[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 178 (Monday, September 15, 2014)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 54895-54897]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-21761]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2013-0929; Directorate Identifier 2013-CE-031-AD; 
Amendment 39-17968; AD 2013-22-14 R1]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; DG Flugzeugbau GmbH Gliders

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

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: We are revising an airworthiness directive (AD) 2013-22-14 for 
any DG Flugzeugbau GmbH Model DG-1000T glider equipped with a Solo 
Kleinmotoren Model 2350 C engine. This AD results from mandatory 
continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) issued 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 engine shaft failure and consequent propeller detachment. 
We are issuing this AD to require actions to address the unsafe 
condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective October 20, 2014.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in the AD as of October 20, 
2014.

ADDRESSES: You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2013-
0929; or in person at the Docket Management Facility, U.S. Department 
of Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, 
Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590.
    For service information identified in this AD, contact Solo 
Kleinmotoren GmbH, Postfach 60 01 52, D 71050 Sindelfingen, Germany; 
telephone: +49 07031-301-0; fax: +49 07031-301-136; email: 
germany.com">aircraft@solo-germany.com; Internet: http://aircraft.solo-online.com/ com/. 
You may view this referenced service information at the FAA, Small 
Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Kansas City, Missouri 64106. For 
information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call (816) 
329-4148.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jim Rutherford, Aerospace Engineer, 
FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, 
Missouri 64106; telephone: (816) 329-4165; fax: (816) 329-4090; email: 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

    We issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR 
part 39 to add an AD that would apply to DG Flugzeugbau GmbH Model DG-
1000T airplanes. The NPRM was published in the Federal Register on June 
27, 2014 (79 FR 36440), and proposed to revise AD 2013-22-14, Amendment 
39-17646 (78 FR 65869, November 4, 2013) (``AD 2013-22-14'').
    Since we issued AD 2013-22-14, the manufacturer of the Solo 
Kleinmotoren Model 2350 C engine has developed an engine modification 
to restore engine operation.
    The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the Technical 
Agent for the Member States of the European Community, has issued AD 
No.: 2013-0217R1, dated May 5, 2014 (referred to after this as ``the 
MCAI''), to correct an unsafe condition for the specified products. The 
MCAI states:

    An occurrence of Solo 2350 C engine shaft failure and consequent 
propeller detachment was reported. The preliminary investigation 
revealed that the failed shaft was earlier modified in accordance 
with an approved method.
    This condition, if not corrected, could lead to additional cases 
of release of the propeller from the engine, possibly resulting in 
damage to the sailplane, or injury to persons on the ground.
    To address this potential unsafe condition, EASA issued 
Emergency AD 2013-0217-E to prohibit operation of the engine.
    Since that AD was issued, Solo Kleinmotoren GmbH developed a 
modification consisting of installing an improved eccenter axle--
pulley assembly, allowing to resume operation of the engine.
    For the reason described above, this AD is revised to 
incorporate the optional modification, cancelling the operational 
restriction.

The MCAI can be found in the AD docket on the Internet at: http://www.regulations.gov/#!documentDetail;D=FAA-2013-0929-0003.

Comments

    We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing 
this AD. We received no comments on the NPRM (79 FR 36440, June 27, 
2014) or on the determination of the cost to the public.

Conclusion

    We reviewed the relevant data and determined that air safety and 
the public interest require adopting the AD as proposed except for 
minor editorial changes. We have determined that these minor changes:
     Are consistent with the intent that was proposed in the 
NPRM (79 FR 36440, June 27, 2014) for correcting the unsafe condition; 
and
     Do not add any additional burden upon the public than was 
already proposed in the NPRM (79 FR 36440, June 27, 2014).

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD will affect 2 products of U.S. registry. 
We also estimate that it will take about .5 work-hour per product to 
comply with the retained requirement of placing a copy of AD 2013-22-14 
into the Limitations section of the aircraft flight manual,

[[Page 54896]]

which prohibits engine operation. The average labor rate is $85 per 
work-hour.
    Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of this retained 
requirement on U.S. operators to be $85, or $42.50 per product.
    In addition, we estimate that the optional engine modification will 
take about 1.5 work-hours and require parts costing $100, for a cost of 
$227.50. If both products of U.S. registry incorporated the engine 
modification, the cost of the modification on U.S. operators will be 
$455.
    If the engine modification is done, it will also take about .5 
work-hour per product to remove the engine operation restriction (copy 
of AD 2013-22-14) from the Limitations section of the aircraft flight 
manual. The average labor rate is $85 per work-hour, for a cost of 
$42.50 per product.
    According to the manufacturer, some of the costs of this AD may be 
covered under warranty, thereby reducing the cost impact on affected 
individuals. We do not control warranty coverage for affected 
individuals.

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 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.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify 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),
    (3) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and
    (4) 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.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2013-
0929; 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 the NPRM, 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.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

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

Adoption of the Amendment

    Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the FAA amends 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. The FAA amends Sec.  39.13 by removing Amendment 39-17646 (78 FR 
65869, November 4, 2013), and adding the following new AD:

2013-22-14 R1 DG Flugzeugbau GmbH: Amendment 39-17968; Docket No. 
FAA-2013-0929; Directorate Identifier 2013-CE-031-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective October 20, 
2014.

(b) Affected ADs

    This AD revises AD 2013-22-14, Amendment 39-17646 (78 FR 65869, 
November 4, 2013) (``AD 2013-22-14'').

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to DG Flugzeugbau GmbH Model DG-1000T gliders, 
all serial numbers, that are:
    (1) Equipped with a Solo Kleinmotoren Model 2350 C engine; and
    (2) certificated in any category.

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association of America (ATA) Code 72: Engine.

(e) Reason

    This AD was prompted by 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 engine shaft 
failure and consequent propeller detachment. We are issuing this AD 
to prevent engine shaft failure and propeller detachment, which 
could result in damage to the glider and injury to persons on the 
ground.

 (f) Actions and Compliance

    Unless already done, do the following actions in paragraphs 
(f)(1) through (f)(4) of this AD.
    (1) As of November 25, 2013 (the effective date retained from AD 
2013-22-14), do not operate the engine unless the engine is modified 
following instructions that are approved by the FAA specifically for 
AD 2013-22-14. Contact the FAA office identified in paragraph (g)(1) 
of this AD to get more information about obtaining such 
instructions.
    (2) As of November 25, 2013 (the effective date retained from AD 
2013-22-14), place a copy of AD 2013-22-14 or this AD into the 
Limitations section of the aircraft flight manual (AFM).
    (3) To remove the prohibited engine operation requirement in 
paragraph (f)(1) of this AD, modify the engine as specified in the 
Actions paragraph of Solo Kleinmotoren GmbH Technische Mitteilung 
Service Bulletin Nr. 4603-14, dated April 28, 2014, unless already 
modified with FAA-approved instructions as specified in paragraph 
(f)(1) of this AD.

    Note 1 to paragraph (f)(3) of this AD: This service information 
contains German to English translation. The European Aviation Safety 
Agency (EASA) used the English translation in referencing the 
document. For enforceability purposes, we will refer to the Solo 
Kleinmotoren GmbH service information as the title appears on the 
document.

    (4) Prior to further flight after modifying the engine as 
specified in paragraph (f)(1) or paragraph (f)(3) of this AD, remove 
the engine operation restriction (copy of AD 2013-22-14) from the 
Limitations section of the AFM.

(g) Other FAA AD Provisions

    The following provisions also apply to this AD:
    (1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager, 
Standards Office, 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: Jim Rutherford, Aerospace Engineer, FAA, Small 
Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, Missouri 
64106;

[[Page 54897]]

telephone: (816) 329-4165; fax: (816) 329-4090; email: 
[email protected]. Before using any approved AMOC on any glider 
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.

(h) Related Information

    Refer to MCAI EASA AD No.: 2013-0217R1, dated May 5, 2014, for 
related information. You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket on 
the Internet at: http://www.regulations.gov/#!documentDetail;D=FAA-
2013-0929-0003.

(i) Material Incorporated by Reference

    (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the 
incorporation by reference (IBR) of the service information listed 
in this paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
    (2) You must use this service information as applicable to do 
the actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise.
    (i) Solo Kleinmotoren GmbH Technische Mitteilung Service 
Bulletin Nr. 4603-14, dated April 28, 2014.
    (ii) Reserved.
    (3) For Solo Kleinmotoren GmbH service information identified in 
this AD, contact Solo Kleinmotoren GmbH, Postfach 60 01 52, D 71050 
Sindelfingen, Germany; telephone: +49 07031-301-0; fax: +49 07031-
301-136; email: germany.com">aircraft@solo-germany.com; Internet: http://aircraft.solo-online.com.
    (4) You may view this service information at FAA, Small Airplane 
Directorate, 901 Locust, Kansas City, Missouri 64106. For 
information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call 
(816) 329-4148.
    (5) You may view this service information that is incorporated 
by reference at the National Archives and Records Administration 
(NARA). For information on the availability of this material at 
NARA, call 202-741-6030, or go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on September 5, 2014.
Earl Lawrence,
Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2014-21761 Filed 9-12-14; 8:45 am]
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