[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 155 (Wednesday, August 12, 1998)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 43072-43073]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-21493]
[[Page 43072]]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 98-CE-07-AD; Amendment 39-10705; AD 98-17-03]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Glaser-Dirks Flugzeugbau GmbH Model DG-
400 Gliders
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 (Glaser-Dirks) Model DG-
400 gliders. This AD requires replacing the propeller shaft, the
bearings, and the front drive belt retaining rings with ones of
improved design. 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 prevent
failure of the propeller shaft caused by an ineffective design, which
could result in loss of glider propulsion during critical phases of
flight.
DATES: Effective September 26, 1998.
The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as
of September 26, 1998.
ADDRESSES: Service information that applies to this AD may be obtained
from Glaser-Dirks Flugzeugbau GmbH, Im Schollengarten 19-20, 7520
Bruchsal 4, Germany; telephone: +49 7257-89-0; facsimile: +49 7257-
8922. This information may also be examined at the Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), Central Region, Office of the Regional Counsel,
Attention: Rules Docket No. 98-CE-07-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: Mike Kiesov, Aerospace Engineer, FAA,
Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service, 1201
Walnut, suite 900, Kansas City, Missouri 64106; telephone: (816) 426-
6934; facsimile: (816) 426-2169.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Events Leading to the Issuance of This AD
A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14
CFR part 39) to include an AD that would apply to all Glaser-Dirks
Model DG-400 gliders was published in the Federal Register as a notice
of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) on May 21, 1998 (63 FR 27870). The NPRM
proposed to require replacing the propeller shaft, the bearings, and
the front drive belt retaining rings with parts of improved design.
Accomplishment of the proposed action as specified in the NPRM would be
in accordance with DG Flugzeugbau Technical Note No. 826/32, dated July
19, 1996, and DG Flugzeugbau WORKING INSTRUCTION No. 1 for TN 826/32,
dated July, 1996.
The NPRM was the result of mandatory continuing airworthiness
information (MCAI) issued by the airworthiness authority for Germany.
Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate
in the making of this amendment. No comments were received on the
proposed rule or the FAA's determination of the cost to the public.
The FAA's Determination
After careful review of all available information related to the
subject presented above, the FAA has determined that air safety and the
public interest require the adoption of the rule as proposed except for
minor editorial corrections. The FAA has determined that these minor
corrections will not change the meaning of the AD and will not add any
additional burden upon the public than was already proposed.
Cost Impact
The FAA estimates that 35 gliders in the U.S. registry will be
affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 5 workhours per
glider to accomplish this action, and that the average labor rate is
approximately $60 an hour. Parts cost approximately $460 per glider.
Based on these figures, the total cost impact of this AD on U.S.
operators is estimated to be $26,600, or $760 per glider.
Compliance Time of this AD
The compliance time of this AD is in calendar time instead of hours
time-in-service (TIS). The average monthly usage of the affected glider
ranges throughout the fleet. For example, one owner may operate the
glider 25 hours TIS in one week, while another operator may operate the
glider 25 hours TIS in one year. In order to ensure that all of the
owners/operators of the affected glider have replaced the propeller
shaft, bearings and front drive belt retaining rings within a
reasonable amount of time, the FAA is utilizing a compliance time of 4
calendar months after the effective date of this AD.
Regulatory Impact
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 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, 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:
98-17-03 Glaser-Dirks Flugzeugbau GMBH: Amendment 39-10705; Docket
No. 98-CE-07-AD.
Applicability: Model DG-400 gliders, all serial numbers,
certificated in any category.
Note 1: This AD applies to each glider 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 gliders that have been modified,
altered, or repaired so that the performance of the
[[Page 43073]]
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 within the next 4 calendar months after the
effective date of this AD, unless already accomplished.
To prevent failure of the propeller shaft caused by an
ineffective design, which could result in loss of glider propulsion
during critical phases of flight, accomplish the following:
(a) Replace the propeller shaft, the bearings, and the front
drive belt retaining rings with parts of improved design in
accordance with paragraph 2 of the Instructions section of DG
Flugzeugbau Technical Note No. 826/32, dated July 19, 1996, and
WORKING INSTRUCTION No. 1 for TN 826/32, dated July, 1996.
(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 glider 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 2: Information concerning the existence of approved
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be
obtained from the Small Airplane Directorate.
(d) Questions or technical information related to DG Flugzeugbau
Technical Note No. 826/32, dated July 19, 1996, and DG Flugzeugbau
WORKING INSTRUCTION No. 1 for TN 826/32, dated July, 1996, should be
directed to DG Flugzeugbau GmbH, P.O. Box 4120, 76625 Bruchsal,
Germany; telephone: +49 7257-89-0; facsimile: +49 7257-8922. This
service information may be examined at the FAA, Central Region,
Office of the Regional Counsel, Room 1558, 601 E. 12th Street,
Kansas City, Missouri 64106.
(e) The replacements required by this AD shall be done in
accordance with DG Flugzeugbau Technical Note No. 826/32, dated July
19, 1996, and DG Flugzeugbau WORKING INSTRUCTION No. 1 for TN 826/
32, dated July, 1996. This incorporation by reference was approved
by the Director of the Federal Register in accordance with 5 U.S.C.
552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. Copies may be obtained from DG Flugzeugbau
GmbH, P.O. Box 4120, 76625 Bruchsal, Germany. Copies may be
inspected at the FAA, Central Region, Office of the Regional
Counsel, Room 1558, 601 E. 12th Street, Kansas City, Missouri, or at
the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW,
suite 700, Washington, DC.
Note 3: The subject of this AD is addressed in German AD 96-243
DG-Flugzeugbau, dated August 29, 1996.
(f) This amendment becomes effective on September 26, 1998.
Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on August 4, 1998.
Michael Gallagher,
Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 98-21493 Filed 8-11-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U
