Airworthiness Directives; DG Flugzeugbau GmbH and Schempp-Hirth Flugzeugbau GmbH Gliders

FAA / Federal Register · 2022-26991

The FAA proposes to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2015-09-04 R1, which applies to DG Flugzeugbau GmbH Model DG-1000T gliders equipped with a Solo Kleinmotoren GmbH (currently Solo Vertriebs-und Entwicklungs-GmbH) (Solo) Model 2350 C engine. AD 2015- 09-04 R1 prohibits operation of the engine and requires performing a magnetic particle or dye penetrant inspection of the propeller shaft and reporting the results of the inspection to Solo. This proposed AD is prompted by 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 identifies the unsafe condition as occurrences of rupture of the eccentric axle on Solo Model 2350 C engines (installed on DG Flugzeugbau GmbH Model DG- 1000T gliders in the United States) and an occurrence on a Solo Model 2350 D engine (installed on Schempp-Hirth Flugzeugbau GmbH (Schempp- Hirth) Model Duo Discus T gliders in the United States). This proposed AD would require repetitive replacement of the eccentric axle, would add the Schempp-Hirth Model Duo Discus T gliders to the applicability, and would retain from AD 2015-09-04 R1 the option of operating the glider with the engine non-operative instead of replacing the eccentric axle. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.