[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 228 (Wednesday, November 26, 1997)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 62946-62948]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-30867]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 95-CE-95-AD; Amendment 39-10215; AD 97-24-08]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Burkhart Grob, Luft-und Raumfahrt, 
GmbH. Model G102 Astir CS 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 Burkhart Grob, Luft-und Raumfahrt, GmbH. (Grob) Model G102 
Astir CS sailplanes. This action requires replacing the elevator 
control lever with an improved elevator control lever. The discovery of 
cracks in the elevator control lever during a routine inspection of a 
Grob Model G102 Astir CS sailplane prompted this action. 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 failure of the elevator control lever, 
which could result in loss of control of the sailplane.

DATES: Effective January 5, 1998.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of January 5, 1998.

ADDRESSES: Service information that applies to this AD may be obtained 
from Grob Luft-und Raumfahrt, GmbH, Postfach 1257, D-87712, Mindelheim, 
Germany. This information may also be examined at the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Central Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, 
Attention: Rules Docket 95-CE-95-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. J. Mike Kiesov, Project Officer, 
Sailplanes, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service, 
FAA, 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

[[Page 62947]]

apply to certain Burkhart Grob, Luft-und Raumfahrt, GmbH. Model G102 
Astir CS sailplanes was published in the Federal Register on December 
10, 1996 (61 FR 65001). The action proposed to require replacing the 
elevator control lever, part number (P/N) 102-3542 or an FAA-approved 
equivalent part number, with an improved elevator control lever, P/N 
102-3543 or an FAA-approved equivalent part number.
    Accomplishment of this action would be in accordance with Grob 
Service Bulletin (SB) TM 306-33, dated September 15, 1994, and Grob 
Installation Instructions No. 306-30/1, dated October 11, 1994. Grob 
has also issued SB TM 306-34, dated December 4, 1994, which expounds on 
the weight and balance procedure that is required in Item 4 of the Grob 
Installation Instructions No. 306-30/1, dated October 11, 1994.
    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 addition of Grob Service Bulletin TM 
306-34, dated December 12, 1994, was not included in the proposed 
action and is added to the final rule for clarification of the weight 
and balance procedures required in Item 4 of the Grob Installation 
Instructions 306-30/1, dated October 11, 994. The FAA has determined 
that this clarification and any minor corrections will not change the 
meaning of the AD and will not add any additional burden upon the 
public than was already proposed.

Compliance Time

    The FAA has determined that it is more beneficial and less 
burdensome to the owners/operators to require a replacement of the 
elevator control lever within the next 20 hours time-in-service, 
instead of requiring an initial inspection for cracks and if cracks are 
found, replacing the part prior to further flight, and then if no 
cracks are found, replacing the part prior to a certain date, as 
required by the Luftfahrt-Bundesamt (LBA), the airworthiness authority 
for Germany and the manufacturer. The one time replacement is more time 
and labor efficient.
    After reviewing the compliance times recommended by the 
manufacturer in the Grob SB 306-33, and by the German AD 94-317/2 Grob, 
dated April 21, 1995, the FAA has determined that one compliance time 
for all operators is less burdensome and would not present any undue 
burden on any of the owner/operators of any U.S. registered sailplanes. 
Therefore, the compliance time stated in the body of this AD takes 
precedence over the compliance time recommended by Grob and the LBA.

Cost Impact

    The FAA estimates that 53 sailplanes in the U.S. registry will be 
affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 12 hours per 
sailplane to accomplish this action, and that the average labor rate is 
approximately $60 an hour. Parts cost approximately $180 per sailplane. 
Based on these figures, the total cost impact of this AD on U.S. 
operators is estimated to be $47,700.
    Grob has informed the FAA that no parts have been distributed to 
equip any sailplane in the United States. The FAA has no way of 
determining how many owners/operators may have incorporated these 
actions on their sailplane.

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 adding a new airworthiness directive 
(AD) to read as follows:

AD 97-24-08  Burkhart Grob Luft-Und Raumfahrt, GMBH: Amendment 39-
10215; Docket No. 95-CE-95-AD.

    Applicability: Model G102 Astir CS sailplanes (serial numbers 
1001 through 1536), 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 request approval for an 
alternative method of compliance in accordance with paragraph (d) 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 within the next 20 hours time-in-service 
(TIS) after the effective date of this AD, unless already 
accomplished.

    Note 2: The compliance time in this AD does not reflect the 
compliance time given in the Grob service bulletin or the LBA AD 94-
317/2 Grob, dated April 21, 1995.

    To prevent failure of the elevator control lever, which could 
result in loss of control of the sailplane, accomplish the 
following:
    (a) Replace the elevator control lever, Burkhart Grob Luft-und 
Raumfahrt (Grob) part number (P/N) 102-3542 (or FAA-approved 
equivalent part number), with an elevator control lever of improved 
design (Grob P/N 102-3543 or FAA-approved equivalent part number) in 
accordance with the ``Procedure'' section of the Grob Installation 
Instructions No. 306-30/1, dated October 11, 1994, which are 
referenced in the ``Actions: 2'' section of Grob Service Bulletin 
(SB) TM 306-33, dated September 15, 1994.
    (b) Accomplish the weight and balance procedure required in Item 
4 of the ``Procedure'' section in Grob Installation Instructions No. 
306-30/1, dated October 11, 1994, by following the ``Procedure'' and 
``Actions'' section in Grob SB No. 306-34, dated December 4, 1994.
    (c) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with 
sections 21.197 and 21.199

[[Page 62948]]

of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 21.197 and 21.199) to 
operate the sailplane to a location where the requirements of this 
AD can be accomplished.
    (d) 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, Aircraft 
Certification Service, FAA, 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 3: Information concerning the existence of approved 
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be 
obtained from the Small Airplane Directorate.

    (e) The replacement required by this AD shall be done in 
accordance with the Grob Luft-Und Raumfahrt Installation 
Instructions No. 306-30/1, dated October 11, 1994, Grob Luft-und 
Raumfahrt Service Bulletin TM 306-33, dated September 15, 1994, and 
Grob Luft-und Raumfahrt Service Bulletin Service Bulletin No. 306-
34, dated December 4, 1994. 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, Postfach 1257, D-87712, Mindelheim, 
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 actions specified in this AD are addressed in German 
AD 94-317/2 Grob, dated April 21, 1995.

    (f) This amendment (39-10215) becomes effective on January 5, 
1998.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on November 17, 1997.
Larry E. Werth,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 97-30867 Filed 11-25-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U