[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 55 (Wednesday, March 23, 2005)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 14580-14585]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-5693]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2005-20441; Directorate Identifier 2003-CE-35-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; BURKHART GROB LUFT--UND RAUMFAHRT GmbH 
& CO KG Models G103 TWIN ASTIR, G103A TWIN II ACRO, and G103C TWIN III 
ACRO Sailplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to revise Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2003-
19-14 R1, which applies to certain BURKHART GROB LUFT--UND RAUMFAHRT 
GmbH & CO KG (GROB) Models G103 TWIN ASTIR, G103A TWIN II ACRO, and 
G103C TWIN III ACRO sailplanes. AD 2003-19-14 R1 requires you to modify 
the airspeed indicators, install flight speed reduction and aerobatic 
maneuver restrictions placards (as applicable), and revise the flight 
and maintenance manuals. AD 2003-19-14 R1 approves simple aerobatic 
maneuvers for Model G103A TWIN II ACRO sailplanes and provides an 
option for modifying the rear fuselage for Models G103A TWIN II ACRO 
and G103C TWIN III ACRO sailplanes to terminate the flight limitation 
restrictions for aerobatic maneuvers. This proposed AD retains all the 
actions from AD 2003-19-14 R1 for Models G103A TWIN II ACRO and G103C 
TWIN III ACRO and would reinstate certain operating limits for Model 
G103 TWIN ASTIR sailplanes. We are issuing this proposed AD to prevent 
damage to the fuselage during limit load flight, which could result in 
reduced structural integrity. This condition could lead to loss of 
control of the sailplane.

DATES: We must receive any comments on this proposed AD by April 20, 
2005.

ADDRESSES: Use one of the following to submit comments on this proposed 
AD:
     DOT Docket Web site: Go to http://dms.dot.gov and follow 
the instructions for sending your comments electronically.
     Government-wide rulemaking Web site: Go to http://www.regulations.gov and follow the instructions for sending your 
comments electronically.
     Mail: Docket Management Facility; U.S. Department of 
Transportation, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Nassif Building,

[[Page 14581]]

Room PL-401, Washington, DC 20590-001.
     Fax: 1-202-493-2251.
     Hand Delivery: Room PL-401 on the plaza level of the 
Nassif Building, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Washington, DC, between 9 
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
    To get the service information identified in this proposed AD, 
contact GROB Luft--und Raumfahrt, Lettenbachstrasse 9, D-86874 
Tussenhausen-Mattsies, Germany; telephone: 011 49 8268 998139; 
facsimile: 011 49 8268 998200; e-mail: [email protected].
    To view the comments to this proposed AD, go to http://dms.dot.gov. 
The docket number is FAA-2005-20441; Directorate Identifier 2003-CE-35-
AD.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Gregory A. 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 the 
docket number, ``FAA-2005-20441; Directorate Identifier 2003-CE-35-AD'' 
at the beginning of your comments. We will post all comments we 
receive, without change, to http://dms.dot.gov, including any personal 
information you provide. We will also post a report summarizing each 
substantive verbal contact with FAA personnel concerning this proposed 
rulemaking. Using the search function of our docket web site, anyone 
can find and read the comments received into any of our dockets, 
including the name of the individual who sent the comment (or signed 
the comment on behalf of an association, business, labor union, etc.). 
This is docket number FAA-2005-20441; Directorate Identifier 2003-CE-
35-AD. You may review the DOT's complete Privacy Act Statement in the 
Federal Register published on April 11, 2000 (65 FR 19477-78), or you 
may visit http://dms.dot.gov.
    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.

Docket Information

    Where can I go to view the docket information? You may view the AD 
docket that contains the proposal, any comments received, and any final 
disposition in person at the DMS Docket Offices between 9 a.m. and 5 
p.m. (eastern standard time), Monday through Friday, except Federal 
holidays. The Docket Office (telephone 1-800-647-5227) is located on 
the plaza level of the Department of Transportation NASSIF Building at 
the street address stated in ADDRESSES. You may also view the AD docket 
on the Internet at http://dms.dot.gov. The comments will be available 
in the AD docket shortly after the DMS receives them.

Discussion

    Has FAA taken any action to this point? Reports from the Luftfahrt-
Bundesamt (LBA), which is the airworthiness authority for Germany, that 
the safety margins established into the design of the fuselage may not 
be sufficient to sustain limit loads during certain maneuvers and 
during flight at certain speeds for Model G103 TWIN ASTIR, G103 TWIN 
II, G103A TWIN II ACRO, and G103C TWIN III ACRO sailplanes. This caused 
us to issue AD 2003-19-14, Amendment 39-13317 (68 FR 56152, September 
30, 2003). AD 2003-19-14 required the following:

--Modifying the airspeed indicators;
--Installing placards restricting flight speeds, prohibiting aerobatic 
maneuvers, and restricting load limits; and
--Incorporating revisions to the flight and maintenance manuals.

    AD 2003-19-14 was issued as an interim action until the 
manufacturer completed further investigations into the effects of 
certain flight conditions on the fuselage structure and the development 
of corrective procedures.
    The manufacturer conducted further investigations and static 
strength tests to verify the safety margins of the fuselage on the 
affected sailplanes. This information prompted us to issue AD 2003-19-
14 R1, Amendment 39-13676 (69 FR 34258, June 21, 2004). AD 2003-19-14 
R1 requires the following:
    For Model G103 TWIN ASTIR sailplanes:

--Retain all flight limitation restrictions in AD 2003-19-14.

    For Model G103 TWIN II sailplanes:

--Reinstate the original flight speed limitations and maneuver 
operations and remove from the applicability section of AD 2003-19-14;

    For Model G103A TWIN II ACRO (utility category) sailplanes:

--Reinstate the original flight speed limitations and maneuver 
operations; and
--Allow only basic aerobatic maneuvers (spins, lazy eights, chandelles, 
stall turns, steep turns, and positive loops).

    For Model G103A TWIN II ACRO (aerobatic category) sailplanes:

--Reinstate the original flight speed limitations except for rough air 
(VB) and maneuvering speeds (VA); and
--Allow only basic aerobatic maneuvers (spins, lazy eights, chandelles, 
stall turns, steep turns, and positive loops).

    For Model G103C TWIN III ACRO sailplanes:

--Increase airspeed limits specified in AD 2003-19-14 but maintain a 
reduction from the original limitations; and
--Retain restrictions in AD 2003-19-14 on all aerobatic flights, 
including simple maneuvers, and cloud flying.

    The manufacturer also developed a modification for Models G103A 
TWIN II ACRO (aerobatic category) and G103C TWIN III ACRO sailplanes 
(aerobatic category). When this modification is incorporated, full 
acrobatic status is restored to these sailplanes.
    What has happened since AD 2003-19-14 R1 to initiate this proposed 
action? The LBA recently notified FAA of the need to change AD 2003-19-
14 R1. Based on analysis, the LBA reports that certain limits of 
operation for Model G103 TWIN ASTIR sailplanes may be reinstated.
    Specifically, the maximum airspeed in calm air (VNE) 
could be reinstated to 135 knots (155 mph/250 kmh) for Model G103 TWIN 
ASTIR sailplanes. Aerobatic flight is still prohibited; however, simple 
aerobatic flight (looping, steep turns, lazy eights, and chandelles) 
may be performed following the flight manual.
    Is there service information that applies to this subject? GROB 
Luft--und Raumfahrt has issued Service Bulletin MSB 315-64/3, dated 
September 14, 2004.
    What are the provisions of this service information? The service 
bulletin includes procedures for:

--Applying a red mark on the front and rear cockpit air speed indicator 
at 135 knots (155 mph/205 kmh);
--Replacing the front and rear cockpit limitations placard with one 
that

[[Page 14582]]

contains the new flight speed operating limitations;
--Prohibiting aerobatic flight, except for simple aerobatic flight 
(looping, steep turns, lazy eights, and chandelles) may be performed 
following the flight manual; and
--Revising the flight and maintenance manuals.

    What action did the LBA take? The LBA classified this service 
bulletin as mandatory and issued German AD Number D-2003-231R3, dated 
November 9, 2004, to ensure the continued airworthiness of these 
sailplanes in Germany.
    Did the LBA inform the United States under the bilateral 
airworthiness agreement? These GROB Models G103 TWIN ASTIR, G103A TWIN 
II ACRO, and G103C TWIN III ACRO 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 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, G103A TWIN II ACRO, 
and G103C TWIN III ACRO sailplanes of the same type design that are 
registered in the United States, we are proposing AD action to prevent 
damage to the fuselage during limit load flight, which could result in 
reduced structural integrity. This condition could lead to loss of 
control of the sailplane.
    What would this proposed AD require? This proposed AD would revise 
AD 2003-19-14 R1 with a new AD that would:
    (1) retain the actions required in AD 2003-19-14 R1 for Models 
G103A
    TWIN II ACRO and G103C TWIN III ACRO sailplanes; and
    (2) reinstate certain operating limits by incorporating the actions 
in the previously-referenced service bulletin for Model G103 TWIN ASTIR 
sailplanes.
    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 94 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 accomplish the proposed modifications to the airspeed indicators, 
flight limitations placards, and revising the flight and maintenance 
manuals:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                Total cost per
             Labor cost                      Parts cost            sailplane       Total cost on U.S. operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1 work hour x $65 = $65.............  Not applicable.........               $65  $65 x 94 = $6,110
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    For G103A TWIN II ACRO (aerobatic category) sailplanes and G103C 
TWIN III ACRO (aerobatic category) sailplanes, we estimate the 
following costs to accomplish the proposed fuselage modification:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                         Total cost per
             Labor cost                  Parts cost         sailplane
------------------------------------------------------------------------
30 work hours x $65 = $1,950........            $5,307            $7,257
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    What is the difference between the cost impact of this proposed AD 
and the cost impact of AD 2003-19-14 R1? There is no cost difference 
between this proposed AD and AD 2003-19-14 R1. This proposed AD is only 
revising certain operating limits for certain Model G103 TWIN ASTIR. 
This proposed AD does not require any additional actions than are 
currently required in AD 2003-19-14 R1.

Authority for This Rulemaking

    What authority does FAA have for issuing this rulemaking action? 
Title 49 of the United States Code specifies the FAA's authority to 
issue rules on aviation safety. Subtitle I, Section 106 describes the 
authority of the FAA Administrator. Subtitle VII, Aviation Programs, 
describes in more detail the scope of the agency's authority.
    We are issuing this rulemaking under the authority described in 
Subtitle VII, Part A, Subpart III, Section 44701, ``General 
requirements.'' Under that section, Congress charges the FAA with 
promoting safe flight of civil aircraft in air commerce by prescribing 
regulations for practices, methods, and procedures the Administrator 
finds necessary for safety in air commerce. This regulation is within 
the scope of that authority because it addresses an unsafe condition 
that is likely to exist or develop on products identified in this AD.

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

[[Page 14583]]

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 FAA-2005-20441; Directorate Identifier 2003-CE-35-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 removing Airworthiness Directive 
(AD) 2003-19-14 R1, Amendment 39-13676 (69 FR 34258, June 21, 2004), 
and by adding a new AD to read as follows:

Burkhart Grob Luft--Und Raumfahrt GmbH & Co KG: Docket No. FAA-2005-
20441; Directorate Identifier 2003-CE-35-AD; Revises AD 2003-19-14 
R1, Amendment 39-13676.

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 April 20, 2005.

What Other ADs Are Affected by This Action?

    (b) This AD revises AD 2003-19-14 R1, Amendment 39-13676.

What Sailplanes Are Affected by This AD?

    (c) This AD affects the following sailplane models and serial 
numbers that are certificated in any category:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                   Model                             Serial Nos.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
G103 TWIN ASTIR...........................  All serial numbers.
G103A TWIN II ACRO (aerobatic category)...  3544 through 34078 with
                                             suffix ``K''.
G103C TWIN III ACRO (aerobatic category)..  34101 through 34203.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

What Is the Unsafe Condition Presented in This AD?

    (d) This AD is the result of mandatory continuing airworthiness 
information (MCAI) issued by the airworthiness authority for 
Germany. The actions specified in this AD are intended to prevent 
damage to the fuselage during limit load flight, which could result 
in reduced structural integrity. This condition could lead to loss 
of control of the sailplane.

What Must I Do To Address This Problem?

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

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                 Actions                                                        Compliance              Procedures
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) For G103 TWIN ASTIR sailplanes, serial numbers 3000 through 3290:                                     Within the next 25      Following GROB Service
(i) Re-set the airspeed indicator to the new placard limitations;                                          hours time-in-service   Bulletin No. MSB315-
(ii) Install the following placard:                                                                        (TIS) after the         64/3, dated September
                                                                                                           effective date of       14, 2004.
                                                                                                           this AD, unless
                                                                                                           already done.

                                                                                                                                   [GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TP23MR05.166
                                                                                                                                   

(iii) You may perform simple aerobatic flight (looping, steep turns, lazy eights, and chandelles)
 following the flight manual; and
(iv) Revise the flight and maintenance manuals.
 


 
 
 
(2) For G103A TWIN II ACRO (acrobatic category) and G103C TWIN III ACRO (acrobatic category) sailplanes:  Within the next 25 hours  Follow Grob Service
(i) Re-set the airspeed indicator to the new placard limitations; and                                      time-in-service (TIS)     Bulletin No. MSB315-
(ii) Install the following placards on Model G103A TWIN II ACRO (aerobatic category) sailplanes:           after August 12, 2004     65, dated September
                                                                                                           (the effective date AD    15, 2003.
                                                                                                           2003-19-14 R1), unless
                                                                                                           already done.


[[Page 14584]]

[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TP23MR05.167


 
 
 
(iii) Install the following placards on Model G103C TWIN II ACRO (aerobatic category)
 sailplanes:

 [GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TP23MR05.168
 

(3) For G103A TWIN II ACRO (acrobatic category) and G103C TWIN III ACRO (acrobatic category) sailplanes:  At any time after August  Follow Grob Service
 as an alternative to the flight restrictions in paragraph (e)(2) of this AD, you may install additional   12, 2004 (the effective   Bulletin No. OSB
 stringers in the rear fuselage section. Installing additional stringers terminates the flight             date AD 2003-19-14 R1).   315-66, dated
 restrictions in paragraph (e)(2) of this AD.                                                                                        October 16, 2003,
                                                                                                                                     and Work
                                                                                                                                     Instruction for OSB
                                                                                                                                     315-66, dated
                                                                                                                                     October 16, 2003.
(4) For G103A TWIN II ACRO (acrobatic category) and G103C TWIN III ACRO (acrobatic category) sailplanes:  Prior to further flight   Allow Grob Service
 only if you installed the additional stringers specified in paragraph (e)(3) of this AD, do the           after doing the actions   Bulletin No. OSB
 following:                                                                                                in paragraph (e)(3) of    315-66, dated
(i) Remove the placard prohibiting all aerobatic maneuvers;                                                this AD.                  October 16, 2003
(ii) Install the following flight limitation placard on Model G103A TWIN II ACRO (aerobatic category)
 sailplanes:
 


[[Page 14585]]

[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TP23MR05.169


 
 
 
(iii) Install the following placards on Model G103C TWIN II ACRO (aerobatic category)
 sailplanes:

 [GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TP23MR05.170
 

    Note: The placard information in this AD is different than the 
information in the applicable service bulletins. This AD takes 
precedence over the service bulletins. You should update your 
placards to reflect the information presented in this AD.

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

Is There Other Information That Relates to This Subject?

    (g) German AD D-2003-231R3, dated November 9, 2004, also 
addresses the subject of this AD.

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

    (h) To get copies of the documents referenced in this AD, 
contact GROB Luft-und Raumfahrt, Lettenbachstrasse 9, D-86874 
Tussenhausen-Mattsies, Germany; telephone: 011 49 8268 998139; 
facsimile: 011 49 8268 998200; e-mail: [email protected]. To view the AD docket, go to the Docket Management 
Facility; U.S. Department of Transportation, 400 Seventh Street, 
S.W., Nassif Building, Room PL-401, Washington, DC, or on the 
Internet at http://dms.dot.gov. This is docket number FAA-2005-
20441; Directorate ID 2003-CE-35-AD.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on March 15, 2005.
David R. Showers,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 05-5693 Filed 3-22-05; 8:45 am]
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