[Federal Register: June 13, 2008 (Volume 73, Number 115)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 33743-33745]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr13jn08-27]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2008-0649; Directorate Identifier 2008-CE-038-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; DG Flugzeugbau GmbH Model DG-500MB
Powered Sailplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of
Transportation (DOT).
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
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SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for the
products listed above. This proposed AD results from mandatory
continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) originated by an aviation
authority of another country to identify and correct an unsafe
condition on an aviation product. The MCAI describes the unsafe
condition as:
A DG-500MB experienced, after the engine shutdown, an
uncommanded retraction of its powerplant.
Investigations revealed that some bolts of the extension
retraction mechanism had fractured because of fatigue stress due to
increasing push-pull loads acting on incorrectly tightened screws.
This condition, if not corrected, could lead to damage of the
propeller and the fuselage, thereby reducing the structural
integrity of the sailplane.
The proposed AD would require actions that are intended to address
the unsafe condition described in the MCAI.
DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by July 14, 2008.
ADDRESSES: You may send comments by any of the following methods:
Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://
www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
Fax: (202) 493-2251.
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.
[[Page 33744]]
Examining the AD Docket
You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://
www.regulations.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 proposed AD, the regulatory
evaluation, any comments received, and other information. The street
address for the Docket Office (telephone (800) 647-5527) 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 Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City,
Missouri 64106; telephone: (816) 329-4130; fax: (816) 329-4090.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments Invited
We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or
arguments about this proposed AD. Send your comments to an address
listed under the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2008-0649;
Directorate Identifier 2008-CE-038-AD'' at the beginning of your
comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory,
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this proposed AD. We
will consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend
this proposed AD because of those comments.
We will post all comments we receive, without change, to http://
www.regulations.gov, including any personal information you provide. We
will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact we
receive about this proposed AD.
Discussion
The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the Technical
Agent for the Member States of the European Community, has issued EASA
AD No. 2008-0095, dated May 16, 2008 (referred to after this as ``the
MCAI''), to correct an unsafe condition for the specified products. The
MCAI states:
A DG-500MB experienced, after the engine shutdown, an
uncommanded retraction of its powerplant.
Investigations revealed that some bolts of the extension
retraction mechanism had fractured because of fatigue stress due to
increasing push-pull loads acting on incorrectly tightened screws.
This condition, if not corrected, could lead to damage of the
propeller and the fuselage, thereby reducing the structural
integrity of the sailplane.
To address this unsafe condition, this Airworthiness Directive
mandates the replacement of eight bolts, the four connecting the
fork 5M203 to the 5M204 adapter and those connecting the adapter
5M204 to the spindle drive, by new ones of higher strength and a
rework of the coupling of the 5M203 fork to the 5M204 adapter as
well as the coupling of the 5M204 adapter to the spindle drive, by
glueing the parts together, in addition to the pre-existing bolts.
You may obtain further information by examining the MCAI in the AD
docket.
Relevant Service Information
DG Flugzeugbau GmbH has issued Technical Note No. 843/27, dated
April 14, 2008. 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 Proposed 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 proposing this AD because
we evaluated all information and determined the unsafe condition exists
and is likely to exist or develop on other products of the same type
design.
Differences Between This Proposed 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 also have proposed different actions in this AD from those
in the MCAI in order to follow FAA policies. Any such differences are
highlighted in a NOTE within the proposed AD.
Costs of Compliance
We estimate that this proposed AD would affect 4 products of U.S.
registry. We also estimate that it would take about 3 work-hours per
product to comply with the basic requirements of this proposed AD. The
average labor rate is $80 per work-hour. Required parts would cost
about $63 per product.
Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of the proposed AD on
U.S. operators to be $1,212, or $303 per product.
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 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 this 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.
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:
[[Page 33745]]
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-2008-0649; Directorate
Identifier 2008-CE-038-AD.
Comments Due Date
(a) We must receive comments by July 14, 2008.
Affected ADs
(b) None.
Applicability
(c) This AD applies to DG-500MB powered sailplanes, all serial
numbers, certificated in any category.
Subject
(d) Air Transport Association of America (ATA) Code 71: Power
Plant.
Reason
(e) The mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI)
states:
A DG-500MB experienced, after the engine shutdown, an
uncommanded retraction of its powerplant.
Investigations revealed that some bolts of the extension
retraction mechanism had fractured because of fatigue stress due to
increasing push-pull loads acting on incorrectly tightened screws.
This condition, if not corrected, could lead to damage of the
propeller and the fuselage, thereby reducing the structural
integrity of the sailplane.
To address this unsafe condition, this Airworthiness Directive
mandates the replacement of eight bolts, the four connecting the
fork 5M203 to the 5M204 adapter and those connecting the adapter
5M204 to the spindle drive, by new ones of higher strength and, a
rework of the coupling of the 5M203 fork to the 5M204 adapter as
well as the coupling of the 5M204 adapter to the spindle drive, by
glueing the parts together, in addition to the pre-existing bolts.
Actions and Compliance
(f) Unless already done, within the next 30 days after the
effective date of this AD, modify the spindle drive assembly in
accordance with DG Flugzeugbau GmbH Technical Note No. 843/27, dated
April 14, 2008.
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 Office, FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs for this
AD, if requested using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. Send
information to ATTN: Greg Davison, Aerospace Engineer, FAA, Small
Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, Missouri
64106; telephone: (816) 329-4130; fax: (816) 329-4090. Before using
any approved AMOC on any powered sailplane 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 2120-0056.
Related Information
(h) Refer to MCAI European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD No.
2008-0095, dated May 16, 2008; and DG Flugzeugbau GmbH Technical
Note No. 843/27, dated April 14, 2008, for related information.
Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on June 6, 2008.
David R. Showers,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. E8-13324 Filed 6-12-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P