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[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 124 (Friday, June 27, 2014)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 36440-36442]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-15058]

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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]
RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; DG Flugzeugbau GmbH Gliders

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 any 
DG Flugzeugbau GmbH Model DG-1000T glider equipped with a Solo 
Kleinmotoren Model 2350 C engine that would revise AD 2013-22-14. 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 engine shaft failure and 
consequent propeller detachment. We are issuing this proposed AD to 
require actions to address the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by August 11, 2014.

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 service information identified in this proposed 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">germany.com">aircraft@solo-germany.com; Internet: http://aircraft.solo-online.com/. 
You may view this referenced service information at the FAA, Small 
Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Kansas City, Missouri 64106. For 
information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call (816) 
329-4148.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2013-
0929; 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: 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: 

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-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 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

    On October 24, 2013, we issued AD 2013-22-14, Amendment 39-17646 
(78 FR 65869, November 4, 2013) (``AD 2013-22-14''). That AD required 
actions intended to address an unsafe condition on any DG Flugzeugbau 
GmbH Model DG-1000T glider equipped with a Solo Kleinmotoren Model 2350 
C engine and was based on mandatory continuing airworthiness 
information (MCAI) originated by an aviation authority of another 
country.
    Since we issued AD 2013-22-14, the manufacturer of the Solo 
Kleinmotoren

[[Page 36441]]

Model 2350 C engine has developed an engine modification to restore 
engine operation.
    The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the Technical 
Agent for the Member States of the European Community, has issued AD 
No.: 2013-0217R1, dated May 5, 2014 (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.
    To address this potential unsafe condition, EASA issued 
Emergency AD 2013-0217-E to prohibit operation of the engine.
    Since that AD was issued, Solo Kleinmotoren GmbH developed a 
modification consisting of installing an improved eccenter axle-
pulley assembly, allowing to resume operation of the engine.
    For the reason described above, this AD is revised to 
incorporate the optional modification, cancelling the operational 
restriction.

You may examine the MCAI on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov 
by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2013-0929.

Relevant Service Information

    Solo Kleinmotoren GmbH issued Technische Mitteilung Service 
Bulletin Nr. 4603-14, dated April 28, 2014. 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.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD will affect 2 products of U.S. 
registry. We also estimate that it would take about .5 work-hour per 
product to comply with the proposed retained requirement of placing a 
copy of AD 2013-22-14 into the Limitations section of the aircraft 
flight manual, which prohibits engine operation. The average labor rate 
is $85 per work-hour.
    Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of this proposed 
retained requirement on U.S. operators to be $85, or $42.50 per 
product.
    In addition, we estimate that the optional engine modification 
would take about 1.5 work-hours and require parts costing $100, for a 
cost of $227.50. If both products of U.S. registry incorporated the 
engine modification, the cost of the proposed modification on U.S. 
operators would be $455.
    If the engine modification is done, it would also take about .5 
work-hour per product to remove the engine operation restriction (copy 
of AD 2013-22-14) from the Limitations section of the aircraft flight 
manual. The average labor rate is $85 per work-hour, for a cost of 
$42.50 per product.
    According to the manufacturer, some of the costs of this proposed 
AD may be covered under warranty, thereby reducing the cost impact on 
affected individuals. We do not control warranty coverage for affected 
individuals.

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),
    (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.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by 
reference, 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

0
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]

0
2. Amend Sec.  39.13 by removing Amendment 39-17646 (78 FR 65869, 
November 4, 2013), and adding the following new AD:

DG Flugzeugbau GmbH: Docket No. FAA-2013-0929; Directorate 
Identifier 2013-CE-031-AD.

(a) Comments Due Date

    We must receive comments by August 11, 2014.

(b) Affected ADs

    This AD revises AD 2013-22-14, Amendment 39-17646 (78 FR 65869, 
November 4, 2013) (``AD 2013-22-14'').

(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

[[Page 36442]]

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)(4) of this AD.
    (1) As of November 25, 2013 (the effective date retained from AD 
2013-22-14), do not operate the engine unless the engine is modified 
following instructions that are approved by the FAA specifically for 
AD 2013-22-14. 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 retained from AD 
2013-22-14), place a copy of AD 2013-22-14 or this AD into the 
Limitations section of the aircraft flight manual (AFM).
    (3) To remove the prohibited engine operation requirement in 
paragraph (f)(1) of this AD, modify the engine as specified in the 
Actions paragraph of Solo Kleinmotoren GmbH Technische Mitteilung 
Service Bulletin Nr. 4603-14, dated April 28, 2014, unless already 
modified with FAA-approved instructions as specified in paragraph 
(f)(1) of this AD.

    Note 1 to paragraph (f)(3) of this AD: This service information 
contains German to English translation. The European Aviation Safety 
Agency (EASA) used the English translation in referencing the 
document. For enforceability purposes, we will refer to the Solo 
Kleinmotoren GmbH service information as the title appears on the 
document.

    (4) Prior to further flight after modifying the engine as 
specified in paragraph (f)(1) or paragraph (f)(3) of this AD, remove 
the engine operation restriction (copy of AD 2013-22-14) from the 
Limitations section of the AFM.

(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 EASA AD No.: 2013-0217R1, dated May 5, 2014, for 
related information. You may examine the MCAI on the Internet at 
http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. 
FAA-2013-0929. For service information related to 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">germany.com">aircraft@solo-germany.com; Internet: http://aircraft.solo-online.com. You may view this referenced service information at the 
FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Kansas City, Missouri 
64106. For information on the availability of this material at the 
FAA, call (816) 329-4148.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on June 19, 2014.
Timothy Smyth,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2014-15058 Filed 6-26-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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