[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 215 (Wednesday, November 6, 2013)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 66666-66668]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-26571]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2013-0937; Directorate Identifier 2013-CE-029-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Diamond Aircraft Industries GmbH
Airplanes
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
certain Diamond Aircraft Industries GmbH Models DA 42 NG and DA 42 M-NG
airplanes. 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 the
failure of the alternator indication system to indicate warning when
one alternator is inoperative. We are issuing this proposed AD to
require actions to address the unsafe condition on these products.
DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by December 23,
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 service information identified in this proposed AD, contact
Diamond Aircraft Industries GmbH, N.A. Otto-
[[Page 66667]]
Stra[szlig]e 5, A-2700 Wiener Neustadt, Austria, telephone: +43 2622
26700; fax: +43 2622 26700 1369; email: [email protected];
Internet: http://www.diamond-air.at. You may review copies of the
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.
Examining the AD Docket
You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating it in Docket No. FAA-
2013-0937; 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: Mike Kiesov, Aerospace Engineer, FAA,
Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, Missouri
64106; telephone: (816) 329-4144; fax: (816) 329-4090; email:
[email protected].
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-2013-0937;
Directorate Identifier 2013-CE-029-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://regulations.gov in Docket No. FAA-2013-0937, 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 European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the Technical
Agent for the Member States of the European Community, has issued AD
No.: 2013-0224, dated September 19, 2013 (referred to after this as
``the MCAI''), to correct an unsafe condition for the specified
products. The MCAI states:
During maintenance troubleshooting of the DA 42 NG alternator
indication system it has been discovered that, with one alternator
inoperative, the system did not give a warning indication as
described in the Airplane Flight Manual.
Subsequent investigation results showed that the voltage
regulator warning circuit, which is part of the engine, monitors Bus
Voltage and is the only trigger for the alternator fail
annunciation. As a result, one alternator may fail but the related
voltage regulator does not trigger the alternator fail annunciation
as the voltage is being held at the regular level by the second
alternator on board.
The remaining generating system indication for the pilot is
unaffected. The ampere-meter is indicating a load on each alternator
and in case of a Low Voltage condition a caution message will be
displayed.
This condition, if not corrected, could lead to an undetected
loss of one engine alternator and reduced capability of the
electrical generating power system, possibly impairing safe
continuation of the flight.
Prompted by this event, Diamond Aircraft Industries (DAI)
introduced at airframe level an additional independent alternator
fail caution trigger by using the G1000 ampere-meter signals. The
trigger is set once an alternator provides less than 5A and thus
indicates electrical power supply failure to the ship system.
DAI issued Mandatory Service Bulletin (MSB) 42NG-003/12
providing instructions for installation of the Secondary
Configuration Card Part Number (P/N) 010-12074-02 ``Additional ALTN
FAIL trigger'' with system software P/N 010-00670-10 applicable for
all DA 42 NG and DA 42 M-NG aeroplanes.
In addition, model DA 42 M-NG now incorporates an output of the
GEA 71 to activate the alternator fail relay. DAI issued Mandatory
Service Bulletin (MSB) 42MNG-006 to provide instructions for
installation of that additional control cable P/N D62-2510-97-00-SB.
For the reasons described above, this AD requires installation
of the Secondary Configuration Card P/N 010-12074-02 ``Additional
ALTN FAIL trigger'' and System Software P/N 010-00670-10 for all DA
42 NG and DA 42 M-NG aeroplanes and installation of GEA Alternator
fail control cable P/N D62-2510-97-00-SB on certain model DA 42 M-NG
aeroplanes.
This AD also prohibits installation of System Software prior to
P/N 010-00670-10.
You may examine the MCAI on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov
by searching for and locating it in Docket No. FAA-2013-0937.
Relevant Service Information
Diamond Aircraft Industries GmbH has issued Mandatory Service
Bulletin No. MSB 42NG-003/12; Mandatory Service Bulletin MSB 42MNG-006;
and Work Instruction WI-MSB 42MNG-006, all dated July 8, 2013. 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.
Costs of Compliance
We estimate that this proposed AD will affect 26 products of U.S.
registry. We also estimate that it would take about 2 work-hours per
product to comply with the basic requirements of this proposed AD. The
average labor rate is $85 per work-hour. Required parts would cost
about $115 per product.
Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of the proposed AD on
U.S. operators to be $7,410, or $285 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 proposed 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
[[Page 66668]]
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),
(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.
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 AD:
Diamond Aircraft Industries GmbH: Docket No. FAA-2013-0937;
Directorate Identifier 2013-CE-029-AD.
(a) Comments Due Date
We must receive comments by December 23, 2013.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to Diamond Aircraft Industries GmbH Models DA 42
NG and DA 42 M-NG airplanes, all serial numbers certificated in any
category, except those that have Supplemental Type Certificate (STC)
SA02725NY (http://rgl.faa.gov/Regulatory_and_Guidance_Library/rgstc.nsf/0/286A29A0C46D66048625764900624649?OpenDocument&Highlight=sa02725ny)
incorporated.
Note 1 to paragraph (c) of this AD: STC SA02725NY uses a
different electrical system architecture and the unsafe condition
addressed in this AD does not apply to that system.
(d) Subject
Air Transport Association of America (ATA) Code 24: Electric
Power.
(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 failure of the
alternator indication system to indicate warning when one alternator
is inoperative. We are issuing this proposed AD to prevent the
undetected loss of one engine alternator, which could result in
reduced capability of the electrical generating power system.
(f) Actions and Compliance
Unless already done, do the following actions as specified in
paragraphs (f)(1) through (f)(3) of this AD, including all
subparagraphs:
(1) For all DA 42 NG airplanes: Within 12 months after the
effective date of this AD, install Secondary Configuration Card part
number (P/N) 010-12074-02 ``Additional ALTN FAIL trigger'' and
System Software P/N 010-00670-10 following the Accomplishment/
Instructions section of Diamond Aircraft Industries GmbH Mandatory
Service Bulletin No. MSB 42NG-003/13, dated October 11, 2013; or the
Accomplishment/Instructions section of Diamond Aircraft Industries
GmbH Mandatory Service Bulletin No. MSB 42NG-003/12, dated July 8,
2013.
(2) For DA 42 M-NG airplanes, serial numbers (S/Ns) 42.339,
42.MN001 through 42.MN0026, and all S/Ns modified through Optional
Service Bulletin (OSB) 42-081, using Work Instruction (WI) OSB-42-
081 up to Revision 1 inclusive: Within 100 hours time-in-service
after the effective date of this AD or within 12 months after the
effective date of this AD, whichever occurs first:
(i) Install GEA Alternator fail control cable P/N D62-2510-97-
00-SB following the Instructions section of Diamond Aircraft
Industries GmbH Work Instruction WI-MSB 42MNG-006, dated July 8,
2013, as specified in the Accomplishments/Instructions section of
Diamond Aircraft Industries GmbH Mandatory Service Bulletin No. MSB
42MNG-006, July 8, 2013; and
(ii) Install Secondary Configuration Card P/N 010-12074-02
``Additional ALTN FAIL trigger'' and System Software P/N 010-00670-
10 following the Accomplishment/Instructions section of Diamond
Aircraft Industries GmbH Mandatory Service Bulletin No. MSB 42NG-
003/13, dated October 11, 2013; or the Accomplishment/Instructions
section of Diamond Aircraft Industries GmbH Mandatory Service
Bulletin No. MSB 42NG-003/12, dated July 8, 2013.
(3) For all airplanes: As of the effective date of this AD, do
not install on any airplane System Software prior to P/N 010-00670-
10.
(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: Mike Kiesov, Aerospace Engineer, FAA, Small
Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, Missouri
64106; telephone: (816) 329-4144; fax: (816) 329-4090; email:
[email protected]. 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.
(h) Related Information
Refer to MCAI European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD No.:
2013-0224, dated September 19, 2013; Diamond Aircraft Industries
GmbH Optional Service Bulletin OSB 42-081/1; Diamond Aircraft
Industries GmbH Work Instruction WI-OSB 42-081, Rev. 1, both dated
December 23, 2010; Diamond Aircraft Industries GmbH Optional Service
Bulletin OSB 42-081; and Diamond Aircraft Industries GmbH Work
Instruction WI-OSB 42-081, Rev. 0, both dated March 17, 2010, for
related information. You may examine the MCAI on the Internet at
http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating it in
Docket No. FAA-2013-0937. For service information related to this
AD, contact Diamond Aircraft Industries GmbH, N.A. Otto-Stra[szlig]e
5, A-2700 Wiener Neustadt, Austria, telephone: +43 2622 26700; fax:
+43 2622 26700 1369; email: [email protected]; Internet:
http://www.diamond-air.at. You may review copies of the 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.
Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on October 30, 2013.
Earl Lawrence,
Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2013-26571 Filed 11-5-13; 8:45 am]
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