[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 124 (Friday, June 27, 2014)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 36440-36442]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-15058]
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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]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; DG Flugzeugbau GmbH Gliders
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 any
DG Flugzeugbau GmbH Model DG-1000T glider equipped with a Solo
Kleinmotoren Model 2350 C engine that would revise AD 2013-22-14. 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 engine shaft failure and
consequent propeller detachment. 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 August 11, 2014.
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
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 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.
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 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: 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:
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-2013-0929;
Directorate Identifier 2013-CE-031-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://www.regulations.gov, including any personal information you provide. We
will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact we
receive about this proposed AD.
Discussion
On October 24, 2013, we issued AD 2013-22-14, Amendment 39-17646
(78 FR 65869, November 4, 2013) (``AD 2013-22-14''). That AD required
actions intended to address an unsafe condition on any DG Flugzeugbau
GmbH Model DG-1000T glider equipped with a Solo Kleinmotoren Model 2350
C engine and was based on mandatory continuing airworthiness
information (MCAI) originated by an aviation authority of another
country.
Since we issued AD 2013-22-14, the manufacturer of the Solo
Kleinmotoren
[[Page 36441]]
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.
You may examine the MCAI on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov
by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2013-0929.
Relevant Service Information
Solo Kleinmotoren GmbH issued Technische Mitteilung Service
Bulletin Nr. 4603-14, dated April 28, 2014. 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 2 products of U.S.
registry. We also estimate that it would take about .5 work-hour per
product to comply with the proposed retained requirement of placing a
copy of AD 2013-22-14 into the Limitations section of the aircraft
flight manual, which prohibits engine operation. The average labor rate
is $85 per work-hour.
Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of this proposed
retained requirement on U.S. operators to be $85, or $42.50 per
product.
In addition, we estimate that the optional engine modification
would 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 proposed modification on U.S.
operators would be $455.
If the engine modification is done, it would 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 proposed
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 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) 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. Amend Sec. 39.13 by removing Amendment 39-17646 (78 FR 65869,
November 4, 2013), and adding the following new AD:
DG Flugzeugbau GmbH: Docket No. FAA-2013-0929; Directorate
Identifier 2013-CE-031-AD.
(a) Comments Due Date
We must receive comments by August 11, 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
[[Page 36442]]
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; 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 on the Internet at
http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No.
FAA-2013-0929. For service information related to 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 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.
Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on June 19, 2014.
Timothy Smyth,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 2014-15058 Filed 6-26-14; 8:45 am]
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