Airworthiness Directives; BURKHART GROB LUFT-UND RAUMFAHRT GmbH & CO KG G103 Series Gliders

[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 35 (Tuesday, February 24, 2009)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 8148-8150]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-3116]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2008-1078 Directorate Identifier 2008-CE-051-AD; 
Amendment 39-15814; AD 2009-04-08]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; BURKHART GROB LUFT--UND RAUMFAHRT GmbH 
& CO KG G103 Series 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:

    The Luftfahrt-Bundesamt received a report from the Grob Company 
that a bolt in the airbrake control was found failed during a pre-
flight inspection on a G 103C TWIN III ACRO. During an extensive 
investigation (metallurgical investigation) a double sided fatigue 
crack was found as root cause. As the bolt is insignificantly 
stressed by cyclic bending the crack was probably caused by mean 
stress supported by a bolt torque exceeding the limit.
    The actions specified by this airworthiness directive are 
intended to prevent further bolt cracking which can result in 
airbrake as well as elevator failure (elevator control is on the 
same pedestal) and reduced controllability of the power glider.

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

DATES: This AD becomes effective March 31, 2009.
    On March 31, 2009, 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, Glider Program Manager, 
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 October 9, 2008 (73 
FR 59571). That NPRM proposed to correct an unsafe condition for the 
specified products. The MCAI states:

    The Luftfahrt-Bundesamt received a report from the Grob Company 
that a bolt in the airbrake control was found failed during a pre-
flight inspection on a G 103C TWIN III ACRO. During an extensive 
investigation (metallurgical investigation) a double sided fatigue 
crack was found as root cause. As the bolt is insignificantly 
stressed by cyclic bending the crack was probably caused by mean 
stress supported by a bolt torque exceeding the limit.
    The actions specified by this airworthiness directive are 
intended to prevent further bolt cracking which can result in 
airbrake as well as elevator failure (elevator control is on the 
same pedestal) and reduced controllability of the power glider.

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

    Based on the service information, we estimate that this AD will 
affect 129 products of U.S. registry. We also estimate that it will 
take about 1 work-hour per product to comply with basic requirements of 
this AD. The average labor rate is $80 per work-hour.

[[Page 8149]]

Required parts will cost about $15 per product.
    Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of this AD to the U.S. 
operators to be $12,255 or $95 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.
    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:

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:

2009-04-08 BURKHART GROB LUFT--UND RAUMFAHRT GmbH & CO KG: Amendment 
39-15814; Docket No. FAA-2008-1078; Directorate Identifier 2008-CE-
051-AD.

Effective Date

    (a) This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective March 
31, 2009.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to the following models and serial numbers 
(SNs) gliders, certificated in any category:
    (1) G103 TWIN II, SNs 3730 through 3878;
    (2) G103A TWIN II ACRO, SNs 3730 through 34078 (K);
    (3) G103C TWIN III ACRO, SNs 34101 through 34203; and
    (4) G 103 C TWIN III SL, SNs 35001 through 35051.

Subject

    (d) Air Transport Association of America (ATA) Code 27: Flight 
Controls.

Reason

    (e) The mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) 
states:

    ``The Luftfahrt-Bundesamt received a report from the Grob 
Company that a bolt in the airbrake control was found failed during 
a pre-flight inspection on a G 103C TWIN III ACRO. During an 
extensive investigation (metallurgical investigation) a double sided 
fatigue crack was found as root cause. As the bolt is 
insignificantly stressed by cyclic bending the crack was probably 
caused by mean stress supported by a bolt torque exceeding the 
limit.
    ``The actions specified by this airworthiness directive are 
intended to prevent further bolt cracking which can result in 
airbrake as well as elevator failure (elevator control is on the 
same pedestal) and reduced controllability of the power glider.''

The MCAI requires replacement of bolt LN9037-M6x60 from the airbrake 
bell crank 103B-4437 with a new bolt with a new locking nut and 
tightening the bolt to a specific torque; check of all parts of the 
airbrake bell crank and the attachment parts for any damage and 
replacement of any damaged parts; check of the airbrake locking 
force of the left-hand and right-hand wing for a specific force 
value range and that the locking is clearly noticeable; and check of 
the airbrake locking force at the operating lever in the front 
cockpit with the wings rigged for a specific force value range.

Actions and Compliance

    (f) Unless already done, within 60 days after March 31, 2009 
(the effective date of this AD), do the following actions following 
Grob Aerospace Service Bulletin No. MSB 315-76/1 and No. 869-27/1 
(same document), dated June 23, 2008:
    (1) Remove bolt LN9037-M6x60 from the airbrake bell crank 103B-
4437 and install a new bolt LN9037-M6x60 with the new locking nut 
LN9348-M6 and torque the bolt to 6.4 Nm (4.7 lbs.ft).
    (2) Inspect all parts of the airbrake bell crank including the 
attachment parts for any damage and, before further flight, replace 
any damaged parts.
    (3) Inspect the airbrake locking force of the left-hand (LH) and 
right-hand (RH) wing using a spring balance. The force must be equal 
for the LH and RH wing (guidance value: 10 <plus-minus> 2 daN, (22.5 
<plus-minus> 4.5 lbs)) and the locking must be clearly noticeable.
    (4) Inspect the airbrake locking force at the operating lever in 
the front cockpit with the wings rigged. The guidance value is 10 
<plus-minus> 2 daN, (22.5 <plus-minus> 4.5 lbs). It must not exceed 
15-20 daN (33.7-45.0 lbs).

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, Glider Program Manager, 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

[[Page 8150]]

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 Federal Republic of Germany Luftfahrt-
Bundesamt AD D-2008-231, dated July 11, 2008; and AD D-2008-232, 
dated July 11, 2008; and Grob Aerospace Service Bulletin No. MSB 
315-76/1 and No. 869-27/1 (same document), dated June 23, 2008, for 
related information.

Material Incorporated by Reference

    (i) You must use Grob Aerospace Service Bulletin No. MSB 315-76/
1 and No. 869-27/1 (same document), dated June 23, 2008, 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 
Luft-und Raumfahrt, Lettenbachstrasse 9, D-86874 Tussenhausen-
Mattsies, Germany; telephone: + 011 49 8268 998139; facsimile: + 011 
49 8268 998200; E-mail: [email protected]; Internet: 
http://www.grob-aerospace.net.
    (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 February 6, 2009.
Kim Smith,
Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. E9-3116 Filed 2-23-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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