Airworthiness Directive · Amendment 39-16110 · Starting
DG Flugzeugbau GmbH Models DG-500MB, DG-808C and DG-800B Gliders
This AD applies to Models DG-500MB, DG-808C, and DG-800B gliders, all serial numbers, certificated in any category.
We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for the products listed above. This AD results from 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:
Unless already done, do the following actions.
(1) Before further flight after December 21, 2009 (the effective date of this AD), and repetitively thereafter before every flight, inspect the installed version of the starter ring gear for cracks following paragraph 2 of the Instructions section of DG Flugzeugbau Technical note No. 800/36, 843/30, Revision 1, dated September 16, 2009.
(2) If, during the inspection required in paragraph (f)(1) of this AD, any crack is found, before further engine operation, replace the starter ring gear following paragraph 3 of the Instructions section of DG Flugzeugbau Technical note No. 800/36, 843/30, Revision 1, dated September 16, 2009.
(3) Within 90 days after December 21, 2009 (the effective date of this AD), replace the starter ring gear following paragraph 3 of the Instructions section of DG Flugzeugbau Technical note No. 800/36, 843/30, Revision 1, dated September 16, 2009. Replacement of the starter ring gear following paragraph 3 of the Instructions section of DG Flugzeugbau Technical note No. 800/36, 843/30, Revision 1, dated September 16, 2009, terminates the repetitive inspection requirement in paragraph (f)(1) of this AD.
Note: This AD differs from the MCAI and/or service information as follows: Although the MCAI or service information provides for a terminating action as an option, paragraph (f)(3) of this AD requires that you perform the terminating action within 90 days after December 21, 2009 (the effective date of this AD). This is consistent with paragraph 125 of the FAA AD Manual, FAA-IR-M-8040.1B (FAA-AIR-M-8040.1), which states: “The FAA has determined that long-term continued operational safety will be better assured by design changes that remove the source of the problem, rather than by repetitive inspections or other special procedures.”
