[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 31 (Tuesday, February 17, 2004)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 7378-7380]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-3354]


 ========================================================================
 Proposed Rules
                                                 Federal Register
 ________________________________________________________________________
 
 This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains notices to the public of 
 the proposed issuance of rules and regulations. The purpose of these 
 notices is to give interested persons an opportunity to participate in 
 the rule making prior to the adoption of the final rules.
 
 ========================================================================
 

  Federal Register / Vol. 69, No. 31 / Tuesday, February 17, 2004 / 
Proposed Rules  

[[Page 7378]]



DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2003-CE-61-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; BURKHARDT GROB LUFT-UND RAUMFAHRT GmbH 
& CO KG Models G103 Twin ASTIR, G103 Twin II, G103 Twin III ACRO, and 
G103 C Twin III SL Sailplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) 
for certain BURKHARDT GROB LUFT-UND RAUMFAHRT GmbH & CO KG (Grob) 
Models G103 Twin ASTIR, G103 Twin II, G103 Twin III ACRO, and G103 C 
Twin III SL sailplanes. This proposed AD would require you to replace 
the center of gravity (CG) release hook attachment brackets with 
brackets of improved design. This proposed AD is the result of 
mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) issued by the 
airworthiness authority for Germany. We are issuing this proposed AD to 
prevent abnormal or uncontrolled sailplane release due to cracked CG 
release hook attachment brackets. This condition could result in 
reduced or loss of sailplane control.

DATES: We must receive any comments on this proposed AD by March 29, 
2004.

ADDRESSES: Use one of the following to submit comments on this proposed 
AD:
     By mail: FAA, Central Region, Office of the 
Regional Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket No. 2003-CE-61-AD, 901 
Locust, Room 506, Kansas City, Missouri 64106.
     By fax: (816) 329-3771.
     By e-mail: [email protected]. Comments sent 
electronically must contain ``Docket No. 2003-CE-61-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.
    You may get the service information identified in this proposed AD 
from BURKHARDT GROB LUFT-UND RAUMFAHRT GmbH & CO KG, Letenbachstrasse 
9, D-86874 Tussenhausen-Mattsies, Germany; telephone: 011 49 8268 
998139; facsimile: 011 49 8268 998200.
    You may view the AD docket at FAA, Central Region, Office of the 
Regional Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket No. 2003-CE-61-AD, 901 
Locust, Room 506, Kansas City, Missouri 64106. Office hours are 8 a.m. 
to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Greg Davison, Aerospace Engineer, FAA, 
Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, Missouri 
64106; telephone: (816) 329-4130; facsimile: (816) 329-4090.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

    How do I comment on this proposed AD? We invite you to submit any 
written relevant data, views, or arguments regarding this proposal. 
Send your comments to an address listed under ADDRESSES. Include ``AD 
Docket No. 2003-CE-61-AD'' in the subject line of your comments. If you 
want us to acknowledge receipt of your mailed comments, send us a self-
addressed, stamped postcard with the docket number written on it. We 
will date-stamp your postcard and mail it back to you.
    Are there any specific portions of this proposed AD I should pay 
attention to? We specifically invite comments on the overall 
regulatory, economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this 
proposed AD. If you contact us through a nonwritten communication and 
that contact relates to a substantive part of this proposed AD, we will 
summarize the contact and place the summary in the docket. We will 
consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend this 
proposed AD in light of those comments and contacts.

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 certain Grob Models 
G103 Twin ASTIR, G103 Twin II, G103 Twin III ACRO, and G103 C Twin III 
SL sailplanes. The LBA reports incidents of cracks found in the center 
of gravity (CG) release hook attachment brackets.
    Grob has manufactured new improved design CG release hook 
attachment brackets that are less susceptible to such cracking.
    What are the consequences if the condition is not corrected? A 
cracked CG release hook attachment bracket, if not prevented, could 
lead to abnormal or uncontrolled sailplane release. This condition 
could result in reduced or loss of sailplane control.
    Is there service information that applies to this subject? Grob has 
issued Service Bulletin No. MSB869-22, dated January 22, 2002, and 
Service Bulletin No. MSB315-62, dated January 21, 2002. The service 
bulletins include procedures for inspecting and replacing the CG 
release hook attachment brackets.
    What action did the LBA take? The LBA classified these service 
bulletins as mandatory and issued the following to ensure the continued 
airworthiness of these sailplanes in Germany:

 German AD No. 2002-066, effective date: March 21, 
2002; and
 German AD No. 2002-067, effective date: March 21, 
2002.

    Did the LBA inform the United States under the bilateral 
airworthiness agreement? These Grob Models G103 Twin ASTIR, G103 Twin 
II, G103 Twin III ACRO, and G103 C Twin III SL sailplanes are 
manufactured in Germany and are 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.
    Under this bilateral airworthiness agreement, the LBA has kept us 
informed of the situation described above.

FAA's Determination and Requirements of This Proposed AD

    What has FAA decided? We have examined the LBA's findings, reviewed 
all available information, and determined that AD action is necessary 
for products of this type design that are

[[Page 7379]]

certificated for operation in the United States.
    Since the unsafe condition described previously is likely to exist 
or develop on other Grob Models G103 Twin ASTIR, G103 Twin II, G103 
Twin III ACRO, and G103 C Twin III SL sailplanes of the same type 
design that are registered in the United States, we are proposing AD 
action to prevent abnormal or uncontrolled sailplane release due to 
cracked CG release hook attachment brackets. This condition could 
result in reduced or loss of sailplane control.
    What would this proposed AD require? This proposed AD would require 
you to replace the CG release hook attachment brackets with brackets of 
improved design.
    How does the revision to 14 CFR part 39 affect this proposed AD? On 
July 10, 2002, we 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 altered products, special flight 
permits, and alternative methods of compliance. 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.

Costs of Compliance

    How many sailplanes would this proposed AD impact? We estimate that 
this proposed AD affects 105 sailplanes in the U.S. registry.
    What would be the cost impact of this proposed AD on owners/
operators of the affected sailplanes? We estimate the following costs 
to do this proposed replacement:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                  Total cost on
               Labor cost                        Parts cost           Total cost per sailplane    U.S. operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2 workhours at $65 per hour = $130.....  $50 per sailplane.........  $180 per sailplane........          $18,900
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Regulatory Findings

    Would this proposed AD impact various entities? We have determined 
that this proposed AD would not have federalism implications under 
Executive Order 13132. This proposed AD 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.
    Would this proposed AD involve a significant rule or regulatory 
action? For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this proposed 
AD:
    1. Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive Order 
12866;
    2. Is not a ``significant rule'' under the 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.
    We prepared a summary of the costs to comply with this proposed AD 
and placed it in the AD Docket. You may get a copy of this summary by 
sending a request to us at the address listed under ADDRESSES. Include 
``AD Docket No. 2003-CE-61-AD'' in your request.

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 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. The FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by adding the following new 
airworthiness directive (AD):

BURKHARDT GROB LUFT-UND RAUMFAHRT GmbH & CO KG: Docket No. 2003-CE-
61-AD.

When Is the Last Date I Can Submit Comments on This Proposed AD?

    (a) We must receive comments on this proposed airworthiness 
directive (AD) by March 29, 2004.

What Other ADs Are Affected by This Action?

    (b) None.

What Sailplanes Are Affected by This AD?

    (c) This AD affects the following model and serial number 
sailplanes that are certificated in any category:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                  Models                           Serial numbers
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) G103 Twin ASTIR.......................  3000 through 3291.
(2) G103 Twin II..........................  3501 through 3720.
(3) G103 Twin III ACRO....................  All serial numbers beginning
                                             with 34101.
(4) G103 C Twin III SL....................  35002 through 35051.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

What Is the Unsafe Condition Presented in This AD?

    (d) This AD is the result of is the result of mandatory 
continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) issued by the 
airworthiness authority for Germany. The actions of this AD are 
intended to prevent abnormal or uncontrolled sailplane release due 
to cracked center of gravity (CG) release hook attachment brackets. 
This condition could result in reduced or loss of sailplane control.

What Must I Do To Address This Problem?

    (e) To address this problem, you must do the following:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
           Actions                 Compliance            Procedures
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Replace the CG release    Within the next 25    Follow Grob Service
 hook attachment brackets      hours time-in-        Bulletin No. MSB869-
 with improved design          service (TIS) after   22, dated January
 brackets, as follows:         the effective date    22, 2002; and Grob
(i) For the Models G103 Twin   of this AD, unless    Service Bulletin
 ASTIR, G103 Twin II, and      already done.         No. MSB315-62,
 G103 Twin III ACRO                                  dated January 21,
 sailplanes: part number (P/                         2002.
 N) 103B-2360.01/1 and P/N
 103B-2360.02/1; and.
(ii) For the Model G103 C
 Twin III SL sailplane: P/N
 103B-2360.01/2 and P/N 103B-
 2360.02/2..
-----------------------------

[[Page 7380]]

 
(2) Do not install any CG     As of the effective   Not applicable.
 release hook attachment       date of this AD.
 bracket that is not a part
 number referenced in
 paragraphs (e)(1)(i) and
 (e)(1)(ii) of this AD, as
 applicable.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

May I Request an Alternative Method of Compliance?

    (f) You may request a different method of compliance or a 
different compliance time for this AD by following the procedures in 
14 CFR 39.19. Unless FAA authorizes otherwise, send your request to 
your principal inspector. The principal inspector may add comments 
and will send your request to the Manager, Standards Office, Small 
Airplane Directorate, FAA. For information on any already approved 
alternative methods of compliance, contact Greg Davison, Aerospace 
Engineer, FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301, 
Kansas City, Missouri 64106; telephone: (816) 329-4130; facsimile: 
(816) 329-4090.

May I Get Copies of the Documents Referenced in This AD?

    (g) You may get copies of the documents referenced in this AD 
from BURKHARDT GROB LUFT-UND RAUMFAHRT GmbH & CO KG, 
Letenbachstrasse 9, D-86874 Tussenhausen-Mattsies, Germany; 
telephone: 011 49 8268 998139; facsimile: 011 49 8268 998200. You 
may view these documents at FAA, Central Region, Office of the 
Regional Counsel, 901 Locust, Room 506, Kansas City, Missouri 64106.

Is There Other Information That Relates to This Subject?

    (h) German AD No. 2002-066, effective date: March 21, 2002; and 
German AD No. 2002-067, effective date: March 21, 2002, also address 
the subject of this AD.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on February 10, 2004.
James E. Jackson,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 04-3354 Filed 2-13-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P