[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 124 (Thursday, July 1, 2021)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 35027-35030]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-13988]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2021-0212; Project Identifier 2018-CE-032-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; DG Flugzeugbau GmbH Gliders

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

[[Page 35028]]

DG Flugzeugbau GmbH Models DG-808C and DG-1000T gliders. This proposed 
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 damaged fuel hoses due to 
environmental and fatigue deterioration. This proposed AD would require 
inspecting the polyurethane (PU) fuel hoses, replacing the PU fuel 
hoses if there is damage, and establishing a life limit for the PU fuel 
hoses. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on 
these products.

DATES: The FAA must receive comments on this proposed AD by August 16, 
2021.

ADDRESSES: You may send comments, using the procedures found in 14 CFR 
11.43 and 11.45, by any of the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to https://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
     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: Deliver to Mail address above between 9 
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
    For service information identified in this NPRM, contact DG 
Flugzeugbau GmbH, Otto-Lilienthal Weg 2, D-76646 Bruchsal, Germany; 
phone: +49 (0)7251 3202-0; email: [email protected]; website: 
https://www.dg-flugzeugbau.de/. You may view this service information 
at the FAA, Airworthiness Products Section, Operational Safety Branch, 
901 Locust, Kansas City, MO 64106. For information on the availability 
of this material at the FAA, call (816) 329-4148.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket at https://www.regulations.gov by 
searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2021-0212; or in person at 
Docket Operations between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, 
except Federal holidays. The AD docket contains this NPRM, any comments 
received, and other information. The street address for Docket 
Operations is listed above.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jim Rutherford, Aviation Safety 
Engineer, General Aviation & Rotorcraft Section, International 
Validation Branch, FAA, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, MO 64106; 
phone: (816) 329-4165; fax: (816) 329-4090; email: 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

    The FAA invites you to send any written relevant data, views, or 
arguments about this proposal. Send your comments to an address listed 
under ADDRESSES. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2021-0212; Project Identifier 
2018-CE-032-AD'' at the beginning of your comments. The most helpful 
comments reference a specific portion of the proposal, explain the 
reason for any recommended change, and include supporting data. The FAA 
will consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend 
this proposal because of those comments.
    Except for Confidential Business Information (CBI) as described in 
the following paragraph, and other information as described in 14 CFR 
11.35, the FAA will post all comments received, without change, to 
https://www.regulations.gov, including any personal information you 
provide. The agency will also post a report summarizing each 
substantive verbal contact received about this NPRM.

Confidential Business Information

    CBI is commercial or financial information that is both customarily 
and actually treated as private by its owner. Under the Freedom of 
Information Act (FOIA) (5 U.S.C. 552), CBI is exempt from public 
disclosure. If your comments responsive to this NPRM contain commercial 
or financial information that is customarily treated as private, that 
you actually treat as private, and that is relevant or responsive to 
this NPRM, it is important that you clearly designate the submitted 
comments as CBI. Please mark each page of your submission containing 
CBI as ``PROPIN.'' The FAA will treat such marked submissions as 
confidential under the FOIA, and they will not be placed in the public 
docket of this NPRM. Submissions containing CBI should be sent to Jim 
Rutherford, Aviation Safety Engineer, General Aviation & Rotorcraft 
Section, International Validation Branch, FAA, 901 Locust, Room 301, 
Kansas City, MO 64106. Any commentary that the FAA receives which is 
not specifically designated as CBI will be placed in the public docket 
for this rulemaking.

Background

    The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the Technical 
Agent for the Member States of the European Union, has issued EASA AD 
2018-0127, dated June 11, 2018 (referred to after this as ``the 
MCAI''), to address an unsafe condition on DG Flugzeugbau GmbH Models 
DG-808C and DG-1000T gliders. The MCAI states:

    An occurrence was reported where, during accomplishment of a 10 
years inspection on a DG-808C powered sailplane, a damaged (broken) 
PU [polyurethane] fuel hose was found. The result of subsequent 
investigation indicated that the damage mode has features of 
environmental and fatigue deterioration. Additionally, it was 
determined that similar PU fuel hoses are also installed on other 
powered sailplane types of the same manufacturer.
    This condition, if not detected and corrected, could lead to 
reduced or interrupted fuel supply to the engine, consequent loss of 
the available power or fire, possibly resulting in reduced control 
of the powered sailplane.
    To address this potential unsafe condition, DG-Flugzeugbau GmbH 
issued the applicable TN [Technical Note], providing instructions to 
inspect the affected parts and replace these with serviceable parts. 
Additionally, service life limits were established for those 
serviceable parts.
    For the reasons described above, this [EASA] AD requires 
repetitive inspections of the affected parts. This [EASA] AD also 
requires replacement of the affected parts with serviceable parts 
and introduces life limits for serviceable parts.

    You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket at https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2021-
0212.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    The FAA reviewed DG Flugzeugbau GmbH Technical Note No. 800/46, 
Issue 01.a, dated March 7, 2018, for Model DG-808C gliders; and 
Technical Note No. 1000/38, Issue 01.a, dated February 15, 2018, for 
Model DG-1000T gliders. The service information, as applicable to the 
appropriate model glider, specifies inspections of the PU fuel hoses, 
replacement of the PU fuel hoses if damage is found during an 
inspection, and actions to take when the hoses have reached their life 
limit. This service information is reasonably available because the 
interested parties have access to it through their normal course of 
business or by the means identified in ADDRESSES.

FAA's Determination

    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, it has 
notified the FAA of the unsafe condition described in the MCAI and 
service information

[[Page 35029]]

referenced above. The FAA is issuing this NPRM after determining the 
unsafe condition described previously is likely to exist or develop on 
other products of the same type design.

Proposed AD Requirements in This NPRM

    This proposed AD would require accomplishing the actions specified 
in the service information already described, except as discussed under 
``Differences Between this Proposed AD and the MCAI.''

Differences Between This Proposed AD and the MCAI

    The MCAI requires replacing any damaged fuel hoses before next 
engine operation, while this proposed AD would require replacing 
damaged fuel hoses before further flight. Even though use of the engine 
is optional and the glider can operate without the engine, the glider 
has other electronic equipment installed that could cause arcing and 
result in an in-flight fire if there is a fuel leak.

Costs of Compliance

    The FAA estimates that this AD, if adopted as proposed, would 
affect 10 gliders of U.S. registry. The FAA also estimates that it 
would take about 2 work-hours per glider to comply with each inspection 
required by this proposed AD. The average labor rate is $85 per work-
hour.
    Based on these figures, the FAA estimates the inspection cost of 
this proposed AD on U.S. operators to be $1,700, or $170 per glider, 
each inspection cycle.
    In addition, the FAA estimates that each replacement action 
required by this proposed AD would take about 8 work-hours and require 
parts costing $500. Based on these figures, the FAA estimates the 
replacement cost of this proposed AD on U.S. operators to be $1,180 per 
glider.

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.
    The FAA is 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

    The FAA 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) Would not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and
    (3) Would not have a significant economic impact, positive or 
negative, on a substantial number of small entities under the criteria 
of the Regulatory Flexibility Act.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

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

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 adding the following new airworthiness 
directive:

DG Flugzeugbau GmbH: Docket No. FAA-2021-0212; Project Identifier 
2018-CE-032-AD.

(a) Comments Due Date

    The FAA must receive comments on this airworthiness directive 
(AD) by August 16, 2021.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to DG Flugzeugbau GmbH Models DG-808C and DG-
1000T gliders, all serial numbers, certificated in any category.

(d) Subject

    Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 2800, Aircraft Fuel 
System.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    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 damaged 
polyurethane (PU) fuel hoses due to environmental and fatigue 
deterioration. The FAA is issuing this AD to prevent reduced or 
interrupted fuel supply to the engine or fuel leakage. The unsafe 
condition, if not addressed, could result in loss of engine power or 
in-flight fire.

(f) Definitions

    (1) For purposes of this AD, an ``affected part'' is a PU fuel 
hose installed in an airframe fuel system or engine compartment 
that:
    (i) Does not meet industrial standard DIN 73379-2A, or
    (ii) Does not meet ISO 7840-A1 without metal shielding.
    (2) For purposes of this AD, a ``serviceable part'' is a PU fuel 
hose installed in an airframe fuel system or engine compartment 
that:
    (i) Meets industrial standard DIN 73379-2A, or
    (ii) Meets industrial standard ISO 7840-A1 without metal 
shielding.

 (g) Inspections for Gliders With An Affected Part Installed

    Within the next 30 days after the effective date of this AD and 
thereafter at intervals not to exceed 12 months, visually inspect 
each affected part for fissures, kinks, and leaks. For this 
inspection, the ignition switch must be turned on to run the 
electric fuel pump to demonstrate an operating fuel pressure.
    (1) If a fissure, kink, or leak is found on an affected part 
during any inspection required by the introductory language to 
paragraph (g) of this AD, before further flight: Replace all 
affected parts with unused (zero hours time-in-service (TIS)) 
serviceable parts by following paragraphs 3 and 4 of the 
Instructions in DG Flugzeugbau GmbH Technical Note No. 800/46, Issue 
01.a, dated March 7, 2018 (TN No. 800/46), or paragraphs 3 through 5 
of the Instructions in DG Technical Note No. 1000/38, Issue 01.a, 
dated February 15, 2018 (TN No. 1000/38), as applicable to your 
model glider.
    (2) If no fissures, kinks, and leaks are found on all affected 
parts during any inspection required by the introductory language to 
paragraph (g) of this AD, before each affected part accumulates 6 
years since first installation on a glider or within 6 months after 
the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs later: Replace all 
affected parts with unused (zero hours TIS) serviceable parts by 
following paragraphs 3 and 4 of the Instructions in TN No. 800/46 or 
paragraphs 3 through 5 of the Instructions in TN No. 1000/38, as 
applicable to your model glider. If the date of first installation 
on a glider is unknown for any affected hose, replace all affected 
hoses within 6 months after the effective date of this AD.

[[Page 35030]]

(h) Inspections for Gliders With Only Serviceable Parts Installed

    (1) Before or upon accumulating 6 years since first installation 
on a glider and thereafter at intervals not to exceed 12 months, 
visually inspect each serviceable part for fissures, kinks, and 
leaks. For this inspection, the ignition switch must be turned on to 
run the electric fuel pump to demonstrate an operating fuel 
pressure.
    (2) If a fissure, a kink, or a leak is found during any 
inspection required by paragraph (h)(1) of this AD, before further 
flight, replace the part with an unused (zero hours TIS) serviceable 
part by following paragraphs 3 and 4 of the Instructions in TN No. 
800/46 or paragraphs 3 through 5 of the Instructions in TN No. 1000/
38, as applicable to your model glider.

(i) Life Limit

    Before accumulating 10 years since first installation on a 
glider and thereafter at intervals not to exceed 10 years, remove 
each serviceable part from service and replace with an unused (zero 
hours TIS) serviceable part by following paragraphs 3 and 4 of the 
Instructions in TN No. 800/46 or paragraphs 3 through 5 of the 
Instructions in TN No. 1000/38, as applicable to your model glider.

(j) Parts Installation Prohibition

    As of the effective date of this AD, do not install an affected 
part on any glider.

(k) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (1) The Manager, International Validation Branch, has the 
authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the 
procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. In accordance with 14 CFR 39.19, 
send your request to your principal inspector or local Flight 
Standards District Office, as appropriate. If sending information 
directly to the manager of the certification office, send it to the 
attention of the person identified in Related Information or email: 
[email protected].
    (2) Before using any approved AMOC, notify your appropriate 
principal inspector, or lacking a principal inspector, the manager 
of the local flight standards district office/certificate holding 
district office.

(l) Related Information

    (1) For more information about this AD contact Jim Rutherford, 
Aviation Safety Engineer, General Aviation & Rotorcraft Section, 
International Validation Branch, FAA, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas 
City, MO 64106; phone: (816) 329-4165; fax: (816) 329-4090; email: 
[email protected].
    (2) Refer to European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2018-
0127, dated June 11, 2018, for more information. You may examine the 
EASA AD in the AD docket on the website at https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-
2021-0212.
    (3) For service information identified in this AD, contact DG 
Flugzeugbau GmbH, Otto-Lilienthal Weg 2, D-76646 Bruchsal, Germany; 
phone: +49 (0)7251 3202-0; email: [email protected]; website: 
https://www.dg-flugzeugbau.de/. You may review this referenced 
service information at the FAA, Airworthiness Products Section, 
Operational Safety Branch, 901 Locust, Kansas City, MO 64106. For 
information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call 
(816) 329-4148.


    Issued on June 25, 2021.
Lance T. Gant,
Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2021-13988 Filed 6-30-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P