[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 145 (Monday, July 30, 2007)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 41466-41468]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-14641]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2007-28435; Directorate Identifier 2007-CE-054-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; GROB-WERKE GMBH & CO KG Models G102 
ASTIR CS, G102 CLUB ASTIR III, G102 CLUB ASTIR IIIb, and G102 STANDARD 
ASTIR III Gliders

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of 
Transportation (DOT).

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for the 
products listed above. This proposed AD results from mandatory 
continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) originated by an aviation 
authority of another country to identify and correct an unsafe 
condition on an aviation product. The MCAI describes the unsafe 
condition as:

    As a result of the replacement action of the G 103 TWIN ASTIR 
spar spigot assemblies, the Gliding Federation of Australia issued a 
directive to inspect the similar main spigots of single-seater 
sailplanes.

The proposed AD would require actions that are intended to address the 
unsafe condition described in the MCAI.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by August 29, 2007.

[[Page 41467]]


ADDRESSES: You may send comments by any of the following methods:
     DOT Docket Web Site: Go to http://dms.dot.gov and follow 
the instructions for sending your comments electronically.
     Fax: (202) 493-2251.
     Mail: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket 
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590.
     Hand Delivery: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket 
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., 
Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://dms.dot.gov; or in person at the Docket Management Facility between 9 
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The AD 
docket contains this proposed AD, the regulatory evaluation, any 
comments received, and other information. The street address for the 
Docket Office (telephone (800) 647-5527) is in the ADDRESSES section. 
Comments will be available in the AD docket shortly after receipt.

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

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

    We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or 
arguments about this proposed AD. Send your comments to an address 
listed under the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2007-
28435; Directorate Identifier 2007-CE-054-AD'' at the beginning of your 
comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this proposed AD. We 
will consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend 
this proposed AD because of those 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 we 
receive about this proposed AD.

Discussion

    The Luftfahrt-Bundesamt (LBA), which is the airworthiness authority 
for Germany, has issued AD 91-5/2 Grob, dated February 1, 1991 
(referred to after this as ``the MCAI''), to correct an unsafe 
condition for the specified products. The MCAI states:

    As a result of the replacement action of the G 103 TWIN ASTIR 
spar spigot assemblies, the Gliding Federation of Australia issued a 
directive to inspect the similar main spigots of single-seater 
sailplanes.

The MCAI requires you to inspect the wing main spigot assembly before 
the next flight and replace it. You may obtain further information by 
examining the MCAI in the AD docket.
    The MCAI compliance time required the wing main spigot assembly to 
be inspected before the next flight and replacement of the wing spar 
spigot assembly no later than December 31, 1992. The FAA did not issue 
an AD on the single-seat versions (Models G102 ASTIR CS, G102 CLUB 
ASTIR III, G102 CLUB ASTIR IIIb, and G102 STANDARD ASTIR III) at the 
time the German airworthiness authority issued its AD.

Relevant Service Information

    Grob Luft- und Raumfahrt has issued Service Bulletin TM 306-29; TM 
320-5, issue date: October 11, 1990. The actions described in this 
service information are intended to correct the unsafe condition 
identified in the MCAI.

FAA's Determination and Requirements of the Proposed AD

    This product has been approved by the aviation authority of another 
country, and is approved for operation in the United States. Pursuant 
to our bilateral agreement with this State of Design Authority, they 
have notified us of the unsafe condition described in the MCAI and 
service information referenced above. We are proposing this AD because 
we evaluated all information and determined the unsafe condition exists 
and is likely to exist or develop on other products of the same type 
design.

Differences Between This Proposed AD and the MCAI or Service 
Information

    We have reviewed the MCAI and related service information and, in 
general, agree with their substance. But we might have found it 
necessary to use different words from those in the MCAI to ensure the 
AD is clear for U.S. operators and is enforceable. In making these 
changes, we do not intend to differ substantively from the information 
provided in the MCAI and related service information.
    We might also have proposed different actions in this AD from those 
in the MCAI in order to follow FAA policies. Any such differences are 
highlighted in a NOTE within the proposed AD.

Costs of Compliance

    Based on the service information, we estimate that this proposed AD 
would affect about 75 products of U.S. registry. We also estimate that 
it would take about 24 work-hours per product to comply with the basic 
requirements of this proposed AD. The average labor rate is $80 per 
work-hour. Required parts would cost about $840 per product. Where the 
service information lists required parts costs that are covered under 
warranty, we have assumed that there will be no charge for these costs. 
As we do not control warranty coverage for affected parties, some 
parties may incur costs higher than estimated here.
    Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of the proposed AD on 
U.S. operators to be $207,000, or $2,760 per product.

Authority for This Rulemaking

    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 
rulemaking action.

Regulatory Findings

    We 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.

[[Page 41468]]

    For the reasons discussed above, I certify this proposed 
regulation:
    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 regulatory evaluation of the estimated costs to 
comply with this proposed AD and placed it in the AD docket.

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 FAA 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 AD:

GROB-WERKE GMBH & CO KG: Docket No. FAA-2007-28435; Directorate 
Identifier 2007-CE-054-AD.

Comments Due Date

    (a) We must receive comments by August 29, 2007.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to the gliders Model G102 ASTIR CS, serial 
numbers (SNs) 1001 through 1536; Model G102 CLUB ASTIR III, SNs 5501 
(suffix C) through 5652 (suffix C); Model G102 CLUB ASTIR IIIb, SNs 
5501 (suffix Cb) through 5652 (suffix Cb); and Model G102 STANDARD 
ASTIR III, SNs 5501 (suffix S) through 5652 (suffix S), that are:
    (1) Equipped with any wing spar spigot assembly that has not 
been replaced following Grob Luft- und Raumfahrt Service Bulletin TM 
306-29; TM 320-5, issue date: October 11, 1990; and
    (2) Are certificated in any category.

Subject

    (d) Air Transport Association of America (ATA) Code 57: Wings.

Reason

    (e) The mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) 
states:
    As a result of the replacement action of the G 103 TWIN ASTIR 
spar spigot assemblies, the Gliding Federation of Australia issued a 
directive to inspect the similar main spigots of single-seater 
sailplanes.

The MCAI requires you to inspect the wing main spigot assembly 
before the next flight and replace it.

Actions and Compliance

    (f) Unless already done, do the following actions:
    (1) Within the next 10 hours time-in-service (TIS) after the 
effective date of this AD, inspect both wing spar spigot assemblies 
for cracks using a dye penetrant or magnetic particle method 
following Grob Luft- und Raumfahrt Service Bulletin TM 306-29; TM 
320-5, issue date: October 11, 1990. The use of the magnification 
method is prohibited.

    Note 1: If dye penetrant method is used, great care should be 
exercised when cleaning and/or etching the surfaces and interpreting 
surface faults.

    (2) Replace the wing main spigot assembly following Grob Luft- 
und Raumfahrt Service Bulletin TM 306-29; TM 320-5, issue date: 
October 11, 1990, using whichever of the following compliance times 
that apply:
    (i) If cracks are found during the inspection required in 
paragraph (f)(1) of this AD, before further flight; or
    (ii) If no cracks are found during the inspection required in 
paragraph (f)(1) of this AD, within the next 12 months after the 
effective date of this AD.

FAA AD Differences

    Note 2: This AD differs from the MCAI and/or service information 
as follows:
    (1) The MCAI compliance time required the wing main spigot 
assembly to be inspected before the next flight and replacement of 
the wing spar spigot assembly no later than December 31, 1992. This 
proposed AD requires inspection within the next 10 hours TIS after 
the effective date of this AD and replacement prior to further 
flight after the inspection where cracks are found or 12 months 
after the effective date of this AD if no cracks are found.
    (2) In lieu of authorizing a 10x magnifier for inspection as 
specified in the MCAI, this proposed AD requires you use either a 
dye penetrant or magnetic particle inspection method.

Other FAA AD Provisions

    (g) The following provisions also apply to this AD:
    (1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager, 
Standards Staff, FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs for this 
AD, if requested using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. Send 
information to ATTN: Greg Davison, Glider Program Manager, FAA, 
Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, 
Missouri 64106; telephone: (816) 329-4130; fax: (816) 329-4090. 
Before using any approved AMOC on any airplane to which the AMOC 
applies, notify your appropriate principal inspector (PI) in the FAA 
Flight Standards District Office (FSDO), or lacking a PI, your local 
FSDO.
    (2) Airworthy Product: For any requirement in this AD to obtain 
corrective actions from a manufacturer or other source, use these 
actions if they are FAA-approved. Corrective actions are considered 
FAA-approved if they are approved by the State of Design Authority 
(or their delegated agent). You are required to assure the product 
is airworthy before it is returned to service.
    (3) Reporting Requirements: For any reporting requirement in 
this AD, under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 
U.S.C. 3501 et. seq.), the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has 
approved the information collection requirements and has assigned 
OMB Control Number 2120-0056.

Related Information

    (h) Refer to MCAI Federal Republic of Germany Luftfahrt-
Bundesamt AD 91-5/2 Grob, dated February 1, 1991; and Grob Luft-und 
Raumfahrt Service Bulletin TM 306-29; TM 320-5, issue date: October 
11, 1990; for related information.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on July 24, 2007.
James E. Jackson,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. E7-14641 Filed 7-27-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P