[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 135 (Tuesday, July 15, 2003)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 41760-41762]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-17818]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2003-CE-26-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; GROB-WERKE Model G120A Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: This document proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive 
(AD) that would apply to all GROB-WERKE (GROB) Model G120A airplanes. 
This proposed AD would require you to modify the flight control system 
operating levers. This proposed AD is the result of mandatory 
continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) issued by the airworthiness 
authority for Germany. The actions specified by this proposed AD are 
intended to prevent failure of a ball bearing in flight control system 
operating levers. Such failure could lead to reduced control or loss of 
control of the airplane.

DATES: The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) must receive any 
comments on this proposed rule on or before August 18, 2003.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments to FAA, Central Region, Office of the 
Regional Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket No. 2003-CE-26-AD, 901 
Locust, Room 506, Kansas City, Missouri 64106. You may view any 
comments at this location between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through 
Friday, except Federal holidays. You may also send comments 
electronically to the following address: [email protected]. 
Comments sent electronically must contain ``Docket No. 2003-CE-26-AD'' 
in the subject line. If you send comments electronically as attached 
electronic files, the files must be formatted in Microsoft Word 97 for 
Windows or ASCII text.
    You may get service information that applies to this proposed AD 
from GROB Luft-und Raumfahrt, Lettenbachstrasse 9, D-86874 
Tussenhausen-Mattsies, Germany; telephone: 011 49 8268 998139; 
facsimile: 011 49 8268 998200; email: [email protected]. You may also view this information at the Rules Docket at 
the address above.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Karl Schletzbaum, Aerospace Engineer, 
FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, 
Missouri 64106; telephone: (816) 329-4146; facsimile: (816) 329-4090.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

How Do I Comment on This Proposed AD?

    The FAA invites comments on this proposed rule. You may submit 
whatever written data, views, or arguments you choose. You need to 
include the proposed rule's docket number and submit your comments to 
the address specified under the caption ADDRESSES. We will consider all 
comments received on or before the closing date. We may amend this 
proposed rule in light of comments received. Factual information that 
supports your ideas and suggestions is extremely helpful in evaluating 
the effectiveness of this proposed AD action and determining whether we 
need to take additional rulemaking action.

Are There Any Specific Portions of This Proposed AD I Should Pay 
Attention To?

    The FAA specifically invites comments on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this proposed rule that 
might suggest a need to modify the rule. You may view all comments we 
receive before and after the closing date of the rule in the Rules 
Docket. We will file a report in the Rules Docket that summarizes each 
contact we have with the public that concerns the substantive parts of 
this proposed AD.

How Can I Be Sure FAA Receives My Comment?

    If you want FAA to acknowledge the receipt of your mailed comments, 
you must include a self-addressed, stamped postcard. On the postcard, 
write ``Comments to Docket No. 2003-CE-26-AD.'' We will date stamp and 
mail the postcard back to you.

Discussion

What Events Have Caused This Proposed AD?

    The Luftfahrt-Bundesamt (LBA), which is the airworthiness authority 
for Germany, recently notified FAA that an unsafe condition may exist 
on all GROB Model G120A airplanes. The LBA reports that a damaged ball 
bearing in a flight control system operating lever was found. The 
damage was found during regular maintenance. The damage is believed to 
be caused by incorrect installation.

[[Page 41761]]

What Are the Consequences if the Condition Is Not Corrected?

    If not corrected, this condition could cause failure of a ball 
bearing in affected flight control system operating levers. Such 
failure could result in reduced control or loss of control of the 
airplane.

Is There Service Information That Applies to This Subject?

    GROB has issued Service Letter No. SL1121-009, dated May 23, 2003; 
Service Bulletin No. MSB1121-033, dated May 8, 2003; and Service 
Bulletin No. MSB1121-034, dated May 19, 2003.

What Are the Provisions of This Service Information?

    GROB Service Bulletin No. MSB1121-033, dated May 8, 2003, includes 
procedures for inspecting all flight control system operating levers 
for damaged ball bearings and replacing any lever that has a damaged 
ball bearing.
    GROB Service Bulletin No. MSB-1121-034, dated May 19, 2003, 
includes procedures for modifying the flight control system operating 
levers.
    GROB Service Letter No. SL1121-009, dated May 23, 2003, includes 
procedures for modifying elevator rod 1.

What Action Did the LBA Take?

    The LBA classified these service bulletins as mandatory and issued 
German AD Number 2003-164/2, dated May 22, 2003, in order to ensure the 
continued airworthiness of these airplanes in Germany.

Was This in Accordance With the Bilateral Airworthiness Agreement?

    This airplane model is manufactured in Germany and is type 
certificated for operation in the United States under the provisions of 
section 21.29 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 21.29) and 
the applicable bilateral airworthiness agreement.
    Pursuant to this bilateral airworthiness agreement, the LBA has 
kept FAA informed of the situation described above.

The FAA's Determination and an Explanation of the Provisions of This 
Proposed AD

What Has FAA Decided?

    The FAA has examined the findings of the LBA; reviewed all 
available information, including the service information referenced 
above; and determined that:

--The unsafe condition referenced in this document exists or could 
develop on other GROB Model G120A airplanes of the same type design 
that are on the U.S. registry;
--The actions specified in the previously-referenced service 
information should be accomplished on the affected airplanes; and
--AD action should be taken in order to correct this unsafe condition.

What Would This Proposed AD Require?

    This proposed AD would require you to incorporate the actions in 
the previously-referenced service information.

How Does the Revision to 14 CFR Part 39 Affect This Proposed AD?

    On July 10, 2002, FAA published a new version of 14 CFR part 39 (67 
FR 47997, July 22, 2002), which governs FAA's AD system. This 
regulation now includes material that relates to special flight 
permits, alternative methods of compliance, and altered products. This 
material previously was included in each individual AD. Since this 
material is included in 14 CFR part 39, we will not include it in 
future AD actions.

Cost Impact

How Many Airplanes Would This Proposed AD Impact?

    We estimate that this proposed AD affects 6 airplanes in the U.S. 
registry.

What Would be the Cost Impact of This Proposed AD on Owners/Operators 
of the Affected Airplanes?

    We estimate the following costs to accomplish these proposed 
modifications:

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                                                                Total cost per
             Labor cost                      Parts cost            airplane        Total cost on U.S. operators
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10 workhours x $60 per hour = $600..  No cost for parts......             $600   6 x $600 = $3,600
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Regulatory Impact

Would This Proposed AD Impact Various Entities?

    The regulations proposed herein would not have a substantial direct 
effect 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, it 
is determined that this proposed rule would not have federalism 
implications under Executive Order 13132.

Would This Proposed AD Involve a Significant Rule or Regulatory Action?

    For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this proposed 
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) if 
promulgated, 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 draft regulatory 
evaluation prepared for this action has been placed 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, Safety.

The Proposed Amendment

    Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration proposes to amend 
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. FAA amends Sec.  39.13 by adding a new airworthiness directive 
(AD) to read as follows:

Grob-Werke: Docket No. 2003-CE-26-AD.

    (a) What airplanes are affected by this AD? This AD affects 
Model G120A airplanes, all serial numbers, that are certificated in 
any category.
    (b) Who must comply with this AD? Anyone who wishes to operate 
any of the airplanes identified in paragraph (a) of this AD must 
comply with this AD.
    (c) What problem does this AD address? The actions specified by 
this AD are intended to prevent failure of a ball bearing in flight 
control system operating levers. Such failure could lead to reduced 
control or loss of control of the airplane.

[[Page 41762]]

    (d) What actions must I accomplish to address this problem? To 
address this problem, you must accomplish the following:

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           Actions                 Compliance            Procedures
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(1) Inspect the flight        Inspect within the    In accordance with
 control system operating      next 50 hours time-   GROB Service
 levers for damaged ball       in-service (TIS)      Bulletin No.
 bearings and replace any      after the effective   MSB1121-033, dated
 lever with a damaged ball     date of this AD       May 8, 2003.
 bearing.                      Replace prior to
                               further flight
                               after the
                               inspection.
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(2) Accomplish the            Within the next 50    In accordance with
 modifications to:.            hours TIS after the   GROB Service Letter
(a) elevator rod 1, part       effective date of     No. SL1121-009,
 number (P/N) 120A-4400.08     this AD.              dated May 23, 2003,
 or part number 120A-4217                            and GROB Service
 (which supersedes P/N 120A-                         Bulletin No.
 4400.08); and.                                      MSB1121-034, dated
(b) the flight control                               May 19, 2003.
 system operating levers.
-----------------------------
(3) Only install flight       As of the effective   ....................
 control system operating      date of this AD.
 levers that have been
 modified in accordance with
 paragraph (d)(2)(a) and
 (d)(2)(b) of this AD.
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    (e) Can I comply with this AD in any other way? To use an 
alternative method of compliance or adjust the compliance time, 
follow the procedures in 14 CFR 39.19. Send these requests to the 
Manager, Standards Office, Small Airplane Directorate. For 
information on any already approved alternative methods of 
compliance, contact Karl Schletzbaum, Aerospace Engineer, FAA, Small 
Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, Missouri 
64106; telephone: (816) 329-4146; facsimile: (816) 329-4090.
    (f) How do I get copies of the documents referenced in this AD? 
You may get copies of the documents referenced in this AD from GROB 
Luft-und Raumfahrt, Lettenbachstrasse 9, D-86874 Tussenhausen-
Mattsies, Germany; telephone: 011 49 8268 998139; facsimile: 011 49 
8268 998200; email: [email protected]. You may view 
these documents at FAA, Central Region, Office of the Regional 
Counsel, 901 Locust, Room 506, Kansas City, Missouri 64106.


    Note: The subject of this AD is addressed in German AD 2003-164/
2, dated May 22, 2003.


    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on July 9, 2003.
Dorenda D. Baker,
Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 03-17818 Filed 7-14-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P