[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 34 (Friday, February 18, 2011)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 9513-9515]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-3660]
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Proposed Rules
Federal Register
________________________________________________________________________
This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains notices to the public of
the proposed issuance of rules and regulations. The purpose of these
notices is to give interested persons an opportunity to participate in
the rule making prior to the adoption of the final rules.
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Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 34 / Friday, February 18, 2011 /
Proposed Rules
[[Page 9513]]
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2011-0127; Directorate Identifier 2010-CE-065-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; BURKHART GROB LUFT-UND Model G 103 C
Twin III SL 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 in-flight loss of a propeller and pulley wheel from the
engine of a Grob G 103 C Twin III SL powered sailplane has been
reported.
Grob Aircraft AG suspects that the possible reasons for this
loss can be due to an incorrect propeller track (the play at the
propeller tip) and/or to a damaged propeller nut securing plate.
Those conditions, if not corrected, could also result in
loosening of parts and, consequently could result in damage to the
sailplane and possible injury to persons on the ground.
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 April 4, 2011.
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, Lettenbachstrasse 9, 86874 Tussenhausen-Mattsies,
Germany; telephone: +49 (0) 8268-998-0; fax: +49 (0) 8268-998-200; e-
mail aircraft.com">productsupport@grob-aircraft.com; Internet: http://www.grob-aircraft.eu. You may review copies of the 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; 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: Jim Rutherford, Aerospace Engineer,
FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City,
Missouri 64106; telephone: (816) 329-4165; 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-2011-0127;
Directorate Identifier 2010-CE-065-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 European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the Technical
Agent for the Member States of the European Community, has issued EASA
AD No.: 2010-0107, dated June 11, 2010 (referred to after this as ``the
MCAI''), to correct an unsafe condition for the specified products. The
MCAI states:
The in-flight loss of a propeller and pulley wheel from the
engine of a Grob G 103 C Twin III SL powered sailplane has been
reported.
Grob Aircraft AG suspects that the possible reasons for this
loss can be due to an incorrect propeller track (the play at the
propeller tip) and/or to a damaged propeller nut securing plate.
Those conditions, if not corrected, could also result in
loosening of parts and, consequently could result in damage to the
sailplane and possible injury to persons on the ground.
For the reasons stated above, this AD requires to inspect the
propeller assembly attachment, to verify that the propeller track is
within the allowable tolerances and, depending on findings, to
accomplish the relevant corrective actions.
You may obtain further information by examining the MCAI in the AD
docket.
Relevant Service Information
Burkhart Grob Luft-Und has issued the following documents. The
actions described in this service information are intended to correct
the unsafe condition identified in the MCAI:
Grob Aircraft Service Bulletin No. MSB-869-24/1, dated
July 20, 2009;
Grob Aircraft Service Letter SL-869-01, dated June 9,
2009;
G 103 C Twin III SL Pilot's Operating Handbook (POH)
(dated December 1991), pages 0.2A, 0.3, 0.4, and 4.9, Revision 6, dated
July 20, 2009;
G 103 C Twin III SL Maintenance Manual (dated December
1991), page 6.12, Revision 9, dated May 24, 2002;
[[Page 9514]]
and pages 0.1A, 0.2, 0.3, 4.2, and 6.6, Revision 10, dated December 15,
2006.
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 policies. Any such differences are
highlighted in a Note within the proposed AD.
Costs of Compliance
We estimate that this proposed AD will affect 4 products of U.S.
registry. We also estimate that it would take about 2 work-hours 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 $680, or $170 per product.
In addition, we estimate that any necessary follow-on actions would
take about 6 work-hours and require parts costing $100, for a cost of
$610 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 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, 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
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: Docket No. FAA-2011-0127; Directorate
Identifier 2010-CE-065-AD.
Comments Due Date
(a) We must receive comments by April 4, 2011.
Affected ADs
(b) None.
Applicability
(c) This AD applies to BURKHART GROB LUFT-UND G 103 C Twin III
SL gliders, all serial numbers, certificated in any category.
Subject
(d) Air Transport Association of America (ATA) Code 61:
Propellers/Propulsors.
Reason
(e) The mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI)
states:
The in-flight loss of a propeller and pulley wheel from the
engine of a Grob G 103 C Twin III SL powered sailplane has been
reported.
Grob Aircraft AG suspects that the possible reasons for this
loss can be due to an incorrect propeller track (the play at the
propeller tip) and/or to a damaged propeller nut securing plate.
Those conditions, if not corrected, could also result in
loosening of parts and, consequently could result in damage to the
sailplane and possible injury to persons on the ground.
For the reasons stated above, this AD requires to inspect the
propeller assembly attachment, to verify that the propeller track is
within the allowable tolerances and, depending on findings, to
accomplish the relevant corrective actions.
Actions and Compliance
(f) Unless already done, within 30 days after the effective date
of this AD, do the following actions:
(1) Update the glider documentation following Grob Aircraft
Service Bulletin No. MSB-869-24/1, dated July 20, 2009, by inserting
the following pages:
(i) Into the G 103 C Twin III SL Pilot's Operating Handbook
(POH) (dated December 1991): pages 0.2A, 0.3, 0.4, and 4.9, Revision
6, dated July 20, 2009.
(ii) Into the G 103 C Twin III SL Maintenance Manual (dated
December, 1991) or FAA-approved maintenance program: pages 0.1A,
0.2, 0.3, 4.2, and 6.6, Revision 10, dated December 15, 2006.
(2) Inspect for cracks at the bent area of the engaged tooth of
the upper pulley wheel securing plate following the procedure to
access the area found on page 6.12 of the G 103 C TWIN III SL
Maintenance Manual, Date of Issue December, 1991, Revision 9, dated
May 24, 2002, as specified in Grob Aircraft Service Letter SL 869-
01, dated June 9, 2009.
(3) Verify that the propeller track (the play at the propeller
tip) is within the allowable tolerances following the procedure on
page 4.9 of the G 103 C TWIN III SL POH, Date of Issue December,
1991, Revision 6, dated July 20, 2009, as specified in Grob Aircraft
Service Letter SL 869-01, dated June 9, 2009.
Note 1: The torque values and tolerances of the upper pulley
wheel grooved nut have been standardized in the POH and maintenance
manual.
[[Page 9515]]
(4) If the bent area of the engaged tooth of the upper pulley
wheel securing plate has no crack found per the inspection of
paragraph (f)(2) of this AD, but the propeller track value measured
is not within the allowable tolerances per paragraph (f)(3) of this
AD, before further flight, readjust the torque of the upper pulley
wheel grooved nut using the updated aircraft technical documentation
following the procedure on page 6.12 of the G 103 C TWIN III SL
Maintenance Manual, Date of Issue December, 1991, Revision 9, dated
May 24, 2002, as specified in Grob Aircraft Service Letter SL 869-
01, dated June 9, 2009. Ensure accordingly that the propeller track
is within the allowable tolerances following the procedure on page
4.9 of the G 103 C TWIN III SL POH, Date of Issue December, 1991,
Revision 6, dated July 20, 2009, as specified in Grob Aircraft
Service Letter SL 869-01, dated June 9, 2009. If the propeller track
is out of the allowable tolerance, then contact GROB for further
instructions.
(5) If any crack is found in the bent area of the engaged tooth
of the upper pulley wheel securing plate per the inspection in
paragraph (f)(2) of this AD, before further flight, do the following
actions:
(i) Remove the upper pulley wheel grooved nut and then look at
the securing plate to identify if other teeth are available to be
bent to secure the grooved nut. Do not bend an already bent tooth.
If all teeth of the securing plate are already bent, replace the
securing plate with a serviceable one.
(ii) Screw back the upper pulley wheel grooved nut (and its
securing plate) and tighten it, applying the torque following page
6.12 of the G 103 C TWIN III SL Maintenance Manual, Date of Issue
December, 1991, Revision 9, dated May 24, 2002, as specified in Grob
Aircraft Service Letter SL 869-01, dated June 9, 2009. Ensure
accordingly that the propeller track is within the allowable
tolerances following the procedure on page 4.9 of the G 103 C TWIN
III SL POH, Date of Issue December, 1991, Revision 6, dated July 20,
2009, as specified in Grob Aircraft Service Letter SL 869-01, dated
June 9, 2009. If the propeller track is out of the allowable
tolerances, then contact GROB for further instructions.
FAA AD Differences
Note 2: 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: Jim Rutherford, Aerospace Engineer, FAA, Small
Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, Missouri
64106; telephone: (816) 329-4165; 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, 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.
Related Information
(h) Refer to the following documents for related information:
(1) MCAI EASA AD No.: 2010-0107, dated June 11, 2010;
(2) Grob Aircraft Service Bulletin MSB 869-24/1, dated July 20,
2009;
(3) Grob Aircraft Service Letter SL-869-01, dated June 9, 2009;
(4) G 103 C Twin III SL Pilot's Operating Handbook (POH) (dated
December 1991), pages 0.2A, 0.3, 0.4, and 4.9, Revision 6, dated
July 20, 2009; and
(5) G 103 C Twin III SL Maintenance Manual (dated December
1991), page 6.12, Revision 9, dated May 24, 2002; and pages 0.1A,
0.2, 0.3, 4.2, and 6.6, Revision 10, dated December 15, 2006.
(i) For service information related to this AD, contact GROB
Aircraft AG, Lettenbachstrasse 9, 86874 Tussenhausen-Mattsies,
Germany; telephone: +49 (0) 8268-998-0; fax: +49 (0) 8268-998-200;
e-mail aircraft.com">productsupport@grob-aircraft.com; Internet: http://www.grob-aircraft.eu. You may review copies of the 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, 2011.
Earl Lawrence,
Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2011-3660 Filed 2-17-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P