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[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 57 (Friday, March 23, 2012)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 16968-16970]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-7012]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2012-0324; Directorate Identifier 2012-CE-008-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; Burkhart GROB Luft- und Raumfahrt GmbH 
Powered Sailplanes

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

[[Page 16969]]

Burkhart GROB Luft- und Raumfahrt GmbH Models GROB G 109 and GROB G 
109B powered sailplanes. 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 excessive corrosion on the nose plate in the vertical 
stabilizer, which could cause the vertical stabilizer nose plate to 
fail. 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 May 7, 2012.

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, D-86874 Tussenhausen-Mattsies, 
Germany; telephone: +49 (0) 8268 998139; fax: +49 (0) 8268 998200; 
email: aircraft.com">productsupport@grob-aircraft.com; Internet: http://www.grob-aircraft.de.61.html. 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; email: 
jim.rutherford@faa.gov.

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-2012-0324; 
Directorate Identifier 2012-CE-008-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. 2012-0027, dated February 14, 2012 (referred to after this as ``the 
MCAI''), to correct an unsafe condition for the specified products. The 
MCAI states:

    Occurrences have been reported of finding heavily corroded nose 
plates, part number (P/N) 109-2160.01, in the vertical stabiliser of 
some Grob G 109 powered sailplanes.
    The investigation results concluded that the affected aeroplanes 
were based and operated near the seaside and therefore exposed to a 
salty environment, causing the excessive corrosion.
    This condition, if not detected and corrected, could lead to 
failure of the vertical stabilizer nose plate, which functions as a 
horizontal stabiliser fitting, to support limit loads and consequent 
loss of control of the aeroplane.
    For the reasons described above, this AD requires repetitive 
inspections and, depending on findings, replacement of the nose 
plate.

You may obtain further information by examining the MCAI in the AD 
docket.

Relevant Service Information

    Grob Aircraft has issued Service Bulletin No. MSB817-58 and Service 
Bulletin No. MSB 817-060, both dated November 24, 2011, Repair 
Instruction Doc. No. RI 817-009, issue date November 17, 2011, and 
Repair Instruction Doc. No. RI 817-010/1, issue date December 20, 2011. 
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 59 products of U.S. 
registry. We also estimate that it would take about 6 work-hours per 
product to comply with the basic requirements of this proposed AD. The 
average labor rate is $85 per work-hour. Required parts would cost 
about $424 per product.
    Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of the proposed AD on 
U.S. operators to be $55,106, or $934 per product.
    In addition, we estimate that any necessary follow-on actions would 
take about 12 work-hours and require parts costing $243, for a cost of 
$1,263 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.

[[Page 16970]]

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),
    (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

    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: Docket No. FAA-2012-0324; 
Directorate Identifier 2012-CE-008-AD.

(a) Comments Due Date

    We must receive comments by May 7, 2012.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Burkhart GROB Luft- und Raumfahrt GmbH Models 
GROB G 109 and GROB G 109B powered sailplanes, all serial numbers, 
certificated in any category.

(d) Subject

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

(e) Reason

    This 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 excessive 
corrosion on the nose plate in the vertical stabilizer. We are 
issuing this AD to detect and correct corrosion and flaking on the 
nose plate, which could cause the vertical stabilizer nose plate to 
fail and result in loss of control of the sailplane.

(f) Actions and Compliance

    Unless already done, do the following actions:
    (1) Within 3 months after the effective date of this AD:
    (i) Inspect, from the top, the front and rear side of the nose 
plate, part number (P/N) 109-2160.01, in the vertical stabilizer for 
corrosion and flaking following Part A of the Accomplishment 
Instructions in Grob Aircraft Service Bulletin No. MSB817-58, dated 
November 24, 2011. Repetitively thereafter inspect at intervals not 
to exceed 12 months.
    (ii) Install an access panel on the left side of the vertical 
stabilizer following Grob Aircraft Repair Instruction Doc. No. RI 
817-010/1, issue date December 20, 2011, as specified in Grob 
Aircraft Service Bulletin No. MSB 817-060, dated November 24, 2011.
    (iii) Through the access panel installed as required in 
paragraph (f)(1)(ii) of this AD, inspect, from below, the nose 
plate, P/N 109-2160.01, for corrosion and flaking following Part B 
of the Accomplishment Instructions in Grob Aircraft Service Bulletin 
No. MSB817-58, dated November 24, 2011. Repetitively thereafter 
inspect at intervals not to exceed 12 months.
    (2) If any corrosion or flaking is found on the nose plate, P/N 
109-2160.01, during any inspection required in paragraphs (f)(1)(i) 
or (f)(1)(iii) of this AD, replace P/N 109-2160.01 with a 
serviceable part. Do the replacement following Grob Aircraft Repair 
Instruction Doc. No. RI 817-009, issue date November 17, 2011, as 
specified in Grob Aircraft Service Bulletin No. MSB817-58, dated 
November 24, 2011. After replacement, continue with the repetitive 
inspections required in paragraphs (f)(1)(i) and (f)(1)(iii) of this 
AD.

(g) 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: Jim Rutherford, Aerospace Engineer, FAA, Small 
Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, Missouri 
64106; telephone: (816) 329-4165; fax: (816) 329-4090; email: 
jim.rutherford@faa.gov. Before using any approved AMOC on any 
sailplane 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.

 (h) Related Information

    Refer to MCAI European Aviation Safety Agency (EAS) AD No. 2012-
0027, dated February 14, 2012; Grob Aircraft Service Bulletin No. 
MSB817-58 and Grob Aircraft Service Bulletin No. MSB 817-060, both 
dated November 24, 2011; Grob Aircraft Repair Instruction Doc. No. 
RI 817-009, issue date November 17, 2011; and Grob Aircraft Repair 
Instruction Doc. No. RI 817-010/1, issue date December 20, 2011 for 
related information. For service information related to this AD, 
contact Grob Aircraft AG, Lettenbachstrasse 9, D-86874 Tussenhausen-
Mattsies, Germany; telephone: +49 (0) 8268 998139; fax: +49 (0) 8268 
998200; email: aircraft.com">productsupport@grob-aircraft.com; Internet: http://www.grob-aircraft.de.61.html. 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 March 19, 2012.
Earl Lawrence,
Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2012-7012 Filed 3-22-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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