DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2015-1130; Directorate Identifier 2015-CE-008-AD;
Amendment 39-18150; AD 2015-09-04]
RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; DG Flugzeugbau GmbH Gliders

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule; request for comments

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

SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for DG
Flugzeugbau GmbH Model DG-1000T gliders equipped with a Solo
Kleinmotoren Model 2350 C engine that supersedes AD 2013-22-14 R1. 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 with consequent propeller
detachment. We are issuing this AD to require actions to address the
unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective May 26, 2015.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of a certain publication listed in the AD as of May 26, 2015.
We must receive comments on this AD by June 19, 2015.

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 AD, contact Solo
Kleinmotoren GmbH, Postfach 600152, 71050 Sindelfingen, Germany;
telephone: +49 7031 301-0; fax: +49 7031 301-136; email: aircraft@solo-
germany.com; Internet: http://aircraft.solo-online.com/com. You may
review copies of the 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 locating Docket No. FAA-2015-1130.

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-2015-
1130 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,
901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, Missouri 64106; telephone: (816)
329-4165; fax: 98160 329-4090; email: jim.rutherford@faa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

On September 5, 2014, we issued AD 2013-22-14 R1, Amendment 39-
17968 (79 FR 54895; September 15, 2014). That AD required actions
intended to address an unsafe condition on DG Flugzeugbau GmbH Model
DG-1000T gliders 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 R1, another occurrence of engine
shaft failure and propeller detachment was reported on a Solo
Kleinmotoren Model 2350 C engine that had been modified following Solo
Kleinmotoren Service Bulletin 4603-14, dated April 28, 2014.
The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the Technical
Agent for the Member States of the European Community, has issued EASA
AD No.: 2015-0052-E, dated March 27, 2015 (referred to after this as
``the MCAI''), to correct an unsafe condition for the specified
products. The MCAI states:

An occurrence of engine shaft failure and consequent propeller
detachment was reported on a Solo 2350 C engine.
This condition, if not corrected, could lead to additional cases
of release of the propeller from the engine, possible resulting in
damage to the sailplane, or injury to persons on the ground.
To address this unsafe condition, EASA issued Emergency AD 2013-
0217-E to prohibit operation of the engine.
After that AD was issued, Solo Kleinmotoren GmbH developed
instructions to install a modified excenter axle-pulley assembly,
allowing to resume operation of the engine. This optional
modification was introduced through EASA AD 2013-0217R1.
Since that AD was issued, another occurrence of engine shaft
failure and propeller detachment was reported on a Solo 2350 C
engine which had been modified in accordance with Solo Kleinmotoren
Service Bulletin (SB) 4603-14.
For reasons described above, this AD supersedes EASA AD 2013-
0217R1 and, pending the availability of EASA approved modification
instructions, prohibits operation of all Solo 2350 C engines,
including those engines which have been modified in accordance with
Solo Kleinmotoren SB 4603-14. This AD also requires a one-time
inspection of the propeller shaft to detect cracks and the reporting
of findings.
This AD is considered to be temporary measure and further AD
action will follow.

You may examine the MCAI on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov
by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2015-116.

Relative Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

We reviewed Solo Kleinmotoren GmbH Anleitung zur Inspektion
(English translation: Inspection Instruction), Nr. 4603-1, Ausgabe
(English translation: dated) March 26, 2015. The service information
describes procedures for inspecting the propeller shaft for cracking
and reporting the results to the manufacturer. This information is
reasonably available at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and
locating Docket No. FAA-2015-1130 or see ADDRESSES for other ways to
access this service information.

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.

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 because
failure of the engine shaft with consequent propeller detachment could
result in damage to the glider or 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-2015-1130; Directorate
Identifier 2015-CE-008-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 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 the AD on U.S.
operators to be $340, or $170 per product.

Paperwork Reduction Act

A federal agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not
required to respond to, nor shall a person be subject to penalty for
failure to comply with a collection of information subject to the
requirements of the Paperwork Reduction Act unless that collection of
information displays a current valid OMB control number. The control
number for the collection of information required by this AD is 2120-
0056. The paperwork cost associated with this AD has been detailed in
the Costs of Compliance section of this document and includes time for
reviewing instructions, as well as completing and reviewing the
collection of information. Therefore, all reporting associated with
this AD is mandatory. Comments concerning the accuracy of this burden
and suggestions for reducing the burden should be directed to the FAA
at 800 Independence Ave. SW., Washington, DC 20591. ATTN: Information
Collection Clearance Officer, AES-200.

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.

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.

Sec. 39.13 [Amended]

2. The FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by removing Amendment 39-17968 (79 FR
54895; September 5, 2014), and adding the following new AD: