Airworthiness Directives; Grob-Werke Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 75 (Thursday, April 18, 2013)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 23112-23114]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-08771]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2013-0013; Directorate Identifier 2012-CE-046-AD; 
Amendment 39-17421; AD 2013-08-04]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Grob-Werke Airplanes

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 Grob-
Werke Model G115EG airplanes. 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 cracks in 
the elevator trim tab arms on several Grob G 115 airplanes, which could 
result in failure of the part and consequent loss of control. We are 
issuing this AD to require actions to address the unsafe condition on 
these products.

DATES: This AD is effective May 23, 2013.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in the AD as of May 23, 2013.

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 998 139; fax: +49 (0) 8268 998 200; 
email: [email protected]; Internet: www.grob-aircraft.com/index.php/g-115e.html. You may review copies of the 
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: Taylor Martin, Aerospace Engineer, 
FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, 
Missouri 64106; telephone: (816) 329-4138; 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 January 15, 2013 (78 
FR 2910). That NPRM proposed to correct an unsafe condition for the 
specified products. The MCAI states:

    On several Grob G 115 aeroplanes, elevator trim tab arms Part 
Number (P/N) 115E-3758 have been found cracked, from a rear mounting 
hole (either L/H or R/H) to the rear edge of the trim tab arm.
    This condition, if not detected and corrected, could lead to 
further crack propagation, possibly resulting in failure of the part 
and consequent loss of control of the aeroplane.
    For the reasons described above, this AD requires repetitive 
inspections of the elevator trim tab arm to detect cracks and, if 
detected, replacement of the part with a serviceable part.
    This AD also provides an optional terminating action for the 
repetitive inspections.

    The Model G115EG airplane is the only airplane type-certificated in 
the United States with the same part numbers and similar configuration 
as the airplane model described in the MCAI.

Comments

    We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing 
this AD. We received no comments on the NPRM (78 FR 2910, January 15, 
2013) 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 (78 FR 2910, January 15, 2013) for correcting the unsafe 
condition; and
    <bullet> Do not add any additional burden upon the public than was 
already proposed in the NPRM (78 FR 2910, January 15, 2013).

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD will affect 0 products of U.S. registry. 
We also estimate that it would take about 3 work-hours per product to 
comply with the basic requirements of this AD. The average labor rate 
is $85 per work-hour. Required parts would cost about $372 per product.
    Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of this AD on U.S. 
operators to be $627 per product.

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.

[[Page 23113]]

    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, 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:

2013-08-04 Grob-Werke: Amendment 39-17421; Docket No. FAA-2013-0013; 
Directorate Identifier 2012-CE-046-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective May 23, 
2013.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to GROB-WERKE G115EG airplanes, all serial 
numbers, certificated in any category.

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association of America (ATA) Code 55: Stabilizers.

(e) Reason

    This AD was prompted by the discovery of cracks in the elevator 
trim tab arms on several Grob G 115 airplanes, which could result in 
failure of the part and consequent loss of control. The Model G115EG 
airplane is the only airplane type-certificated in the United States 
with the same part numbers and similar configuration as the airplane 
model described in the MCAI. We are issuing this proposed AD to 
detect cracks and prevent the part from failing.

 (f) Actions and Compliance

    Unless already done, do the following actions following Grob 
Aircraft Service Bulletin No. MSB1078-186/3, dated August 3, 2012.
    (1) Within the next 50 hours time-in-service (TIS) after May 23, 
2013 (the effective date of this AD) and repetitively thereafter at 
intervals not to exceed 200 hours TIS, inspect both left hand (L/H) 
and right hand (R/H) elevator trim tab arms, part number (P/N) 115E-
3758, using a nondestructive testing (NDT) method such as a dye-
penetrant or eddy-current that is beyond just a visual inspection.
    (2) If during any inspection required in paragraph (f)(1) of 
this AD a crack is found, before further flight, replace the 
affected elevator trim tab arm with P/N 115E-3758/1. The replacement 
of an elevator trim tab arm with P/N 115E-3758/1 will terminate the 
repetitive inspection requirement for that trim tab arm. Replacement 
of both R/H and L/H trim tab arms with P/N 115E-3758/1 will 
terminate the repetitive requirement in paragraph (f)(1) of this AD.
    (3) Replacement at any time of an elevator trim tab arm with P/N 
115E-3758/1 will terminate the repetitive requirement in paragraph 
(f)(1) of this AD for that elevator trim tab arm. Replacement of 
both R/H and L/H trim tab arms with P/N 115E-3758/1 will terminate 
the repetitive requirement in paragraph (f)(1) of this AD.

(g) Credit for Actions Accomplished in Accordance With Previous Service 
Information

    This AD provides credit for the actions required in this AD if 
already done before the effective date of this AD following Grob 
Aircraft Service Bulletin No. MSB1078-186/2, dated March 28, 2012; 
Grob Aircraft Service Bulletin No. MSB1078-186/1, dated March 8, 
2012; or Grob Aircraft Service Bulletin No. MSB1078-186, dated 
February 15, 2012.

(h) 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: Taylor Martin, Aerospace Engineer, FAA, Small 
Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, Missouri 
64106; telephone: (816) 329-4138; fax: (816) 329-4090; email: 
[email protected]. 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, 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.

(i) Related Information

    Refer to MCAI European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD No.: 
2012-0155, dated August 20, 2012; Grob Aircraft Service Bulletin No. 
MSB1078-186/2, dated March 28, 2012; Grob Aircraft Service Bulletin 
No. MSB1078-186/1, dated March 8, 2012; or Grob Aircraft Service 
Bulletin No. MSB1078-

[[Page 23114]]

186, dated February 15, 2012; for related information.

(j) Material Incorporated by Reference

    (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the 
incorporation by reference (IBR) of the service information listed 
in this paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
    (2) You must use this service information as applicable to do 
the actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise.
    (i) Grob Aircraft Service Bulletin No. MSB1078-186/3, dated 
August 3, 2012.
    (ii) Reserved.
    (3) For Grob Aircraft AG service information identified in this 
AD, contact Grob Aircraft AG, Lettenbachstrasse 9, D-86874 
Tussenhausen-Mattsies, Germany; phone: +49 (0) 8268 998 139; fax: 
+49 (0) 8268 998 200; email: [email protected]; 
Internet: www.grob-aircraft.com/index.php/g-115e.html.
    (4) You may view this service information at 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.
    (5) You may view this service information that is incorporated 
by reference 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/cfr/ibr-locations.html.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on April 8, 2013.
Earl Lawrence,
Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2013-08771 Filed 4-17-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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