Airworthiness Directives; GROB-WERKE GMBH & CO KG Models G102 ASTIR CS and G102 STANDARD ASTIR III Gliders

[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 150 (Thursday, August 5, 2010)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 47182-47184]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-18289]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2010-0458; Directorate Identifier 2010-CE-023-AD; 
Amendment 39-16372; AD 2010-15-06]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; GROB-WERKE GMBH & CO KG Models G102 
ASTIR CS and G102 STANDARD ASTIR III Gliders

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of 
Transportation (DOT).

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for the 
products listed above. 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:

    During an annual inspection, a water ballast hose connector was 
found disconnected from the fuselage wall of an Astir CS.
    The investigation has shown that the hose-fuselage connection 
bonding has been degraded over years of service.
    This condition, if not corrected, could lead to the following 
consequences:


[[Page 47183]]


--The water contained in the wing tanks could run down into the 
fuselage and fuselage tail which could cause a displacement of the 
sailplane centre of gravity and consequently may lead to the loss of 
the sailplane controllability, or/and
--The loosened hose may jam the flight controls (push rods) and 
consequently may lead to the loss of the sailplane controllability.

We are issuing this AD to require actions to correct the unsafe 
condition on these products.

DATES: This AD becomes effective September 9, 2010.
    On September 9, 2010, the Director of the Federal Register approved 
the incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in this 
AD.

ADDRESSES: You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov or in person at Document Management Facility, U.S. 
Department of Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30, West Building 
Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 
20590.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Greg Davison, Aerospace Engineer, FAA, 
Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, Missouri 
64106; telephone: (816) 329-4130; fax: (816) 329-4090.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

    We issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR 
part 39 to include an AD that would apply to the specified products. 
That NPRM was published in the Federal Register on May 3, 2010 (75 FR 
23194). That NPRM proposed to correct an unsafe condition for the 
specified products. The MCAI states:

    During an annual inspection, a water ballast hose connector was 
found disconnected from the fuselage wall of an Astir CS.
    The investigation has shown that the hose-fuselage connection 
bonding has been degraded over years of service.
    This condition, if not corrected, could lead to the following 
consequences:

--The water contained in the wing tanks could run down into the 
fuselage and fuselage tail which could cause a displacement of the 
sailplane centre of gravity and consequently may lead to the loss of 
the sailplane controllability, or/and
--The loosened hose may jam the flight controls (push rods) and 
consequently may lead to the loss of the sailplane controllability.

    For the reason stated above, the original issue of this AD 
required the inspection of the waterballast system hose-fuselage 
connections and the accomplishment of the relevant corrective 
actions (repair) as necessary.
    This AD is revised to clarify the purpose of the insertion of 
the repetitive inspection in the Aircraft Maintenance Programme and 
to refer to a more appropriate scheduled maintenance review for the 
insertion of the repetitive inspection in the Aircraft Maintenance 
Programme.

Comments

    We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing 
this AD. We received no comments on the NPRM or on the determination of 
the cost to the public.

Conclusion

    We reviewed the available data and determined that air safety and 
the public interest require adopting the AD as proposed.

Differences Between This AD and the MCAI or Service Information

    We have reviewed the MCAI and related service information and, in 
general, agree with their substance. But we might have found it 
necessary to use different words from those in the MCAI to ensure the 
AD is clear for U.S. operators and is enforceable. In making these 
changes, we do not intend to differ substantively from the information 
provided in the MCAI and related service information.
    We might also have required different actions in this AD from those 
in the MCAI in order to follow FAA policies. Any such differences are 
highlighted in a Note within the AD.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD will affect 113 products of U.S. registry. 
We also estimate that it will take about 1 work-hour per product to 
comply with the basic requirements of this AD. The average labor rate 
is $85 per work-hour.
    Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of this AD to the U.S. 
operators to be $9,605 or $85 per product.
    In addition, we estimate that any necessary follow-on actions would 
take about 1 work-hour and require parts costing $5, for a cost of $90 
per product. We have no way of determining the number of products that 
may need these actions.

Authority for This Rulemaking

    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 
rulemaking action.

Regulatory Findings

    We 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.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify this AD:
    (1) Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive 
Order 12866;
    (2) Is not a ``significant rule'' under 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 regulatory evaluation of the estimated costs to 
comply with this AD and placed it in the AD Docket.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov; or in person at the Docket Management Facility 
between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal 
holidays. The AD docket contains the NPRM, the regulatory evaluation, 
any comments received, and other information. The street address for 
the Docket Office (telephone (800) 647-5527) is in the ADDRESSES 
section. Comments will be available in the AD docket shortly after 
receipt.

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 FAA amends 14 CFR part 39 as follows:

[[Page 47184]]

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. The FAA amends Sec.  39.13 by adding the following new AD:

2010-15-06 GROB-WERKE GMBH & CO KG: Amendment 39-16372; Docket No. 
FAA-2010-0458; Directorate Identifier 2010-CE-023-AD.

Effective Date

    (a) This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective 
September 9, 2010.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to GROB-WERKE GMBH & CO KG Models G102 ASTIR 
CS and G102 STANDARD ASTIR III gliders, all serial numbers, that 
are:
    (1) certificated in any category; and
    (2) have water ballast equipment installed (the water ballast 
equipment could have been included as part of an option).

Subject

    (d) Air Transport Association of America (ATA) Code 41: Water 
Ballast.

Reason

    (e) The mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) 
states:
    During an annual inspection, a water ballast hose connector was 
found disconnected from the fuselage wall of an Astir CS.
    The investigation has shown that the hose-fuselage connection 
bonding has been degraded over years of service.
    This condition, if not corrected, could lead to the following 
consequences:

--The water contained in the wing tanks could run down into the 
fuselage and fuselage tail which could cause a displacement of the 
sailplane centre of gravity and consequently may lead to the loss of 
the sailplane controllability, or/and
--The loosened hose may jam the flight controls (push rods) and 
consequently may lead to the loss of the sailplane controllability.

    For the reason stated above, the original issue of this AD 
required the inspection of the waterballast system hose-fuselage 
connections and the accomplishment of the relevant corrective 
actions (repair) as necessary.
    This AD is revised to clarify the purpose of the insertion of 
the repetitive inspection in the Aircraft Maintenance Programme and 
to refer to a more appropriate scheduled maintenance review for the 
insertion of the repetitive inspection in the Aircraft Maintenance 
Programme.

Actions and Compliance

    (f) Unless already done, do the following actions:
    (1) Within 30 days after September 9, 2010 (the effective date 
of this AD) and repetitively thereafter at intervals not to exceed 
12 months, inspect the bonding between the water ballast system hose 
connectors and the fuselage wall connectors for correct and tight 
connection following paragraph 1.8 of Grob Aircraft Service Bulletin 
No. MSB-GROB-003, dated October 21, 2009.
    (2) If, during any inspection required by paragraph (f)(1) of 
this AD, any weak bonding is found, before further flight, repair 
the connection between the water ballast system hose connectors and 
the fuselage wall connectors following the instructions of paragraph 
1.8 of Grob Aircraft Service Bulletin No. MSB-GROB-003, dated 
October 21, 2009.
    (3) After September 9, 2010 (the effective date of this AD), 
when installing a water ballast system on any affected sailplane, 
ensure that the water ballast system hose connectors and the 
fuselage wall connector are properly and tightly bonded.
    (4) Within 30 days after September 9, 2010 (the effective date 
of this AD), insert the following scheduled maintenance task into 
the FAA-approved aircraft maintenance program: ``During each annual 
inspection and without exceeding a 12-month interval, inspect the 
bonding between the water ballast system hose connectors and the 
fuselage wall connectors for correct and tight connection. Repair 
any incorrect or loose connection.''

FAA AD Differences

    Note: This AD differs from the MCAI and/or service information 
as follows: No differences.

Other FAA AD Provisions

    (g) The following provisions also apply to this AD:
    (1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager, 
Standards Office, FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs for this 
AD, if requested using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. Send 
information to ATTN: Greg Davison, Aerospace Engineer, FAA, Small 
Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, Missouri 
64106; telephone: (816) 329-4130; fax: (816) 329-4090. Before using 
any approved AMOC on any airplane to which the AMOC applies, notify 
your appropriate principal inspector (PI) in the FAA Flight 
Standards District Office (FSDO), or lacking a PI, your local FSDO.
    (2) Airworthy Product: For any requirement in this AD to obtain 
corrective actions from a manufacturer or other source, use these 
actions if they are FAA-approved. Corrective actions are considered 
FAA-approved if they are approved by the State of Design Authority 
(or their delegated agent). You are required to assure the product 
is airworthy before it is returned to service.
    (3) Reporting Requirements: For any reporting requirement in 
this AD, under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 
U.S.C. 3501 et seq.), the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has 
approved the information collection requirements and has assigned 
OMB Control Number 2120-0056.

Related Information

    (h) Refer to MCAI European Aviation Safety Agency AD No.: 2010-
0053R1, dated April 14, 2010; and Grob Aircraft Service Bulletin No. 
MSB-GROB-003, dated October 21, 2009, for related information.

Material Incorporated by Reference

    (i) You must use Grob Aircraft Service Bulletin No. MSB-GROB-
003, dated October 21, 2009, to do the actions required by this AD, 
unless the AD specifies otherwise.
    (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the 
incorporation by reference of this service information under 5 
U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
    (2) For service information identified in this AD, contact Grob 
Aircraft, Head of Customer Service & Support, Lettenbachstr. 9, 
Tussenhausen-Mattsies, Germany; telephone: +49 (0) 8268 998 139; 
fax: +49 (0) 8268 998 200; E-mail: aircraft.com">productsupport@grob-aircraft.com; 
Internet: www.grob-aircraft.com and/or http://www.firecmm.com.
    (3) You may review copies of the service information 
incorporated by reference for this AD at the FAA, Central Region, 
Office of the Regional Counsel, 901 Locust, Kansas City, Missouri 
64106. For information on the availability of this material at the 
Central Region, call (816) 329-3768.
    (4) You may also review copies of the service information 
incorporated by reference for this AD 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.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on July 15, 2010.
Kim Smith,
Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2010-18289 Filed 8-4-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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