07-4090. Airworthiness Directives; DG Flugzeugbau GmbH Model DG-500MB Gliders and Glaser-Dirks Flugzeugbau GmbH Model DG-800B Gliders

AGENCY:

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION:

Final rule; request for comments.

SUMMARY:

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for the products listed above. This AD results from mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) issued by the aviation authority of another country to identify and correct an unsafe condition on an aviation product. The MCAI describes the unsafe condition as:

Instead of the hub normally used which carries the starter ring gear and the hub for the tooth belt a slip-clutch can be mounted. The unit contains the hub for the tooth belt and the starter ring gear. Occurrences during service have shown that under bad conditions excessive wear on several parts of the clutch can occur.

This AD requires actions that are intended to address the unsafe condition described in the MCAI.

DATES:

This AD becomes effective September 10, 2007.

On September 10, 2007, the Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in this AD.

We must receive comments on this AD by September 20, 2007.

ADDRESSES:

You may send comments by any of the following methods:

• DOT Docket Web Site: Go to http://dms.dot.gov and follow the instructions for sending your comments electronically.
• Fax: [phone].
• 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.
• Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.

Examining the AD Docket

You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://dms.dot.gov;​; 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 AD, the regulatory evaluation, any comments received, and other information. The street address for the Docket Office (telephone [phone]) is in the ADDRESSES section. Comments will be available in the AD docket shortly after receipt.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Gregory Davison, Aerospace Engineer, FAA, Small Airplanes Directorate, 901 Locust St., Room 301, Kansas City, Missouri 64016; telephone: [phone]; fax: [phone].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of the European Community, has issued Emergency AD No. 2007-0001R1-E, dated January 10, 2007, (referred to after this as “the MCAI”), to correct an unsafe condition for the specified products. The MCAI states:

Instead of the hub normally used which carries the starter ring gear and the hub for the tooth belt a slip-clutch can be mounted. The unit contains the hub for the tooth belt and the starter ring gear. Occurrences during service have shown that under bad conditions excessive wear on several parts of the clutch can occur. In order to avoid further damages the affected parts of the slip clutch on the engines SOLO 2 625 01 and SOLO 2 652 02 have to be inspected and replaced, if necessary. In order to check the condition of the clutch on all engines SOLO 2 625 in future, additional procedures are installed and additional inspection terms are introduced. The cover place in front of the slip clutch has to be replaced by a stronger plate with the No. 2042888.

The original Emergency AD has now been revised to indicate that the initial inspection of the installed slip-clutch is required when 12.5 hours in operation have been accumulated.

You may obtain further information by examining the MCAI in the AD docket.

Relevant Service Information

SOLO Kleinmotoren GmbH has issued Service Bulletin Nr. 4600-2-2, dated December 27, 2006. 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 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 issuing this AD because we evaluated all information provided by the State of Design Authority and determined the unsafe condition exists and is likely to exist or develop on other products of the same type design.

Differences Between This AD and the MCAI or Service Information

We have reviewed the MCAI and related service information and, in general, agree with their substance. But we might have found it necessary to use different words from those in the MCAI to ensure the AD is clear for U.S. operators and is enforceable. In making these changes, we do not intend to differ substantively from the information provided in the MCAI and related service information.

We might have also required different actions in this AD from those in the MCAI in order to follow FAA policies. Any such differences are described in a separate paragraph of the AD. These requirements take precedence over those copied from the MCAI.

FAA's Determination of the Effective Date

An unsafe condition exists that requires the immediate adoption of this AD. The FAA has found that the risk to the flying public justifies waiving notice and comment prior to adoption of this rule because occurrences during service have shown that under certain conditions, excessive wear on several parts of the clutch can occur. Excessive wear could cause the slip clutch to disengage at an undesired torque, which could result in reduced power during critical phases of flight. Therefore, we determined that notice and opportunity for public comment before issuing this AD are impracticable and that good cause exists for making this amendment effective in fewer than 30 days.

Comments Invited

This AD is a final rule that involves requirements affecting flight safety, and we did not precede it by notice and opportunity for public comment. We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or arguments about this AD. Send your comments to an address listed under the ADDRESSES section. Include “Docket No. FAA-2007-28610; Directorate Identifier 2007-CE-058-AD” at the beginning of your comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this AD. We will consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend this AD because of those comments.

We will post all comments we receive, without change, to http://dms.dot.gov,, including any personal information you provide. We will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact we receive about this AD.

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 AD will not have federalism implications under Executive Order 13132. This AD 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.

For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this AD:

(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.

We prepared a regulatory evaluation of the estimated costs to comply with this AD and placed it in the AD docket.

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 FAA amends 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. The FAA amends § 39.13 by adding the following new AD:

2007-17-08 DG Flugzeugbau GmbH and Glaser-Dirks Flugzeugbau GmbH: Amendment 39-15166; Docket No. FAA-2007-28610; Directorate Identifier 2007-CE-058-AD.

Effective Date

(a) This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective September 10, 2007.

Affected ADs

(b) None.

Applicability

(c) This AD applies to Models DG-500MB and DG-800B gliders, all serial numbers, that:

(1) Have SOLO engine 2 625 01 equipped with optional slip-clutch sets, SOLO part number (P/N) 29 00 202, installed; or

(2) Have SOLO engine 2 625 02 equipped with optional slip-clutch sets, SOLO P/N 29 00 202, installed; and

(3) Are certificated in any category.

Subject

(d) Air Transport Association of America (ATA) Code 61: Propellers.

Reason

(e) The mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) states:

Instead of the hub normally used which carries the starter ring gear and the hub for the tooth belt a slip-clutch can be mounted. The unit contains the hub for the tooth belt and the starter ring gear. Occurrences during service have shown that under bad conditions excessive wear on several parts of the clutch can occur. In order to avoid further damages the affected parts of the slip clutch on the engines SOLO 2 625 01 and SOLO 2 652 02 have to be inspected and replaced, if necessary. In order to check the condition of the clutch on all engines SOLO 2 625 in future, additional procedures are installed and additional inspection terms are introduced. The cover place in front of the slip clutch has to be replaced by a stronger plate with the No. 2042888.

The original Emergency AD has now been revised to indicate that the initial inspection of the installed slip-clutch is required when 12.5 hours in operation have been accumulated.

Actions and Compliance

(f) Unless already done, do the following actions.

(1) Before further flight after September 10, 2007 (the effective date of this AD):

(i) Remove the cover plate of the slip-clutch;

(ii) Inspect the friction pads for wear. Dimension in new condition is .335 inches (8.5 mm), the wear limit is .256 inches (6.5 mm);

(iii) Inspect the slip-clutch shoes on the contact surface to the hub for wear. The wear limit is .039 inches (1 mm);

(iv) Replace any parts found to be outside the wear limit; and

(v) Assemble the slip-clutch with a new cover plate, P/N 2042888.

(2) Every 12.5 hours time-in-service (TIS) after doing the actions required by paragraph (f)(1) of this AD, repetitively inspect the slip-clutch and replace any parts found to be outside the wear limit before further flight after the inspection in which the part(s) exceeds the specified limit.

(3) Every 25 hours TIS after September 10, 2007 (the effective date of this AD), inspect the tiltplay of the clutch drum on the hub for excessive play.

(i) With the tooth belt released, measure the play in the axial direction on the starter gear. The play limit is .024 inches (0.6 mm); and

(ii) Before further flight after any inspection in which excessive play is found, replace with an FAA-approved part that is new or overhauled by the manufacturer.

(4) Every 50 hours TIS after September 10, 2007 (the effective date of this AD), replace the slip-clutch with an FAA-approved part that is new or overhauled by the manufacturer.

(5) As of September 10, 2007 (the effective date of this AD), only install slip-clutch cover plate P/N 2042888.

(6) Each time before the slip-clutch is mounted, degrease the taper of the crankshaft and the hub of the clutch with thinner following the instructions in the service bulletin specified in paragraph (f)(7) of this AD. The pound inches equivalent to 120 Nm is 1062.1.

(7) Do all actions required by this AD following SOLO Kleinmotoren GmbH Service Bulletin Nr. 4600-2-2, dated December 27, 2006.

FAA AD Differences

Note:

This AD differs from the MCAI and/or service information as follows: No differences.

Other FAA AD Provisions

(g) The following provisions also apply to this AD:

(1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager, Standards Staff, FAA, ATTN: Gregory Davison, Aerospace Engineer, FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, Missouri 64106; telephone: [phone]; fax: [phone], has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. 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) 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.

(3) Reporting Requirements: For any reporting requirement in this AD, under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. 3501 et.seq.), the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has approved the information collection requirements and has assigned OMB Control Number 2120π0056.

Related Information

(h) Refer to MCAI European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) Emergency AD No. 2007-0001R1-E, dated January 10, 2007, and SOLO Kleinmotoren GmbH Service Bulletin Nr. 4600-2-2, dated December 27, 2006, for related information.

Material Incorporated by Reference

(i) You must use SOLO Kleinmotoren GmbH Service Bulletin Nr. 4600-2-2, dated December 27, 2006, to do the actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise.

(1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of this service information under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.

(2) For service information identified in this AD, contact SOLO Kleinmotoren GmbH, Customer Support, 71050 Sindelfingen, Germany; telephone: [phone]; fax: [phone]; e-mail: [e-mail].

(3) You may review copies at the FAA, Central Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, 901 Locust St., Room 506, Kansas City, Missouri 64016; or at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of this material at NARA, call 202-741-6030, or go to: http://www.archives.gov/​federalregister/​cfr/​ibr-locations.html.

Issued in Kansas City, Missouri on August 14, 2007.

Terry L. Chasteen,

Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.