[Federal Register: October 9, 2008 (Volume 73, Number 197)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 59571-59573]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr09oc08-28]
[[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.
[[Page 59573]]
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