[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 29 (Monday, February 12, 2018)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 5956-5958]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-02608]
[[Page 5956]]
=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2018-0093; Product Identifier 2017-CE-047-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).
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: We propose to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2017-11-
03 for DG Flugzeugbau GmbH Model DG-500MB gliders that are equipped
with a Solo 2625 02 engine modified with a fuel injection system
following the instructions of Solo Kleinmoteren GmbH Technische
Mitteilung (TM)/Service Bulletin (SB) 4600-3 ``Fuel Injection System''
and identified as Solo 2625 02i. 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 failure of the connecting rod bearing resulting from too
much load on the rod bearings from the engine control unit. This
proposed AD adds DG Flugzeugbau GmbH Model DG-1000M gliders equipped
with Solo 2625 02i engines to the applicability. 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 March 29, 2018.
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 600152, 71050 Sindelfingen, Germany;
telephone: +49 703 1301-0; fax: +49 703 1301-136; email: germany.com">aircraft@solo-germany.com; internet: http://aircraft.solo-online.com. You may review
copies of the referenced service information at the FAA, Policy and
Innovation Division, 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-2018-
0093; 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 proposed AD, the regulatory evaluation, any comments received, and
other information. The street address for Docket Operations (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 Standards Branch, 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-2018-0093;
Product Identifier 2017-CE-047-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, including any personal information you provide. We
will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact we
receive about this proposed AD.
Discussion
We issued AD 2017-11-03, Amendment 39-18902 (82 FR 24015; May 25,
2017) (``AD 2017-11-03''). That AD required actions intended to address
an unsafe condition on DG Flugzeugbau GmbH Model DG-500MB gliders and
was based on mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI)
originated by the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the
Technical Agent for the Member States of the European Community. That
MCAI is EASA AD No.: 2016-0254, dated December 15, 2016, correction
dated January 4, 2017 (referred to after this as ``the MCAI'').
Since we issued AD 2017-11-03, the FAA has now type certificated
the DG Flugzeugbau GmbH Model DG-1000M glider and that glider model is
equipped with a Solo 2625 02i engine. Since this model has the same
engine, it is subject to the same unsafe condition in AD 2017-11-03.
You may examine the MCAI on the internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2018-
0093.
Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51
Solo Kleinmotoren GmbH has issued Technische Mitteilung (English
translation: Service Bulletin) Nr. 4600-6, Ausgabe 1 (English
translation: Issue 1), dated November 16, 2016, approved for
incorporation by reference on June 29, 2017 (82 FR 24015; May 25,
2017). The service information describes procedures for a software
update that provides new settings to the engine control unit (ECU) to
lower the load on the bearings of the crankshaft. 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 the ADDRESSES section of this NPRM.
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 6 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.
[[Page 5957]]
Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of the proposed AD on
U.S. operators to be $1,020, or $170 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.
This AD is issued in accordance with authority delegated by the
Executive Director, Aircraft Certification Service, as authorized by
FAA Order 8000.51C. In accordance with that order, issuance of ADs is
normally a function of the Compliance and Airworthiness Division, but
during this transition period, the Executive Director has delegated the
authority to issue ADs applicable to small airplanes, gliders,
balloons, airships, domestic business jet transport airplanes, and
associated appliances to the Director of the Policy and Innovation
Division.
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. The FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by removing Amendment 39-18902 (82 FR
24015; May 25, 2017), and adding the following new AD:
DG Flugzeugbau GmbH: Docket No. FAA-2018-0093; Product Identifier
2017-CE-047-AD.
(a) Comments Due Date
We must receive comments by March 29, 2018.
(b) Affected ADs
This AD replaces AD 2017-11-03, Amendment 39-18902 (82 FR 24015;
May 25, 2017) (``AD 2017-11-03'').
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to DG Flugzeugbau GmbH DG-500MB and DG-1000M
gliders, all serial numbers, certificated in any category, that are
equipped with Solo 2625 02 engines modified with a fuel injection
system following the instructions of Solo Kleinmotoren GmbH Service
Bulletin (SB)/Technische Mitteilung (TM) 4600-3 ``Fuel Injection
System'' and re-identified as Solo 2625 02i, or equipped with a Solo
2625 02i engine at manufacture, and have engine serial numbers (S/N)
through 369/207, except engine S/N's 354/194, 356/196, 357/197, 358/
198, 361/201, 362/202, 363/203, 364/204, and 368/206.
(d) Subject
Air Transport Association of America (ATA) Code 73: Engine fuel
and control.
(e) Reason
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. AD 2017-11-03 resulted from failure of the connecting rod
bearing because of too much load on the rod bearings from the engine
control unit. This AD results from the need to add an airplane model
to the applicability. We are issuing this AD to prevent such failure
that could lead to the potential of an in-flight shut-down and
engine fire and result in loss of control and to include FAA type
certificated DG Flugzeugbau GmbH Model DG-1000M gliders with Solo
2625 02i engines.
(f) Actions and Compliance
(1) For DG Flugzeugbau GmbH Model DG-500MB gliders: Unless
already done, within the next 60 days after June 29, 2017 (the
effective date of AD 2017-11-03), modify the engine by installing a
software update for the engine control unit (ECU) following the
actions in Solo Kleinmotoren GmbH Technische Mitteilung (English
translation: Service Bulletin), Nr. 4600-6, Ausgabe 1 (English
translation: Issue 1), dated November 16, 2016.
(2) For DG Flugzeugbau GmbH Model DG-1000M gliders: Unless
already done, within the next 60 days after the effective date of
this AD, modify the engine by installing a software update for the
engine control unit (ECU) following the actions in Solo Kleinmotoren
GmbH Technische Mitteilung (English translation: Service Bulletin),
Nr. 4600-6, Ausgabe 1 (English translation: Issue 1), dated November
16, 2016.
(3) For all gliders: After the modification of an engine as
required by paragraph (f)(1) or (f)(2) of this AD, do not install a
replacement ECU on that engine and do not upload any software update
to the ECU of that engine unless the ECU software version is as
specified in Solo Kleinmotoren GmbH Technische Mitteilung (English
translation: Service Bulletin), Nr. 4600-6, Ausgabe 1 (English
translation: Issue 1), dated November 16, 2016.
(4) For all gliders: The Note in Solo Kleinmotoren GmbH
Technische Mitteilung (English translation: Service Bulletin), Nr.
4600-6, Ausgabe 1 (English translation: Issue 1), dated November 16,
2016, stating ``the actions have to be accomplished by a certified
maintenance organization and must be released to service
accordingly'' is not applicable to this AD.
Note 1 to paragraph (f) of this AD: This service information
contains German to English translation. The EASA used the English
translation in referencing the document. For enforceability
purposes, we will refer to the Solo Kleinmotoren service information
as it appears on the document.
(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 Standards Branch, 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
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) Contacting the Manufacturer: For any requirement in this AD
to obtain corrective actions from a manufacturer, the action must
[[Page 5958]]
be accomplished using a method approved by the Manager, Small
Airplane Standards Branch, FAA; or the European Aviation Safety
Agency (EASA).
(h) Related Information
Refer to MCAI European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD No.:
2016-0254, dated December 15, 2016, correction dated January 4,
2017, for related information. You may examine the MCAI on the
internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating
Docket No. FAA-2018-0093. For service information related to this
AD, contact Solo Kleinmotoren GmbH, Postfach 600152, 71050
Sindelfingen, Germany; telephone: +49 703 1301-0; fax: +49 703 1301-
136; email: germany.com">aircraft@solo-germany.com; internet: http://aircraft.solo-online.com. You may review copies of the referenced
service information at the FAA, Policy and Innovation Division, 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 February 5, 2018.
Melvin J. Johnson,
Deputy Director, Policy & Innovation Division, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 2018-02608 Filed 2-9-18; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P