Proposed Rule2021-20034
Airworthiness Directives; DG Flugzeugbau GmbH Gliders
Primary source
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Published
September 17, 2021
Issuing agencies
Transportation DepartmentFederal Aviation Administration
Abstract
The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all DG Flugzeugbau GmbH Models DG-500MB and DG-1000M gliders with a Solo Kleinmotoren GmbH Solo Model 2625 02i engine installed. This proposed AD was prompted by 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 an error in the engine control unit (ECU) software. This proposed AD would require updating the ECU software. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 86 Issue 178 (Friday, September 17, 2021)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 178 (Friday, September 17, 2021)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 51838-51840]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2021-20034]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2021-0792; Project Identifier AD-2020-00593-G]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; DG Flugzeugbau GmbH Gliders
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
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SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD)
for all DG Flugzeugbau GmbH Models DG-500MB and DG-1000M gliders with a
Solo Kleinmotoren GmbH Solo Model 2625 02i engine installed. This
proposed AD was prompted by 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 an error in the engine control
unit (ECU) software. This proposed AD would require updating the ECU
software. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition
on these products.
DATES: The FAA must receive comments on this proposed AD by November 1,
2021.
ADDRESSES: You may send comments, using the procedures found in 14 CFR
11.43 and 11.45, by any of the following methods:
<bullet> Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to <a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a>. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
<bullet> Fax: (202) 493-2251.
<bullet> 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.
<bullet> Hand Delivery: Deliver to Mail address above between 9
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
For service information identified in this NPRM, contact Solo
Kleinmotoren GmbH, Postfach 600152, D71050 Sindelfingen, Germany;
phone: +49 703 1301-0; fax: +49 703 1301-136; email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#b5d4dcc7d6c7d4d3c1f5c6dad9da9889d495ddc7d0d388" http: germany.com">germany.com</a>">aircraft@solo-<a href="http://germany.com">germany.com</a></a>; website: <a href="https://aircraft.solo.global/gb/">https://aircraft.solo.global/gb/</a>. You may view
this service information at the FAA, Airworthiness Products Section,
Operational Safety Branch, 901 Locust, Kansas City, MO 64106. For
information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call (816)
329-4148.
Examining the AD Docket
You may examine the AD docket at <a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a> by
searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2021-0792; or in person at
Docket Operations between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday,
except Federal holidays. The AD docket contains this NPRM, the MCAI,
any comments received, and other information. The street address for
Docket Operations is listed above.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jim Rutherford, Aviation Safety
Engineer, General Aviation & Rotorcraft Section, International
Validation Branch, FAA, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, MO 64106;
phone: (816) 329-4165; fax: (816) 329-4090; email:
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#e8828185c69a9d9c808d9a8e879a8ca88e8989c68f879e"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="acc6c5c182ded9d8c4c9decac3dec8eccacdcd82cbc3da">[email protected]</span></a>.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments Invited
The FAA invites you to send any written relevant data, views, or
arguments about this proposal. Send your comments to an address listed
under ADDRESSES. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2021-0792; Project Identifier
AD-2020-00593-G'' at the beginning of your comments. The most helpful
comments reference a specific portion of the proposal, explain the
reason for any recommended change, and include supporting data. The FAA
will consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend
this proposal because of those comments.
Except for Confidential Business Information (CBI) as described in
the following paragraph, and other information as described in 14 CFR
11.35, the FAA will post all comments received, without change, to
<a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a>, including any personal information you
provide. The agency will also post a report summarizing each
substantive verbal contact received about this NPRM.
Confidential Business Information
CBI is commercial or financial information that is both customarily
and actually treated as private by its owner. Under the Freedom of
Information Act (FOIA) (5 U.S.C. 552), CBI is exempt from public
disclosure. If your comments responsive to this NPRM contain commercial
or financial information that is customarily treated as private, that
you actually treat as private, and that is relevant or responsive to
this NPRM, it is important that you clearly designate the submitted
comments as CBI. Please mark each page of your submission containing
CBI as ``PROPIN.'' The FAA will treat such marked submissions as
confidential under the FOIA, and they will not be placed in the public
docket of this NPRM. Submissions containing CBI should be sent to Jim
Rutherford, Aviation Safety Engineer, General Aviation & Rotorcraft
Section, International Validation Branch, FAA, 901 Locust, Room 301,
Kansas City, MO 64106. Any commentary that the FAA receives which is
not specifically designated as CBI will be placed in the public docket
for this rulemaking.
Background
The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the
Technical Agent for the Member States of the European Union, has issued
EASA AD 2020-0056, dated March 13, 2020 (referred to after this as
``the MCAI''), to address an unsafe condition on Solo Kleinmotoren GmbH
Solo Model 2625 02 engines, variation 02i with electronic fuel
injection, installed on but not limited to Binder Motorenbau, DG-
Flugzeugbau and Schempp-Hirth powered sailplanes (gliders). The MCAI
states:
An error was found in the ECU affected SW [software] that can
cause brief injection of fuel into one cylinder when the ECU is
activated.
This condition, if not corrected, could increase the time needed
to (re)start the engine in flight, possibly resulting in reduced
control of the powered sailplane.
To address this potential unsafe condition, SOLO Kleinmotoren
GmbH, together with the ECU manufactuerer [sic], developed an ECU SW
update and issued the SB [service
[[Page 51839]]
bulletin] accordingly, providing installation instructions.
For the reason described above, this [EASA] AD requires an
update of the ECU software.
You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket at <a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a> by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2021-
0792.
The Model 2625 02i engine does not have an FAA type certificate.
For Model DG-1000M gliders, this engine is part of the glider type
certification. For Model DG-500MB gliders, this engine may be installed
as a Model 2525 02 engine modified with a fuel injection system and re-
identified as a Model 2625 02i engine.
FAA's Determination
This product has been approved by the aviation authority of another
country and is approved for operation in the United States. Pursuant to
the FAA's bilateral agreement with this State of Design Authority, it
has notified the FAA of the unsafe condition described in the MCAI and
service information referenced above. The FAA is issuing this NPRM
after determining that the unsafe condition described previously is
likely to exist or develop on other products of the same type design.
Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51
The FAA reviewed Solo Kleinmotoren GmbH Service Bulletin No. 4600-
11, dated August 19, 2019. This service information specifies
procedures for updating the ECU software to a version that fixes a
software error found in previous ECU software versions. 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 ADDRESSES.
Proposed AD Requirements in This NPRM
This proposed AD would require updating the ECU software version
and would prohibit installing software version V517 Revision 7 or
earlier.
Costs of Compliance
The FAA estimates that this AD, if adopted as proposed, would
affect 4 gliders of U.S. registry. The FAA estimates that it would take
about 2 work-hours per glider to comply with the requirements of this
AD. The average labor rate is $85 per work-hour. Based on these
figures, the FAA estimates the cost of this AD on U.S. operators to be
$680 or $170 per glider.
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.
The FAA is 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
The FAA determined that this proposed AD would not have federalism
implications under Executive Order 13132. This proposed AD would 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 proposed
regulation:
(1) Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive
Order 12866,
(2) Would not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and
(3) Would 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.
The Proposed Amendment
Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the
Administrator, the FAA proposes to amend 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 airworthiness
directive:
DG Flugzeugbau GmbH: Docket No. FAA-2021-0792; Project Identifier
AD-2020-00593-G.
(a) Comments Due Date
The FAA must receive comments on this airworthiness directive
(AD) by November 1, 2021.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to DG Flugzeugbau GmbH Models DG-500MB and DG-
1000M gliders, all serial numbers, certificated in any category,
with a Solo Kleinmotoren GmbH Solo Model 2625 02i engine installed.
(d) Subject
Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 7300, Engine Fuel
and Control.
(e) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by 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 an error in the
engine control unit (ECU) software. The FAA is issuing this AD to
prevent an injection of fuel into one cylinder when the ECU is
activated. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could result in
difficulty starting the engine and reduced control of the glider.
(f) Compliance
Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified,
unless already done.
(g) Required Actions
(1) Within 3 months after the effective date of this AD, update
the ECU software to software version V517 Revision 8 in accordance
with the Actions in Solo Kleinmotoren GmbH Service Bulletin No.
4600-11, dated August 19, 2019.
(2) As of the effective date of this AD, do not install ECU
software version V517 Revision 7 or earlier on any glider with a
Solo Kleinmotoren GmbH Solo Model 2625 02i engine.
(h) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)
(1) The Manager, International Validation Branch, FAA, has the
authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the
procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. In accordance with 14 CFR 39.19,
send your request to your principal inspector or local Flight
Standards District Office, as appropriate. If sending information
directly to the manager of the certification office, send it to the
attention of the person identified in paragraph (i)(1) of this AD,
Related Information, or email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#ab9286eafdf886eae2f9869c989b86eae6e4e8ebcdcaca85ccc4dd"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="9ea7b3dfc8cdb3dfd7ccb3a9adaeb3dfd3d1dddef8ffffb0f9f1e8">[email protected]</span></a>.
(2) Before using any approved AMOC, notify your appropriate
principal inspector,
[[Page 51840]]
or lacking a principal inspector, the manager of the local flight
standards district office/certificate holding district office.
(i) Related Information
(1) For more information about this AD, contact Jim Rutherford,
Aviation Safety Engineer, General Aviation & Rotorcraft Section,
International Validation Branch, FAA, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas
City, MO 64106; phone: (816) 329-4165; fax: (816) 329-4090; email:
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#305a595d1e424544585542565f4254705651511e575f46"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="365c5f5b184443425e5344505944527650575718515940">[email protected]</span></a>.
(2) Refer to European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD
2020-0056, dated March 13, 2020, for more information. You may
examine the EASA AD in the AD docket at <a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a>
by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2021-0792.
(3) For service information identified in this AD, contact Solo
Kleinmotoren GmbH, Postfach 600152, D71050 Sindelfingen, Germany;
phone: +49 703 1301-0; fax: +49 703 1301-136; email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#f19098839283909785b1829e9d9edccd90d199839497cc" http: germany.com">germany.com</a>">aircraft@solo-<a href="http://germany.com">germany.com</a></a>; website: <a href="https://aircraft.solo.global/gb/">https://aircraft.solo.global/gb/</a>. You may view
this referenced service information at the FAA, Airworthiness
Products Section, Operational Safety Branch, 901 Locust, Kansas
City, MO 64106. For information on the availability of this material
at the FAA, call (816) 329-4148.
Issued on September 13, 2021.
Lance T. Gant,
Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 2021-20034 Filed 9-16-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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