FR Doc 04-16097

[Federal Register: July 15, 2004 (Volume 69, Number 135)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 42360-42363]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr15jy04-14]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2004-18030; Directorate Identifier 2004-CE-13-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; GROB-WERKE Model G120A Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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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 visually the area between the
vertical stabilizer main spar and the nearby vertical stabilizer skin
for any disbonding/crack; repair any disbonding/crack found; and
calculate weight and balance after any repair. This proposed AD is the
result of mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) issued
by the airworthiness authority for Germany. We are issuing this
proposed AD to detect and correct any disbonding/crack in the area
between the vertical stabilizer main spar and nearby stabilizer skin,
which could result in possible structural failure. This failure could
lead to difficulty in airplane flight control.

DATES: We must receive any comments on this proposed AD by August 16,
2004.

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.
Governmentwide 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 20590-001.
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.
You may get the service information identified in this proposed AD
from GROB Luft-und Raumfahrt, Lettenbachstrasse 9, D-86874
Tussenhausen-Mattsies, Federal Republic of Germany; telephone: 49 8268
998139; facsimile: 49 8268 998200.
You may view the comments to this proposed AD in the AD docket on
the Internet at http://dms.dot.gov.

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.

[[Page 42361]]

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-2004-18030; Directorate Identifier 2004-CE-13-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-2004-18030. 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 that a routine inspection of a Model G120A-I
airplane found disbonding/cracking in the area between the vertical
stabilizer main spar and nearby vertical stabilizer skin near the VOR
(very high frequency omnidirectional range) antenna. A fleet-wide
inspection of the Model G120A-I airplane fleet found one other Model
G120A-I airplane with disbonding/cracking in the same area. The most
likely reason for the disbonding/cracking was an incorrectly installed
antenna support bracket, which caused permanent tension on the bonding
seam. This resulted in disbonding/cracking in the area near the VOR
antenna.
What is the potential impact if FAA took no action? Any disbonding/
crack in the area between the vertical stabilizer main spar and nearby
stabilizer skin could result in possible structural failure. This
failure could lead to difficulty in airplane flight control.
Is there service information that applies to this subject? GROB has
issued Service Bulletin No. MSB1121-049, dated April 20, 2004.
What are the provisions of this service information? The service
information includes procedures for:

--Inspecting visually the area between the vertical stabilizer main
spar and the nearby vertical stabilizer skin for any disbonding/
cracking); and
--Contacting the manufacturer for a repair instruction if any
disbonding/crack is found.

What action did the LBA take? The LBA classified this service
bulletin as mandatory and issued German AD Number D-2004-204, dated
April 23, 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 any disbonding/crack in the area between the
vertical stabilizer main spar and nearby stabilizer skin, which could
result in possible structural failure. This failure could lead to
difficulty in airplane flight control.
What would this proposed AD require? This proposed AD would require
you to incorporate the actions in the previously-referenced service
bulletin.
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 this proposed inspection:

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Total cost per
Labor cost Parts cost airplane Total cost on U.S. operators
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1 workhour x $65 per hour = $65.... Not Applicable........ $65 6 x $65 = $390.
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[[Page 42362]]

We estimate the following costs to do any necessary repairs that
would be required based on the results of this proposed inspection. We
have no way of determining the number of airplanes that may need this
repair:

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Total cost per
Labor cost Parts cost airplane
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20 workhours x $65 per hour = The manufacturer $1,300.
$1,300. covers under warranty
and will supply any
parts for the new U-
profile assembly
(antenna support
bracket) consisting
of part numbers: 120A-
2363.02; 120A-2364;
and 120A-2365.
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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 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
the docket number, ``FAA-2004-18030; Directorate Identifier 2004-CE-13-
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 adding the following new
airworthiness directive (AD):

Grob-Werke: Docket No. FAA-2004-18030; Directorate Identifier 2004-
CE-13-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 August 16, 2004.

What Other ADs Are Affected by This Action?

(b) None.

What Airplanes Are Affected by This AD?

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 detect and
correct any disbonding/crack in the area between the vertical
stabilizer main spar and nearby stabilizer skin, which could result
in possible structural failure. This failure could lead to
difficulty in airplane flight control.

What Must I Do To Address This Problem?

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

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Actions Compliance Procedures
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(1) Inspect the area between Within the next 50 Follow GROB Luft-und
the vertical stabilizer hours time-in- Raumfahrt Service
main spar and the nearby service (TIS) after Bulletin No.
vertical stabilizer skin the effective date MSB1121-049, dated
for any disbonding/crack of this AD, unless April 20, 2004. The
along the spar/skin contact already done. applicable airplane
(both sides of the vertical Repetitively maintenance manual
stabilizer). inspect thereafter also addresses this
at every 50 hours issue.
TIS.
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(2) If any disbonding/crack Before further Follow GROB Luft-und
is found during any flight after any Raumfahrt Service
inspection required by inspection required Bulletin No.
paragraph (e)(1) of this by paragraph (e)(1) MSB1121-049, dated
AD: of this AD where April 20, 2004; and
(i) get a repair instruction any disbonding/ any repair
from the manufacturer; and. crack is found. instruction
(ii) follow this repair obtained from GROB
instruction. Luft-und Raumfahrt,
(iii) The repetitive Lettenbachstrasse
inspections of paragraph 9, D-86874
(e)(1) of this AD are still Tussenhausen-
required after any repair. Mattsies, Federal
Republic of
Germany; telephone:
49 8268 998139;
facsimile: 49 8268
998200. Obtain
approval of and
this repair
instruction through
the FAA at the
address specified
in paragraph (f) of
this AD. The
applicable airplane
maintenance manual
also addresses this
issue.
-----------------------------
(3) Calculate weight and Before further Follow GROB Luft-und
balance after any repair flight after any Raumfahrt Service
required by paragraph repair required by Bulletin No.
(e)(2) of this AD. paragraph (e)(2) of MSB1121-049, dated
this AD. April 20, 2004. The
applicable airplane
maintenance manual
also addresses this
issue.
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[[Page 42363]]

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.

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

(g) You may get copies of the documents referenced in this AD
from GROB Luft-und Raumfahrt, Lettenbachstrasse 9, D-86874
Tussenhausen-Mattsies, Federal Republic of Germany; telephone: 49
8268 998139; facsimile: 49 8268 998200. You may view the AD docket
at 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.

Is There Other Information That Relates to This Subject?

(h) German AD Number D-2004-204, dated April 23, 2004, also
addresses the subject of this AD.

Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on July 9, 2004.
James E. Jackson,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 04-16097 Filed 7-14-04; 8:45 am]

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