02-17304. Airworthiness Directives; Glaser-Dirks Flugzeugbau GmbH Models DG-400 and DG-800A Sailplanes

AGENCY:

Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION:

Final rule.

SUMMARY:

This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) that applies to all Glaser-Dirks Flugzeugbau GmbH (DG Flugzeugbau) Models DG-400 and DG-800A sailplanes. This AD requires you to inspect the rear plate of the propeller mount for marks and/or cracks and replace if necessary. This AD also requires you to inspect the mounting blocks for cracks and replace if necessary. This AD is the result of mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) issued by the airworthiness authority for Germany. The actions specified by this AD are intended to detect and correct cracks in the propeller mount plate and mounting blocks, which could result in reduced structural integrity of the propeller mounting structure. This could lead to a hazardous flight condition or loss of control of the sailplane.

DATES:

This AD becomes effective on August 23, 2002.

The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in the regulations as of August 23, 2002.

ADDRESSES:

You may get the service information referenced in this AD from DG Flugzeugbau, Postbox 41 20, D-76625 Bruchsal, Federal Republic of Germany; telephone: ++49 7257-890; facsimile: ++49 72578922. You may view this information at the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Central Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket No. 2002CE-12AD, 901 Locust, Room 506, 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:

Mike Kiesov, Aerospace Engineer, FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, Missouri 64016; telephone: [phone]; facsimile: [phone].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

What Events Have Caused This AD?

The Luftfahrt-Bundesamt (LBA), which is the airworthiness authority for the Federal Republic of Germany, recently notified FAA that an unsafe condition may exist on all Model DG-400 and DG-800A sailplanes. The LBA reports that cracks have been found on the rear plate of the propeller mount on one DG-400 sailplane. The cracks were found during regular maintenance. Models DG-400 and DG-800A sailplanes are equipped with the same propeller mount structure.

What Is the Potential Impact if FAA Took No Action?

This condition, if left undetected and corrected, could result in reduced structural integrity of the propeller mounting structure. This could lead to a hazardous flight condition or loss of control of the sailplane.

Has FAA Taken Any Action to This Point?

We issued a proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) to include an AD that would apply to all DG Flugzeugbau Models DG-400 and DG-800A sailplanes. This proposal was published in the Federal Register as a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) on May 20, 2002 (67 FR 35456). The NPRM proposed to require you to inspect the rear plate of the propeller mount for marks and/or cracks and replace if necessary. The NPRM also proposed to require you to inspect the mounting blocks for cracks and replace if necessary.

Was the Public Invited To Comment?

The FAA encouraged interested persons to participate in the making of this amendment. We did not receive any comments on the proposed rule or on our determination of the cost to the public.

FAA's Determination

What Is FAA's Final Determination on This Issue?

After careful review of all available information related to the subject presented above, we have determined that air safety and the public interest require the adoption of the rule as proposed except for minor editorial corrections. We have determined that these minor corrections:

—provide the intent that was proposed in the NPRM for correcting the unsafe condition; and

—do not add any additional burden upon the public than was already proposed in the NPRM.

Cost Impact

How Many Sailplanes Does This AD Impact?

We estimate that this AD affects 43 sailplanes in the U.S. registry.

What Is the Cost Impact of This AD on Owners/Operators of the Affected Sailplanes?

We estimate the following costs to accomplish the inspection:

Labor cost	Parts cost	Total cost per sailplane	Total cost on U.S. operators
1 workhour × $60 per hour = $60	No parts required for the inspection	$60	43 × $60 = $2,580.

We estimate the following costs to accomplish any necessary replacements that will be required based on the results of the inspection. We have no way of determining the number of sailplanes that may need such replacement:

Labor cost	Parts cost	Total cost per sailplane
2 workhours × $60 per hour = $120	$400	$120 + $400 = $520.

Compliance Time of This AD

What Will Be the Compliance Time of This AD?

The compliance time of the inspection is “within the next 25 hours time-in-service (TIS) or 3 calendar months after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs first.”

Why Is the Compliance Time of This AD Presented in Both Hours TIS and Calendar Time?

The unsafe condition on these sailplanes is not a result of the number of times the sailplane is operated. Sailplane operation varies among operators. For example, one operator may operate the sailplane 50 hours TIS in 3 months while it may take another operator 12 months or more to accumulate 50 hours TIS. For this reason, the FAA has determined that the compliance time of this AD should be specified in both hours TIS and calendar time in order to ensure this condition is not allowed to go uncorrected over time.

Regulatory Impact

Does This AD Impact Various Entities?

The regulations adopted herein 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. Therefore, it is determined that this final rule does not have federalism implications under Executive Order 13132.

Does This AD Involve a Significant Rule or Regulatory Action?

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 copy of the final evaluation prepared for this action is contained in the Rules Docket. A copy of it may be obtained by contacting the Rules Docket at the location provided under the caption ADDRESSES.

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 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.

§ 39.13

[Amended]

2. FAA amends § 39.13 by adding a new AD to read as follows:

2002-14-18 Glaser-Dirks Flugzeugbau GMBH: Amendment 39-12818; Docket No. 2002-CE-12-AD.

(a) What sailplanes are affected by this AD? This AD affects Models DG-400 and DG-800A sailplanes, all serial numbers, that are certificated in any category.

(b) Who must comply with this AD? Anyone who wishes to operate any of the sailplanes identified in paragraph (a) of this AD must comply with this AD.

(c) What problem does this AD address? The actions specified by this AD are intended to detect and correct cracks in the propeller mount plate, which could result in reduced structural integrity of the propeller mounting structure. This could lead to a hazardous flight condition or loss of control of the sailplane.

(d) What actions must I accomplish to address this problem? To address this problem, you must accomplish the following:

Actions	Compliance	Procedures
(1) Accomplish the following inspections: (i) Inspect the rear plate of the propeller mount for cracks and any marks made by the mounting bolt washer; and (ii) Inspect the mounting blocks for the rear plate of the propeller mount for cracks	Inspect within the next 25 hours time-in-service (TIS) or 3 calendar months after August 23, 2002 (the effective date of this AD), whichever occurs first	In accordance with DG Flugzeugbau Technical Note No. 826/42, dated August 30, 2001; or DG Flugzeugbau Technical Note No. 873/25, dated August 30, 2001, as applicable, and the applicable maintenance manual.
(2) Accomplish the following if cracks and/or marks are found during the inspections required in paragraph (d)(1) of this AD: (i) If a mark made by the mounting bolt washer is found and the mark is 0.1 mm deep or less and no cracks are found on the rear plate of the propeller mount, polish out the mark using standard maintenance practices; (ii) If a mark made by the mounting bolt washer is found and the mark is more than 0.1 mm deep and/or cracks are found on the rear plate of the propeller mount, replace the rear plate with a new one. Use new bolts and washers as required by paragraph (d)(3) of this AD; and (iii) If cracks are found on the mounting block(s) of the rear plate of the propeller mount, replace the mounting block(s) with a new one. Use new bolts and washers as required by paragraph (d)(3) of this Ad	Prior to further flight after the inspections required in paragraph (d)(1) of this AD	In accordance with DG Flugzeugbau Technical Note No. 826/42, dated August 30, 2001; or DG Flugzeugbau Technical Note No. 873/25, dated August 30, 2001, as applicable, and the applicable maintenance manual.
(3) Reinstall the rear plate of the propeller mount to the mounting blocks using new bolts, M10x25 DIN912-8.8zn with the aluminum washer S48 (or FAA-approved equivalent parts)	Prior to further flight after the inspections required in paragraph (d)(1) of this AD and/or after the replacements required in paragraph (d)(2) of this AD	In accordance with DG Flugzeugbau Technical Note No. 826/42, dated August 30, 2001; or DG Flugzeugbau Technical Note No. 873/25, dated August 30, 2001, as applicable, and the applicable maintenance manual.
(4) Do not install any rear propeller mount plate mounting bolts that are not bolts M10x25 DIN912-8.8zn with aluminum washer S48 (or FAA-approved equivalent parts)	As of August 23, 2002 (the effective date of this AD)	Not applicable.

(e) Can I comply with this AD in any other way? You may use an alternative method of compliance or adjust the compliance time if:

(1) Your alternative method of compliance provides an equivalent level of safety; and

(2) The Standards Office Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, approves your alternative. Submit your request through an FAA Principal Maintenance Inspector, who may add comments and then send it to the Manager, Standards Office Manager.

Note:

This AD applies to each sailplane identified in paragraph (a) of this AD, 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 (e) 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 you have not eliminated the unsafe condition, specific actions you propose to address it.

(f) Where can I get information about any already-approved alternative methods of compliance? Contact Mike Kiesov, Aerospace Engineer, FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, Missouri 64016; telephone: [phone]; facsimile: [phone].

(g) What if I need to fly the sailplane to another location to comply with this AD? The FAA can issue a special flight permit under sections 21.197 and 21.199 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 21.197 and 21.199) to operate your sailplane to a location where you can accomplish the requirements of this AD.

(h) Are any service bulletins incorporated into this AD by reference? Actions required by this AD must be done in accordance with DG Flugzeugbau Technical Note No. 826/42, dated August 30, 2001; or DG Flugzeugbau Technical Note No. 873/25, dated August 30, 2001. The Director of the Federal Register approved this incorporation by reference under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. You may get copies from DG Flugzeugbau, Postbox 41 20, D-76625 Bruchsal, Federal Republic of Germany. You may view copies at the FAA, Central Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, 901 Locust, Room 506, Kansas City, Missouri, or at the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW, suite 700, Washington, DC.

(i) When does this amendment become effective? This amendment becomes effective on August 23, 2002.

Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on July 3, 2002.

Dorenda D. Baker,

Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.