Airworthiness Directives; DG Flugzeugbau GmbH Gliders, 65869-65870 [2013-25954]

Agencies

• Federal Aviation Administration
• DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

[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]



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Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 213 / Monday, November 4, 2013 / 
Rules and Regulations

[[Page 65869]]



DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[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 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: 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: https://aircraft.solo-online.com/.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at https://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 https://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 https://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
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 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: https://aircraft.solo-online.com. You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket 
on the Internet at https://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]
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