[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 228 (Wednesday, November 26, 1997)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 62948-62949]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-30870]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 95-CE-96-AD; Amendment 39-10217; AD 97-24-10]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Burkhardt Grob Luft-und Raumfahrt, 
GmbH. Model G 103 Twin Astir 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 Burkhardt Grob Luft-und Raumfahrt, GmbH. (Grob) Model G 103 
Twin Astir sailplanes. This action requires replacing the airbrake 
over-center lever and installing new inspection holes. The AD is the 
result of cracked airbrake over-center levers found during routine 
inspections. The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent 
an asymmetrical airbrake deployment, which could result in an 
uncontrollable roll and possible loss of control of the sailplane.

DATES: Effective December 29, 1997.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of December 29, 1997.

ADDRESSES: Service information that applies to this AD may be obtained 
from Grob Luft-und Raumfahrt, GmbH., D-8939, Mattsies-am Flugplatz, 
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-96-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, FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 1201 Walnut, suite 900, 
Kansas City, Missouri 64106; telephone (816) 426-6932; facsimile (816) 
426-2165.

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 Twin 
Astir sailplanes was published in the Federal Register on December 23, 
1996 (61 FR 67506). The action proposed to require replacing the 
airbrake over-center lever (Grob part number (P/N) 103-4123 (left) and 
P/N 103-4124 (right)) with a new part of improved design, (Grob P/N 
103B-4123 (left) and 103B-4124 (right), or FAA-approved equivalent part 
numbers) and installing new inspection holes.
    Accomplishment of the proposed action would be in accordance with 
Grob Service Bulletin TM 315-47/2, dated January 20, 1993, and Grob 
Repair Instructions No. 315-45/2, dated October 11, 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 examining all information related to this AD, the FAA has 
noticed two discrepancies in the NPRM that should be clarified in the 
final rule.
    First, clarification is required regarding Grob Repair Instructions 
TM 315-45/2. There is a difference between the dimensions called out in 
Drawing 3 of Grob Repair Instructions TM 315-45/2 and the dimensions 
called out in the materials list on page one of the Repair Instructions 
for the composite sheet used for the 2 composite stops. Specifically, 
refer to the material list on page one of the repair instructions, 
which calls out 2 stops of 3mm  x  30mm  x  30mm composite sheet. 
Drawing 3 calls out the composite sheet material as 3mm  x  30mm  x  
40mm, but should actually call out the composite sheet material as 3 
x  30  x  30. The material list on page one is the correct dimension.
    Second, there are only 18 Grob Model G 103 sailplanes in the U.S. 
registry rather than the figure of 60 sailplanes that was originally 
published in the NPRM. This would lower the cost impact on the U.S. 
operators, and would not have an adverse impact.

The FAA's Determination

    After careful review of all available information related to the 
subject presented above, including the service information, the FAA has 
determined that air safety and the public interest require the adoption 
of the rule as proposed except for the addition of a note to refer to 
the materials list for correct dimensions on the composite sheet, the 
lowering of the number of sailplanes affected, and minor editorial 
corrections. The FAA has determined that these 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 18 sailplanes in the U.S. registry will be 
affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 12 workhours per 
sailplane to accomplish the action, and that the average labor rate is 
approximately $60 an hour. Parts cost approximately $650 per sailplane. 
Based on these figures, the total cost impact of the AD on U.S. 
operators is estimated to be $24,660 or $1,370 per 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

[[Page 62949]]

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 97-24-10  Burkhardt Grob Luft-und Raumfahrt, GMBH: Amendment 39-
10217; Docket No. 95-CE-96-AD.

    Applicability: Model G 103 Twin Astir Sailplanes, (serial 
numbers 3000 through 3291, with or without the suffix ``T''), 
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 50 hours time-in-service 
(TIS) after the effective date of this AD, unless already 
accomplished.
    To prevent an asymmetrical airbrake deployment, which could 
result in an uncontrollable roll and possible loss of control of the 
sailplane, accomplish the following:
    (a) Replace the airbrake over-center lever (Grob part number (P/
N) 103-4123 (left) and 103-4124 (right), or FAA-approved equivalent 
part numbers) with a new part of improved design (Grob P/N 103B-4123 
(left), and 103B-4124 (right), or FAA-approved equivalent part 
numbers) in accordance with the Procedures section of Grob Service 
Bulletin (SB) TM 315-47/2, dated January 20, 1993, and Grob Repair 
Instructions No. 315-45/2, dated October 11, 1991. Use the dimension 
called out in the materials list on page one of the Repair 
Instructions for the correct dimension of the composite sheet.
    (b) Install inspection holes in accordance with the Procedure 
section of Grob Repair Instructions No. 315-45/2, dated October 11, 
1991.
    (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 
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.

    (e) The modification and replacement required by this AD shall 
be done in accordance with Burkhardt Grob Luft-und Raumfahrt, GmbH G 
103 Service Bulletin TM 315-47/2, dated January 20, 1993, and 
Burkhardt Grob Luft-und Raumfahrt, GmbH Repair Instructions No. 315-
45/2, dated October 11, 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 also be obtained from 
Grob Luft-und Raumfahrt, GmbH., D-8939, Mattsies-am Flugplatz, 
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 3: The subject of this AD addresses German AD 92-309/2 
Grob, dated February 26, 1993.

    (f) This amendment (39-10217) becomes effective on December 29, 
1997.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on November 18, 1997.
Larry E. Werth,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 97-30870 Filed 11-25-97; 8:45 am]
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