[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 197 (Thursday, October 9, 2008)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 59571-59573]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-23973]



[[Page 59571]]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2008-1078; Directorate Identifier 2008-CE-051-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; BURKHART GROB LUFT--UND RAUMFAHRT GmbH 
& CO KG G103 Series 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:

    The Luftfahrt-Bundesamt received a report from the Grob Company 
that a bolt in the airbrake control was found failed during a pre-
flight inspection on a G 103C TWIN III ACRO. During an extensive 
investigation (metallurgical investigation) a double sided fatigue 
crack was found as root cause. As the bolt is insignificantly 
stressed by cyclic bending the crack was probably caused by mean 
stress supported by a bolt torque exceeding the limit.
    The actions specified by this airworthiness directive are 
intended to prevent further bolt cracking which can result in 
airbrake as well as elevator failure (elevator control is on the 
same pedestal) and reduced controllability of the power glider.

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 November 10, 
2008.

ADDRESSES: You may send comments by any of the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
     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.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.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-2008-1078; 
Directorate Identifier 2008-CE-051-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://www.regulations.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 aviation authority for 
the Federal Republic of Germany, has issued AD D-2008-231, dated July 
11, 2008; and AD D-2008-232, dated July 11, 2008 (referred to after 
this as ``the MCAI''), to correct an unsafe condition for the specified 
products. The MCAI states:

    The Luftfahrt-Bundesamt received a report from the Grob Company 
that a bolt in the airbrake control was found failed during a pre-
flight inspection on a G 103C TWIN III ACRO. During an extensive 
investigation (metallurgical investigation) a double sided fatigue 
crack was found as root cause. As the bolt is insignificantly 
stressed by cyclic bending the crack was probably caused by mean 
stress supported by a bolt torque exceeding the limit.
    The actions specified by this airworthiness directive are 
intended to prevent further bolt cracking which can result in 
airbrake as well as elevator failure (elevator control is on the 
same pedestal) and reduced controllability of the power glider.

The MCAI requires:
     Replacement of bolt LN9037-M6x60 from the airbrake bell 
crank 103B-4437 with a new bolt and a new locking nut and tightening 
the bolt to a specific torque;
     Check of all parts of the airbrake bell crank and the 
attachment parts for any damage and replacement of any damaged parts;
     Check of the airbrake locking force of the left-hand and 
right-hand wing for a specific force value range and that the locking 
is clearly noticeable; and
     Check of the airbrake locking force at the operating lever 
in the front cockpit with the wings rigged for a specific force value 
range.

You may obtain further information by examining the MCAI in the AD 
docket.

Relevant Service Information

    Grob Aerospace has issued Service Bulletin No. MSB 315-76/1 and 
869- 27/1 (same document), dated June 23, 2008. 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

[[Page 59572]]

policies. Any such differences are highlighted in a NOTE within the 
proposed AD.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD will affect 129 products of U.S. 
registry. We also estimate that it would take about 1 work-hour 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 $15 per product.
    Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of the proposed AD on 
U.S. operators to be $12,255, or $95 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.
    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:

Burkhart Grob Luft--Und Raumfahrt GmbH & CO KG: Docket No. FAA-2008-
1078; Directorate Identifier 2008-CE-051-AD.

Comments Due Date

    (a) We must receive comments by November 10, 2008.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to the following models and serial numbers 
(SNs) gliders, certificated in any category:
    (1) G103 TWIN II, SNs 3730 through 3878;
    (2) G103A TWIN II ACRO, SNs 3730 through 34078 (K);
    (3) G103C TWIN III ACRO, SNs 34101 through 34203; and
    (4) G 103 C TWIN III SL, SNs 35001 through 35051

Subject

    (d) Air Transport Association of America (ATA) Code 27: Flight 
Controls.

Reason

    (e) The mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) 
states:
    The Luftfahrt-Bundesamt received a report from the Grob Company 
that a bolt in the airbrake control was found failed during a pre-
flight inspection on a G 103C TWIN III ACRO. During an extensive 
investigation (metallurgical investigation) a double sided fatigue 
crack was found as root cause. As the bolt is insignificantly 
stressed by cyclic bending the crack was probably caused by mean 
stress supported by a bolt torque exceeding the limit. The actions 
specified by this airworthiness directive are intended to prevent 
further bolt cracking which can result in airbrake as well as 
elevator failure (elevator control is on the same pedestal) and 
reduced controllability of the power glider.
    The MCAI requires replacement of bolt LN9037-M6x60 from the 
airbrake bell crank 103B-4437 with a new bolt with a new locking nut 
and tightening the bolt to a specific torque; check of all parts of 
the airbrake bell crank and the attachment parts for any damage and 
replacement of any damaged parts; check of the airbrake locking 
force of the left-hand and right-hand wing for a specific force 
value range and that the locking is clearly noticeable; and check of 
the airbrake locking force at the operating lever in the front 
cockpit with the wings rigged for a specific force value range.

Actions and Compliance

    (f) Unless already done, within 60 days after the effective date 
of this AD, do the following actions following Grob Aerospace 
Service Bulletin No. MSB 315-76/1 and No. 869-27/1 (same document), 
dated June 23, 2008:
    (1) Remove bolt LN9037-M6x60 from the airbrake bell crank 103B-
4437 and install a new bolt LN9037-M6x60 with the new locking nut 
LN9348-M6 and torque the bolt to 6.4 Nm (4.7 lbs.ft).
    (2) Inspect all parts of the airbrake bell crank including the 
attachment parts for any damage and, before further flight, replace 
any damaged parts.
    (3) Inspect the airbrake locking force of the left-hand (LH) and 
right-hand (RH) wing using a spring balance. The force must be equal 
for the LH and RH wing (guidance value: 102 daN, 
(22.54.5 lbs)) and the locking must be clearly 
noticeable.
    (4) Inspect the airbrake locking force at the operating lever in 
the front cockpit with the wings rigged. The guidance value is 
102 daN, (22.54.5 lbs). It must not exceed 
15-20 daN (33.7-45.0 lbs).

FAA AD Differences

    Note: This AD differs from the MCAI and/or service information 
as follows: No differences.

Other FAA AD Provisions

    (g) The following provisions also apply to this AD:
    (1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager, 
Standards Office, 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.

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Related Information

    (h) Refer to MCAI Federal Republic of Germany Luftfahrt-
Bundesamt AD D-2008-231, dated July 11, 2008; and AD D-2008-232, 
dated July 11, 2008; and Grob Aerospace Service Bulletin No. MSB 
315-76/1 and No. 869-27/1 (same document), dated June 23, 2008, for 
related information.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on October 2, 2008.
Kim Smith,
Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. E8-23973 Filed 10-8-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P