[Federal Register: May 16, 2006 (Volume 71, Number 94)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 28287-28289]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr16my06-26]
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Proposed Rules
Federal Register
________________________________________________________________________
This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains notices to the public of
the proposed issuance of rules and regulations. The purpose of these
notices is to give interested persons an opportunity to participate in
the rule making prior to the adoption of the final rules.
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[[Page 28287]]
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2006-24255; Directorate Identifier 2006-CE-25-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; DG Flugzeugbau GmbH Model DG-1000S
Sailplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of
Transportation (DOT).
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all
DG Flugzeugbau GmbH Model DG-1000S sailplanes. This proposed AD would
require you to modify the elevator control at the stabilizer assembly,
replace a placard on the fin, and incorporate changes in the FAA-
approved sailplane flight manual. This proposed AD results from
mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) issued by the
airworthiness authority for Germany. We are proposing this AD to
prevent the rigging of the horizontal stabilizer without properly
connecting the elevator, which, if not prevented, could lead to an
inoperative elevator.
DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by June 12, 2006.
ADDRESSES: Use one of the following addresses to comment on this
proposed AD:
DOT Docket Web site: Go to http://dms.dot.gov and follow
the instructions for sending your comments electronically.
Government-wide rulemaking Web site: Go to http://www.regulations.gov
and follow the instructions for sending your
comments electronically.
Mail: Docket Management Facility; U.S. Department of
Transportation, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Nassif Building, Room PL-401,
Washington, DC 20590-0001.
Fax: (202) 493-2251.
Hand Delivery: Room PL-401 on the plaza level of the
Nassif Building, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Washington, DC, between 9
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
For service information identified in this proposed AD, contact DG-
Flugzeugbau, Postbox 41 20, D-76625 Bruchsal, Federal Republic of
Germany; telephone: ++49 7257 890; facsimile: ++45 7257 8922; e-mail:
http://www.dg-flugzeugbau.de.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Gregory Davison, Glider Project
Manager, ACE-112, Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301,
Kansas City, Missouri 64106; telephone: (816) 329-4130; facsimile:
(816) 329-4090.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments Invited
We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or
arguments regarding this proposed AD. Send your comments to an address
listed under the ADDRESSES section. Include the docket number, ``FAA-
2006-24255; Directorate Identifier 2006-CE-25-AD'' at the beginning of
your comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall
regulatory, economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the proposed
AD. We will consider all comments received by the closing date and may
amend the proposed AD in light 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 concerning this proposed AD.
Discussion
The Luftfahrt-Bundesamt (LBA), which is the airworthiness authority
for Germany, notified FAA that an unsafe condition may exist on all DG
Flugzeugbau GmbH Model DG-1000S sailplanes. The LBA reports that a user
succeeded in assembling the horizontal stabilizer without connecting
the elevator.
The design of this assembly should be such that this is not
possible. DG Flugzeugbau has developed a modification to prevent such
assembly.
Such assembly, if not prevented, could result in an inoperative
elevator.
Relevant Service Information
We have reviewed DG Flugzeugbau GmbH Technical Note No. 413/3,
dated April 28, 2004.
The service information describes procedures for:
Modifying the elevator control at the stabilizer assembly;
Replacing the placard on the fin; and
Incorporating changes in the FAA-approved sailplane flight
manual (SFM).
Foreign Airworthiness Authority Information
The LBA classified this service bulletin as mandatory and issued
German AD Number D-2004-300, dated June 15, 2004, to ensure the
continued airworthiness of these sailplanes in Germany.
These DG Flugzeugbau GmbH Model DG-1000S 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.
FAA's Determination and Requirements of the Proposed AD
We are proposing this AD because we have examined the LBA's
findings, evaluated all information and determined the unsafe condition
described previously is likely to exist or develop on other products of
the same type design that are certificated for operation in the United
States.
This proposed AD would require you to modify the elevator control
at the stabilizer assembly and incorporate changes in the FAA-approved
sailplane flight manual.
Costs of Compliance
We estimate that this proposed AD would affect 8 sailplanes in the
U.S. registry.
We estimate the following costs to do the proposed modification and
replacement of the placard on the fin:
[[Page 28288]]
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Total cost
Labor cost Parts cost per Total cost on U.S. operators
sailplane
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2 workhours x $80 per hour = $160........... $60 $220 8 x $220 = $1,760.
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We estimate the following costs to do the proposed incorporation of
changes in the FAA-approved SFM:
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total cost
Labor cost Parts cost per Total cost on U.S. operators
sailplane
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1 workhour x $80 per hour = $80............. \1\ N/A $80 8 x $80 = $640.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Not applicable.
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 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.
For the reasons discussed above, I certify that the proposed
regulation:
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 regulatory evaluation of the estimated costs to
comply with this proposed AD and placed it in the AD docket.
Examining the AD Docket
You may examine the AD docket that contains the proposed AD, the
regulatory evaluation, any comments received, and other information 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 Docket Office (telephone (800) 647-5227)
is located at the street address stated in the ADDRESSES section.
Comments will be available in the AD docket shortly after receipt.
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 FAA 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 AD:
DG Flugzeugbau GmbH: Docket No. FAA-2006-24255; Directorate
Identifier 2006-CE-25-AD.
Comments Due Date
(a) We must receive comments on this proposed airworthiness
directive (AD) action by June 12, 2006.
Affected ADs
(b) None.
Applicability
(c) This AD affects all Model DG-1000S sailplanes, all serial
numbers, that are certificated in any category.
Unsafe Condition
(d) This AD results from mandatory continuing airworthiness
information (MCAI) issued by the airworthiness authority for
Germany. We are issuing this AD to prevent the rigging of the
horizontal stabilizer without properly connecting the elevator,
which, if not prevented, could lead to an inoperative elevator.
Compliance
(e) To address this problem, you must do the following:
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Actions Compliance Procedures
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(1) Modify the elevator Within the next 25 Follow DG
control at the stabilizer hours time-in- Flugzeugbau GmbH
assembly as follows:. service (TIS) after Technical Note No.
(i) Replace the rod-end the effective date 413/3, dated April
5St94 (or FAA-approved of this AD. 28, 2004.
equivalent part) with a rod-
end 5St94 modified to part
number 10St97/1 (or an FAA-
approved equivalent part);.
(ii) Install deflector part
number 10St97/2 (or an FAA-
approved equivalent part);
and.
(iii) Replace the placard on
the fin.
[[Page 28289]]
(2) The parts that this AD Not Applicable...... Not Applicable.
requires to be replaced as
well as those to be
installed could have
replacement parts approved
under 14 CFR 21.303. Any
such parts approved per
this regulation and
installed are subject to
thee actions of this AD. In
addition, nothing in this
AD prevents the
installation of such
alternatively approved
parts provided they meet
current airworthiness
standards including those
actions cited in this AD..
(3) Incorporate changes in Within the next 25 The owner/operator
the FAA-approved sailplane hours TIS after the holding at least a
flight manual, as specified effective date of private pilot
in paragraph 6a) of the this AD. certificate as
Instructions section of DG authorized by
Flugzeugbau GmbH Technical section 43.7 of the
Note No. 413/3, dated April Federal Aviation
28, 2004. Regulations (14 CFR
43.7) may do the
flight manual
change requirement
of this AD. Make an
entry in the
aircraft records
showing compliance
with this portion
of the AD following
section 43.9 of the
Federal Aviation
Regulations (14 CFR
43.9).
(4) Do not install any rod As of the effective Not Applicable.
end 5St94 (or FAA-approved date of this AD..
equivalent part) unless it
is modified to DG
Flugzeugbau GmbH rod-end
part 10St97/1 (or FAA-
approved equivalent part)..
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCS)
(f) The Manager, Standards Office, Small Airplane Directorate,
FAA, ATTN: Gregory Davison, Glider Project Manager, ACE-112, Small
Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, Missouri
64106; telephone: (816) 329-4130; facsimile: (816) 329-4090, has the
authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the
procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19.
Related Information
(g) German AD Number D-2004-300, dated June 15, 2004, also
addresses the subject of this AD. To get copies of the service
information referenced in this AD, contact DG-Flugzeugbau, Postbox
41 20, D-76625 Bruchsal, Federal Republic of Germany; telephone:
++49 7257 890; facsimile: ++45 7257 8922; e-mail: http://www.dg-flugzeugbau.de.
To view the AD docket, go to the Docket Management
Facility; U.S. Department of Transportation, 400 Seventh Street,
SW., Nassif Building, Room PL-401, Washington, DC, or on the
Internet at http://dms.dot.gov. The docket number is Docket No. FAA-
2006-24255; Directorate Identifier 2006-CE-25-AD.
Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on May 9, 2006.
David R. Showers,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. E6-7394 Filed 5-15-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P