Airworthiness Directives; DG Flugzeugbau GmbH Gliders
Federal Register, Volume 78 Issue 213 (Monday, November 4, 2013)
Federal Register Volume 78, Number 213 (Monday, November 4, 2013)
Rules and Regulations
Pages 65869-65870
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office www.gpo.gov
FR Doc No: 2013-25954
Page 65869
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
Docket No. FAA-2013-0929; Directorate Identifier 2013-CE-031-AD; Amendment 39-17646; AD 2013-22-14
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; DG Flugzeugbau GmbH Gliders
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.
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SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) 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 the 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 November 25, 2013.
We must receive comments on this AD by December 19, 2013.
ADDRESSES: You may send comments by any of the following methods:
Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://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: 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.
For information about the technical content of the requirements 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/.
Examining the AD Docket
You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov; 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 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: 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: jim.rutherford@faa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Discussion
The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of the European Community, has issued AD No.: 2013-0217-E, dated September 16, 2013 (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.
For the reasons described above, this AD prohibits operation of the engine.
This AD is considered to be a temporary measure and further AD action will follow.
You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating it in Docket No. FAA-2013-0929.
FAA's Determination and Requirements of the 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 issuing this AD because we evaluated all information provided by the State of Design Authority and determined the unsafe condition exists and is likely to exist or develop on other products of the same type design.
We will work with the type certificate holder and EASA to evaluate information and to develop an engine modification. Based on this, we may initiate further rulemaking action to address the unsafe condition identified in this AD.
FAA's Determination of the Effective Date
An unsafe condition exists that requires the immediate adoption of this AD. The FAA has found that the risk to the flying public justifies waiving notice and comment prior to adoption of this rule because engine shaft failure and consequent propeller detachment could cause damage to the glider and could cause injury to persons on the ground. Therefore, we determined that notice and opportunity for public comment before issuing this AD are impracticable and that good cause exists for making this amendment effective in fewer than 30 days.
Comments Invited
This AD is a final rule that involves requirements affecting flight safety, and we did not precede it by notice and opportunity for public comment. We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or arguments about this AD. Send your comments to an address listed under the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2013-0929; Directorate Identifier 2013-CE-031-AD'' at the beginning of your comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, economic,
Page 65870
environmental, and energy aspects of this AD. We will consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend this AD because of those comments.
We will post all comments we receive, without change, to http://www.regulations.gov, including any personal information you provide. We will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact we receive about this AD.
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 basic requirements of this AD. The average labor rate is $85 per work-hour.
Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of this AD on U.S. operators to be $85, or $42.50 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 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 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),
(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.
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
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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
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The FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by adding the following new AD:
2013-22-14 DG Flugzeugbau GmbH: Amendment 39-17646; Docket No. FAA-
2013-0929; Directorate Identifier 2013-CE-031-AD.
(a) Effective Date
This AD is effective November 25, 2013.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(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)(3) of this AD.
(1) As of November 25, 2013 (the effective date of this AD), do not operate the engine unless the engine is modified following instructions that are approved by the FAA specifically for this AD. 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 of this AD), place a copy of this AD into the limitations section of the aircraft flight manual (AFM).
(3) Modifying the engine following instructions approved by the FAA specifically for this AD removes the prohibited engine operation required in paragraph (f)(1) of this AD and removes the requirement to incorporate this AD into 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; telephone: (816) 329-4165; fax: (816) 329-4090; email: jim.rutherford@faa.gov. 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 European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD No.: 013-0217-E, dated September 16, 2013, for related information. For information about the technical content of the requirements 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. You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating it in Docket No. FAA-2013-0929.
Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on October 24, 2013.
Earl Lawrence,
Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
FR Doc. 2013-25954 Filed 11-1-13; 8:45 am
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
