Airworthiness Directives; Grob-Werke Gmbh & Co KG Models G102 CLUB ASTIR III, G102 CLUB ASTIR IIIb, and G102 STANDARD ASTIR III Sailplanes

[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 162 (Monday, August 23, 2004)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 51761-51763]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-18997]



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Federal Register / Vol. 69, No. 162 / Monday, August 23, 2004 / Rules 
and Regulations

[[Page 51761]]



DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2004-CE-10-AD; Amendment 39-13776; AD 2004-17-04]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Grob-Werke Gmbh & Co KG Models G102 
CLUB ASTIR III, G102 CLUB ASTIR IIIb, and G102 STANDARD ASTIR III 
Sailplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The FAA supersedes Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2001-26-25, 
which applies to all Grob-Werke Gmbh & Co KG (Grob) Models G102 CLUB 
ASTIR III, G102 CLUB ASTIR IIIb, and G102 STANDARD ASTIR III 
sailplanes. AD 2001-26-25 currently requires you to apply a red mark 
and install a placard on the airspeed indicator to restrict the Vne 
airspeed. This AD requires you to install additional mass balance in 
the elevator and ailerons and determine resultant empty weight and 
empty weight center of gravity; incorporate a revision in the sailplane 
maintenance manual; and remove the red mark and the red placard on the 
airspeed indicator (both required by AD 2001-26-25). 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 elevator flutter, which could cause structural damage. Such 
damage could result in loss of control of the sailplane.

DATES: This AD becomes effective on October 7, 2004.
    As of October 7, 2004, the Director of the Federal Register 
approved the incorporation by reference of certain publications listed 
in the regulation.

ADDRESSES: You may get the service information identified in this AD 
from GROB Luft-und Raumfahrt, Lettenbachstrasse 9, D-86874 
Tussenhausen-Mattsies, Federal Republic of Germany; telephone: 49 8268 
998139; facsimile: 49 8268 998200.
    You may view the AD docket at FAA, Central Region, Office of the 
Regional Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket No. 2004-CE-10-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: Greg Davison, Aerospace Engineer, FAA, 
Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, Missouri 
64106; telephone: (816) 329-4130; facsimile: (816) 329-4090.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

    Has FAA taken any action to this point? The Luftfahrt-Bundesamt 
(LBA), which is the airworthiness authority for Germany, reported that 
during flight operation of Model G102 CLUB ASTIR IIIb sailplanes, two 
events of elevator flutter occurred in the upper flight speed range due 
to unknown causes. This resulted in us issuing AD 2001-26-25, Amendment 
39-12591 (67 FR 809, January 8, 2002).
    AD 2001-26-25 currently requires the following on Grob Models G102 
CLUB ASTIR III, G102 CLUB ASTIR IIIb, and G102 STANDARD ASTIR III 
sailplanes:

--Application of a red mark on the airspeed indicator at 165 km/h, 89.1 
kts, or 102.5 mph (according to the airspeed indicator calibration); 
and
--Installation of a red placard to the airspeed indicator restricting 
the Vne airspeed to 165 km/h, 89.1 kts, or 102.5 mph (according to the 
airspeed indicator calibration).

    What has happened since AD 2001-26-25 to initiate this action? The 
LBA recently notified FAA of the need to change AD 2001-26-25. As a 
result of extensive tests and calculations, the LBA has determined that 
operation within the original margins can be approved if additional 
mass balance is installed in the elevators and ailerons.
    Additionally, the LBA has determined that the operation with 
restricted Vne airspeed to 165 km/h, 89.1 kts, or 102.5 mph (according 
to the airspeed indicator calibration) is permitted to continue until 
additional mass balance is installed in the elevator and ailerons.
    What is the potential impact if FAA took no action? Elevator 
flutter could cause structural damage. Such damage could result in loss 
of control of the sailplane.
    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-Werke Gmbh & Co KG (Grob) 
Models G102 CLUB ASTIR III, G102 CLUB ASTIR IIIb, and G102 STANDARD 
ASTIR III sailplanes. This proposal was published in the Federal 
Register as a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) on June 3, 2004 (69 
FR 31327). The NPRM proposed to supersede AD 2001-26-25 with a new AD 
that would require you to:

--Install additional mass balance in the elevator and ailerons and 
determine empty weight and empty weight center of gravity after 
installing any additional mass balance;
--Incorporate Revision 2, dated December 4, 2002, in the sailplane 
maintenance manual or other appropriate document; and
--Remove the red mark on the airspeed indicator (required by AD 2001-
26-25) at 165 km/h, 89.1 kts, or 102.5 mph.

Comments

    Was the public invited to comment? We provided the public the 
opportunity to participate in developing 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:
--Are consistent with 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.

[[Page 51762]]

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 sailplanes does this AD impact? We estimate that this AD 
affects 50 sailplanes in the U.S. registry.
    What is the cost impact of this AD on owners/operators of the 
affected sailplanes? We estimate the following costs to accomplish the 
modification to install additional mass balance in the elevator and 
ailerons and determine the empty weight and empty weight center of 
gravity; incorporate a revision in the applicable sailplane maintenance 
manual; and remove the red mark on the airspeed indicator and the red 
placard to the airspeed indicator:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                              Total cost per     Total cost on
                 Labor cost                            Parts cost               sailplane        U.S. operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
10 workhours x $65 per hour = $650.........  Not Applicable...............              $650            $32,500
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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. 2004-CE-10-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 removing Airworthiness Directive (AD) 
2001-26-25, Amendment 39-12591 (67 FR 809, January 8, 2002), and by 
adding a new AD to read as follows:

2004-17-04 Grob-Werke Gmbh & Co KG: Amendment 39-13776; Docket No. 
2004-CE-10-AD.

When Does This AD Become Effective?

    (a) This AD becomes effective on October 7, 2004.

What Other ADs Are Affected by This Action?

    (b) This AD supersedes AD 2001-26-25.

What Sailplanes Are Affected by This AD?

    (c) This AD affects the following Models G102 CLUB ASTIR III, 
G102 CLUB ASTIR IIIb, and G102 STANDARD ASTIR III sailplanes, all 
serial numbers, that are certificated in any category.

What Is the Unsafe Condition Presented in This AD?

    (d) This AD is the result of mandatory continuing airworthiness 
information (MCAI) issued by the airworthiness authority for 
Germany. The actions specified in this AD are intended to prevent 
elevator flutter, which could cause structural damage. Such damage 
could result in loss of control of the sailplane.

What Must I Do To Address This Problem?

    (e) To address this problem, you must do the following, unless 
already done:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
             Actions                  Compliance          Procedures
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Install additional mass       Within the next 25  Follow GROB Luft-
 balance in the elevator and       hours time-in-      und Raumfahrt
 ailerons and determine            service (TIS)       Service Bulletin
 resultant empty weight and        after October 7,    No. MSB306-36/3,
 empty weight center of gravity.   2004 (the           dated December 4,
                                   effective date of   2002; GROB Luft-
                                   this AD).           und Raumfahrt
                                                       Service
                                                       Installation
                                                       Instructions No.
                                                       MSB306-36/3,
                                                       dated April 18,
                                                       2002; and
                                                       Instructions for
                                                       Continued
                                                       Airworthiness
                                                       GROB G 102,
                                                       Revision 1, dated
                                                       April 18, 2002.
                                                       The applicable
                                                       sailplane
                                                       maintenance
                                                       manual also
                                                       addresses this
                                                       issue.
---------------------------------
(2) Incorporate Instructions for  Before further      Not applicable.
 Continued Airworthiness GROB G    flight after
 102, Revision 1, dated April      installing the
 18, 2002, in the sailplane        additional mass
 maintenance manual, or other      balance and
 appropriate document.             determining the
                                   empty weight and
                                   empty weight
                                   center of gravity
                                   required by
                                   paragraph (e)(1)
                                   of this AD.
---------------------------------

[[Page 51763]]

 
(3) Remove the red mark on the    Before further      Follow GROB Luft-
 airspeed indicator (formerly      flight after        und Raumfahrt
 required by AD 2001-26-25) at     installing the      Service Bulletin
 165 kilometers/hour (km/h),       additional mass     No. MSB306-36/3,
 89.1 knots (kts), or 102.5        balance and         dated December 4,
 miles per hour (mph).             determining the     2002, and GROG
                                   empty weight and    Luft-und
                                   empty weight        Raumfahrt Service
                                   center of gravity   Installation
                                   required by         Instruction No.
                                   paragraph (e)(1)    MSB306-36/3,
                                   of this AD.         dated April 18,
                                                       2002. The
                                                       applicable
                                                       sailplane
                                                       maintenance
                                                       manual also
                                                       addresses this
                                                       issue.
---------------------------------
(4) Remove the red placard to     Before further      Not applicable.
 the airspeed indicator            flight after
 (formerly required by AD 2001-    installing the
 26-25) restricting the Vne        additional mass
 airspeed to 165 km/h, 89.1 kts,   balance and
 or 102.5 mph (according to the    determining the
 airspeed indicator calibration).  empty weight and
                                   empty weight
                                   center of gravity
                                   required by
                                   paragraph (e)(1)
                                   of this AD.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

May I Request an Alternative Method 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 39.19. Unless FAA authorizes otherwise, send your request to 
your principal inspector. The principal inspector may add comments 
and will send your request to the Manager, Standards Office, Small 
Airplane Directorate, FAA. For information on any already approved 
alternative methods of compliance, contact Greg Davison, Aerospace 
Engineer, FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301, 
Kansas City, Missouri 64106; telephone: (816) 329-4130; facsimile: 
(816) 329-4090.

Does This AD Incorporate Any Material by Reference?

    (g) You must do the actions required by this AD following the 
instructions in GROB Luft-und Raumfahrt Service Bulletin No. MSB306-
36/3, dated December 4, 2002; GROB Luft-und Raumfahrt Service 
Installation Instructions No. MSB306-36/3, dated April 18, 2002; and 
Instructions for Continued Airworthiness GROB G 102, Revision 1, 
dated April 18, 2002. 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, Federal Republic of Germany; telephone: 49 
8268 998139; facsimile: 49 8268 998200. You may review copies at 
FAA, Central Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, 901 Locust, 
Room 506, Kansas City, Missouri 64106; or at the National Archives 
and Records Administration (NARA). For information on the 
availability of this material at NARA, call (202) 741-6030, or go 
to: http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html.

Is There Other Information That Relates to This Subject?

    (h) German AD Numbers 2001-317/4, dated January 9, 2003, and 
2001-317/3, dated November 14, 2002, also address the subject of 
this AD.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on August 13, 2004.
John R. Colomy,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 04-18997 Filed 8-20-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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