FR Doc E7-18474

[Federal Register: September 21, 2007 (Volume 72, Number 183)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 53923-53925]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr21se07-6]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2007-27787 Directorate Identifier 2007-CE-032-AD;
Amendment 39-15209; AD 2007-19-18]
RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; DG Flugzeugbau GmbH Model DG-1000T
Gliders

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 the
products listed above. 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:

The digital engine indicating system (DEI-NT) and associated
control unit must get their latest software update. It has been
found out in operation, that some combinations of system states
while pressing switches can cause electrical damages to the system.
A new software update is mandated to correct this deficiency and to
incorporate additional safety functions to the system.

We are issuing this AD to require actions to correct the unsafe
condition on these products.

DATES: This AD becomes effective October 26, 2007.
On October 26, 2007, the Director of the Federal Register approved
the incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in this
AD.

ADDRESSES: You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://dms.dot.gov
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 FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Greg Davison, Glider Program Manager,
FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City,
Missouri 64106; telephone: (816) 329-4130; fax: (816) 329-4090.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

We issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR
part 39 to include an AD that would apply to the specified products.
That

[[Page 53924]]

NPRM was published in the Federal Register on June 28, 2007 (72 FR
35371). That NPRM proposed to correct an unsafe condition for the
specified products. The MCAI states:

The digital engine ind icating system (DEI-NT) and associated
control unit must get their latest software update. It has been
found out in operation, that some combinations of system states
while pressing switches can cause electrical damages to the system.
A new software update is mandated to correct this deficiency and to
incorporate additional safety functions to the system.

As a result, the Flight and Maintenance Manuals need to be
revised, specifically regarding the stall warning.

You may obtain further information by examining the MCAI in the AD
docket.

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 available data and determined that air safety and
the public interest require adopting the AD as proposed.

Differences Between This AD and the MCAI or Service Information

We have reviewed the MCAI and related service information and, in
general, agree with their substance. But we might have found it
necessary to use different words from those in the MCAI to ensure the
AD is clear for U.S. operators and is enforceable. In making these
changes, we do not intend to differ substantively from the information
provided in the MCAI and related service information.
We might also have required different actions in this AD from those
in the MCAI in order to follow FAA policies. Any such differences are
highlighted in a NOTE within the AD.

Costs of Compliance

We estimate that this AD will affect 1 product of U.S. registry. We
also estimate that it will take about 1 work-hour per product to comply
with basic requirements of this AD. The average labor rate is $80 per
work-hour.
Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of this AD to the U.S.
operators to be $80 or $80 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 DOT Regulatory Policies and
Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979); and
(3) 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.
We prepared a regulatory evaluation of the estimated costs to
comply with this AD and placed it in the AD Docket.

Examining the AD Docket

You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://dms.dot.gov
; 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

0
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:

2007-19-18 DG Flugzeugbau GmbH: Amendment 39-15209; Docket No. FAA-
2007-27787; Directorate Identifier 2007-CE-032-AD.

Effective Date

(a) This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective October
26, 2007.

Affected ADs

(b) None.

Applicability

Subject

(d) Air Transport Association of America (ATA) Code 77: Engine
Indicating.

Reason

(e) The mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI)
states:

Actions and Compliance

(f) Within the next 60 days after October 26, 2007 (the
effective day of this AD), unless already done, do the following
actions:
(1) Replace the Digital Indicating System (DEI-NT) unit with an
updated unit that incorporates software version V1.5, and replace
the control unit with an updated unit that incorporates software
version V1.9 following DG-Flugzeugbau GmbH Technical Note No. 1000/
09, EASA approved December 12, 2006.
(2) Insert the new Flight Manual pages 0.1, 0.5, 7.14, and 7.15
and the new Maintenance Manual pages 0.1, 0.3, 0.6, 0.10, 1.22, and
1.23, issued October 2006 marked with TN1000/09, and add Diagram 15a
into your maintenance program (maintenance manual) following DG-
Flugzeugbau GmbH Technical Note No. 1000/09, EASA approved December
12, 2006.
(3) Prior to further flight after the action required by
paragraph (f)(1) of this AD, do not install a DEI-NT or control unit
in any DG-1000T airplane, unless it incorporates the software
versions required in this AD.

[[Page 53925]]

Note 1: The referenced DG-Flugzeugbau GmbH Technical Note No.
1000/09, EASA approved December 12, 2006, also includes instructions
for replacement of the fuel cock, which is not required by this AD.

Note 2: As specified in the flight manual, the glider can only
be operated in the non-powered configuration without the DEI-NT
installed. Engine operation is not possible.

FAA AD Differences

Note 3: This AD differs from the MCAI as follows: No
differences.

Other FAA AD Provisions

(g) The following provisions also apply to this AD:
(1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager,
Standards Staff, FAA, ATTN: Greg Davison, Glider Program Manager,
FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City,
Missouri 64106; telephone: (816) 329-4130; fax: (816) 329-4090, has
the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the
procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. 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.
(3) Reporting Requirements: For any reporting requirement in
this AD, under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act (44
U.S.C. 3501 et.seq.), the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has
approved the information collection requirements and has assigned
OMB Control Number 2120-0056.

Related Information

(h) Refer to MCAI European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD No.
2007-0040, dated February 23, 2007; and DG-Flugzeugbau GmbH
Technical Note No. 1000/09, EASA approved December 12, 2006, for
related information.

Material Incorporated by Reference

(i)You must use DG-Flugzeugbau GmbH Technical Note No. 1000/09,
EASA approved December 12, 2006, to do the actions required by this
AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise.
(1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the
incorporation by reference of this service information under 5
U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
(2) For service information identified in this AD, contact DG-
Flugzeugbau GmbH, Wilhelm Dirks, Chief of Design; Otto-Lilienthal-
Weg 2, 76646 Bruchsal, Germany; telephone: +49 7251 3020 140; fax:
+49 7251 3020 149; e-mail: design@dg-flugzeugbau.de.
(3) You may review copies at the FAA, Central Region, Office of
the Regional Counsel, 901 Locust, Room 506, Kansas City, Missouri
64106; or 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 September 13, 2007.
Kim Smith,
Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. E7-18474 Filed 9-20-07; 8:45 am]

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