Airworthiness Directives; BURKHARDT GROB LUFT-UND RAUMFAHRT GmbH & CO KG Models G103 TWIN ASTIR, G103 TWIN II, G103A TWIN II ACRO, G103C TWIN III ACRO, and G 103 C Twin III SL Sailplanes

[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 248 (Wednesday, December 28, 2005)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 76679-76681]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-24480]


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

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2005-20803; Directorate Identifier 2005-CE-19-AD; 
Amendment 39-14433; AD 2005-26-12]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; BURKHARDT GROB LUFT-UND RAUMFAHRT GmbH 
& CO KG Models G103 TWIN ASTIR, G103 TWIN II, G103A TWIN II ACRO, G103C 
TWIN III ACRO, and G 103 C Twin III SL Sailplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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

SUMMARY: The FAA adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) to supersede 
AD 2004-08-13, which applies to certain BURKHARDT GROB LUFT-UND 
RAUMFAHRT GmbH & CO KG (Burkhardt Grob) Models G103 TWIN ASTIR, G103 
TWIN II, G103 TWIN III ACRO, and G103 C Twin III SL sailplanes. AD 
2004-08-13 currently requires you to replace the center of gravity (CG) 
release hook attachment brackets with brackets of improved design. This 
AD results from mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) 
issued by the airworthiness authority for Germany. This AD retains all 
the actions required in AD 2004-08-13 and adds Model G103A TWIN II ACRO 
sailplanes to the applicability. We are issuing this AD to prevent 
abnormal or uncontrolled 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 February 6, 2006.
    On June 4, 2004 (69 FR 21402, April 21, 2004), the Director of the 
Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of Grob 
Service Bulletin No. MSB315-62, dated January 21, 2002, and Grob 
Service Bulletin No. MSB869-22, dated January 22, 2002.
    As of February 6, 2006, the Director of the Federal Register 
approved the incorporation by reference of Grob Service Bulletin No. 
MSB315-62/2, dated March 9, 2005.

ADDRESSES: To get the service information identified in this AD, 
contact 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.
    To view the AD docket, go to the Docket Management Facility, U.S. 
Department of Transportation, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Nassif Building, 
Room PL-401, Washington, DC 20590-001 or on the Internet at http://dms.dot.gov. The docket number is FAA-2005-20803; Directorate 
Identifier 2005-CE-19-AD.

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 is the background of the subject matter? Reports of cracks 
found in the center of gravity (CG) release hook attachment brackets 
caused us to issue AD 2004-08-13, Amendment 39-13582 (69 FR 21402, 
April 21, 2004). AD 2004-08-13 applies to Burkhardt Grob Models G103 
TWIN ASTIR, G103 TWIN II, G103 TWIN III ACRO, and G103 C Twin III SL 
sailplanes. That AD currently requires you to replace the CG release 
hook attachment brackets with brackets of improved design.
    What has happened since AD 2004-08-13 to initiate this AD? The 
Luftfahrt-Bundesamt (LBA), which is the airworthiness authority for 
Germany, notified FAA of the need to change AD 2004-08-13. The LBA 
reports that the actions required in AD 2004-08-13 should also apply to 
Model G103A TWIN II ACRO sailplanes.
    What is the potential impact if FAA took no action? If not 
prevented, a cracked CG release hook attachment bracket 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 all Burkhardt

[[Page 76680]]

Grob Models G103 TWIN ASTIR, G103 TWIN II, G103A TWIN II ACRO, G103C 
TWIN III ACRO, and G 103 C Twin III SL sailplanes. This proposal was 
published in the Federal Register as a notice of proposed rulemaking 
(NPRM) on October 5, 2005 (70 FR 58100). The NPRM proposed to supersede 
AD 2004-08-13 with a new AD. The proposed AD would retain the actions 
exactly as required in AD 2004-08-13 for Models G103 TWIN ASTIR, G103 
TWIN II, G103C TWIN III ACRO, and G 103 C Twin III SL sailplanes, and 
would add Model G103A TWIN II ACRO sailplanes to the applicability.

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 136 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 do the 
replacement:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                             Total cost per
                 Labor cost                    Parts cost       sailplane        Total cost on U.S. operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2 work hours x $65 per hour = $130.........             $67            $197  $197 x 136 = $26,792.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    What is the difference between the cost impact of this AD and the 
cost impact of AD 2004-08-13? The only difference between the cost 
impact of AD 2004-08-13 and this AD is the addition of Model G103A TWIN 
II ACRO sailplanes to the applicability. There is no difference in the 
cost to do the required actions.

Authority for This Rulemaking

    What authority does FAA have for issuing this rulemaking action? 
Title 49 of the United States Code specifies the FAA's authority to 
issue rules on aviation safety. Subtitle I, section 106 describes the 
authority of the FAA Administrator. Subtitle VII, Aviation Programs, 
describes in more detail the scope of the agency's authority.
    We are issuing this rulemaking under the authority described in 
subtitle VII, part A, subpart III, section 44701, ``General 
requirements.'' Under that section, Congress charges the FAA with 
promoting safe flight of civil aircraft in air commerce by prescribing 
regulations for practices, methods, and procedures the Administrator 
finds necessary for safety in air commerce. This regulation is within 
the scope of that authority because it addresses an unsafe condition 
that is likely to exist or develop on products identified in this AD.

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 
other information as included in the Regulatory Evaluation) 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 ``Docket 
No. FAA-2005-20803; Directorate Identifier 2005-CE-19-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) 
2004-08-13, Amendment 39-13582 (69 FR 21402, April 21, 2004), and by 
adding a new AD to read as follows:

2005-26-12 BURKHARDT GROB LUFT-UND RAUMFAHRT GmbH & CO KG: Amendment 
39-14433; Docket No. FAA-2005-20803; Directorate Identifier 2005-CE-
19-AD; supersedes AD 2004-08-13, Amendment 39-13582.

When Does This AD Become Effective?

    (a) This AD becomes effective on February 6, 2006.

What Other ADs Are Affected by This Action?

    (b) This AD supersedes AD 2004-08-13, Amendment 39-13582.

What Sailplanes Are Affected by This AD?

    (c) This AD affects the following model sailplanes, all serial 
numbers, that are certificated in any category:

[[Page 76681]]



                                 Models
------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) G103 TWIN ASTIR
(2) G103 TWIN II
(3) G103A TWIN II ACRO
(3) G103C TWIN III ACRO
(4) G 103 C Twin III SL
------------------------------------------------------------------------

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 center of     For sailplanes        For Models G103 TWIN
 gravity (CG) release hook     previously affected   ASTIR, G103 TWIN
 attachment brackets with      by AD 2004-08-13:     II, G103A TWIN II
 improved design brackets as   Within the next 25    ACRO, and G103C
 follows:                      hours time-in-        TWIN III ACRO
(i) For Models G103 TWIN       service (TIS) after   sailplanes: Follow
 ASTIR, G103 TWIN II, G103A    June 4, 2004 (the     Grob Service
 TWIN II ACRO, and G103C       effective date of     Bulletin No. MSB315-
 TWIN III ACRO sailplanes:     AD 2004-08-13),       62, dated January
 install new part number (P/   unless already        21, 2002, or Grob
 N) 103B-2360.01/1 or 103B-    done. For             Service Bulletin
 2360.01/2 and P/N 103B-       sailplanes not        No. MSB315-62/2,
 2360.02/1 or 103B-2360-02/2.  previously affected   dated March 9,
(ii) For Models G103 TWIN      by AD 2004-08-13:     2005. For Model
 ASTIR sailplanes: install     Within the next 25    G103 C Twin III SL
 an additional plate, P/N      hours time-in-        sailplanes: Follow
 103-2360.02 below each        service (TIS) after   Grob Service
 attachment bracket.           February 6, 2006      Bulletin No. MSB869-
(iii) For Models G103 C TWIN   (the effective date   22, dated January
 III SL sailplanes: install    of this AD), unless   22, 2002.
 new P/N 103B-2360.01/2 and    already done.
 P/N 103B-2360.02/2.
(2) Do not install any CG     As of the effective   Not Applicable.
 release hook attachment       date of this AD.
 bracket that is not a part
 number referenced in
 paragraphs (e)(1)(i) and
 (e)(1)(iii) 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.

Is There Other Information That Relates to This Subject?

    (g) German AD No. 2002-066, effective date: March 21, 2002, and 
German AD No. 2002-067, effective date: March 21, 2002, also 
addresses the subject of this AD.

Does This AD Incorporate Any Material by Reference?

    (h) You must do the actions required by this AD following the 
instructions in Grob Service Bulletin No. MSB315-62, dated January 
21, 2002, Grob Service Bulletin No. MSB315-62/2, dated March 9, 
2005, and Grob Service Bulletin No. MSB869-22, dated January 22, 
2002, as applicable.
    (1) On June 4, 2004 (69 FR 21402, April 21, 2004), and in 
accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51, the Director of 
the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of Grob 
Service Bulletin No. MSB315-62, dated January 21, 2002, and Grob 
Service Bulletin No. MSB869-22, dated January 22, 2002.
    (2) As of February 6, 2006, and in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 
552(a) and 1 CFR part 51, the Director of the Federal Register 
approved the incorporation by reference of Grob Service Bulletin No. 
MSB315-62/2, dated March 9, 2005.
    (3) To get a copy of this service information, contact 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. To review copies of this service 
information, go to the National Archives and Records Administration 
(NARA). For information on the availability of this material at 
NARA, go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html or call (202) 741-6030. To 
view the AD docket, go to the Docket Management Facility; U.S. 
Department of Transportation, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Nassif 
Building, Room PL-401, Washington, DC 20590-001 or on the Internet 
at http://dms.dot.gov. The docket number is FAA-2005-20803; 
Directorate Identifier 2005-CE-19-AD.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on December 16, 2005.
David R. Showers,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 05-24480 Filed 12-27-05; 8:45 am]
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