[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 70 (Wednesday, April 13, 2005)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 19340-19342]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-7384]


 ========================================================================
 Proposed Rules
                                                 Federal Register
 ________________________________________________________________________
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 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. 70, No. 70 / Wednesday, April 13, 2005 / 
Proposed Rules  

[[Page 19340]]



DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2005-20589; Directorate Identifier 2005-CE-12-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; GROB-WERKE Model G120A Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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

SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) 
for all GROB-WERKE (GROB) Model G120A airplanes. This proposed AD would 
require you to repetitively inspect the nose landing gear (NLG) 
assembly, paying special attention to the NLG swivel tube and the 
engine truss in the area of the NLG attachment, for cracks and damaged 
(defective) welding seams. If you find cracks or defects during any 
inspection, this proposed AD would require you to replace the cracked 
or defective part. This proposed AD results from mandatory continuing 
airworthiness information (MCAI) issued by the airworthiness authority 
for Germany. We are issuing this proposed AD to detect and correct 
cracks and defects in the NLG assembly, which could result in failure 
of the NLG. This failure could lead to a hard landing and/or loss of 
control of the airplane during landing operations.

DATES: We must receive any comments on this proposed AD by May 13, 
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, Room PL-401, 
Washington, DC 20590-0001.
     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, Federal Republic of Germany; telephone: 011 49 
8268 998139; facsimile: 011 49 8268 998200.
    To view the comments to this proposed AD, go to http://dms.dot.gov. 
This is docket number FAA-2005-20589; Directorate Identifier 2005-CE-
12-AD.

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? 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-2005-20589; Directorate Identifier 2005-CE-12-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-2005-20589; Directorate Identifier 2005-CE-
12-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

    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 cracks found on the nose landing gear (NLG) 
swivel tube on one of the affected airplanes during routine 
maintenance.
    What is the potential impact if FAA took no action? If not detected 
and corrected, cracks and defects in the nose landing gear assembly 
could cause the nose landing gear to fail. This failure could lead to a 
hard landing and/or loss of control of the airplane during landing 
operations.
    Is there service information that applies to this subject? GROB has 
issued Service Bulletin No. MSB1121-055, dated November 26, 2004.
    What are the provisions of this service information? The service 
bulletin includes procedures for:


[[Page 19341]]


--Inspecting the nose landing gear (NLG) assembly, paying special 
attention to the NLG swivel tube and the engine truss in the area of 
the NLG attachment, for cracks and damaged (defective) welding seams; 
and
--Replacing any cracked or defective part.

    What action did the LBA take? The LBA classified this service 
bulletin as mandatory and issued German AD Number D-2004-514, effective 
date: December 9, 2004, to ensure the continued airworthiness of these 
airplanes in Germany.
    Did the LBA inform the United States under the bilateral 
airworthiness agreement? These GROB Model G120A airplanes 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 Model G120A airplanes of the same type design 
that are registered in the United States, we are proposing AD action to 
detect and correct cracks and defects in the nose landing gear 
assembly, which could result in failure of the nose landing gear. This 
failure could lead to a hard landing and/or loss of control of the 
airplane during landing operations.
    What would this proposed AD require? This proposed AD would require 
you to incorporate the actions in the previously-referenced service 
bulletin.
    Is there a modification I can incorporate instead of repetitively 
inspecting the nose landing gear assembly? The FAA has determined that 
long-term continued operational safety would be better assured by 
design changes that remove the source of the problem rather than by 
repetitive inspections or other special procedures. With this in mind, 
FAA will continue to work with GROB to collect information and perform 
fatigue analysis in determining whether a future design change is 
feasible.
    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 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 
do the proposed inspections:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                   Total cost per       Total cost  on U.S.
              Labor cost                       Parts cost             airplane               operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1 work hour x $65 = $65...............  Not applicable..........             $65   $65 x 6 = $390
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The cost for replacing any cracked or defective part based on the 
results of the proposed inspections will be covered under warranty by 
the manufacturer.

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 under the criteria 
of the Regulatory Flexibility Act.
    We prepared a summary of the costs to comply with this proposed AD 
(and other information as included in the Regulatory Evaluation) 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-2005-20589; Directorate Identifier 2005-CE-12-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.

[[Page 19342]]

Sec.  39.13  [Amended]

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

GROB-WERKE: Docket No. FAA-2005-20589; Directorate Identifier 2005-
CE-12-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 May 13, 2005.

What Other ADs Are Affected by This Action?

    (b) None.

What Airplanes Are Affected by This AD?

    (c) This AD affects Model G120A airplanes, all serial numbers, 
that are certificated in any category.

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. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct cracks and 
damage in the nose landing gear (NLG) assembly, which could result 
in failure of the NLG. This failure could lead to a hard landing 
and/or loss of control of the airplane during landing operations.

What Must I Do To Address This Problem?

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

------------------------------------------------------------------------
             Actions                  Compliance          Procedures
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Inspect the nose landing      Initially inspect   Follow GRUB
 gear (NLG) assembly for cracks    within the next     Service Bulletin
 or damaged (defective) welding    50 hours time-in-   No. MSB1121-055
 seams. Pay special attention to   service (TIS)       dated November
 the NLG swivel tube and the       after the           26, 2004.
 engine truss in the area of the   effective date of
 NLG attachment.                   this AD, unless
                                   already done.
                                   Repetitively
                                   inspect
                                   thereafter at
                                   intervals not to
                                   exceed 50 hours
                                   TIS.
(2) If you find cracks or         Replace before      Follow GROB
 defects during any inspection     further flight      Service Bulletin
 required in paragraph (e)(1) of   after the           No. MSB1121-055
 this AD, replace the cracked or   inspection in       dated November
 defective part.                   which cracks and/   26, 2004.
                                   or defects are
                                   found. After you
                                   replace the
                                   cracked or
                                   defective part,
                                   continue with the
                                   repetitive
                                   inspections
                                   required
                                   paragraph (e)(1)
                                   of this AD at the
                                   50 hours TIS
                                   intervals.
------------------------------------------------------------------------


    Note: The compliance time in this AD is different than the 
compliance time in GROB Service Bulletin No. MSB1121-055 dated 
November 26, 2004. The compliance time in this AD takes precedence 
over the compliance time in the service information.

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

Is There Other Information That Relates to This Subject?

    (g) German AD Number D-2004-514, effective date: December 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, Federal Republic of Germany; telephone: 011 
49 8268 998139; facsimile: 011 49 8268 998200. To view the AD 
docket, go to the Docket Management Facility; U.S. Department of 
Transportation, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Nassif Building, Room PL-
401, Washington, DC, or on the Internet at http://dms.dot.gov. This 
is docket number FAA-2005-20589; Directorate Identifier 2005-CE-12-
AD.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on April 6, 2005.
David R. Showers,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 05-7384 Filed 4-12-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P