[Federal Register: November 8, 2004 (Volume 69, Number 215)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 64692-64695]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr08no04-18]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 2003-CE-65-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Glaser-Dirks Flugzeugbau GmbH Model DG-
800B Sailplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM); Reopening of
the comment period.
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SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to revise an earlier proposed airworthiness
directive (AD) that applies to all Glaser-Dirks Flugzeugbau GmbH (DG
Flugzeugbau) Model DG-800B sailplanes equipped with a SOLO 2625 engine
or a Mid-West AE 50T engine. The earlier NPRM would have required you
to modify the coolant pump and fuel pump electrical circuits, replace
the non-resettable circuit breaker with a resettable circuit breaker,
and (for a version of the Mikuni carburetor) secure the choke butterfly
valve axis. The earlier NPRM resulted from mandatory continuing
airworthiness information (MCAI) issued by the airworthiness authority
for Germany. This proposed AD is the result of further analysis by FAA
of the service information and FAA determining that important actions
were omitted in the NPRM and should be incorporated. Since these
required actions impose an additional burden over that proposed in the
NPRM, we are reopening the comment period to allow the public the
chance to comment on these additional actions.
DATES: We must receive any comments on this proposed AD by December 13,
2004.
ADDRESSES: Use one of the following to submit comments on this proposed
AD:
By mail: FAA, Central Region, Office of the Regional
Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket No. 2003-CE-65-AD, 901 Locust, Room
506, Kansas City, Missouri 64106.
By fax: (816) 329-3771.
By e-mail: 9-ACE-7-Docket@faa.gov. Comments sent
electronically must contain ``Docket No. 2003-CE-65-AD'' in the subject
line. If you send comments electronically as attached electronic files,
the files must be formatted in Microsoft Word 97 for Windows or ASCII.
You may get the service information identified in this proposed AD
from DG Flugzeugbau, Postbox 41 20, D-76625 Bruchsal, Federal Republic
of Germany; telephone: 011-49 7257-890; facsimile: 011-49 7257-8922.
You may view the AD docket at FAA, Central Region, Office of the
Regional Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket No. 2003-CE-65-AD, 901
Locust, Room 506, Kansas City, Missouri 64106. Office hours are 8 a.m.
to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Greg Davison, Aerospace Engineer, FAA,
Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, Missouri
64106; telephone: (816) 329-4130; facsimile: (816) 329-4090.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments Invited
How do I comment on this proposed AD? We invite you to submit any
written relevant data, views, or arguments regarding this proposal.
Send your comments to an address listed under ADDRESSES. Include ``AD
Docket No. 2003-CE-65-AD'' in the subject
[[Page 64693]]
line of your comments. If you want us to acknowledge receipt of your
mailed comments, send us a self-addressed, stamped postcard with the
docket number written on it. We will date-stamp your postcard and mail
it back to you.
Are there any specific portions of this proposed AD I should pay
attention to? We specifically invite comments on the overall
regulatory, economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this
proposed AD. If you contact us through a nonwritten communication and
that contact relates to a substantive part of this proposed AD, we will
summarize the contact and place the summary in the docket. We will
consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend this
proposed AD in light of those comments and contacts.
Discussion
What events have caused this proposed AD? The Luftfahrt-Bundesamt
(LBA), which is the airworthiness authority for Germany, recently
notified FAA that an unsafe condition may exist on DG Flugzeugbau Model
DG-800B sailplanes. The LBA reports both electrical circuits of the
fuel pump and the coolant pump (on a SOLO 2625 engine or a Mid-West AE
50T engine) are protected by a non-resettable digital engine indicator
(DEI) circuit breaker. The pumps will stop running if the non-
resettable circuit breaker activates.
What is the potential impact if FAA took no action? If a non-
resettable circuit breaker trips, this could result in power loss with
the inability to restart the fuel pump during a critical phase of
flight (for example, takeoff under own power).
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 Model DG-800B
sailplanes equipped with a SOLO 2625 engine or a Mid-West AE 50T
engine. This proposal was published in the Federal Register as a notice
of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) on April 12, 2004 (69 FR 19135). The NPRM
proposed to require you to:
--Modify the coolant pump and fuel pump electrical circuits;
--Replace the non-resettable circuit breaker with a resettable circuit
breaker, and
-- Secure the choke butterfly valve axis (for a version of the Mikuni
carburetor).
Was the public invited to comment? The FAA encouraged interested
persons to participate in developing this amendment. We did not receive
any comments on the proposed rule or on our determination of the cost
to the public.
What events have caused FAA to issue a supplemental NPRM? The FAA
has done further analysis of the service information and determined
that important actions were omitted in the NPRM. The omitted actions
include installing edge protection at the sharp edges of the circuit
breaker and making revisions to the flight manual.
FAA's Determination and Requirements of This Proposed AD
What has FAA decided? After examining the circumstances and
reviewing all available information related to the incidents described
above, we have determined that:
--The unsafe condition referenced in this document exists or could
develop on other Glaser-Dirks Flugzeugbau GmbH (DG Flugzeugbau) Model
DG-800B sailplanes equipped with a SOLO 2625 engine or a Mid-West AE
50T engine of the same type design that are on the U.S. registry;
--We should change the NPRM to include the omitted actions; and
--We should take AD action to correct this unsafe condition.
The Supplemental NPRM
How will the changes to the NPRM impact the public? Proposing the
additional actions that you install edge protection at the sharp edges
of the circuit breaker and revise the flight manual goes beyond the
scope of what was originally proposed in the NPRM. Therefore, we are
reopening the comment period and allowing the public the chance to
comment on these additional actions.
What are the provisions of the supplemental NPRM? The proposed AD
would require you to:
--Modify the coolant pump and fuel pump electrical circuits;
--Remove the non-resettable digital engine indicator (DEI) circuit
breaker (4-ampere) and replace with a resettable 5-ampere circuit
breaker;
--Secure the choke butterfly valve axis that is on the SOLO 2625 engine
(New version Mikuni carburetor);
--Install edge protection at the sharp edges of the resettable 5-ampere
DEI circuit breaker; and
--Incorporate ``Flight Manual'' changes that are listed in the service
information.
How does the revision to 14 CFR part 39 affect this proposed AD? On
July 10, 2002, we published a new version of 14 CFR part 39 (67 FR
47997, July 22, 2002), which governs FAA's AD system. This regulation
now includes material that relates to altered products, special flight
permits, and alternative methods of compliance. This material
previously was included in each individual AD. Since this material is
included in 14 CFR part 39, we will not include it in future AD
actions.
Costs of Compliance
How many sailplanes would this proposed AD impact? We estimate that
this proposed AD affects 25 sailplanes in the U.S. registry.
What would be the cost impact of this proposed AD on owners/
operators of the affected sailplanes? We estimate the following costs
to do this proposed modification:
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Total cost per
Labor cost Parts cost sailplane Total cost on U.S. operators
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6 workhours at $65 per hour = $390...... $100 $490 25 x $490 = $12,250
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Regulatory Findings
Would this proposed AD impact various entities? We have 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.
Would this proposed AD involve a significant rule or regulatory
action? For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this proposed
AD:
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); and
3. Will not have a significant economic impact, positive or
negative, on a substantial number of small entities
[[Page 64694]]
under the criteria of the Regulatory Flexibility Act.
We prepared a summary of the costs to comply with this proposed AD
and placed it in the AD Docket. You may get a copy of this summary by
sending a request to us at the address listed under ADDRESSES. Include
``AD Docket No. 2003-CE-65-AD'' in your request.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Safety.
The Proposed Amendment
Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration proposes to amend 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. The FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by adding the following new
airworthiness directive (AD):
Glaser-Dirks Flugzeugbau GmbH: Docket No. 2003-CE-65-AD.
When Is the Last Date I Can Submit Comments on This Proposed AD?
(a) We must receive comments on this proposed airworthiness
directive (AD) by December 13, 2004.
What Other ADs Are Affected by This Action?
(b) None.
What Sailplanes Are Affected by This AD?
(c) This AD affects all Model DG-800B sailplanes, all serial
numbers, that are:
(1) Certificated in any category; and
(2) Equipped with a SOLO 2625 engine or a Mid-West AE 50T
engine.
What Is the Unsafe Condition Presented in This AD?
(d) This AD is the result of mandatory continuing airworthiness
information (MCAI) issued by the airworthiness authority for
Germany. The actions specified in this AD are intended to prevent
electrical failure of the fuel and coolant pumps if a non-resettable
circuit breaker trips. This could result in power loss with the
inability to restart the fuel pump during a critical phase of flight
(for example, takeoff under own power).
What Must I Do To Address This Problem?
(e) To address this problem, you must do the following:
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Actions Compliance Procedures
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(1) Modify the coolant pump and Within the next 50 For sailplanes
fuel pump electrical circuits. hours time-in- with a SOLO 2625
service (TIS) engine: Follow DG
after the Flugzeugbau GmbH
effective date of Technical Note
this AD, unless No. 873/26, dated
already done. November 12,
2001; For
sailplanes with a
Mid-West AE 50T
engine: Follow DG
Flugzeugbau GmbH
Technical Note
No. 873/27, dated
November 29,
2001.
(2) Remove the non-resettable Before further For sailplanes
digital engine indicator (DEI) flight after the with a SOLO 2625
circuit breaker (4-ampere) modification of engine: Follow DG
replace with a resettable 5- the coolant pump Flugzeugbau GmbH
ampere circuit breaker. and fuel pump and Technical Note
electrical No. 873/26, dated
circuits required November 12,
by paragraph 2001; For
(e)(1) of this AD. sailplanes with a
Mid-West AE 50T
engine: Follow DG
Flugzeugbau GmbH
Technical Note
No. 873/27, dated
November 29,
2001.
(3) For sailplanes with engine Before further For sailplanes
SOLO 2625 (New version Mikuni flight after the with a SOLO 2625
carburetor): Secure the choke modification of engine: Follow DG
butterfly valve axis. the coolant pump Flugzeugbau GmbH
and fuel pump Technical Note
electrical No. 873/26, dated
circuits required November 12,
by paragraph. 2001.
(e)(1) of this AD
and the removal
and replacement
required by
paragraph (e)(2)
of this AD.
(4) Install edge protection at Before further For sailplanes
the sharp edges of the flight after the with a SOLO 2625
resettable 5-ampere DEI circuit modification of engine: Follow DG
breaker. the coolant pump Flugzeugbau GmbH
and fuel pump Technical Note
electrical No. 873/26, dated
circuits required November 12,
by paragraph 2001; For
(e)(1) of this AD sailplanes with a
and the removal Mid-West AE 50T
and replacement engine: Follow DG
required by Flugzeugbau GmbH
paragraph (e)(2) Technical Note
of this AD. No. 873/27, dated
November 29,
2001.
(5) Incorporate changes in the Before further For sailplanes
FAA-approved sailplane flight flight after the with a SOLO 2625
manual (SFM). modifications engine: Follow DG
(i) The owner/operator holding required by Flugzeugbau GmbH
at least a private pilot paragraphs Technical Note
certificate as authorized by (e)(1), (e)(2), No. 873/26, dated
section 43.7 of the Federal (e)(3), and November 12,
Aviation Regulations (14 CFR (e)(4) of this AD. 2001; For
43.7) may do the flight manual sailplanes with a
changes requirement of this AD.. Mid-West AE 50T
(ii) Make an entry in the engine: Follow DG
aircraft records showing Flugzeugbau GmbH
compliance with this portion of Technical Note
the AD following section 43.9 No. 873/27, dated
of the Federal Aviation November 29,
Regulations (14 CFR 43.9).. 2001.
(6) Do not install any SOLO 2625 As of the Not Applicable.
engine or Mid-West AE 50T effective date of
engine unless the modifications this AD.
required by paragraphs (e)(1),
(e)(2), (e)(3), and (e)(4) of
this AD have been done.
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[[Page 64695]]
May I Request an Alternative Method of Compliance?
(f) You may request a different method of compliance or a
different compliance time for this AD by following the procedures in
14 CFR 39.19. Unless FAA authorizes otherwise, send your request to
your principal inspector. The principal inspector may add comments
and will send your request to the Manager, Standards Office, Small
Airplane Directorate, FAA. For information on any already approved
alternative methods of compliance, contact Greg Davison, Aerospace
Engineer, FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301,
Kansas City, Missouri 64106; telephone: (816) 329-4130; facsimile:
(816) 329-4090.
May I Get Copies of the Documents Referenced in This AD?
(g) You may get copies of the documents referenced in this AD
from DG Flugzeugbau, Postbox 41 20, D-76625 Bruchsal, Federal
Republic of Germany; telephone: 011-49 7257-890; facsimile: 011-49
7257-8922. You may view these documents at FAA, Central Region,
Office of the Regional Counsel, 901 Locust, Room 506, Kansas City,
Missouri 64106.
Is There Other Information That Relates to This Subject?
(h) German AD Number 2002-083, dated April 4, 2002, also
addresses the subject of this AD.
Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on November 2, 2004.
James E. Jackson,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 04-24818 Filed 11-5-04; 8:45 am]
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