Airworthiness Directives; BURKHARDT GROB LUFT-UND RAUMFAHRT GmbH & CO KG Models G103 Twin ASTIR, G103 TWIN II, G103 TWIN III ACRO, and G103 C Twin III SL Sailplanes

[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 77 (Wednesday, April 21, 2004)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 21402-21404]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-8794]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2003-CE-61-AD; Amendment 39-13582; AD 2004-08-13]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; BURKHARDT GROB LUFT-UND RAUMFAHRT GmbH 
& CO KG Models G103 Twin ASTIR, G103 TWIN II, G103 TWIN III ACRO, and 
G103 C Twin III SL Sailplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: The FAA adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain 
BURKHARDT GROB LUFT-UND RAUMFAHRT GmbH & CO KG (Grob) Models G103 Twin 
ASTIR, G103 TWIN II, G103 TWIN III ACRO, and G103 C Twin III SL 
sailplanes. This AD requires you to replace the center of gravity (CG) 
release hook attachment brackets with brackets of improved design. 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 abnormal or uncontrolled

[[Page 21403]]

sailplane release due to cracked CG release hook attachment brackets. 
This condition could result in reduced or loss of sailplane control.

DATES: This AD becomes effective on June 4, 2004.
    As of June 4, 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 BURKHARDT GROB LUFT-UND RAUMFAHRT GmbH & CO KG, Letenbachstrasse 
9, D-86874 Tussenhausen-Mattsies, Germany; telephone: 011 49 8268 
998139; facsimile: 011 49 8268 998200.
    You may view the AD docket at FAA, Central Region, Office of the 
Regional Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket No. 2003-CE-61-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

    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 certain Grob Models G103 Twin 
ASTIR, G103 TWIN II, G103 TWIN III ACRO, and G103 C Twin III SL 
sailplanes. The LBA reports incidents of cracks found in the center of 
gravity (CG) release hook attachment brackets.
    Grob has manufactured new improved design CG release hook 
attachment brackets that are less susceptible to such cracking.
    What is the potential impact if FAA took no action? A cracked CG 
release hook attachment bracket, if not prevented, could lead to 
abnormal or uncontrolled sailplane release. This condition could result 
in reduced or loss of sailplane control.
    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 certain Grob Models G103 Twin ASTIR, 
G103 TWIN II, G103 TWIN III ACRO, and G103 C Twin III SL sailplanes. 
This proposal was published in the Federal Register as a notice of 
proposed rulemaking (NPRM) on February 17, 2004 (69 FR 7378). The NPRM 
proposed to require you to replace the CG release hook attachment 
brackets with brackets of improved design.

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.

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 105 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 
replacement:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                 Total cost per   Total cost on
                          Labor cost                              Parts cost       sailplane      U.S. operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2 workhours x $65 per hour = $130............................             $50             $180          $18,900
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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-61-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

    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:

2004-08-13 BURKHARDT GROB LUFT-UND RAUMFAHRT GMBH CO & KG: Amendment 
39-13582; Docket No. 2003-CE-61-AD.

When Does This AD Become Effective?

    (a) This AD becomes effective on June 4, 2004.

[[Page 21404]]

What Other ADs Are Affected by This Action?

    (b) None.

What Sailplanes Are Affected by This AD?

    (c) This AD affects the following model and serial number 
sailplanes that are certificated in any category:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                  Models                           Serial Numbers
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) G103 Twin ASTIR.......................  3000 through 3291.
(2) G103 TWIN II..........................  3501 through 3720.
(3) G103 TWIN III ACRO....................  All serial numbers beginning
                                             with 34101.
(4) G103 C Twin III SL....................  35002 through 35051.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

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 of this AD are intended to prevent abnormal or 
uncontrolled sailplane release due to cracked center of gravity (CG) 
release hook attachment brackets. This condition could result in 
reduced or loss of sailplane control.

What Must I Do To Address This Problem?

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

------------------------------------------------------------------------
             Actions                  Compliance          Procedures
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Replace the CG release hook   Within the next 25  Follow Grob
 attachment brackets with          hours time-in-      Service Bulletin
 improved design brackets, as      service (TIS)       No. MSB869-22,
 follows:                          after June 4,       dated January 22,
(i) For the Models G103 Twin       2004 (the           2002; and Grob
 ASTIR, G103 TWIN II, and G103     effective date of   Service Bulletin
 TWIN III ACRO sailplanes: part    this AD), unless    No. MSB315-62,
 number (P/N) 103B-2360.01/1 and   already done.       dated January 21,
 P/N 103B-2360.02/1; and.                              2002.
(ii) For the Model G103 C Twin
 III SL sailplane: P/N 103B-
 2360.01/2 and P/N 103B-2360.02/
 2..
(2) Do not install any CG         As of June 4, 2004  Not Applicable.
 release hook attachment bracket   (the effective
 that is not a part number         date of this AD).
 referenced in paragraphs
 (e)(1)(i) and (e)(1)(ii) of
 this AD, as applicable.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

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 Service Bulletin No. MSB869-22, dated January 
22, 2002; and Grob Service Bulletin No. MSB315-62, dated January 21, 
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 
BURKHARDT GROB LUFT-UND RAUMFAHRT GmbH & CO KG, Letenbachstrasse 9, 
D-86874 Tussenhausen-Mattsies, Germany; telephone: 011 49 8268 
998139; facsimile: 011 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 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 No. 2002-066, effective date: March 21, 2002; and 
German AD No. 2002-067, effective date: March 21, 2002, also address 
the subject of this AD.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on April 13, 2004.
James E. Jackson,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 04-8794 Filed 4-20-04; 8:45 am]
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