Document ID: FAA-2017-0158-0003
Agency: faa
Document Type: Rule
Title: Airworthiness Directives: DG Flugzeugbau GmbH Gliders
Posted Date: 2017-05-25T04:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 100 (Thursday, May 25, 2017)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 24015-24017]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-10392]

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2017-0158; Directorate Identifier 2016-CE-040-AD; 
Amendment 39-18902; AD 2017-11-03]
RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; DG Flugzeugbau GmbH Gliders

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of 
Transportation (DOT).

ACTION: Final rule.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for DG 
Flugzeugbau GmbH Model DG-500MB gliders that are equipped with a Solo 
2625 02 engine that has been modified with a fuel injection system 
following the instructions of Solo Kleinmotoren GmbH Service Bulletin 
(SB)/Technische Mitteilung (TM) 4600-3 ``Fuel Injection System'' and 
re-identified as Solo 2625 02i. This AD results from mandatory 
continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) issued 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 failure of the connecting rod bearing resulting from too 
much load on the rod bearings from the engine control unit. We are 
issuing this AD to require actions to address the unsafe condition on 
these products.

DATES: This AD is effective June 29, 2017.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publications listed in the AD as of June 29, 
2017.

ADDRESSES: You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2017-
0158; or in person at Document Management Facility, U.S. Department of 
Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, 
Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590.
    For service information identified in this AD, contact Solo 
Kleinmotoren GmbH, Postfach 600152, 71050 Sindelfingen, Germany; 
telephone: +49 703 1301-0; fax: +49 703 1301-136; email: 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. 
It is also available on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by 
searching for Docket No. FAA-2017-0158.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jim Rutherford, Aerospace Engineer, 
901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, Missouri 64106; telephone: (816) 
329-4165; fax: (816) 329-4090; email: jim.rutherford@faa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

    We issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR 
part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to DG Flugzeugbau GmbH Model 
DG-500MB gliders. The NPRM was published in the Federal Register on 
March 2, 2017 (82 FR 12312). The NPRM proposed to correct an unsafe 
condition for the specified products and was based on mandatory 
continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) originated by an aviation 
authority of another country. The MCAI states:

    Several occurrences have been reported of connecting rod bearing 
failure.
    This condition, if not corrected, could lead to an uncommanded 
in-flight engine shut-down, possibly resulting in damage to the 
powered sailplane.
    To address this unsafe condition, Solo Kleinmotoren developed a 
software update for the engine control unit (ECU) to reduce the load 
on the rod bearings, and issued SB/TM 4600-6, providing instructions 
to upload the modified software into the ECU.

[[Page 24016]]

    For the reason described above, this [EASA] AD requires a 
modification, updating the ECU software.

The MCAI can be found in the AD docket on the Internet at: https://www.regulations.gov/document?D=FAA-2017-0158-0002.

Comments

    We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing 
this AD. We received no comments on the NPRM or on the determination of 
the cost to the public.

Conclusion

    We reviewed the relevant data and determined that air safety and 
the public interest require adopting the AD as proposed except for 
minor editorial changes. We have determined that these minor changes:
     Are consistent with the intent that was proposed in the 
NPRM for correcting the unsafe condition; and
     Do not add any additional burden upon the public than was 
already proposed in the NPRM.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    We reviewed Solo Kleinmotoren GmbH Technische Mitteilung (English 
translation: Service Bulletin), Nr. 4600-6, Ausgabe 1 (English 
translation: Issue 1), dated November 16, 2016. The service information 
describes procedures for a software update that provides new settings 
to the engine control unit (ECU) to lower the load on the bearings of 
the crankshaft. This service information is reasonably available 
because the interested parties have access to it through their normal 
course of business or by the means identified in the ADDRESSES section 
of the AD.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD will affect 3 products of U.S. registry. 
We also estimate that it would take about 2 work-hours 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 $510, or $170 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 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.

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-2017-
0158; 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 the NPRM, 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.

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

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. The FAA amends Sec.  39.13 by adding the following new AD:

2017-11-03 DG Flugzeugbau GmbH: Amendment 39-18902; Docket No. FAA-
2017-0158; Directorate Identifier 2016-CE-040-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective June 29, 
2017.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to DG Flugzeugbau GmbH Model DG-500MB gliders, 
all serial numbers, that are:
    (1) Equipped with a Solo 2625 02 engine that has been modified 
with a fuel injection system following the instructions of Solo 
Kleinmotoren GmbH Service Bulletin (SB)/Technische Mitteilung (TM) 
4600-3 ``Fuel Injection System'' and re-identified as Solo 2625 02i, 
and with a serial number (S/N) up to 369/207, except S/N's 354/194, 
356/196, 357/197, 358/198, 361/201, 362/202, 363/203, 364/204, and 
368/206; and
    (2) certificated in any category.

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association of America (ATA) Code 73: Engine Fuel 
& Control.

(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 failure of the 
connecting rod bearing resulting from too much load on the rod 
bearings from the engine control unit. We are issuing this AD to 
prevent such failure that could lead to an uncommanded in-flight 
engine shut-down, which could result in damage to the glider.

(f) Actions and Compliance

    Unless already done, do the following actions in paragraphs 
(f)(1) and (2) of this AD:
    (1) Within the next 60 days after June 29, 2017 (the effective 
date of this AD), modify the engine by installing a software update 
for the engine control unit (ECU) following the actions in Solo 
Kleinmotoren GmbH Technische Mitteilung (English translation: 
Service Bulletin), Nr. 4600-6, Ausgabe 1 (English translation: Issue 
1), dated November 16, 2016.
    (2) After the modification of an engine as required by paragraph 
(f)(1) of this AD, do not install a replacement ECU on that engine 
and do not upload any software update to the ECU of that engine 
unless the ECU software version is as specified in Solo Kleinmotoren

[[Page 24017]]

GmbH Technische Mitteilung (English translation: Service Bulletin), 
Nr. 4600-6, Ausgabe 1 (English translation: Issue 1), dated November 
16, 2016.

    Note 1 to paragraph (f)(1) and (2) of this AD:  This service 
information contains German to English translation. The EASA used 
the English translation in referencing the document. For 
enforceability purposes, we will refer to the Solo Kleinmotoren 
service information as it appears on the document.

(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, 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.: 
2016-0254, dated December 15, 2016, correction dated January 4, 
2017, for related information. You may examine the MCAI on the 
Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating 
Docket No. FAA-2017-0158.

(i) Material Incorporated by Reference

    (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the 
incorporation by reference (IBR) of the service information listed 
in this paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
    (2) You must use this service information as applicable to do 
the actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise.
    (i) Solo Kleinmotoren GmbH Technische Mitteilung (English 
translation: Service Bulletin), Nr. 4600-6, Ausgabe 1 (English 
translation: Issue 1), dated November 16, 2016.
    (ii) Reserved.

    Note 2 to paragraph (i)(2)(i) of this AD:  This service 
information contains German to English translation. The EASA used 
the English translation in referencing the document. For 
enforceability purposes, we will refer to the Solo Kleinmotoren 
service information as it appears on the document.

    (3) For Solo Kleinmotoren GmbH service information identified in 
this AD, contact Solo Kleinmotoren GmbH, Postfach 600152, 71050 
Sindelfingen, Germany; telephone: +49 703 1301-0; fax: +49 703 1301-
136; email: germany.com">aircraft@solo-germany.com; Internet: http://aircraft.solo-online.com.
    (4) You may review 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. The MCAI can be found in the AD docket on 
the Internet at: https://www.regulations.gov/document?D=FAA-2017-0158-0002.
    (5) You may view this service information that is incorporated 
by reference at the National Archives and Records Administration 
(NARA). For information on the availability of this material at 
NARA, call 202-741-6030, or go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on May 15, 2017.
Melvin Johnson,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2017-10392 Filed 5-24-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P