau, Postbox 41 20, D-76625 Bruchsal, Federal Republic of 
Germany; telephone: ++49 7257 890; facsimile: ++45 7257 8922; e-mail: 
www.dg-flugzeugbau.de.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Gregory Davison, Glider Project 
Manager, ACE-112, Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301, 
Kansas City, Missouri 64106; telephone: (816) 329-4130; facsimile: 
(816) 329-4090.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

    We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or 
arguments regarding this proposed AD. Send your comments to an address 
listed under the ADDRESSES section. Include the docket number, ``FAA-
2006-24255; Directorate Identifier 2006-CE-25-AD'' at the beginning of 
your comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall 
regulatory, economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the proposed 
AD. We will consider all comments received by the closing date and may 
amend the proposed AD in light of those comments.
    We will post all comments we receive, without change, to http://dms.dot.gov, including any personal information you provide. We will 
also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact we 
receive concerning this proposed AD.

Discussion

    The Luftfahrt-Bundesamt (LBA), which is the airworthiness authority 
for Germany, notified FAA that an unsafe condition may exist on all DG 
Flugzeugbau GmbH Model DG-1000S sailplanes. The LBA reports that a user 
succeeded in assembling the horizontal stabilizer without connecting 
the elevator.
    The design of this assembly should be such that this is not 
possible. DG Flugzeugbau has developed a modification to prevent such 
assembly.
    Such assembly, if not prevented, could result in an inoperative 
elevator.

Relevant Service Information

    We have reviewed DG Flugzeugbau GmbH Technical Note No. 413/3, 
dated April 28, 2004.
    The service information describes procedures for:
     Modifying the elevator control at the stabilizer assembly;
     Replacing the placard on the fin; and
     Incorporating changes in the FAA-approved sailplane flight 
manual (SFM).

Foreign Airworthiness Authority Information

    The LBA classified this service bulletin as mandatory and issued 
German AD Number D-2004-300, dated June 15, 2004, to ensure the 
continued airworthiness of these sailplanes in Germany.
    These DG Flugzeugbau GmbH Model DG-1000S 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.

FAA's Determination and Requirements of the Proposed AD

    We are proposing this AD because we have examined the LBA's 
findings, evaluated all information and determined the unsafe condition 
described previously is likely to exist or develop on other products of 
the same type design that are certificated for operation in the United 
States.
    This proposed AD would require you to modify the elevator control 
at the stabilizer assembly and incorporate changes in the FAA-approved 
sailplane flight manual.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD would affect 8 sailplanes in the 
U.S. registry.
    We estimate the following costs to do the proposed modification and 
replacement of the placard on the fin:

[[Page 28288]]



----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                            Total cost
                 Labor cost                    Parts cost      per            Total cost on  U.S. operators
                                                            sailplane
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2 workhours x $80 per hour = $160...........          $60         $220  8 x $220 = $1,760.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    We estimate the following costs to do the proposed incorporation of 
changes in the FAA-approved SFM:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                            Total cost
                 Labor cost                    Parts cost      per            Total cost on  U.S. operators
                                                            sailplane
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1 workhour x $80 per hour = $80.............      \1\ N/A          $80  8 x $80 = $640.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Not applicable.

Authority for This Rulemaking

    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 
rulemaking action.

Regulatory Findings

    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.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify that the proposed 
regulation:
    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 regulatory evaluation of the estimated costs to 
comply with this proposed AD and placed it in the AD docket.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket that contains the proposed AD, the 
regulatory evaluation, any comments received, and other information on 
the Internet at http://dms.dot.gov; or in person at the Docket 
Management Facility between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, 
except Federal holidays. The Docket Office (telephone (800) 647-5227) 
is located at the street address stated in the ADDRESSES section. 
Comments will be available in the AD docket shortly after receipt.

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 FAA 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 AD:

DG Flugzeugbau GmbH: Docket No. FAA-2006-24255; Directorate 
Identifier 2006-CE-25-AD.

Comments Due Date

    (a) We must receive comments on this proposed airworthiness 
directive (AD) action by June 12, 2006.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD affects all Model DG-1000S sailplanes, all serial 
numbers, that are certificated in any category.

Unsafe Condition

    (d) This AD results from mandatory continuing airworthiness 
information (MCAI) issued by the airworthiness authority for 
Germany. We are issuing this AD to prevent the rigging of the 
horizontal stabilizer without properly connecting the elevator, 
which, if not prevented, could lead to an inoperative elevator.

Compliance

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

------------------------------------------------------------------------
           Actions                 Compliance            Procedures
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Modify the elevator       Within the next 25    Follow DG
 control at the stabilizer     hours time-in-        Flugzeugbau GmbH
 assembly as follows:.         service (TIS) after   Technical Note No.
(i) Replace the rod-end        the effective date    413/3, dated April
 5St94 (or FAA-approved        of this AD.           28, 2004.
 equivalent part) with a rod-
 end 5St94 modified to part
 number 10St97/1 (or an FAA-
 approved equivalent part);.
(ii) Install deflector part
 number 10St97/2 (or an FAA-
 approved equivalent part);
 and.
(iii) Replace the placard on
 the fin.

[[Page 28289]]

 
(2) The parts that this AD    Not Applicable......  Not Applicable.
 requires to be replaced as
 well as those to be
 installed could have
 replacement parts approved
 under 14 CFR 21.303. Any
 such parts approved per
 this regulation and
 installed are subject to
 thee actions of this AD. In
 addition, nothing in this
 AD prevents the
 installation of such
 alternatively approved
 parts provided they meet
 current airworthiness
 standards including those
 actions cited in this AD..
(3) Incorporate changes in    Within the next 25    The owner/operator
 the FAA-approved sailplane    hours TIS after the   holding at least a
 flight manual, as specified   effective date of     private pilot
 in paragraph 6a) of the       this AD.              certificate as
 Instructions section of DG                          authorized by
 Flugzeugbau GmbH Technical                          section 43.7 of the
 Note No. 413/3, dated April                         Federal Aviation
 28, 2004.                                           Regulations (14 CFR
                                                     43.7) may do the
                                                     flight manual
                                                     change requirement
                                                     of this AD. Make an
                                                     entry in the
                                                     aircraft records
                                                     showing compliance
                                                     with this portion
                                                     of the AD following
                                                     section 43.9 of the
                                                     Federal Aviation
                                                     Regulations (14 CFR
                                                     43.9).
(4) Do not install any rod    As of the effective   Not Applicable.
 end 5St94 (or FAA-approved    date of this AD..
 equivalent part) unless it
 is modified to DG
 Flugzeugbau GmbH rod-end
 part 10St97/1 (or FAA-
 approved equivalent part)..
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCS)

    (f) The Manager, Standards Office, Small Airplane Directorate, 
FAA, ATTN: Gregory Davison, Glider Project Manager, ACE-112, Small 
Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, Missouri 
64106; telephone: (816) 329-4130; facsimile: (816) 329-4090, has the 
authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the 
procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19.

Related Information

    (g) German AD Number D-2004-300, dated June 15, 2004, also 
addresses the subject of this AD. To get copies of the service 
information referenced in this AD, contact DG-Flugzeugbau, Postbox 
41 20, D-76625 Bruchsal, Federal Republic of Germany; telephone: 
++49 7257 890; facsimile: ++45 7257 8922; e-mail: www.dg-
flugzeugbau.de. 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, or on the 
Internet at http://dms.dot.gov. The docket number is Docket No. FAA-
2006-24255; Directorate Identifier 2006-CE-25-AD.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on May 9, 2006.
David R. Showers,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
 [FR Doc. E6-7394 Filed 5-15-06; 8:45 am]
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