Airworthiness Directive · Amendment 39-22347 · Engine
DG Flugzeugbau GmbH and Schempp-Hirth Flugzeugbau GmbH Gliders
This AD applies to DG Flugzeugbau GmbH Model DG-1000T gliders and Schempp-Hirth Flugzeugbau GmbH (Schempp-Hirth) Model Duo Discus T gliders, all serial numbers, certificated in any category, with a Solo Vertriebs-und Entwicklungs-GmbH (previously Solo Kleinmotoren GmbH) (Solo) Model 2350 C or Model 2350 D engine installed.
The FAA is superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2015-09-04 R1, which applied 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 prohibited operation of the engine and required performing a magnetic particle or dye penetrant inspection of the propeller shaft and reporting the results of the inspection to Solo. This 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 AD requires repetitive replacement of the eccentric axle, adds the Schempp-Hirth Model Duo Discus T gliders to the applicability, and retains 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 issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
(1) For DG Flugzeugbau GmbH Model DG-1000T gliders equipped with a Solo Model 2350 C engine, before further flight after the effective date of this AD, replace each eccentric axle that is not part number (P/N) 2031211V2 with an eccentric axle that is P/N 2031211V2 that has zero hours time-in-service (TIS).
Note 1 to paragraph (g)(1): DG Flugzeugbau Technical Note 1000/26, dated September 23, 2015, contains information related to replacing the eccentric axle specific for the DG Flugzeugbau GmbH Model DG-1000T gliders. Solo Kleinmotoren GmbH Technische Mitteilung (English translation: Service Bulletin), Nr. 4603-17, datum (English translation: dated) July 15, 2015, contains information related to replacing the eccentric axle for the Solo Model 2350 C engine, but is not specific to the DG Flugzeugbau GmbH Model DG-1000T gliders.
(2) For Schempp-Hirth Model Duo Discus T gliders equipped with a Solo Model 2350 D engine, within 30 hours TIS of engine operation after the effective date of this AD, replace each eccentric axle that is not P/N 2031211V2 with an eccentric axle that is P/N 2031211V2 that has zero hours TIS in accordance with Action 1, Note 2, and Pictures 1 through 6 of Solo Kleinmotoren GmbH Technische Mitteilung (English translation: Service Bulletin), Nr. 4603-19, dautm (English translation: dated) January 31, 2022.
Note 2 to paragraph (g)(2): This service information contains German to English translation. The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) used the English translation in referencing the document. For enforceability purposes, the FAA will refer to the Solo Kleinmotoren service information in English as it appears on the document.
(3) For all gliders, after the initial replacement required by paragraph (g)(1) or (2) of this AD, as applicable, or if an eccentric axle P/N 2031211V2 was installed as of the effective date of this AD, within intervals not to exceed 50 hours TIS of engine operation, replace each eccentric axle P/N 2031211V2 with an eccentric axle P/N 2031211V2 that has zero hours TIS as specified in paragraph (g)(1) or (2) of this AD, as applicable.
(4) It is allowed to operate a glider having a Solo Model 2350 C or Model 2350 D engine installed with the engine inoperative instead of replacing the eccentric axle. To operate with the engine inoperative, place a copy of this AD into the Limitations section of the existing aircraft flight manual for your glider and do not operate the engine.
(i) Remove this operating limitation after replacing the eccentric axle as required by paragraphs (g)(1) or (2) and (3) of this AD.
(ii) The owner/operator (pilot) holding at least a private pilot certificate may perform both the incorporation and removal of the operating limitation and the actions must be entered into the aircraft records showing compliance with this AD in accordance with 14 CFR 43.9(a) and 14 CFR 91.417(a)(2)(v). The record must be maintained as required by 14 CFR 91.417, 121.380, or 135.439.
The aircraft, engines and makers this AD names, by the model designations in its text. A model listed here may still be outside the AD's serial ranges.
