[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 34 (Thursday, February 20, 2014)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 9661-9663]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-03606]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2014-0092; Directorate Identifier 2014-CE-002-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; GROB-WERKE Airplanes

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 
certain GROB-WERKE Models G115EG and G120A airplanes. 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 cracks in the left hand elevator flange. We are 
issuing this proposed AD to require actions to address the unsafe 
condition on these products.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by April 7, 2014.

[[Page 9662]]


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.
    For service information identified in this proposed AD, contact 
Grob Aircraft AG, Customer Service, Lettenbachstrasse 9, 86874 
Tussenhausen-Mattsies, Germany, telephone: + 49 (0) 8268-998-105; fax; 
+ 49 (0) 8268-998-200; email: aircraft.com">productsupport@grob-aircraft.com; 
Internet: grob-aircraft.com. You may review this referenced service 
information at the FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Kansas 
City, Missouri 64106. For information on the availability of this 
material at the FAA, call (816) 329-4148.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2014-
0092; 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: Karl Schletzbaum, Aerospace Engineer, 
FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, 
Missouri 64106; telephone: (816) 329-4123; fax: (816) 329-4090; email: 
[email protected].

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-2014-0092; 
Directorate Identifier 2014-CE-002-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://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 European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the Technical 
Agent for the Member States of the European Community, has issued AD 
No. 2014-0004, dated January 7, 2014 (referred to after this as ``the 
MCAI''), to correct an unsafe condition for certain GROB-WERKE Models 
G115EG and G120A airplanes. The MCAI states:

    An operator of a G 115E aeroplane reported finding a crack 
during scheduled maintenance on the left hand (LH) elevator flange, 
part number (P/N) 115E-3761.06. The design of the right hand (RH) 
elevator flange, P/N 115E-3762.07, is identical. A similar design is 
used for the elevator flanges installed on G 120A and G-120A-I 
aeroplanes, P/N 120A-3561.20(A) and P/N 120A-3562.20(A). Therefore, 
the reported deficiency may also exist on G 120 aeroplanes.
    This condition, if not detected and corrected, could lead to 
elevator failure, resulting in reduced control of the aeroplane.
    To address this potential unsafe condition, GROB Aircraft AG 
issued Service Bulletins (SB) MSB1078-194 and SB MSB1121-140 to 
provide instruction for inspection and corrective action.
    For the reasons described above, this AD requires repetitive 
inspections of both elevator flanges on an aeroplane to detect any 
crack, and, depending on findings, replacement of the affected part.

You may examine the MCAI on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov 
by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2014-0092.

Relevant Service Information

    GROB Aircraft has issued Service Bulletin No. MSB1078-194/1 and 
Service Bulletin No. MSB1121-140, both dated December 3, 2013. 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.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD will affect 6 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 $85 per work-hour.
    Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of the proposed AD on 
U.S. operators to be $510, or $85 per product.
    In addition, we estimate that any necessary follow-on actions would 
take about 8 work-hours and require parts costing approximately $306 
for the left hand (LH) elevator flange and $365 for the right hand (RH) 
elevator flange. We estimate a cost of $986 to replace the LH elevator 
flange per product and $1,045 to replace the RH elevator flange per 
product. We have no way of determining the number of products that may 
need these actions.

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

[[Page 9663]]

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),
    (3) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and
    (4) 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.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by 
reference, 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

0
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]

0
2. The FAA amends Sec.  39.13 by adding the following new AD:

GROB-WERKE: Docket No. FAA-2014-0092; Directorate Identifier 2014-
CE-002-AD.

(a) Comments Due Date

    We must receive comments byApril 7, 2014.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to GROB-WERKE Model G115E airplanes, all serial 
numbers, and Model G120A airplanes, serial numbers 85001 through 
85007, 85026 through 85056, and 85058, certificated in any category.

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association of America (ATA) Code 55: Stabilizers.

(e) Reason

    This AD was prompted by 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 cracks in the 
left hand elevator flange. We are issuing this AD to detect and 
correct cracks in the left hand and right hand elevator flanges, 
which could cause the elevator to fail and could result in reduced 
control.

(f) Actions and Compliance

    Unless already done, do the actions in paragraphs (f)(1) through 
(f)(3) of this AD:
    (1) Within the next 30 days after the effective date of this AD 
and repetitively thereafter at intervals not to exceed 100 hours 
time-in-service (TIS), inspect the left hand (LH) and the right hand 
(RH) elevator flanges, part number (P/N) 115E-3761.06 and P/N 115E-
3762.07, or P/N 120A-3561.20(A) and P/N 120A-3562.20(A), as 
applicable, for cracks. Do the inspections following GROB Aircraft 
Service Bulletin No. MSB1078- 194/1, dated December 3, 2013, or GROB 
Aircraft Service Bulletin No. MSB1121-140, dated December 3, 2013, 
as applicable.
    (2) If any crack is found during any inspection required in 
paragraph (f)(1) of this AD, before further flight, replace the 
affected elevator flange with a serviceable part. Do the replacement 
following GROB Aircraft Service Bulletin No. MSB1078-194/1, dated 
December 3, 2013, or GROB Aircraft Service Bulletin No. MSB1121-140, 
dated December 3, 2013, as applicable.
    (3) As of the effective date of this AD, only install an 
elevator flange P/N 115E-3761.06, P/N 115E-3762.07, P/N 120A-
3561.20(A), or P/N 120A-3562.20(A), if it has been inspected 
following GROB Aircraft Service Bulletin No. MSB1078-194/1, dated 
December 3, 2013, or GROB Aircraft Service Bulletin No. MSB1121-140, 
dated December 3, 2013, as applicable, and is free of any cracks.

(g) Credit for Actions Accomplished in Accordance With Previous Service 
Information for Model G115E Airplanes

    This paragraph provides credit for the initial inspection 
required in paragraph (f)(1) of this AD and any replacement required 
in paragraph (f)(2) based on the result of the initial inspection if 
already done before the effective date of this AD following GROB 
Aircraft Service Bulletin No. MSB1078-194, dated November 26, 2013.

(h) Other FAA AD Provisions

    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: Karl Schletzbaum, Aerospace Engineer, FAA, 
Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, 
Missouri 64106; telephone: (816) 329-4123; fax: (816) 329-4090; 
email: [email protected]. 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, a federal agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person 
is not required to respond to, nor shall a person be subject to a 
penalty for failure to comply with a collection of information 
subject to the requirements of the Paperwork Reduction Act unless 
that collection of information displays a current valid OMB Control 
Number. The OMB Control Number for this information collection is 
2120-0056. Public reporting for this collection of information is 
estimated to be approximately 5 minutes per response, including the 
time for reviewing instructions, completing and reviewing the 
collection of information. All responses to this collection of 
information are mandatory. Comments concerning the accuracy of this 
burden and suggestions for reducing the burden should be directed to 
the FAA at: 800 Independence Ave. SW., Washington, DC 20591, Attn: 
Information Collection Clearance Officer, AES-200.

 (i) Related Information

    Refer to MCAI European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD No. 
2014-0004, dated January 7, 2014; and GROB Aircraft Service Bulletin 
No. MSB1078-194, dated November 26, 2013, for related information. 
You may examine the MCAI on the Internet at  http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-
2014-0092. For service information related to this AD, contact Grob 
Aircraft AG, Customer Service, Lettenbachstrasse 9, 86874 
Tussenhausen-Mattsies, Germany, telephone: + 49 (0) 8268-998-105; 
fax; + 49 (0) 8268-998-200; email: aircraft.com">productsupport@grob-aircraft.com; 
Internet: grob-aircraft.com. You may review this referenced service 
information at the FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, 
Kansas City, Missouri 64106. For information on the availability of 
this material at the FAA, call (816) 329-4148.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on February 11, 2014.
Earl Lawrence,
Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2014-03606 Filed 2-19-14; 8:45 am]
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