AD NUMBER: 2017-13-06

PRODUCT: All DG Flugzeugbau GmbH Models DG-400, DG-500M, DG-500MB, DG-800A, and DG-800B gliders.

ACTION: Final Rule.

SUMMARY:  This AD results from mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) issued by an aviation authority of another country to identify and correct an unsafe condition on an aviation product.

The MCAI describes the unsafe condition as a manufacturing defect in certain textile fabric covered fuel hoses, which could cause the fuel hose to fail.

During service and annual inspection, DG found that some fuel hoses with textile fabric covering, installed from the beginning of the year 2015, had become weak or untight with time. The suspected root cause for this premature degradation is a manufacturing defect of a certain batch of fuel hoses.

This condition, if not detected and corrected, may lead to kinking of the fuel hoses, possibly resulting in a reduced fuel supply and consequent partial or total loss of available power.

The FAA estimates that this AD will affect 59 products of U.S. registry. It also estimates that it will take about 2 work-hours per product to comply with each inspection required by this AD. The average labor rate is $85 per work-hour.

Based on these figures, the inspection cost of this AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $10,030, or $170 per product.

DATES: This AD is effective July 31, 2017.

FMI: AD