[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 228 (Wednesday, November 26, 1997)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 62945-62946]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-30869]



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 Rules and Regulations
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  Federal Register / Vol. 62, No. 228 / Wednesday, November 26, 1997 / 
Rules and Regulations  

[[Page 62945]]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 96-CE-37-AD; Amendment 39-10216; AD 97-24-09]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Burkhart Grob, Luft-und Raumfahrt, 
Model G 103 C Twin III SL 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 (Grob), Model G 103 C Twin 
III SL sailplanes. This action requires repetitively inspecting the 
propeller bearing and upper pulley wheel for increased play and, if 
increased play is found, modifying the propeller bearing and pulley 
wheel with a part of improved design. 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 the loss of the sailplane engine propeller and 
possible loss 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 Burkhart Grob Luft-und Raumfahrt, D-86874 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. 96-CE-37-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, Airplane 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 apply to Grob Model G 103 C 
Twin III SL sailplanes was published in the Federal Register on January 
29, 1997 (62 FR 4205). The action proposed to require inspecting the 
propeller bearing and pulley wheel for increased play, if there is no 
increased play in the propeller bearing and pulley wheel, continuing to 
inspect, and if increased play is found, modifying the propeller 
bearing and upper pulley wheel by installing a part of improved design. 
The modification would be considered a terminating action to the 
repetitive inspections. Accomplishment of this action would be in 
accordance with Grob Service Bulletin (SB) 869-18, dated March 7, 1996, 
and Grob SB 869-18/2, dated July 8, 1996, which is a revised page 6 of 
the Grob SB 869-18, dated March 7, 1996.
    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 8 sailplanes in the U.S. registry will be 
affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 1 workhour per 
sailplane to accomplish the initial inspection, 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 $480 
or $60 per sailplane.
    Grob has informed the FAA that parts have been distributed to equip 
7 of the 8 sailplanes in the United States, which would reduce the 
estimated impact on U.S. operators from $480 to $60.

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:

[[Page 62946]]

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 97-24-09   Burkhart Grob, Luft-Und Raumfahrt: Amendment 39-10216; 
Docket No. 96-CE-37-AD.

    Applicability: Model G 103 C Twin III SL Sailplanes (serial 
numbers 35002 through 35051), 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.

    Note 2: The paragraph structure of this AD is as follows:

Level 1: (a), (b), (c), etc.
Level 2: (1), (2), (3), etc.
Level 3: (i), (ii), (iii), etc.

    Level 2 and Level 3 structures are designations of the Level 1 
paragraph they immediately follow.
    Compliance: Required as indicated in the body of this AD, unless 
already accomplished.
    To prevent the loss of the sailplane engine propeller and 
possible loss of the sailplane, accomplish the following:
    (a) Within the next 5 engine operating hours after the effective 
date of this AD, do one of the following:
    (1) Modify the propeller bearing and upper pulley wheel by 
installing parts of improved design in accordance with the 
``Actions: 2.'' and the ``Installation Instructions'' sections of 
Grob service bulletin (SB) 869-18, dated March 7, 1996, and Grob SB 
869-18/2, dated July 8, 1996; or,
    (2) Inspect the propeller bearing and upper pulley wheel for 
increased play (movement that exceeds or is equal to 0.4 mm) in 
accordance with the ``Actions'' section of Grob service bulletin 
(SB) 869-18, dated March 7, 1996.
    (i) If increased play is found, prior to further flight, 
accomplish the modification in paragraph (a)(1) of this AD or,
    (ii) If no increased play is found, continue to repetitively 
inspect for increased play in the propeller bearing and upper pulley 
wheel every 5 engine operating hours in accordance with the 
``Actions: 1.'' section in Grob SB 869-18, dated March 7, 1996, and 
Grob SB 869-18/2, dated July 8, 1996. If increased play is found 
during any inspection, then, prior to further flight, accomplish the 
modification in paragraph (a)(1) of this AD.
    (b) Accomplishing the modification in paragraph (a)(1) of this 
AD is a terminating action to the repetitive inspection required in 
paragraph (a)(2)(ii) of this AD. This modification may be 
accomplished at any time, but must be accomplished if increased play 
is found.
    (c) 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 sailplane to a location where 
the requirements of this AD can be accomplished.
    (d) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the 
initial or repetitive compliance times that provides an equivalent 
level of safety may be approved by the Manager, Small Airplane 
Directorate, Airplane 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 inspections and modifications required by this AD shall 
be done in accordance with Burkhart Grob, Luft-und Raumfahrt Service 
Bulletin 869-18, dated March 7, 1996, and Burkhart Grob, Luft-und 
Raumfahrt Service Bulletin 869-18/2, dated July 8, 1996, which is a 
revised page six of the Burkhart Grob, Luft-und Raumfahrt Service 
Bulletin 869-18, dated March 7, 1996. 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 Burkhart Grob Luft-und Raumfahrt, D-86874 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 addresses German AD 96-206, April 
4, 1996.

    (f) This amendment (39-10216) 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. 97-30869 Filed 11-25-97; 8:45 am]
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