[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 244 (Thursday, December 23, 2021)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 72827-72829]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-27636]


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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; 
Amendment 39-21840; AD 2021-24-19]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; DG Flugzeugbau GmbH Gliders

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all 
DG Flugzeugbau GmbH Model DG-500MB and DG-1000M gliders with a Solo 
Kleinmotoren GmbH Solo Model 2625 02i engine installed. 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. This AD requires updating the ECU software. The FAA is 
issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective January 27, 2022.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of January 27, 
2022.

ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this final rule, 
contact Solo Kleinmotoren GmbH, Postfach 600152, D71050 Sindelfingen, 
Germany; phone: +49 703 1301-0; fax: +49 703 1301-136; email: 
germany.com">[email protected]germany.com; website: https://aircraft.solo.global/gb/. 
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. It is also available at https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2021-
0792.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket at https://www.regulations.gov 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 final rule, the 
MCAI, any comments received, and other information. The address for 
Docket Operations is 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: 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: 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    The FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 
CFR part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to all DG Flugzeugbau GmbH 
Model DG-500MB and DG-1000M gliders with a Solo Kleinmotoren GmbH Solo 
Model 2625 02i engine installed. The NPRM published in the Federal 
Register on September 17, 2021 (86 FR 51838). The NPRM was prompted by 
MCAI originated by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), 
which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of the European 
Union. EASA 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 bulletin] accordingly, providing 
installation instructions.
    For the reason described above, this [EASA] AD requires an 
update of the ECU software.


[[Page 72828]]


    You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket at https://www.regulations.gov 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.

Discussion of Final Airworthiness Directive

Comments

    The FAA received no comments on the NPRM or on the determination of 
the costs.

Conclusion

    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 reviewed the relevant 
data and determined that air safety requires adopting this AD as 
proposed. Accordingly, the FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe 
condition on these products. This AD is adopted as proposed in the 
NPRM.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    The FAA reviewed Solo Kleinmotoren GmbH Service Bulletin No. 4600-
11, Ausgabe 1 (English translation: Issue 1), 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.

Costs of Compliance

    The FAA estimates that this AD affects 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

    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. For the reasons discussed above, I certify this AD.
    (1) Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive 
Order 12866,
    (2) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, 
and[FEDREG][VOL]*[/VOL][NO]*[/NO][DATE]*[/
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    (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.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by 
reference, Safety.

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: 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:

2021-24-19 DG Flugzeugbau GmbH: Amendment 39-21840; Docket No. FAA-
2021-0792; Project Identifier AD-2020-00593-G.

(a) Effective Date

    This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective January 27, 2022.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to DG Flugzeugbau GmbH Model 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, Ausgabe 1 (English translation: Issue 1), 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 or 
email: [email protected].
    (2) Before using any approved AMOC, notify your appropriate 
principal inspector, 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

[[Page 72829]]

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: 
[email protected].
    (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 https://www.regulations.gov 
by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2021-0792.

(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 Service Bulletin No. 4600-11, Ausgabe 
1 (English translation: Issue 1), dated August 19, 2019.
    Note 1 to paragraph (j)(2)(i): This service information contains 
German to English translation. EASA used the English translation in 
referencing the document from Stemme AG. For enforceability 
purposes, the FAA will cite the service information in English as it 
appears on the document.
    (ii) [Reserved]
    (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: germany.com">[email protected]germany.com; website: https://aircraft.solo.global/gb/.
    (4) You may view this service information at 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.
    (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, email: [email protected], or go to: https://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.

    Issued on November 18, 2021.
Lance T. Gant,
Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2021-27636 Filed 12-22-21; 8:45 am]
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