[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 225 (Monday, November 23, 1998)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 64598-64600]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-30896]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 98-CE-68-AD; Amendment 39-10894; AD 98-24-08]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Burkhart Grob Luft-und Raumfahrt Models
G115, G115A, G115B, G115C, G115C2, G115D, and G115D2 Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) that
applies to all Burkhart Grob Luft-und Raumfahrt (Grob) Models G115,
G115A, G115B, G115C, G115C2, G115D, and G115D2 airplanes. This AD
requires inspecting the area of the elevator trim tab hinges for cracks
and a secure fit, and repairing any elevator trim tab hinges with
cracks or where a proper secure fit is not found. 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 structural damage of the trim tab hinges caused
by cracks, which could result in trim tab failure with consequent loss
of control of the airplane.
DATES: Effective December 28, 1998.
The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as
of December 28, 1998.
ADDRESSES: Service information that applies to this AD may be obtained
from Burkhart Grob Luft-und Raumfahrt, D-8939 Mattsies, Federal
Republic of Germany. This information may also be examined at the
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Central Region, Office of the
Regional Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket No. 98-CE-68-AD, Room 1558,
601 E. 12th Street,
[[Page 64599]]
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. Karl M. Schletzbaum, Aerospace
Engineer, FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 1201 Walnut, suite 900,
Kansas City, Missouri 64106; telephone: (816) 426-6932; 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 all Grob Models G115,
G115A, G115B, G115C, G115C2, G115D, and G115D2 airplanes was published
in the Federal Register as a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) on
September 11, 1998 (63 FR 48653). The NPRM proposed to require
inspecting the area of the elevator trim tab hinges for cracks and a
secure fit, and repairing any elevator trim tab hinges with cracks or
where a proper secure fit is not found. Accomplishment of the proposed
inspection would be required in accordance with Grob Service Bulletin
1078-75, dated May 15, 1998. Accomplishment of the proposed repairs, if
necessary, would be required in accordance with Grob Installation
Instructions No. 1078-75, dated May 15, 1998.
The NPRM was the result of mandatory continuing airworthiness
information (MCAI) issued by the airworthiness authority for Germany.
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 26 airplanes in the U.S. registry will be
affected by the inspection, that it will take approximately 1 workhour
per airplane to accomplish the inspection, and that the average labor
rate is approximately $60 an hour. Based on these figures, the total
cost impact of the inspection on U.S. operators is estimated to be
$1,560, or $60 per airplane.
If any of the affected airplanes have trim tab hinges that are
found cracked or where a proper secure fit was not found, the repair
will take approximately 5 workhours per airplane at an average labor
rate of $60 per hour. Parts will cost approximately $25 per airplane.
Based on these figures, the cost to repair any trim tab hinges found
cracked, or where a proper secure fit was not found, will be
approximately $325 per airplane.
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:
98-24-08 Burkhart Grob Luft-und Raumfahrt: Amendment 39-10894;
Docket No. 98-CE-68-AD.
Applicability: Models G115, G115A, G115B, G115C, G115C2, G115D,
and G115D2 airplanes, all serial numbers, certificated in any
category.
Note 1: This AD applies to each airplane 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 airplanes 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 as indicated in the body of this AD, unless
already accomplished.
To prevent structural damage of the trim tab hinges caused by
cracks, which could result in trim tab failure with consequent loss
of control of the airplane, accomplish the following:
(a) Within the next 50 hours time-in-service (TIS) after the
effective date of this AD, inspect the area of the elevator trim tab
hinges for cracks and a secure fit. Accomplish this inspection in
accordance with the Action section of Grob Service Bulletin No.
1078-75, dated May 15, 1998.
(b) Prior to further flight, repair any elevator trim tab hinges
with cracks or where a proper secure fit is not found. Accomplish
these repairs in accordance with the Procedure section of Grob
Installation Instructions No. 1078-75, dated May 15, 1998.
(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 airplane to a location where
the requirements of this AD can be accomplished.
(d) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the
compliance times 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) Questions or technical information related to Grob Service
Bulletin 1078-75, dated May 15, 1998, should be directed to
[[Page 64600]]
Burkhart Grob Luft-und Raumfahrt, D-8939 Mattsies, Federal Republic
of Germany. This service information may be examined at the FAA,
Central Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, Room 1558, 601 E.
12th Street, Kansas City, Missouri 64106.
(f) The inspection required by this AD shall be done in
accordance with Grob Service Bulletin 1078-75, dated May 15, 1998.
The repair required by this AD shall be done in accordance with Grob
Installation Instructions No. 1078-75, dated May 15, 1998. 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 Burkhart Grob Luft-und Raumfahrt, D-
8939 Mattsies, Federal Republic of 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 is addressed in German AD 1998-
299, dated June 4, 1998.
(g) This amendment becomes effective on December 28, 1998.
Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on November 10, 1998.
Michael Gallagher,
Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 98-30896 Filed 11-20-98; 8:45 am]
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