[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 225 (Monday, November 23, 1998)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 64597-64598]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-30897]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 98-CE-71-AD; Amendment 39-10895; AD 98-24-09]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Burkhart GROB Luft-und Raumfahrt GmbH 
Model G 109B Gliders

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 Burkhart GROB Luft-und Raumfahrt GmbH (Grob) Model G 
109B gliders. This AD requires inspecting the elevator and trim tab for 
water, and assuring that the necessary drain holes are installed and 
existing drain holes are open. This AD also requires drilling any 
necessary drain holes and opening any existing drain holes that are 
closed; and, if a significant amount of water (more than \1/2\ liter) 
is found in the elevator, assuring that the elevator's weight and 
residual momentum and the glider's center of gravity (C.G.) are within 
the limits specified in the flight manual, and adjusting the elevator's 
weight and residual momentum and the glider's C.G., as needed. 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 water from penetrating the 
elevator and trim tab because of inadequate drainage, which could 
result in a delaminated elevator and trim tab structure with consequent 
elevator imbalance and flutter.

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, 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-71-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. Mike Kiesov, 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 certain Grob Model G 
109B gliders was published in the Federal Register as a notice of 
proposed rulemaking (NPRM) on September 17, 1998 (63 FR 49673). The 
NPRM proposed to require inspecting the elevator and trim tab for 
water, and assuring that the necessary drain holes are installed and 
existing drain holes are open. The NPRM also proposed to require 
drilling any necessary drain holes and opening any existing drain holes 
that are closed; and, if a significant amount of water (more than \1/2\ 
liter) is found in the elevator, assuring that the elevator's weight 
and residual momentum and the glider's center of gravity (C.G.) are 
within the limits specified in the flight manual, and adjusting the 
elevator's weight and residual momentum and the glider's C.G., as 
needed. Accomplishment of the proposed action as specified in the NPRM 
would be in accordance with Grob Service Bulletin TM 817-35, dated July 
20, 1992.
    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 20 gliders in the U.S. registry will be 
affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 1 workhour per 
glider to accomplish the proposed 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 $1,200, or $60 per glider.
    If drain holes need to be added, the FAA estimates that it will 
take approximately 1 workhour per glider to accomplish the 
modification, and that the average labor rate is approximately $60 an 
hour. Based on these figures, the total cost impact of the modification 
on U.S. operators is estimated to be $60 per glider that will need 
drain holes installed.

Compliance Time of This AD

    The compliance time of this AD is presented in calendar time 
instead of hours time-in-service (TIS). The unsafe condition is not a 
result of the number of times the glider is operated. If the elevator 
and trim tab of the affected gliders have inadequate drainage, then 
water could penetrate the elevator and trim tab on the first flight, as 
well as subsequent flights. The delamination and imbalance that could 
then occur can happen in a very short period of time or happen over a 
long period of time. For these reasons, the FAA has determined that a 
compliance based on calendar time should be utilized in this AD in 
order to assure that the unsafe condition is addressed on all gliders 
in a reasonable time period.

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

[[Page 64598]]

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:

98-24-09 Burkhart Grob Luft-Und Raumfahrt GMBH: Amendment 39-10895; 
Docket No. 98-CE-71-AD.

    Applicability: Model G 109B gliders, all serial numbers 
beginning with 6200, certificated in any category.

    Note 1: This AD applies to each glider 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 gliders 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 (c) 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 water from penetrating the elevator and trim tab 
because of inadequate drainage, which could result in a delaminated 
elevator and trim tab structure with consequent elevator imbalance 
and flutter, accomplish the following:
    (a) Within the next 6 calendar months after the effective date 
of this AD, inspect the elevator and trim tab for water and to 
assure that the necessary drain holes are installed and that the 
existing drain holes are open. Accomplish these actions in 
accordance with the Actions section of Grob Service Bulletin TM 817-
35, dated July 20, 1992. Prior to further flight after the 
inspection, accomplish the following as specified in the service 
bulletin:
    (1) Drill any necessary drain holes and open any existing drain 
holes that are closed; and,
    (2) If a significant amount of water (more than \1/2\ liter) is 
found in the elevator, after removal of the water, assure that the 
elevator's weight and residual moment and the glider's center of 
gravity (C.G.) are within the limits specified in the flight manual, 
and adjust the elevator's weight and residual momentum and the 
glider's C.G., as needed.
    (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 glider 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) Questions or technical information related to Grob Service 
Bulletin TM 817-35, dated July 20, 1992, should be directed to 
Burkhart Grob Luft-und Raumfahrt, D-8939 Mattsies, 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.
    (e) The inspections and modifications required by this AD shall 
be done in accordance with Grob Service Bulletin TM 817-35, dated 
July 20, 1992. 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, 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 92-350 
Grob, dated October 26, 1992.

    (f) 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. 98-30897 Filed 11-20-98; 8:45 am]
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