[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 125 (Thursday, June 29, 1995)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 33685-33686]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-15390]



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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 93-CE-59-AD; Amendment 39-9289; AD 95-13-09]


Airworthiness Directives; Grob Luft Und Raumfahrt Models G102 
Astir CS, Club Astir IIb, Twin Astir, Speed Astir, Standard Astir II, 
and Speed Astir IIb Sailplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) that 
applies to certain Grob Luft Und Raumfahrt (Grob) Models G102 Astir CS, 
Club Astir IIb, Twin Astir, Speed Astir, Standard Astir II, and Speed 
Astir IIb sailplanes. This action requires inspecting all elevator and 
rudder hinges for damage (delamination, cracks, corrosion, or 
buckling), and repairing any damaged parts. Several occurrences of 
inner elevator hinges separating during flight operation prompted this 
AD action. The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent 
these hinges from separating, which could result in sailplane flutter 
and eventual loss of control of the sailplane.

DATES: Effective August 15, 1995.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of August 15, 1995.

ADDRESSES: Service information that applies to this AD may be obtained 
from Grob uft und Raumfahrt, D-8939 Mattsies, Germany. This information 
may also be examined at the 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. Herman Belderok, Project Officer, 
Sailplanes, 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 certain Grob Models G102 Astir CS, Club Astir IIb, Twin Astir, Speed 
Astir, Standard Astir II, and Speed Astir IIb sailplanes was published 
in the Federal Register on January 18, 1995 (60 FR 3588). The action 
proposed to require inspecting all elevator and rudder hinges for 
damage (delamination, cracks, corrosion, or buckling), and repairing 
any damaged parts. Accomplishment of the proposed actions would be in 
accordance with the III. Procedure section of Grob Repair Instruction 
No. 306-27/1 to Service Bulletin TM 306-27/1, dated June 4, 1991.
    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 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.
    The FAA estimates that 146 sailplanes in the U.S. registry will be 
affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 1 workhour per 
sailplane to accomplish the required action, and that the average labor 
rate is approximately $60 an hour. Based on these figures, the total 
cost impact of the AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $8,760. This 
figure takes into account that no affected sailplane owner/operator has 
accomplished the required inspection.
    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:


[[Page 33686]]

    Authority: 49 U.S.C. App. 1354(a), 1421 and 1423; 49 U.S.C. 
106(g); and 14 CFR 11.89.


Sec. 39.13  [Amended]

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

95-13-09  Grob Luft Und Raumfahrt: Amendment 39-9289; Docket No. 93-
CE-59-AD.

    Applicability: Models G102 Astir CS, Club Astir IIb, Twin Astir, 
Speed Astir, Standard Astir II, and Speed Astir IIb Sailplanes (all 
serial numbers), certificated in any category.

    Note 1: This AD applies to each sailplane 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 sailplanes that have been modified, 
altered, or repaired so that the performance of the requirements of 
this AD is affected, the owner/operator must use the authority 
provided in paragraph (c) of this AD to request approval from the 
FAA. This approval may address either no action, if the current 
configuration eliminates the unsafe condition, or different actions 
necessary to address the unsafe condition described in this AD. Such 
a request should include an assessment of the effect of the changed 
configuration on the unsafe condition addressed by this AD. In no 
case does the presence of any modification, alteration, or repair 
remove any sailplane from the applicability of this AD.

    Compliance: Required within the next 30 calendar days after the 
effective date of this AD, unless already accomplished.
    To prevent elevator and rudder hinge separation, which could 
result in sailplane flutter and eventual loss of control of the 
sailplane, accomplish the following:
    (a) Visually inspect all elevator and rudder hinges for damage 
(delamination, cracks, corrosion, or buckling) in accordance with 
the III. Procedure section of Grob Repair Instruction No. 306-27/1 
to Service Bulletin TM 306-27/1, dated June 4, 1991. Prior to 
further flight, repair any damaged parts in accordance with the 
service information referenced above.
    (b) 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 sailplanes to a location where 
the requirements of this AD can be accomplished.
    (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, Small Airplane Directorate, 1201 Walnut, 
suite 900, Kansas City, Missouri 64106. 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.

    Note 2: Information concerning the existence of approved 
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be 
obtained from the Small Airplane Directorate.

    (d) The inspection required by this AD shall be done in 
accordance with Grob Repair Instruction No. 306-27/1 to Service 
Bulletin TM 306-27/1, dated June 4, 1991. 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 uft und Raumfahrt, D-8939 Mattsies, 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.
    (e) This amendment (39-9289) becomes effective on August 15, 
1995.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on June 19, 1995.
Henry A. Armstrong,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 95-15390 Filed 6-28-95; 8:45 am]
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