Document ID: FAA-2017-0051-0004
Agency: faa
Document Type: Rule
Title: Airworthiness Directives: DG Flugzeugbau GmbH
Posted Date: 2017-04-21T04:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 76 (Friday, April 21, 2017)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 18694-18696]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-07776]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2017-0051; Directorate Identifier 2016-CE-043-AD; 
Amendment 39-18858; AD 2017-08-09]
RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; DG Flugzeugbau GmbH

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

ACTION: Final rule.

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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 modified with a fuel injection system following the 
instructions of Solo Kleinmotoren GmbH Technische Mitteilung (TM)/
Service Bulletin (SB) 4600-3 ``Fuel Injection System'' and 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 possible 
in-flight engine shut-down and engine fire due to failure of the 
connecting stud for the two fuel injector mounts of the engine 
redundancy system. We are issuing this AD to require actions to address 
the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective May 26, 2017.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in the AD as of May 26, 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-
0051; 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 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.

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 
February 7, 2017 (82 FR 9535). 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:

    An occurrence was reported involving a failure of the connecting 
stud for the two fuel injector mounts of the engine redundancy 
system.
    This condition, if not corrected, could lead to an uncommanded 
in-flight engine shut-down and engine fire, possibly resulting in 
loss of control of the aeroplane.
    To address this unsafe condition, Solo Kleinmotoren GmbH issued 
SB/TM 4600-5 to provide instructions for reinforcement and securing 
of the injector mounts.
    For the reason described above, this AD requires modification of 
the engine redundancy system.
    Solo Kleinmotoren GmbH SB/TM 4600-3 (currently at issue 2, dated 
03 December 2012) will be revised to incorporate the modification 
required by SB/TM 4600-5 for future Solo 2625 02i engines.

    The MCAI can be found in the AD docket on the Internet at: https://www.regulations.gov/document?D=FAA-2017-0051-0002.

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

[[Page 18695]]

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. 4600-5, Ausgabe 2 (English 
translation: Issue 2), dated December 12, 2014. The service information 
describes procedures for changing the fuel injector mounts of the 
engine redundancy system and securing the connection of the lower to 
the upper mount. 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 1 work-hour per product to 
comply with the basic requirements of this AD. The average labor rate 
is $85 per work-hour. Required parts would cost about $67 per product.
    Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of this AD on U.S. 
operators to be $456, or $152 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-
0051; 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: 9 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:

2017-08-09 DG Flugzeugbau GmbH: Amendment 39-18858; Docket No. FAA-
2017-0051; Directorate Identifier 2016-CE-043-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective May 26, 
2017.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to DG Flugzeugbau GmbH DG-500MB gliders, all 
serial numbers, that are:
    (1) Equipped with a Solo 2625 02 engine 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 identified as Solo 2625 02i; 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 failure of the 
connecting stud for the two fuel injector mounts of the engine 
redundancy system on gliders equipped with a Solo 2625 02i engine. 
We are issuing this AD to prevent such failure that could lead to 
the potential of an in-flight shut-down and engine fire and result 
in loss of control.

(f) Actions and Compliance

    Unless already done, within the next 60 days after May 26, 2017 
(the effective date of this AD), modify the engine redundancy system 
following the actions in Solo Kleinmotoren GmbH Technische 
Mitteilung (English translation: Service Bulletin), Nr. 4600-5, 
Ausgabe 2 (English translation: Issue 2), dated December 12, 2014.

    Note 1 to paragraph (f) 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) Credit for Actions Accomplished in Accordance With Previous Service 
Information

    This AD allows credit for modification of the engine redundancy 
system as required in paragraph (f) of this AD if done before the 
effective date of this AD following Solo Kleinmotoren GmbH 
Technische Mitteilung (English translation: Service Bulletin), Nr. 
4600-5, Ausgabe 1 (English translation: Issue 1), dated November 24, 
2014.

(h) 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.

[[Page 18696]]

Before using any approved AMOC on any airplane 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.

(i) Related Information

    Refer to MCAI European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD No.: 
2014-0269, dated December 11, 2014 for related information. The MCAI 
can be found in the AD docket on the Internet at: https://www.regulations.gov/document?D=FAA-2017-0051-0002.

(j) 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. 4600-5, Ausgabe 2 (English 
translation: Issue 2), dated December 12, 2014.
    (ii) Reserved.
    (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. In addition, you can access this service 
information on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by 
searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2017-0051.
    (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 April 11, 2017.
Brian A. Yanez,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2017-07776 Filed 4-20-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P