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[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 213 (Monday, November 4, 2013)]

[Rules and Regulations]

[Pages 65869-65870]

From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]

[FR Doc No: 2013-25954]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2013-0929; Directorate Identifier 2013-CE-031-AD; Amendment 39-17646; 

AD 2013-22-14]

RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; DG Flugzeugbau GmbH Gliders

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for any DG Flugzeugbau GmbH 

Model DG-1000T glider equipped with a Solo Kleinmotoren Model 2350 C engine. 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 engine shaft failure and consequent propeller detachment. We are 

issuing this AD to require actions to address the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective November 25, 2013.

We must receive comments on this AD by December 19, 2013.

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.

For information about the technical content of the requirements in this AD, contact Solo 

Kleinmotoren GmbH, Postfach 60 01 52, D 71050 Sindelfingen, Germany; telephone: +49 07031-

301-0; fax: +49 07031-301-136; email: germany.com">aircraft@solo-germany.com; Internet: 

http://aircraft.solo-online.com/.
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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 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: Jim Rutherford, Aerospace Engineer, FAA, Small 

Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, Missouri 64106; telephone: (816) 329-

4165; fax: (816) 329-4090; email: jim.rutherford@faa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the Technical Agent for the Member 

States of the European Community, has issued AD No.: 2013-0217-E, dated September 16, 2013 

(referred to after this as ''the MCAI''), to correct an unsafe condition for the specified products. The 

MCAI states:

An occurrence of Solo 2350 C engine shaft failure and consequent propeller 

detachment was reported. The preliminary investigation revealed that the failed shaft 

was earlier modified in accordance with an approved method.

This condition, if not corrected, could lead to additional cases of release of the 

propeller from the engine, possibly resulting in damage to the sailplane, or injury to 

persons on the ground.

For the reasons described above, this AD prohibits operation of the engine.

This AD is considered to be a temporary measure and further AD action will follow.

You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by 

searching for and locating it in Docket No. FAA-2013-0929.

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.

We will work with the type certificate holder and EASA to evaluate information and to develop 

an engine modification. Based on this, we may initiate further rulemaking action to address the 

unsafe condition identified in this AD.

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 
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because engine shaft failure and consequent propeller detachment could cause damage to the glider 

and could cause injury to persons on the ground. 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-2013-0929; Directorate Identifier 2013-CE-031-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://www.regulations.gov, including 

any personal information you provide. We will also post a report summarizing each substantive 

verbal contact we receive about this AD.

Costs of Compliance

We estimate that this AD will affect 2 products of U.S. registry. We also estimate that it will take 

about .5 work-hour per product to comply with the basic requirements of this AD. The average labor 

rate is $85 per work-hour.

Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of this AD on U.S. operators to be $85, or $42.50 

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 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 the DOT Regulatory Policies and Procedures (44 FR 11034, 

February 26, 1979),

(3) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and

(4) 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.
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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:
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FAA

Aviation Safety

AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE

www.faa.gov/aircraft/safety/alerts/

www.gpoaccess.gov/fr/advanced.html

2013-22-14 DG Flugzeugbau GmbH: Amendment 39-17646; Docket No. FAA-2013-0929; 

Directorate Identifier 2013-CE-031-AD.

(a) Effective Date

This AD is effective November 25, 2013.

(b) Affected ADs

None.

(c) Applicability

This AD applies to DG Flugzeugbau GmbH Model DG-1000T gliders, all serial numbers, that 

are:

(1) equipped with a Solo Kleinmotoren Model 2350 C engine; and

(2) certificated in any category.

(d) Subject

Air Transport Association of America (ATA) Code 72: Engine.

(e) Reason

This AD was prompted by 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 engine shaft failure and consequent propeller 

detachment. We are issuing this AD to prevent engine shaft failure and propeller detachment, which

could result in damage to the glider and injury to persons on the ground.

(f) Actions and Compliance

Unless already done, do the following actions in paragraphs (f)(1) through (f)(3) of this AD.

(1) As of November 25, 2013 (the effective date of this AD), do not operate the engine unless the 

engine is modified following instructions that are approved by the FAA specifically for this AD.

Contact the FAA office identified in paragraph (g)(1) of this AD to get more information about 

obtaining such instructions.

(2) As of November 25, 2013 (the effective date of this AD), place a copy of this AD into the 

limitations section of the aircraft flight manual (AFM).

(3) Modifying the engine following instructions approved by the FAA specifically for this AD 

removes the prohibited engine operation required in paragraph (f)(1) of this AD and removes the 

requirement to incorporate this AD into the limitations section of the AFM.
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(g) Other FAA AD Provisions

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: Jim Rutherford, Aerospace Engineer, FAA, Small Airplane 

Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, Missouri 64106; telephone: (816) 329-4165; fax: 

(816) 329-4090; email: jim.rutherford@faa.gov. Before using any approved AMOC on any glider 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.

(h) Related Information

Refer to MCAI European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD No.: 013-0217-E, dated 

September 16, 2013, for related information. For information about the technical content of the 

requirements in this AD, contact Solo Kleinmotoren GmbH, Postfach 60 01 52, D 71050

Sindelfingen, Germany; telephone: +49 07031-301-0; fax: +49 07031-301-136; email: aircraft@sologermany.com; Internet: http://aircraft.solo-online.com. You may examine the MCAI in the AD 

docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating it in Docket No. 

FAA-2013-0929.

Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on October 24, 2013.

Earl Lawrence,

Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, 

Aircraft Certification Service.