Airworthiness Directives; Burkhart Grob Luft-und Raumfahrt Models G115C, G115C2, G115D, and G115D2 Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 92 (Wednesday, May 13, 1998)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 26427-26429]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-12355]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 98-CE-24-AD; Amendment 39-10517; AD 98-10-06]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Burkhart Grob Luft-und Raumfahrt Models 
G115C, G115C2, G115D, and G115D2 Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This amendment supersedes Airworthiness Directive (AD) 96-19-
07, which currently requires the following on Burkhart Grob Luft-und 
Raumfahrt (Grob) Models G115C, G115C2, G115D, and G115D2 airplanes: 
installing a placard that restricts the never exceed speed (Vne) of the 
affected airplane models from 184 knots to 160 knots; installing on the 
airspeed indicator glass a red line at 296 km/h (160 knots); installing 
a placard that prohibits aerobatic maneuvers; and placing a copy of the 
AD in the Limitations Section of the airplane flight manual. This AD 
will temporarily retain the flight restrictions that are currently 
required by AD 96-19-07; and will eventually require accomplishing 
certain inspections and modifications, as terminating action for these 
flight restrictions. This AD is the result of mandatory continuing 
airworthiness information (MCAI) issued by the airworthiness authority 
for Germany. The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent 
loss of control of the airplane caused by excessive speed or aerobatic 
maneuvers.

DATES: Effective June 28, 1998.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of June 28, 1998.

ADDRESSES: Service information that applies to this AD may be obtained 
from Burkhart Grob Luft-und Raumfahrt, D-8939 Mattsies, Germany. This 
information may also be examined at the Federal Aviation Administration 
(FAA), Central Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, Attention: Rules 
Docket No. 98-CE-24-AD, Room 1558, 601 E. 12th Street, Kansas City, 
Missouri 64106; or at the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North 
Capitol Street, NW, suite 700, Washington, DC.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Karl M. Schletzbaum, Aerospace 
Engineer, FAA, Small Airplane

[[Page 26428]]

Directorate, 1201 Walnut, suite 900, Kansas City, Missouri 64106; 
telephone: (816) 426-6934; facsimile: (816) 426-2169.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Events Leading to the Issuance of This AD

    A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 
CFR part 39) to include an AD that would apply to Grob Models G115C, 
G115C2, G115D, and G115D2 airplanes was published in the Federal 
Register as a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM), on March 6, 1998 
(63 FR 11171). The NPRM proposed to supersede AD 96-19-07, Amendment 
39-9765 (61 FR 49250, September 19, 1996), which currently requires 
installing a placard that restricts the never exceed speed (Vne) of the 
affected airplane models from 184 knots to 160 knots; installing on the 
airspeed indicator glass a red line at 296 km/h (160 knots); installing 
a placard that prohibits aerobatic maneuvers; and placing a copy of the 
AD in the Limitations Section of the airplane flight manual. The NPRM 
proposed to temporarily retain the flight restrictions that are 
currently required by AD 96-19-07, and eventually require the 
inspections and modifications specified in the service information 
previously referenced, as terminating action for the flight 
restrictions. Accomplishment of the proposed actions as specified in 
the NPRM would be in accordance with the following service documents: 
Grob Service Bulletin No. 1078-59/3, dated October 24, 1996; Grob 
Installation Instructions 1078-64, dated December 11, 1996, as 
referenced in both Grob Service Bulletin No. 1078-64/2, dated April 8, 
1997; and Grob Service Bulletin No. 1078-64, dated December 11, 1996; 
and Grob Service Bulletin No. 1078-66, dated February 10, 1997.
    The NPRM was the result of mandatory continuing airworthiness 
information (MCAI) issued by the airworthiness authority for Germany.
    Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate 
in the making of this amendment. No comments were received on the 
proposed rule or the FAA's determination of the cost to the public.

The FAA's Determination

    After careful review of all available information related to the 
subject presented above, the FAA has determined that air safety and the 
public interest require the adoption of the rule as proposed except for 
minor editorial corrections. The FAA has determined that these minor 
corrections will not change the meaning of the AD and will not add any 
additional burden upon the public than was already proposed.

Cost Impact

    The FAA estimates that 23 airplanes in the U.S. registry will be 
affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 40 workhours 
(modification: 36 workhours; inspection: 4 workhours) per airplane to 
accomplish this action, and that the average labor rate is 
approximately $60 an hour. Grob will provide parts free of charge as 
part of its warranty program. Based on these figures, the total cost 
impact of this AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $55,200, or 
$2,400 per airplane.

Regulatory Impact

    The regulations adopted herein will not have substantial direct 
effects 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. Therefore, in 
accordance with Executive Order 12612, it is determined that this final 
rule does not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant the 
preparation of a Federalism Assessment.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this action (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. A copy of the final evaluation prepared for this 
action is contained in the Rules Docket. A copy of it may be obtained 
by contacting the Rules Docket at the location provided under the 
caption ADDRESSES.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by 
reference, Safety.

Adoption of the Amendment

    Accordingly, pursuant to 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

    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]

    2. Section 39.13 is amended by removing Airworthiness Directive 
(AD) 96-19-07, Amendment 39-9765, and by adding a new AD to read as 
follows:

98-10-06  Burkhart Grob Luft-und Raumfahrt: Amendment 39-10517; 
Docket No. 98-CE-24-AD; Supersedes AD 96-19-07, Amendment 39-9765.

    Applicability: Models G115C, G115C2, G115D, and G115D2 
airplanes, all serial numbers, certificated in any category.

    Note 1: This AD applies to each airplane identified in the 
preceding applicability provision, regardless of whether it has been 
modified, altered, or repaired in the area subject to the 
requirements of this AD. For airplanes that have been modified, 
altered, or repaired so that the performance of the requirements of 
this AD is affected, the owner/operator must request approval for an 
alternative method of compliance in accordance with paragraph (e) of 
this AD. The request should include an assessment of the effect of 
the modification, alteration, or repair on the unsafe condition 
addressed by this AD; and, if the unsafe condition has not been 
eliminated, the request should include specific proposed actions to 
address it.

    Compliance: Required as indicated in the body of this AD, unless 
already accomplished.
    To prevent loss of control of the airplane caused by excessive 
speed or aerobatic maneuvers, accomplish the following:
    (a) For all serial numbered airplanes, prior to further flight 
after September 26, 1996 (the effective date of AD 96-19-07), 
accomplish the following:
    (1) Install, on the limitation placard at the left-hand cabin 
wall, the airspeed placard that is included with Grob Service 
Bulletin No. 1078-59/2, dated September 2, 1996. This placard 
reduces the maximum airspeed to 296 kilometers per hour (km/h); 
equal to 160 knots per hour.
    (2) Modify the airspeed indicator glass by accomplishing the 
following:
    (i) Place a red radial line on the indicator glass at 296 km/h 
(160 knots). The minimum dimensions for this radial line are 0.05-
inch in width and 0.30-inch in length.
    (ii) Place a white 0.05-inch minimum width slippage index mark 
that connects both the instrument glass and bezel. This slippage 
index mark shall not obscure any airspeed markings.
    (3) Install, near the airspeed indicator, the red placard 
included with Grob Service Bulletin No. 1078-59/2 that has the 
words: ``Aerobatic maneuvers are prohibited.''
    (4) Insert a copy of this AD into the Limitations Section of the 
airplane flight manual.

    Note 2: The actions of paragraph (a), including all 
subparagraphs, are the same as that required by AD 96-19-07, which 
is superseded by this action. These requirements are being 
temporarily retained in this AD to provide a grace period for 
accomplishing the other actions required by this AD.

    (b) Within the next 200 hours time-in-service (TIS) after the 
effective date of this AD, accomplish the following:

[[Page 26429]]

    (1) For all serial numbered airplanes, inspect the nose wheel 
steering, the sliding canopy and canopy locking mechanism, the 
attachment of the horizontal stabilizer, the elevator installation, 
the vertical stabilizer, the rudder installation, and the weights 
and residual moments of the control surfaces in accordance with the 
instructions in Grob Service Bulletin No. 1078-59/3, dated October 
24, 1996. Prior to further flight, repair any discrepancies in 
accordance with the above-referenced service bulletin.
    (2) For airplanes incorporating a serial number in the range of 
82001 through 82077, replace the elevator hinges with parts of 
improved design in accordance with Grob Installation Instructions 
1078-64, dated December 11, 1996, as specified in both Grob Service 
Bulletin No. 1078-64/2, dated April 8, 1997; and Grob Service 
Bulletin No. 1078-64, dated December 11, 1996.
    (3) For airplanes incorporating a serial number in the range of 
82001 through 82077, after accomplishing the replacement required by 
paragraph (b)(2) of this AD, adjust the mass and residual moments in 
accordance with Grob Service Bulletin No. 1078-66, dated February 
10, 1997.
    (c) Accomplishing the actions required by paragraphs (b)(1), 
(b)(2), and (b)(3) of this AD eliminates the placard and flight 
restriction requirements of paragraph (a), including all 
subparagraphs, of this AD.
    (d) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with 
sections 21.197 and 21.199 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 
CFR 21.197 and 21.199) to operate the airplane to a location where 
the requirements of this AD can be accomplished.
    (e) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the 
compliance times that provides an equivalent level of safety may be 
approved by the Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, 1201 Walnut, 
suite 900, Kansas City, Missouri 64106.
    (1) The request shall be forwarded through an appropriate FAA 
Maintenance Inspector, who may add comments and then send it to the 
Manager, Small Airplane Directorate.
    (2) Alternative methods of compliance approved in accordance 
with AD 96-19-07 are not considered approved as alternative methods 
of compliance for this AD.

    Note 3: Information concerning the existence of approved 
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be 
obtained from the Small Airplane Directorate.

    (f) Questions or technical information related to service 
information previously referenced should be directed to Burkhart 
Grob Luft-und Raumfahrt, D-8939 Mattsies, Germany. This service 
information may be examined at the FAA, Central Region, Office of 
the Regional Counsel, Room 1558, 601 E. 12th Street, Kansas City, 
Missouri 64106.
    (g) The inspection required by this AD shall be done in 
accordance with Grob Service Bulletin No. 1078-59/3, dated October 
24, 1996. The replacement required by this AD shall be done in 
accordance with Grob Installation Instructions 1078-64, dated 
December 11, 1996, as specified in both Grob Service Bulletin No. 
1078-64/2, dated April 8, 1997; and Grob Service Bulletin No. 1078-
64, dated December 11, 1996. The adjustment required by this AD 
shall be done in accordance with Grob Service Bulletin No. 1078-66, 
dated February 10, 1997. This incorporation by reference was 
approved by the Director of the Federal Register in accordance with 
5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. Copies may be obtained from 
Burkhart Grob Luft-und Raumfahrt, D-8939 Mattsies, Germany. Copies 
may be inspected at the FAA, Central Region, Office of the Regional 
Counsel, Room 1558, 601 E. 12th Street, Kansas City, Missouri, or at 
the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW, 
suite 700, Washington, DC.

    Note 4: The subject of this AD is addressed in German AD 96-270/
2, dated December 5, 1996; German AD 96-270/3, dated December 4, 
1997; and German AD 97-143, dated May 22, 1997.

    (h) This amendment supersedes AD 96-19-07, Amendment 39-9765.
    (i) This amendment becomes effective on June 28, 1998.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on May 1, 1998.
Michael Gallagher,
Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 98-12355 Filed 5-12-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U

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