DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2018-0014; Product Identifier 2017-CE-044-AD; Amendment
39-19253; AD 2018-07-22]
RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; DG Flugzeugbau GmbH Gliders

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

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: We are superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2017-08-09 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 Nr. 4600-3
and identified as Solo 2625 02i. This 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 the potential of an in-flight shut-down and engine fire
due to 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 add a model to the applicability
and require actions to address the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective May 25, 2018.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of May 26, 2017
(82 FR 18694, April 21, 2017).

ADDRESSES: You may examine the AD docket on the internet at http://www.
regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2018-
0014; or in person at Docket Operations, U.S. Department of
Transportation, 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: aircraft@solo-
germany.com; internet: http://aircraft.solo-online.com. You may view
this referenced service information at the FAA, Policy and Innovation
Division, 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-2018-0014.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jim Rutherford, Aerospace Engineer,
FAA, Small Airplane Standards Branch, 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 Models
DG-500MB and DG-1000M airplanes. That NPRM was published in the Federal
Register on January 16, 2018 (83 FR 2088), and proposed to supersede AD
2017-08-09, Amendment 39-18858 (82 FR 18694; April 21, 2017) (``AD
2017-08-09''). Since we issued AD 2017-08-09, the FAA has now type
certificated the DG Flugzeugbau GmbH Model DG-1000M glider and that
glider model is equipped with a Solo 2625 02i engine.
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. You may examine the MCAI on the internet at: https://www.regulations.gov/document?D=FAA-2018-0014-0002.

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 issued Technische Mitteilung Nr.
(English translation: Service Bulletin No.) 4600-5, Ausgabe 2 (English
translation: Issue 2), dated December 12, 2014, approved for
incorporation by reference on May 26, 2017 (82 FR 18694; April 21,
2017). The service information describes procedures for changing the
fuel injector mounts for the engine redundancy system and securing of
the connection of the lower to the upper engine 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 this AD.

Other Related Service Information

We also reviewed Solo Kleinmotoren GmbH Technische Mitteilung Nr.
(English translation: Service Bulletin No.) 4600-3, Ausgabe 3 (English
translation: Issue 3), dated December 18, 2014, and the earlier
versions. The service information describes procedures for modifying
the engine Solo 2625 02 from the version with carburetors to the
version with electronic engine management for fuel injection and
ingnition.

Costs of Compliance

We estimate that this AD will affect 6 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 $912, 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.
This AD is issued in accordance with authority delegated by the
Executive Director, Aircraft Certification Service, as authorized by
FAA Order 8000.51C. In accordance with that order, issuance of ADs is
normally a function of the Compliance and Airworthiness Division, but
during this transition period, the Executive Director has delegated the
authority to issue ADs applicable to small airplanes, gliders,
balloons, airships, and domestic business jet transport airplanes, and
associated appliances to the Director of the Policy and Innovation
Division.

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-2018-
0014; 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

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 39-18858 (82 FR
18694; April 21, 2017) and adding the following new AD: