Airworthiness Directives; Burkhart GROB Luft- und Raumfahrt GmbH Powered Sailplanes

[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 107 (Monday, June 4, 2012)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 32887-32889]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-12409]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2012-0324; Directorate Identifier 2012-CE-008-AD; 
Amendment 39-17060; AD 2012-10-11]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Burkhart GROB Luft- und Raumfahrt GmbH 
Powered Sailplanes

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 all 
Burkhart GROB Luft- und Raumfahrt GmbH Models GROB G 109 and GROB G 
109B powered sailplanes. 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 excessive 
corrosion on the nose plate in the vertical stabilizer, which could 
cause the vertical stabilizer nose plate to fail. We are issuing this 
AD to require actions to address the unsafe condition on these 
products.

DATES: This AD is effective July 9, 2012.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of certain publications listed in the AD as of July 9, 2012.

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 service information identified in this AD, contact Grob 
Aircraft AG, Lettenbachstrasse 9, D-86874 Tussenhausen-Mattsies, 
Germany; telephone: +49 (0) 8268 998139; fax: +49 (0) 8268 998200; 
email: aircraft.com">productsupport@grob-aircraft.com; Internet: http://www.grob-aircraft.eu/. You may review copies of the

[[Page 32888]]

referenced service information at the FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 
901 Locust, Kansas City, Missouri 64106. For information on the 
availability of this material at the FAA, call (816) 329-4148.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jim Rutherford, Aerospace Engineer, 
FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, 
Missouri 64106; telephone: (816) 329-4165; fax: (816) 329-4090; email: 
[email protected].

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 March 23, 2012 (77 
FR 16968). That NPRM proposed to correct an unsafe condition for the 
specified products. The MCAI states:

    Occurrences have been reported of finding heavily corroded nose 
plates, part number (P/N) 109-2160.01, in the vertical stabiliser of 
some Grob G 109 powered sailplanes.
    The investigation results concluded that the affected aeroplanes 
were based and operated near the seaside and therefore exposed to a 
salty environment, causing the excessive corrosion.
    This condition, if not detected and corrected, could lead to 
failure of the vertical stabilizer nose plate, which functions as a 
horizontal stabiliser fitting, to support limit loads and consequent 
loss of control of the aeroplane.
    For the reasons described above, this AD requires repetitive 
inspections and, depending on findings, replacement of the nose 
plate.

    You may obtain further information by examining the MCAI in the AD 
docket.

Comments

    We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing 
this AD. We received no comments on the NPRM (77 FR 16968, March 23, 
2012) or on the determination of the cost to the public.

Conclusion

    We reviewed the relevant data and determined that air safety and 
the public interest require adopting the AD as proposed except for 
minor editorial changes. We have determined that these minor changes:
    <bullet> Are consistent with the intent that was proposed in the 
NPRM (77 FR 16968, March 23, 2012) for correcting the unsafe condition; 
and
    <bullet> Do not add any additional burden upon the public than was 
already proposed in the NPRM (77 FR 16968, March 23, 2012).

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD will affect 59 products of U.S. registry. 
We also estimate that it will take about 6 work-hours per product to 
comply with the basic requirements of this AD. The average labor rate 
is $85 per work-hour. Required parts will cost about $424 per product.
    Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of the AD on U.S. 
operators to be $55,106, or $934 per product.
    In addition, we estimate that any necessary follow-on actions will 
take about 12 work-hours and require parts costing $243, for a cost of 
$1,263 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 the DOT Regulatory Policies 
and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979),
    (3) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and
    (4) 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.

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 (77 FR 16968, March 23, 
2012), 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

    Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the FAA amends 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. The FAA amends Sec.  39.13 by adding the following new AD:

2012-10-11 Burkhart GROB Luft- und Raumfahrt GmbH: Amendment 39-
17060; Docket No. FAA-2012-0324; Directorate Identifier 2012-CE-008-
AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective July 9, 
2012.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Burkhart GROB Luft- und Raumfahrt GmbH Models 
GROB G 109 and GROB G 109B powered sailplanes, all serial numbers, 
certificated in any category.

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association of America (ATA) Code 55, Stabilizer.

(e) Reason

    This AD results from mandatory continuing airworthiness 
information (MCAI) originated 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 excessive 
corrosion on the nose plate in the vertical stabilizer. We are 
issuing this AD to detect and correct corrosion and flaking on the 
nose

[[Page 32889]]

plate, which could cause the vertical stabilizer nose plate to fail 
and result in loss of control of the sailplane.

(f) Actions and Compliance

    Unless already done, do the following actions:
    (1) Within 3 months after July 9, 2012 (the effective date of 
this AD):
    (i) Inspect, from the top, the front and rear side of the nose 
plate, part number (P/N) 109-2160.01, in the vertical stabilizer for 
corrosion and flaking following Part A of the Accomplishment 
Instructions in Grob Aircraft Service Bulletin No. MSB817-58, dated 
November 24, 2011. Repetitively thereafter inspect at intervals not 
to exceed 12 months.
    (ii) Install an access panel on the left side of the vertical 
stabilizer following Grob Aircraft Repair Instruction Doc. No. RI 
817-010/1, issue date December 20, 2011, as specified in Grob 
Aircraft Service Bulletin No. MSB 817-060, dated November 24, 2011.
    (iii) Through the access panel installed as required in 
paragraph (f)(1)(ii) of this AD, inspect, from below, the nose 
plate, P/N 109-2160.01, for corrosion and flaking following Part B 
of the Accomplishment Instructions in Grob Aircraft Service Bulletin 
No. MSB817-58, dated November 24, 2011. Repetitively thereafter 
inspect at intervals not to exceed 12 months.
    (2) If any corrosion or flaking is found on the nose plate, P/N 
109-2160.01, during any inspection required in paragraphs (f)(1)(i) 
or (f)(1)(iii) of this AD, replace P/N 109-2160.01 with a 
serviceable part. Do the replacement following Grob Aircraft Repair 
Instruction Doc. No. RI 817-009, issue date November 17, 2011, as 
specified in Grob Aircraft Service Bulletin No. MSB817-58, dated 
November 24, 2011. After replacement, continue with the repetitive 
inspections required in paragraphs (f)(1)(i) and (f)(1)(iii) of this 
AD.

(g) Other FAA AD Provisions

    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: Jim Rutherford, Aerospace Engineer, FAA, Small 
Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, Missouri 
64106; telephone: (816) 329-4165; fax: (816) 329-4090; email: 
[email protected]. Before using any approved AMOC on any 
sailplane 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, a federal agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person 
is not required to respond to, nor shall a person be subject to a 
penalty for failure to comply with a collection of information 
subject to the requirements of the Paperwork Reduction Act unless 
that collection of information displays a current valid OMB Control 
Number. The OMB Control Number for this information collection is 
2120-0056. Public reporting for this collection of information is 
estimated to be approximately 5 minutes per response, including the 
time for reviewing instructions, completing and reviewing the 
collection of information. All responses to this collection of 
information are mandatory. Comments concerning the accuracy of this 
burden and suggestions for reducing the burden should be directed to 
the FAA at: 800 Independence Ave. SW., Washington, DC 20591, Attn: 
Information Collection Clearance Officer, AES-200.

(h) Related Information

    Refer to MCAI European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD No. 
2012-0027, dated February 14, 2012; Grob Aircraft Service Bulletin 
No. MSB817-58 and Grob Aircraft Service Bulletin No. MSB 817-060, 
both dated November 24, 2011; Grob Aircraft Repair Instruction Doc. 
No. RI 817-009, issue date November 17, 2011; and Grob Aircraft 
Repair Instruction Doc. No. RI 817-010/1, issue date December 20, 
2011, for related information.

(i) Material Incorporated by Reference

    (1)You must use the following service information to do the 
actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise. The 
Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference (IBR) under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51 of the 
following service information on July 9, 2012:
    (i) Grob Aircraft Service Bulletin No. MSB817-58, dated November 
24, 2011;
    (ii) Grob Aircraft Service Bulletin No. MSB 817-060, dated 
November 24, 2011;
    (iii) Grob Aircraft Repair Instruction Doc. No. RI 817-009, 
issue date November 17, 2011; and
    (iv) Grob Aircraft Repair Instruction Doc. No. RI 817-010/1, 
issue date December 20, 2011.
    (2) For service information identified in this AD, contact Grob 
Aircraft AG, Lettenbachstrasse 9, D-86874 Tussenhausen-Mattsies, 
Germany; telephone: +49 (0) 8268 998139; fax: +49 (0) 8268 998200; 
email: aircraft.com">productsupport@grob-aircraft.com; Internet http://www.grob-aircraft.eu/.
    (3) You may review copies of the service information at the FAA, 
Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Kansas City, Missouri 64106. 
For information on the availability of this material at the FAA, 
call (816) 329-4148.
    (4) You may also review copies of the service information that 
is incorporated by reference at the National Archives and Records 
Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of this 
material at an NARA facility, 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 May 16, 2012.
Earl Lawrence,
Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2012-12409 Filed 6-1-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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