FR Doc 04-24522

[Federal Register: November 4, 2004 (Volume 69, Number 213)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 64251-64253]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr04no04-4]

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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;
Amendment 39-13849; AD 2004-22-21]
RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; GROB-WERKE Model G120A Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: The FAA adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all
GROB-WERKE (GROB) Model G120A airplanes. This AD requires 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 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 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: This AD becomes effective on December 27, 2004.
As of December 27, 2004, the Director of the Federal Register
approved the incorporation by reference of certain publications listed
in the regulation.

ADDRESSES: To get the service information identified 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 review this service
information, go to the National Archives and Records Administration
(NARA). For information on the availability of this material at NARA,
go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html
or call (202) 741-6030.

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 20590-001 or on the Internet at http://dms.dot.gov.
The docket number is FAA-2004-18030.

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:

Discussion

What events have caused this AD? The Luftfahrt-Bundesamt (LBA),
which

[[Page 64252]]

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 omni directional 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.
Has FAA taken any action to this point? We issued a proposal to
amend part 39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) to
include an AD that would apply to all GROB Model G120A airplanes. This
proposal was published in the Federal Register as a notice of proposed
rulemaking (NPRM) on July 15, 2004 (69 FR 42360). The NPRM proposed to
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.

Comments

Was the public invited to comment? We provided the public the
opportunity to participate in developing this AD. We received no
comments on the proposal or on the determination of the cost to the
public.

Conclusion

What is FAA's final determination on this issue? We have carefully
reviewed the available data and determined that air safety and the
public interest require adopting the AD as proposed except for minor
editorial corrections. We have determined that these minor corrections:

--Are consistent with the intent that was proposed in the NPRM for
correcting the unsafe condition; and
--Do not add any additional burden upon the public than was already
proposed in the NPRM.

Changes to 14 CFR Part 39--Effect on the AD

How does the revision to 14 CFR part 39 affect this AD? On July 10,
2002, the FAA published a new version of 14 CFR part 39 (67 FR 47997,
July 22, 2002), which governs the 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 does this AD impact? We estimate that this AD
affects 6 airplanes in the U.S. registry.
What is the cost impact of this AD on owners/operators of the
affected airplanes? We estimate the following costs to do the
inspection:

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

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:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total cost per
Labor cost Parts cost airplane
------------------------------------------------------------------------
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

Will this AD impact various entities? We have determined that this
AD will not have federalism implications under Executive Order 13132.
This AD will 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.
Will this AD involve a significant rule or regulatory action? For
the reasons discussed above, I certify that this 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 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
``Docket No. 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, Incorporation by
reference, Safety.

Adoption of the Amendment

0
Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the Administrator,
the Federal Aviation Administration amends part 39 of the Federal
Aviation Regulations (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. FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by adding a new AD to read as follows:

[[Page 64253]]

2004-22-21 Grob-Werke: Amendment 39-13849; Docket No. FAA-2004-
18030; Directorate Identifier 2004-CE-13-AD.

When Does This AD Become Effective?

(a) This AD becomes effective on December 27, 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:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
Actions Compliance Procedures
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Inspect the area between the Within the next 50 Follow GROB Luft-
vertical stabilizer main spar hours time-in- und Raumfahrt
and the nearby vertical service (TIS) Service Bulletin
stabilizer skin for any after December No. MSB 1121-049,
disbonding/crack along the spar/ 27, 2004 (the dated April 20,
skin contact (both sides of the effective date of 2004. The
vertical stabilizer). this AD), unless applicable
already done. airplane
Repetitively maintenance
inspect manual also
thereafter at addresses this
every 50 hours issue.
TIS.
(2) If any disbonding/crack is Before further Follow GROB Luft-
found during any inspection flight after any und Raumfahrt
required by paragraph (e)(1) of inspection Service Bulletin
this AD: required by No. MSB1121-049,
(i) Get a repair instruction paragraph (e)(1) dated April 20,
from the manufacturer; and. of this AD where 2004; and any
(ii) Follow this repair any disbonding/ repair
instruction.. crack is found. instruction
(iii) The repetitive inspections obtained from
of paragraph (e)(1) of this AD GROB Luft-und
are still required after any Raumfahrt,
repair.. Lettenbachstrasse
9, D-86874
Tussenhausen-
Mattsies, Federal
Republic of
Germany;
telephone: 011 49
8268 998139;
facsimile: 011 49
8268 998200.
Obtain approval
of 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 balance Before further Follow GROB Luft-
after any repair required by flight after any und Raumfahrt
paragraph (e)(2) of this AD. repair required Service Bulletin
by paragraph No. MSB1121-049,
(e0(2) of this AD. dated April 20,
2004. The
applicable
airplane
maintenance
manual also
addresses this
issue.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

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-2004-204, dated April 23, 2004, also
addresses the subject of this AD.

Does This AD Incorporate Any Material by Reference?

(h) You must do the actions required by this AD following the
instructions in GROB Luft-und Raumfahrt Service Bulletin No.
MSB1121-049, dated April 20, 2004. The Director of the Federal
Register approved the incorporation by reference of this service
bulletin in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. To
get a copy of this service information, 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 review copies of this service
information, go to the National Archives and Records Administration
(NARA). For information on the availability of this material at
NARA, go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html
or call (202) 741-6030. 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 20590-001 or on the Internet
at http://dms.dot.gov. The docket number is FAA-2004-18030.

Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on October 27, 2004.
David R. Showers,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 04-24522 Filed 11-3-04; 8:45 am]

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