Airworthiness Directives; Grob-Werke Model G120AA Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 189 (Tuesday, September 30, 2003)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 56154-56156]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-24284]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2003-CE-26-AD; Amendment 39-13316; AD 2003-19-13]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Grob-Werke Model G120AA Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: The FAA adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all 
GROB-WERKE (GROB) Model G120A airplanes. This AD requires you to modify 
the flight control system operating levers. This AD is the result of 
mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) issued by the 
airworthiness authority for Germany. We are issuing this AD to prevent 
failure of a ball bearing in the flight control system operating 
levers. Such failure could lead to reduced control or loss of control 
of the airplane.

[[Page 56155]]


DATES: This AD becomes effective on November 11, 2003.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of certain publications listed in the regulation as of 
November 11, 2003.

ADDRESSES: You may get the service information identified in this AD 
from GROB Luft-und Raumfahrt, Lettenbachstrasse 9, D-86874 
Tussenhausen-Mattsies, Germany; telephone: 011 49 8268 998139; 
facsimile: 011 49 8268 998200; email: [email protected]. You may view the AD docket at FAA, Central Region, Office 
of the Regional Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket No. 2003-CE-26-AD, 901 
Locust, Room 506, Kansas City, Missouri 64106. Office hours are 8 a.m. 
to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Karl Schletzbaum, Aerospace Engineer, 
FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, 
Missouri 64106; telephone: (816) 329-4146; facsimile: (816) 329-4090.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

    What events have caused this AD? The Luftfahrt-Bundesamt (LBA), 
which is the airworthiness authority for Germany, recently notified FAA 
that an unsafe condition may exist on all GROB Model G120A airplanes. 
The LBA reports that a damaged ball bearing in a flight control system 
operating lever was found. The damage was found during regular 
maintenance. It is believed that the damage was caused by incorrect 
installation.
    What is the potential impact if FAA took no action? If not 
corrected, this condition could cause failure of a ball bearing in 
affected flight control system operating levers. Such failure could 
result in reduced control or loss of control of the airplane.
    Has FAA taken any action to this point? We issued a proposal to 
amend part 39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) to 
include an AD that would apply to all GROB Model G120A. This proposal 
was published in the Federal Register as a notice of proposed 
rulemaking (NPRM) on July 15, 2003 (68 FR 41760). The NPRM proposed to 
require you to modify the flight control system operating levers.
    Was the public invited to comment? We provided the public the 
opportunity to participate in the development of this AD. We received 
no comments on the proposal or on the determination of the cost to the 
public.

Conclusion

    What is FAA's final determination on this issue? We have carefully 
reviewed the available data and determined that air safety and the 
public interest require adopting the AD as proposed except for minor 
editorial corrections. We have determined that these minor corrections:

--Provide the intent that was proposed in the NPRM for correcting the 
unsafe condition; and
--Do not add any additional burden upon the public than was already 
proposed in the NPRM.

Changes to 14 CFR Part 39--Effect on the AD

    How does the revision to 14 CFR part 39 affect this AD? On July 10, 
2002, the FAA published a new version of 14 CFR part 39 (67 FR 47997, 
July 22, 2002), which governs the FAA's AD system. This regulation now 
includes material that relates to altered products, special flight 
permits, and alternative methods of compliance. This material 
previously was included in each individual AD. Since this material is 
included in 14 CFR part 39, we will not include it in future AD 
actions.

Costs of Compliance

    How many airplanes does this AD impact? We estimate that this AD 
affects 6 airplanes in the U.S. registry.
    What is the cost impact of this AD on owners/operators of the 
affected airplanes? We estimate the following costs to accomplish the 
modifications:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                            Total cost on U.S.
              Labor cost                      Parts cost        Total cost per airplane         operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
10 workhours x $60 per hour = $600...  No cost for parts......  $600...................  6 x $600 = $3,600.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Regulatory Findings

    Will this AD impact various entities? We have determined that this 
AD will not have federalism implications under Executive Order 13132. 
This AD will not have a substantial direct effect on the States, on the 
relationship between the national government and the States, or on the 
distribution of power and responsibilities among the various levels of 
government.
    Will this AD involve a significant rule or regulatory action? For 
the reasons discussed above, I certify that this AD:
    1. Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive Order 
12866;
    2. Is not a ``significant rule'' under the DOT Regulatory Policies 
and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979); and
    3. Will not have a significant economic impact, positive or 
negative, on a substantial number of small entities under the criteria 
of the Regulatory Flexibility Act.
    We prepared a summary of the costs to comply with this AD and 
placed it in the AD Docket. You may get a copy of this summary by 
sending a request to us at the address listed under ADDRESSES. Include 
``AD Docket No. 2003-CE-26-AD'' in your request.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by 
reference, Safety.

Adoption of the Amendment

0
Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the Administrator, 
the Federal Aviation Administration amends part 39 of the Federal 
Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) as follows:

PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES

0
1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows:

    Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701.


Sec.  39.13  [Amended]

0
2. FAA amends Sec.  39.13 by adding a new AD to read as follows:

2003-19-13 Grob-Werke: Amendment 39-13316; Docket No. 2003-CE-26-AD.

When Does This AD Become Effective?

    (a) This AD becomes effective on November 11, 2003.

Are Any Other ADs Affected By This Action?

    (b) None.

What Airplanes Are Affected by This AD?

    (c) This AD affects the following airplane models and serial 
numbers that are certificated in any category:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                    Model                             Serial Nos.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
G120A.......................................  All.
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What Is the Unsafe Condition Presented in This AD?

    (d) This AD is the result of mandatory continuing airworthiness 
information (MCAI)

[[Page 56156]]

issued by the airworthiness authority for Germany. The actions 
specified in this AD are intended to prevent failure of a ball 
bearing in the flight control system operating levers. Such failure 
could lead to reduced control or loss of control of the airplane.

What Must I Do To Address This Problem?

    (e) To address this problem, you must accomplish the following:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
           Actions                 Compliance            Procedures
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Inspect the flight        Inspect within the    In accordance with
 control system operating      next 50 hours time-   GROB Service
 levers for damaged ball       in-service (TIS)      Bulletin No.
 bearings and replace any      after November 11,    MSB1121-033, dated
 lever with a damaged ball     2003 (the effective   May 8, 2003 (which
 bearing.                      date of this AD).     includes Attachment
                               Replace levers with   1, dated May 8,
                               damaged ball          2003).
                               bearings prior to
                               further flight
                               after the
                               inspection.
-----------------------------
(2) Accomplish the            Within the next 50    In accordance with
 modifications to:             hours TIS after       GROB Service Letter
 (a) elevator rod 1, part      November 11, 2003     No. SL1121-009,
 number (P/N).                 (the effective date   dated May 23, 2003,
 120A-4400.08 or part number   of this AD).          and GROB Service
 120A-.                                              Bulletin No.
 4217 (which supersedes P/N                          MSB1121-034, dated
 120A-.                                              May 19, 2003 (which
 4400.08); and..............                         includes Attachment
 (b) the flight control                              1, dated May 19,
 system operating.                                   2003).
 levers.....................
-----------------------------
(3) Only install flight       As of November 11,
 control system operating      2003 (the effective
 levers that have been         date of this AD).
 modified in accordance with
 paragraph (e)(2)(a) and
 (e)(2)(b) of this AD.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

What About Alternative Methods of Compliance?

    (f) You may request a different method of compliance or a 
different compliance time for this AD by following the procedures in 
14 CFR 39.13. Send your request to the Manager, Standards Office, 
Small Airplane Directorate, FAA. For information on any already 
approved alternative methods of compliance, contact Karl 
Schletzbaum, Aerospace Engineer, FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 
901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, Missouri 64106; telephone: (816) 
329-4146; facsimile: (816) 329-4090.

Is There Material Incorporated by Reference?

    (g) Actions required by this AD must be done in accordance with 
GROB Service Letter No. SL1121-009, dated May 23, 2003; GROB Service 
Bulletin No. MSB1121-033, dated May 8, 2003 (which includes 
Attachment 1, dated May 8, 2003); and GROB Service Bulletin No. 
MSB1121-034, dated May 19, 2003 (which includes Attachment 1, dated 
May 19, 2003). The Director of the Federal Register approved the 
incorporation by reference of this service bulletin in accordance 
with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
    You may get a copy from GROB Luft-und Raumfahrt, 
Lettenbachstrasse 9, D-86874 Tussenhausen-Mattsies, Germany; 
telephone: 011 49 8268 998139; facsimile: 011 49 8268 998200; email: 
[email protected]. You may review copies at FAA, 
Central Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, 901 Locust, Room 
506, Kansas City, Missouri 64106; or at the Office of the Federal 
Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.

Is There Other Information That Relates to This Subject?

    (h) German AD 2003-164/2, dated May 22, 2003, also addresses the 
subject of this AD.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on September 18, 2003.
David R. Showers,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 03-24284 Filed 9-29-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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