[Federal Register: April 12, 2004 (Volume 69, Number 70)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 19135-19137]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr12ap04-16]
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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: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
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SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD)
for all Glaser-Dirks Flugzeugbau GmbH (DG Flugzeugbau) Model DG-800B
sailplanes equipped with engine SOLO 2625 or Mid-West AE 50T. This
proposed AD would require 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. This proposed AD is
the result of mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI)
issued by the airworthiness authority for Germany. We are issuing this
proposed AD to prevent fuel pump electrical failure 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).
DATES: We must receive any comments on this proposed AD by May 24,
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 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 engine
SOLO 2625 or Mid-West AE 50T) 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 Are the Consequences if the Condition Is Not Corrected?
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).
Is There Service Information That Applies to This Subject?
DG Flugzeugbau has issued:
--Technical Note No. 873/26, dated November 12, 2001; and
--Technical Note No. 873/27, dated November 29, 2001.
What Are the Provisions of This Service Information?
The service bulletins include procedures for:
--Modifying the coolant pump and fuel pump electrical circuits;
--Replacing the non-resettable circuit breaker with a resettable
circuit breaker; and
--Securing the choke butterfly valve axis for a version of the
Mikuni carburetor.
What Action Did the LBA Take?
The LBA classified these service bulletins as mandatory and issued
German AD Number 2002-083, dated April 4, 2002, to ensure the continued
airworthiness of these sailplanes in Germany.
Did the LBA Inform the United States Under the Bilateral Airworthiness
Agreement?
These DG Flugzeugbau Model DG-800B sailplanes are manufactured in
Germany and are 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.
Under this bilateral airworthiness agreement, the LBA has kept us
informed of the situation described above.
[[Page 19136]]
FAA's Determination and Requirements of This Proposed AD
What Has FAA Decided?
We have examined the LBA's findings, 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 the unsafe condition described previously is likely to exist
or develop on other DG Flugzeugbau Model DG-800B sailplanes of the same
type design that are registered in the United States, we are proposing
AD action to prevent fuel pump electrical failure 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 Would This Proposed AD Require?
This proposed AD would require you to incorporate the actions in
the previously-referenced service bulletins.
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 accomplish this proposed
modification:
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Total cost
Labor cost Parts cost per 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 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 May 24, 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 engine SOLO 2625 or Mid-West AE 50T.
What Is the Unsafe Condition Presented in This AD?
(d) This AD is the result mandatory continuing airworthiness
information (MCAI) issued by the airworthiness authority for
Germany. The actions specified in this AD are intended to prevent
fuel pump electrical failure 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 fuel pump electrical circuits.. Within the next 50 hours time-in-service (TIS) after the For sailplanes with engine SOLO 2625: Follow DG Flugzeugbau
effective date of this AD, unless already done. GmbH Technical Note No. 873/26, dated November 12, 2001; For
sailplanes with engine Mid-West AE 50T: Follow DG Flugzeugbau
GmbH Technical Note No. 873/27, dated November 29, 2001.
[[Page 19137]]
(2) Remove the non-resettable digital engine indicator (DEI) Before further flight after the modification of the coolant For sailplanes with engine SOLO 2625: Follow DG Flugzeugbau
circuit breaker (4-ampere) and replace with a resettable 5- pump and fuel pump electrical circuits required by paragraph GmbH Technical Note No. 873/26, dated November 12, 2001; For
ampere circuit breaker. (e)(1) of this AD. sailplanes with engine Mid-West AE 50T: Follow DG Flugzeugbau
GmbH Technical Note No. 873/27, dated November 29, 2001.
(3) For sailplanes with engine SOLO 2625 (New version Mikuni Before further flight after the modification of the coolant For sailplanes with engine SOLO 2625: Follow DG Flugzeugbau
carburetor): Secure the choke butterfly valve axis. pump and fuel pump electrical circuits required by paragraph GmbH Technical Note No. 873/26, dated November 12, 2001.
(e)(1) of this AD and the removal and replacement required by
paragraph (e)(2) of this AD.
(4) Do not install any engine SOLO 2625 or Mid-West AE 50T As of the effective date of this AD............................ Not Applicable.
unless the modifications required by paragraphs (e)(1),
(e)(2), and (e)(3) have been done.
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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 April 5, 2004.
Dorenda D. Baker,
Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 04-8220 Filed 4-9-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P