[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 156 (Monday, August 15, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-19853]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: August 15, 1994]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------


DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 93-CE-16-AD; Amendment 39-9002; AD 94-17- 06]

 

Airworthiness Directives; GROB Luft und Raumfahrt Models G102, 
G103, G109, and G109B Gliders

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) that 
applies to GROB Luft und Raumfahrt (Grob) Models G102, G103, G109, and 
G109B gliders. This action requires inspecting (one-time) the airbrake 
stops for cracks in the surrounding gelcoat and to ensure that the 
outer airbrake swivel levers are in contact with the stops during 
operation, and repairing any gelcoat cracks or any airbrake stops not 
in contact with the swivel levers. Excessive wear caused the airbrake 
fence to jam on the upper shell of the wing on one of the affected 
gliders, resulting in an accident. The actions specified by this AD are 
intended to prevent airbrake failure caused by jamming of the airbrake 
fence, which could result in loss of control of the glider.

DATES: Effective September 30, 1994.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of September 30, 1994.

ADDRESSES: Service information that applies to this AD may be obtained 
from Grob Luft und Raumfahrt GmbH, D- 8939 Mattsies, Germany. This 
information may also be examined at the Federal Aviation Administration 
(FAA), Central Region, Office of the Assistant Chief Counsel, 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. E. S. Chalpin, Program Manager, 
Brussels Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, Europe, Africa, and Middle 
East Office, c/o American Embassy, B-1000 Brussels, Belgium; telephone 
(322) 513.38.30 ext. 2717; facsimile (322) 230.68.99; or Mr. Herman C. 
Belderok, Project Officer, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft 
Certification Service, FAA, 1201 Walnut, suite 900, Kansas City, 
Missouri 64106; telephone (816) 426-6932; facsimile (816) 426-2169.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal 
Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) to include an AD that would apply 
to GROB Luft und Raumfahrt Models G102, G103, G109, and G109B gliders 
was published in the Federal Register on March 15, 1993 (58 FR 13710). 
The action proposed to require inspecting (one-time) the airbrake stops 
for cracks in the surrounding gelcoat and to ensure that the outer 
airbrake swivel levers are in contact with stops during operation, and 
repairing any gelcoat cracks or any airbrake stops not in contact with 
the swivel levers. The proposed actions would be accomplished in 
accordance with Grob Service Bulletin TM 306-31, TM 315-49, TM 320-6, 
and TM 817-36 (one document), dated September 14, 1992.
    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.
    After careful review of all available information, 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 nor add any additional burden upon the public than was 
already proposed.
    The FAA estimates that 282 gliders in the U.S. registry will be 
affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 1 workhour per 
glider to accomplish the required action, and that the average labor 
rate is approximately $55 an hour. Based on these figures, the total 
cost impact of the AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $15,510. 
This figure is based on the assumption that no affected glider owner/
operator has accomplished the required action.
    The FAA has determined that calendar time is the most desirable 
method of compliance for this AD because yearly operational times vary 
greatly throughout the fleet. For example, one glider operator might 
utilize the glider 10 hours time-in-service (TIS) in one month, while 
another may not utilize the glider 10 hours TIS in one year. Therefore, 
to maintain continuity and avoid inadvertent grounding of the affected 
gliders, compliance based upon calendar time is utilized.
    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. App. 1354(a), 1421 and 1423; 49 U.S.C. 
106(g); and 14 CFR 11.89.


39.13  [Amended]

    2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding a new AD to read as follows:

94-17-06 Grob Luft und Raumfahrt: Amendment 39-9002; Docket No. 93-
CE-16-AD.

    Applicability: Models G102, G103, G109, and G109B gliders (all 
serial numbers), certificated in any category.
    Compliance: Required within the next 60 calendar days after the 
effective date of this AD, unless already accomplished.
    To prevent airbrake failure caused by jamming of the airbrake 
fence, which could result in loss of control of the glider, 
accomplish the following:
    (a) Inspect the airbrake stops for cracks in the surrounding 
gelcoat and to ensure that the outer airbrake swivel levers are in 
contact with stops during operation in accordance with the 
instructions in Grob Service Bulletin TM 306-31, TM 315-49, TM 320-
6, and TM 817-36 (one document), dated September 14, 1992.
    (b) Prior to further flight, repair any gelcoat cracks or any 
airbrake stops not in contact with the swivel levers in accordance 
with the instructions in Grob Service Bulletin TM 306-31, TM 315-49, 
TM 320-6, and TM 817-36 (one document), dated September 14, 1992.
    (c) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the 
compliance time that provides an equivalent level of safety may be 
approved by the Manager, Brussels Aircraft Certification Office 
(ACO), FAA, Europe, Africa, and Middle East Office, c/o American 
Embassy, B-1000 Brussels, Belgium. The request shall be forwarded 
through an appropriate FAA Maintenance Inspector, who may add 
comments and then send it to the Manager, Brussels ACO.

    Note: Information concerning the existence of approved 
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be 
obtained from the Brussels ACO.

    (d) The inspection required by this AD shall be done in 
accordance with Grob Service Bulletin TM 306- 31, TM 315-49, TM 320-
6, and TM 817-36 (one document), dated September 14, 1992. 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 GROB Luft und Raumfahrt GmbH, D-8939 
Mattsies, Federal Republic of Germany. Copies may be inspected at 
the FAA, Central Region, Office of the Assistant Chief 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.
    (f) This amendment (39-9002) becomes effective on September 30, 
1994.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on August 8, 1994.
Barry D. Clements,
Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 94-19853 Filed 8-12-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-03-P