96-3970. Airworthiness Directives; Glaser-Dirks Flugzeugbau GmbH DG-500M Sailplanes  

  • [Federal Register Volume 61, Number 37 (Friday, February 23, 1996)]
    [Rules and Regulations]
    [Pages 6937-6938]
    From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
    [FR Doc No: 96-3970]
    
    
    
    -----------------------------------------------------------------------
    
    
    DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
    14 CFR Part 39
    
    [Docket No. 95-CE-16-AD; Amendment 39-9524; AD 96-04-12]
    
    
    Airworthiness Directives; Glaser-Dirks Flugzeugbau GmbH DG-500M 
    Sailplanes
    
    AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
    
    ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.
    
    -----------------------------------------------------------------------
    
    SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) that 
    applies to certain Glaser-Dirks Flugzeugbau GmbH (Glaser-Dirks) DG-500M 
    sailplanes. This action requires replacing the airbrake control hook-up 
    shaft with a part of improved design. Reports of cracks in the welding 
    of the lever to the torsion tube of the airbrake control prompted this 
    action. The actions specified in this AD are intended to prevent an 
    unintended extension of the airbrakes caused by failure of the lever to 
    the torsion tube of the airbrake control, which could result in 
    flutter, excessive rate of descent, and loss of control of the 
    sailplane.
    
    DATES: Effective March 29, 1996.
        Comments for inclusion in the Rules Docket must be received on or 
    before April 19, 1996.
    
    ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
    Administration (FAA), Central Region, Office of the Assistant Chief 
    Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket 95-CE-16-AD, Room 1558, 601 E. 12th 
    Street, Kansas City, Missouri 64106.
        Service information that applies to this AD may be obtained from 
    Glaser-Dirks Flugzeugbau GmbH, Im Schollengarten 19-20, D-78646 
    Buchsal-UnterGrombach 4, Germany. This information may also be examined 
    at the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Central Region, Office of 
    the Assistant Chief Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket No. 95-CE-16-AD, 
    Room 1558, 601 E. 12th Street, Kansas City, Missouri 64106; or at the 
    Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street NW., suite 
    700, Washington, DC.
    
    FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Herman Belderok, Project Officer, 
    Sailplanes, FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 1201 Walnut, suite 900, 
    Kansas City, Missouri 64106; telephone (816) 426-6932; facsimile (816) 
    426-2169.
    
    SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Luftfarht-Bundesant (LBA), which is the 
    airworthiness authority for Germany, recently notified the FAA that an 
    unsafe condition may exist on certain Glaser-Dirks DG-500M sailplanes. 
    The LBA reports cracks in the welding of the lever to the torsion tube 
    of the airbrake control. In one instance, the airbrake control failed, 
    resulting in an unintended airbrake extension. If not detected and 
    corrected, a cracked lever to the torsion tube of the airbrake control 
    could result in an unintended extension of the airbrakes with 
    subsequent possible flutter, excessive rate of descent, and loss of 
    control of the sailplane.
        Glaser-Dirks Technical Note (TN) No. 843/3-2, dated October 28, 
    1992, contains information about replacing the airbrake control hook-up 
    shaft (part number 5 St 57) on DG-500M sailplanes with an airbrake 
    control hook-up shaft of improved design (part number 5 St 57 change 
    b). The LBA classified this technical note as mandatory and issued LBA 
    AD 92-358, dated October 30, 1992, in order to assure the continued 
    airworthiness of these sailplanes in Germany.
        This sailplane model is manufactured in Germany and is type 
    certificated for operation in the United States under the provisions of 
    section 21.29 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 21.29) and 
    the applicable bilateral airworthiness agreement. Pursuant to this 
    bilateral airworthiness agreement, the LBA has kept the FAA informed of 
    the situation described. The FAA has examined the findings of the LBA, 
    reviewed all available information, and determined that AD action is 
    necessary for products of this type design that are certificated for 
    operation in the United States.
        Since an unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to 
    exist or develop on other Glaser-Dirks DG-500M sailplanes of the same 
    type design registered in the United States, this AD requires replacing 
    the airbrake control hook-up shaft (part number 5 St 57) with an 
    airbrake control hook-up shaft of improved design (part number 5 St 57 
    change b). Accomplishment of the replacement is in accordance with the 
    applicable maintenance or service manual. Improved design airbrake 
    control hook-up shafts may be obtained from Glaser-Dirks on an exchange 
    basis.
        None of the DG-500M sailplanes affected by this action are on the 
    U.S. Register. All sailplanes included in the applicability of this 
    rule currently are operated by non-U.S. operators under foreign 
    registry; therefore, they are not directly affected by this AD action. 
    However, the FAA considers this rule necessary to ensure that the 
    unsafe condition is addressed in the event that any of these subject 
    sailplanes are imported and placed on the U.S. Register.
        Should an affected sailplane be imported and placed on the U.S. 
    Register, accomplishment of the required replacement and inspection 
    would take approximately 8 workhours at an average labor charge of $60 
    per workhour. Parts are provided by Glaser-Dirks at no cost on an 
    exchange basis. Based on these figures, the total cost impact of this 
    AD would be $480 per sailplane that would become registered in the 
    United States.
        Since this AD action does not affect any sailplane that is 
    currently on the U.S. register, it has no adverse economic impact and 
    imposes no additional burden on any person. Therefore, notice and 
    public procedures hereon are unnecessary and the amendment may be made 
    effective in less than 30 days after publication in the Federal 
    Register.
    
    Comments Invited
    
        Although this action is in the form of a final rule and was not 
    preceded by notice and opportunity for public comment, comments are 
    invited on this rule. Interested persons are invited to 
    
    [[Page 6938]]
    comment on this rule by submitting such written data, views, or 
    arguments as they may desire. Communications shall identify the Rules 
    Docket number and be submitted in triplicate to the address specified 
    under the caption ADDRESSES. All communications received on or before 
    the closing date for comments will be considered, and this rule may be 
    amended in light of the comments received. Factual information that 
    supports the commenter's ideas and suggestions is extremely helpful in 
    evaluating the effectiveness of the AD action and determining whether 
    additional rulemaking action would be needed.
        Comments are specifically invited on the overall regulatory, 
    economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the rule that might 
    suggest a need to modify the rule. All comments submitted will be 
    available, both before and after the closing date for comments, in the 
    Rules Docket for examination by interested persons. A report that 
    summarizes each FAA-public contact concerned with the substance of this 
    AD will be filed in the Rules Docket.
        Commenters wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments 
    submitted in response to this rule must submit a self-addressed, 
    stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments 
    to Docket No. 95-CE-16-AD.'' The postcard will be date stamped and 
    returned to the commenter.
        The regulations adopted herein will not have substantial direct 
    effects 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. Therefore, in 
    accordance with Executive Order 12612, it is determined that this final 
    rule does not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant the 
    preparation of a Federalism Assessment.
        For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this action (1) is 
    not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive Order 12866; 
    (2) is not a ``significant rule'' under DOT Regulatory Policies and 
    Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979); and (3) 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. A final evaluation has been prepared for this action 
    and it is contained in the Rules Docket. A copy of it may be obtained 
    from the Rules Docket at the location provided under the caption 
    ADDRESSES.
    
    List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
    
        Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Safety.
    
    Adoption of the Amendment
    
        Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the 
    Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration amends part 39 of 
    the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) as follows:
    
    PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
    
        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]
    
        2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding a new airworthiness directive 
    (AD) to read as follows:
    
    96-04-12  Glaser-Dirks Flugzeugbau GmbH: Amendment 39-9524; Docket 
    95-CE-16-AD.
    
        Applicability: DG-500M sailplanes (serial numbers 5E30M14 
    through 5E60M25), certificated in any category.
    
        Note 1: This AD applies to each sailplane identified in the 
    preceding applicability provision, regardless of whether it has been 
    modified, altered, or repaired in the area subject to the 
    requirements of this AD. For sailplanes that have been modified, 
    altered, or repaired so that the performance of the requirements of 
    this AD is affected, the owner/operator must request approval for an 
    alternative method of compliance in accordance with paragraph (c) of 
    this AD. The request should include an assessment of the effect of 
    the modification, alteration, or repair on the unsafe condition 
    addressed by this AD; and, if the unsafe condition has not been 
    eliminated, the request should include specific proposed actions to 
    address it.
        Compliance: Required prior to further flight after the effective 
    date of this AD, unless already accomplished.
        To prevent an unintended extension of the airbrakes caused by 
    failure of the lever to the torsion tube of the airbrake control, 
    which could result in flutter, excessive rate of descent, and loss 
    of control of the sailplane, accomplish the following:
        (a) Replace the airbrake control hook-up shaft (part number 5 St 
    57) with an airbrake control hook-up shaft of improved design (part 
    number 5 St 57 change b). Accomplishment of the replacement is in 
    accordance with the applicable maintenance or service manual.
    
        Note 2: Glaser-Dirks Technical Note No. 843/3-2, dated October 
    28, 1992, references an exchange program where improved design 
    airbrake control hook-up shafts may be obtained at no cost.
    
        (b) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with 
    sections 21.197 and 21.199 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 
    CFR 21.197 and 21.199) to operate the sailplane to a location where 
    the requirements of this AD can be accomplished.
        (c) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the 
    compliance time that provides an equivalent level of safety may be 
    approved by the Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, FAA, 1201 
    Walnut, suite 900, Kansas City, Missouri 64106. The request shall be 
    forwarded through an appropriate FAA Maintenance Inspector, who may 
    add comments and then send it to the Manager, Small Airplane 
    Directorate.
    
        Note 3: Information concerning the existence of approved 
    alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be 
    obtained from the Small Airplane Directorate.
    
        (d) All persons affected by this directive may obtain copies of 
    the document referred to herein upon request to Glaser-Dirks 
    Flugzeugbau GmbH, Im Schollengarten 19-20, D-78646 Buchsal-
    UnterGrombach 4, Germany; or may examine this document at the FAA, 
    Central Region, Office of the Assistant Chief Counsel, Room 1558, 
    601 E. 12th Street, Kansas City, Missouri 64106.
        (e) This amendment (39-9524) becomes effective on March 29, 
    1996.
    
        Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on February 15, 1996.
    Michael Gallagher,
    Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
    [FR Doc. 96-3970 Filed 2-22-96; 8:45 am]
    BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
    
    

Document Information

Effective Date:
3/29/1996
Published:
02/23/1996
Department:
Transportation Department
Entry Type:
Rule
Action:
Final rule; request for comments.
Document Number:
96-3970
Dates:
Effective March 29, 1996.
Pages:
6937-6938 (2 pages)
Docket Numbers:
Docket No. 95-CE-16-AD, Amendment 39-9524, AD 96-04-12
PDF File:
96-3970.pdf
CFR: (1)
14 CFR 39.13