2024-19-12: Elevator Control System

1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows: Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701. 2. The FAA amends § 39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness directive: 2024-19-12 DG Aviation GmbH (Type Certificate Previously Held by DG Flugzeugbau GmbH): Amendment 39-22854; Docket No. FAA-2024-2316; Project Identifier MCAI-2024-00381-G. (a) Effective Date This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective October 15, 2024. (b) Affected ADs None. (c) Applicability This AD applies to the following: (1) DG Aviation GmbH (type certificate previously held by DG Flugzeugbau GmbH) Model DG-400 gliders, all serial numbers, certificated in any category, except those with l'Hotellier connections of the elevator control installed; and (2) DG Aviation GmbH (type certificate previously held by DG Flugzeugbau GmbH) Model DG-500 Elan Orion, DG-500 Elan Trainer, DG-500/20 Elan, DG-500/22 Elan, DG-500M, DG-500MB, DG-800A, DG-800B, DG-808C, DG-1000M, DG-1000S, and DG-1000T gliders, all serial numbers; certificated in any category. (d) Subject Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 2730, Elevator Control System. (e) Unsafe Condition This AD was prompted by a report of a broken rod end at the upper end of the elevator pushrod in the fin (vertical tail) of a DG Aviation GmbH DG-300 glider. The FAA is issuing this AD to detect and address the unsafe condition. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could result in loss of pitch control of the glider. (f) Compliance Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, unless already done. (g) Definitions For the purposes of this AD the definitions in paragraphs (g)(1) through (5) of this AD apply. (1) The "applicable technical note for your glider" is: (i) Model DG-400 gliders: DG Aviation GmbH Technical Note No. DG-SS-09, Doc. No. TMDG-SS-09 FE-29-01, Issue 01.f, dated March 5, 2024. (ii) Model DG-500 gliders: DG Aviation GmbH Technical Note No. 500/17, Doc. No. TM500-17 FE-29-01, Issue 01.c, dated March 5, 2023. (iii) Model DG-800 gliders: DG Aviation GmbH Technical Note No. 800/50, Doc. No. TM800-50 FE-29-01, Issue 01.c, dated March 5, 2024. (iv) Model DG-1000 gliders: DG Aviation GmbH Technical Note No. 1000/50, Doc. No. TM1000-50 FE-29-01, Issue 01.c, dated March 4, 2024. (2) A "new elevator pushrod end" is an elevator pushrod with zero hours time-in-service (TIS) having a part number specified in the applicable technical note for your glider that has never been installed on any glider. (3) A "new elevator roller" is an elevator roller with zero hours TIS having a part number specified in the applicable technical note for your glider that has never been installed on any glider. (4) Group 1 gliders: Model DG-400 gliders. (5) Group 2 gliders: Model DG-500 Elan Orion, DG-500 Elan Trainer, DG-500/20 Elan, DG-500/22 Elan, DG-500M, DG-500MB, DG-800A, DG-800B, DG-808C, DG-1000M, DG-1000S, and DG-1000T gliders. (h) Required Actions (1) Group 1 and Group 2 gliders: Within 3 months after the effective date of this AD, revise your existing glider maintenance manual in accordance with paragraph 1 of the Instructions in the applicable technical note for your glider. (2) Group 1 and Group 2 gliders: Within 3 months after the effective date of this AD, accomplish an operational check of the free play adjustment of the automatic elevator hook-up in accordance with paragraph 2 of the Instructions in the applicable technical note for your glider. (i) Group 1 gliders: If, during the operational check required by paragraph (h)(2) of this AD, any discrepancy as described in paragraph 2 of the Instructions in the applicable technical note for your glider is detected, before further flight, replace the elevator roller with a new elevator roller and adjust free play in accordance with paragraph 2 of the Instructions in the applicable technical note for your glider. Where the technical note for your glider specifies to "mark the removed rod end as [an] unserviceable part" this AD requires "removing that elevator pushrod end from service." Where the technical note for your glider specifies "If a new rod end is needed, order it immediately at DG" this AD only requires "replacing the elevator pushrod end with a new elevator pushrod end." (ii) Group 2 gliders: If, during the operational check required by paragraph (h)(2) of this AD, any discrepancy, as described in paragraph 2 of the Instructions of the applicable technical note for your glider is detected, before further flight, replace either the elevator pushrod end or elevator roller or both, as applicable, with a new elevator pushrod end and new elevator roller and adjust the free play in accordance with paragraph 2 of the Instructions in the applicable technical note for your glider. Where the technical note for your glider specifies to "mark the removed rod end as [an] unserviceable part" this AD requires "removing that elevator pushrod end from service." Where the technical note for your glider specifies "If a new rod end is needed, order it immediately at DG" this AD only requires "replacing the elevator pushrod end with a new elevator pushrod end." (3) Group 1 gliders: Within 3 months after the effective date of this AD, replace the elevator pushrod end with a new elevator pushrod end in accordance with paragraph 2 of the Instructions in the applicable technical note for your glider. (i) Reporting Not Required Although the Remarks section of the material specified in paragraph (g)(1) of this AD states to report "any damaged parts, false adjustment of the elevator control, or false installation of parts" and "If you find that airworthiness may be affected this has to be reported to the competent authority," this AD does not require those actions. (j) Special Flight Permit Special flight permits are prohibited. (k) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs) 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 International Validation Branch, send it to the attention of the person identified in paragraph (l) of this AD and email to: [email protected]. 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. (l) Additional Information For more information about this AD, contact Fred Guerin, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; phone: (206) 231-2346; email: [email protected]. (m) Material Incorporated by Reference (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference (IBR) of the material listed in this paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. (2) You must use this material as applicable to do the actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise. (i) DG Aviation GmbH Technical Note No. DG-SS-09, Doc. No. TMDG-SS-09 FE-29-01, Issue 01.f, dated March 5, 2024. (ii) DG Aviation GmbH Technical Note No. 500/17, Doc. No. TM500-17 FE-29-01, Issue 01.c, dated March 5, 2023. (iii) DG Aviation GmbH Technical Note No. 800/50, Doc. No. TM800-50 FE-29-01, Issue 01.c, dated March 5, 2024. (iv) DG Aviation GmbH Technical Note No. 1000/50, Doc. No. TM1000-50 FE-29-01, Issue 01.c, dated March 4, 2024. (3) For DG Aviation GmbH material identified in this AD, contact DG Aviation GmbH, Otto-Lilienthal Weg 2/Am Flugplatz, 76646 Bruchsal, Germany; phone: +49 (0) 7251 36660-32; email: [email protected]; website: dg-aviation.de/en/dg-flugzeugbau/contact. (4) You may view this material 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 (817) 222-5110. (5) You may view this material at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of this material at NARA, visit www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations or email [email protected]. Issued on September 19, 2024. Steven W. Thompson, Acting Deputy Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. 2024-22321 Filed 9-25-24; 4:15 pm]BILLING CODE 4910-13-P