[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 160 (Monday, August 20, 2007)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 46411-46413]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-16302]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2007-28843; Directorate Identifier 2007-CE-065-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


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

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

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for the 
products listed above. This proposed AD results from mandatory 
continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) originated by an aviation 
authority of another country to identify and correct an unsafe 
condition on an aviation product. The MCAI describes the unsafe 
condition as:

    In some cases the electric motor of the spindle drive detached 
itself from the spindle drive, causing the powerplant to retract 
itself after engine shutdown. In another case the attachment fork on 
the spindle drive failed with the same consequences.

    The proposed AD would require actions that are intended to address 
the unsafe condition described in the MCAI.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by September 19, 
2007.

ADDRESSES: You may send comments by any of the following methods:
     DOT Docket Web Site: Go to http://dms.dot.gov and follow 
the instructions for sending your comments electronically.
     Fax: (202) 493-2251.
     Mail: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket 
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590.
     Hand Delivery: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket 
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., 
Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at or in person at 
the Docket Management Facility between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday 
through Friday, except Federal holidays. The AD docket contains this 
proposed AD, the regulatory evaluation, any comments received, and 
other information. The street address for the Docket Office (telephone 
(800) 647-5527) is in the ADDRESSES section. Comments will be available 
in the AD docket shortly after receipt.

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

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

    We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or 
arguments about this proposed AD. Send your comments to an address 
listed under the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2007-
28843; Directorate Identifier 2007-CE-065-AD'' at the beginning of your 
comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this proposed AD. We 
will consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend 
this proposed AD because 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 about this proposed AD.

Discussion

    The Luftfahrt-Bundesamt (LBA), which is the aviation authority for 
the Federal Republic of Germany, has issued AD D-2006-060, dated March 
6, 2006 (referred to after this as ``the MCAI''), to correct an unsafe 
condition for the specified products. The MCAI states:

    In some cases the electric motor of the spindle drive detached 
itself from the spindle drive, causing the powerplant to retract 
itself after engine shutdown. In another case the attachment fork on 
the spindle drive failed with the same consequences.

    The MCAI requires you to modify the affected parts and exchange 
pages in the flight, maintenance, and repair manuals.
    You may obtain further information by examining the MCAI in the AD 
docket.

Relevant Service Information

    DG Flugzeugbau GmbH has issued Technical Note No. 843-24, dated 
January 31, 2006; Working instruction No. 1, dated January 23, 2006; 
Working instruction No. 2, dated January 30, 2006; Drawing 5M210, 
Spindle drive Stross BSA 10 assembly, issued: January 22, 2003, 
revised: May 19, 2006; and Drawing 5M211, Spindle drive Stross BSA 10 
assembly with strengthened fork 8M233``f'', issued: January 23, 2006. 
The actions described in this service information are intended to 
correct the unsafe condition identified in the MCAI.

FAA's Determination and Requirements of the Proposed AD

    This product has been approved by the aviation authority of another 
country, and is approved for operation in the United States. Pursuant 
to our bilateral agreement with this State of Design Authority, they 
have notified us of the unsafe condition described in the MCAI and 
service information referenced above. We are proposing this AD because 
we evaluated all information and determined the unsafe condition exists 
and is likely to exist or develop on other products of the same type 
design.

Differences Between This Proposed AD and the MCAI or Service 
Information

    We have reviewed the MCAI and related service information and, in 
general, agree with their substance. But we might have found it 
necessary to use different words from those in the MCAI to ensure the 
AD is clear for U.S. operators and is enforceable. In making these 
changes, we do not intend to differ substantively from the information 
provided in the MCAI and related service information.
    We might also have proposed different actions in this AD from those 
in the MCAI in order to follow FAA policies. Any such differences are 
highlighted in a Note within the proposed AD.

Costs of Compliance

    Based on the service information, we estimate that this proposed AD 
would

[[Page 46412]]

affect about 5 products of U.S. registry. We also estimate that it 
would take about 5 work-hours per product to comply with the basic 
requirements of this proposed AD. The average labor rate is $80 per 
work-hour. Required parts would cost about $422 per product.
    Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of the proposed AD on 
U.S. operators to be $4,110, or $822 per product.

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 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 this 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.

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-2007-28843; Directorate 
Identifier 2007-CE-065-AD.

Comments Due Date

    (a) We must receive comments by September 19, 2007.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to Model DG-500MB gliders, all serial 
numbers, certificated in any category.

Subject

    (d) Air Transport Association of America (ATA) Code 24: Electric 
Power.

Reason

    (e) The mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) 
states:

    ``In some cases the electric motor of the spindle drive detached 
itself from the spindle drive, causing the powerplant to retract 
itself after engine shutdown. In another case the attachment fork on 
the spindle drive failed with the same consequences.''

    The MCAI requires you to modify the affected parts and exchange 
pages in the flight, maintenance, and repair manuals.

Actions and Compliance

    (f) Unless already done, do the following actions:
    (1) Within 90 days after the effective date of this AD:
    (i) Secure the connection between the spindle drive ``Stross 
BSA10'' and the spindle drive motor following DG Flugzeugbau GmbH 
Working instruction No. 1, dated January 23, 2006, as referenced in 
DG Flugzeugbau GmbH Technical Note No. 843-24, dated January 31, 
2006.
    (ii) Replace the fork 8M233/1 from the spindle drive with the 
strengthened fork 8M233``f''; replace the bearing support with the 
modified support 8M229``e''; and secure the spindle drive fork 
between the spindle drive ``Stross BSA10'' and the spindle drive 
motor following DG Flugzeugbau GmbH Working instruction No. 2, dated 
January 30, 2006, as referenced in DG Flugzeugbau GmbH Technical 
Note No. 843-24, dated January 31, 2006; DG Flugzeugbau GmbH Drawing 
5M210, Spindle drive Stross BSA 10 assembly, issued: January 22, 
2003, revised: May 19, 2006; and DG Flugzeugbau GmbH Drawing 5M211, 
Spindle drive Stross BSA 10 assembly with strengthened fork 
8M233``f'', issued: January 23, 2006.
    (2) Before further flight after completing the actions required 
by paragraphs (f)(1)(i) and (f)(1)(ii) of this AD, insert the new 
Flight Manual pages 0.1, 0.3, 0.4, 2.8, 3.7, 3.8, 4.1, 4.25, and 
4.26; the new Maintenance Manual pages 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 42, 49, 68, 
89, 89a, 93; the new Repair Manual pages 1, 2, 7, and 8; and 
Enclosure 1 into your maintenance program (maintenance manual), 
following DG Flugzeugbau GmbH Technical Note No. 843-24, dated 
January 31, 2006.

FAA AD Differences

    Note: This AD differs from the MCAI and/or service information 
as follows:
    The MCAI requires inspection of the fork and the bearing support 
with replacement if cracks are found. The MCAI does not require 
repetitive inspection of the parts. This AD requires mandatory 
replacement of these parts with redesigned parts. The FAA believes 
mandatory replacement rather than inspection will prevent failure of 
these parts in the future.

Other FAA AD Provisions

    (g) The following provisions also apply to this AD:
    (1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager, 
Standards Staff, FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs for this 
AD, if requested using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. Send 
information to ATTN: Greg Davison, Glider Program Manager, FAA, 
Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, 
Missouri 64106; telephone: (816) 329-4130; fax: (816) 329-4090. 
Before using any approved AMOC on any airplane to which the AMOC 
applies, notify your appropriate principal inspector (PI) in the FAA 
Flight Standards District Office (FSDO), or lacking a PI, your local 
FSDO.
    (2) Airworthy Product: For any requirement in this AD to obtain 
corrective actions from a manufacturer or other source, use these 
actions if they are FAA-approved. Corrective actions are considered 
FAA-approved if they are approved by the State of Design Authority 
(or their delegated agent). You are required to assure the product 
is airworthy before it is returned to service.
    (3) Reporting Requirements: For any reporting requirement in 
this AD, under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 
U.S.C. 3501 et seq.), the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has 
approved the information collection requirements and has assigned 
OMB Control Number 2120-0056.

Related Information

    (h) Refer to MCAI Federal Republic of Germany Luftfahrt-
Bundesamt AD D-2006-060, dated March 6, 2006; DG Flugzeugbau GmbH 
Technical Note No. 843-24, dated January 31, 2006; DG Flugzeugbau 
GmbH Working instruction No. 1, dated January 23, 2006; DG 
Flugzeugbau GmbH Working instruction No. 2, dated January 30, 2006; 
DG Flugzeugbau GmbH Drawing 5M210, Spindle drive Stross BSA 10 
assembly, issued:

[[Page 46413]]

January 22, 2003, revised May 19, 2006; and DG Flugzeugbau GmbH 
Drawing 5M211, Spindle drive Stross BSA 10 assembly with 
strengthened fork 8M233``f'', dated January 23, 2006, for related 
information.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on August 14, 2007.
Terry L. Chasteen,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
 [FR Doc. E7-16302 Filed 8-17-07; 8:45 am]
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