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[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 210 (Friday, October 30, 2015)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 66790-66792]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-27440]

[[Page 66790]]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2015-3300; Directorate Identifier 2015-CE-024-AD; 
Amendment 38-18309; AD 2015-22-04]
RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; Fiberglas-Technik Rudolf Lindner GmbH & 
Co. KG Gliders

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of 
Transportation (DOT).

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all 
Fiberglas-Technik Rudolf Lindner GmbH & Co. KG Models G103 TWIN ASTIR, 
G103 TWIN II, and G103A TWIN II ACRO gliders. This AD results from 
mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) issued 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 a broken bell-crank installed in the air brake control 
system. We are issuing this AD to require actions to address the unsafe 
condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective December 4, 2015.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of certain publications listed in the AD as of December 4, 
2015.

ADDRESSES: You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2015-
3300; or in person at Document Management Facility, U.S. Department of 
Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, 
Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590.
    For service information identified in this AD, contact Fiberglas-
Technik Rudolf Lindner GmbH & Co.KG, Steige 3, D-88487 Walpertshofen, 
Germany; phone: ++49 (0) 7353/22 43; fax: ++49 (0) 7353/30 96; email: 
/Lindner.com">Lindner.com">info@LTB-Lindner.com; Internet: www.ltb-lindner.com. You may view this 
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. It is 
also available on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by 
searching for Docket No. FAA-2015-3300.

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:

Discussion

    We issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR 
part 39 to add an AD that would apply to all Fiberglas-Technik Rudolf 
Lindner GmbH & Co. KG Models G103 TWIN ASTIR, G103 TWIN II, and G103A 
TWIN II ACRO gliders. The NPRM was published in the Federal Register on 
August 10, 2015 (80 FR 47871). The NPRM proposed to correct an unsafe 
condition for the specified products and was based on mandatory 
continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) originated by an aviation 
authority of another country. The MCAI states:

    A report was received concerning a broken bell-crank, installed 
in the air brake control circuit approximately 1.4 m outside the 
wing root rib of a GROB G 103 Twin II sailplane. Preliminary 
investigation results revealed additional cases of cracks on the 
same part, installed in the air brake control systems of the early 
Twin II type design.
    The same bell-cranks are also installed at the same location in 
the control systems of other models belonging to the same type 
design (see list of affected models under Applicability).
    This condition, if not detected and corrected, could lead to 
failure of the air brake system, possibly resulting in reduced 
control of the sailplane.
    To address this potential unsafe condition, Fiberglas-Technik 
issued Technische Mitteilung (TM)/Service Bulletin (SB) TM-G08/SB-
G08 (one document) and Anweisung (A)/Instructions (I) A/I-G08 (one 
document) to provide instructions for a check of the air brake 
locking forces, the inspection of the bell-crank and, if cracks are 
found, replacement of the bell-crank.
    Additionally, TM-G07/SB-G07 (one document) and A/I-G07 (one 
document) provide instructions for the installation of inspection 
openings in the wing of GROB G 103 TWIN II and G 103 A TWIN II ACRO 
sailplanes to facilitate the inspection of the bell-crank. (For the 
TWIN ASTIR and TWIN ASTIR TRAINER sailplanes, such an opening is 
required by LBA AD 92-190/2 (GROB SB 315-45/2.) This installation is 
optional for sailplanes not exceeding the original intended life 
limit.
    For the reason described above, this AD requires a check of the 
air brake locking forces, an inspection for cracks in the air brake 
control unit and, if cracks are found, replacement of the affected 
flight control system parts. This AD is a temporary measure and 
further AD action may follow.

    The MCAI can be found in the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov/#!documentDetail;D=FAA-2015-3300-0003.

Comments

    We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing 
this AD. The following presents the comments received on the proposal 
and the FAA's response to each comment.

Request Credit for Certain Inspections Done Before AD Was Issued

    William Tisdale requested that the AD give credit for inspections 
that were done following Fiberglas-Technik Rudolf Lindner Service 
Bulletin (SB-G08), Edition April 24, 2015; and Fiberglas-Technik Rudolf 
Lindner Anweisung (English translation: Instructions), (A/I-G08), 
Ausgabe (English translation: Edition) April 24, 2015, within the year 
before the AD being issued as meeting the initial inspection 
requirement for both the tension and crack inspection.
    We infer that the commenter made this request in order to prevent 
duplication of work already done.
    We agree with the commenter. In paragraph (f) of this AD, the first 
sentence reads, ``Unless already done, do the following actions:.'' 
This sentence gives compliance credit to owners/operators of the 
affected gliders for actions required by this AD that have already been 
done before the effective date of this AD, if done following the 
service information required by this AD.
    Because the requested change is already part of this AD, we have 
not changed the final rule AD action based on this comment.

Request to Use Lighted Borescope To Inspect the Bell-Crank

    William Tisdale requested the use of a lighted borescope from 
either the wing rib root or access through the spoiler box push rod 
opening to inspect the bell-crank.
    We infer that the commenter wants us to incorporate into the AD an 
allowance to use a lighted borescope to do the inspection of the bell-
crank installed in the air brake control system.
    We agree with the commenter about using a lighted borescope for the 
inspection from the wing rib root as it is already allowed in 
Fiberglas-Technik Rudolf Lindner Service Bulletin (SB-G08), Edition 
April 24, 2015; and Fiberglas-Technik Rudolf Lindner Anweisung (English 
translation: Instructions), (A/I-G08), Ausgabe (English translation: 
Edition) April 24, 2015. In the service information it states, ``This 
inspection is done using an endoscope or small camera working

[[Page 66791]]

through the wing root rib or using a mirror when working through an 
inspecting opening.'' An endoscope consists of an optical system with a 
high intensity light source and is sometimes referred to as a 
borescope.
    We disagree with the commenter with using a lighted borescope to do 
the inspection by accessing the area through the spoiler box push rod 
opening since this procedure is not specified in the required service 
information. The commenter may request an alternative method of 
compliance (AMOC) for this process. The request, including all 
substantiating data, may be submitted following 14 CFR 39.19 as 
specified in paragraph (g)(1) of this AD.

Conclusion

    We reviewed the relevant data, considered the comments received, 
and determined that air safety and the public interest require adopting 
the AD as proposed except for minor editorial changes. We have 
determined that these minor changes:
     Are consistent with the intent that was proposed in the 
NPRM (80 FR 47871, August 10, 2015) for correcting the unsafe 
condition; and
     Do not add any additional burden upon the public than was 
already proposed in the NPRM (80 FR 47871, August 10, 2015).

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    We reviewed Fiberglas-Technik Rudolf Lindner Service Bulletin (SB-
G08), Edition April 24, 2015; and Fiberglas-Technik Rudolf Lindner 
Anweisung/(English translation: Instructions), (A/I-G08), Ausgabe 
(English translation: Edition) April 24, 2015. The service information 
describes procedures for inspecting the air brake locking forces; 
inspecting the bell-crank; and, if cracks are found during the 
inspections, replacing the bell-crank. This service information is 
reasonably available because the interested parties have access to it 
through their normal course of business or by the means identified in 
the ADDRESSES section of the AD.

Interim Action

    We consider this AD interim action. The design approval holder is 
working toward a terminating action for the repetitive inspections. We 
may take further AD action in the future.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD will affect 106 products of U.S. registry. 
We also estimate that it will take about 2 work-hours per product to 
comply with the basic requirements of this AD. The average labor rate 
is $85 per work-hour.
    Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of this AD on U.S. 
operators to be $18,020, or $170 per product.
    In addition, we estimate that any necessary follow-on actions will 
be as follows:
     Replacement of bell-crank will take about 5 work-hours per 
product. Required parts will cost about $566 for a total of $991 per 
product.
     Installation of optional inspection openings will take 
about 15 work-hours per product. Required parts will cost about $1,004 
for a total of $2,279 per product.
    We have no way of determining the number of products that may need 
these actions.

Paperwork Reduction Act

    A federal agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not 
required to respond to, nor shall a person be subject to 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 control 
number for the collection of information required by this AD is 2120-
0056. The paperwork cost associated with this AD has been detailed in 
the Costs of Compliance section of this document and includes time for 
reviewing instructions, as well as completing and reviewing the 
collection of information. Therefore, all reporting associated with 
this AD is 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.

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 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.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify 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),
    (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.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2015-
3300; 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 the NPRM, 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.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by 
reference, Safety.

Adoption of the Amendment

    Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the FAA amends 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. The FAA amends Sec.  39.13 by adding the following new AD:

[[Page 66792]]

2015-22-04 Fiberglas-Technik Rudolf Lindner GmbH & Co. KG: Amendment 
38-18309; Docket No. FAA-2015-3300; Directorate Identifier 2015-CE-
024-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective December 4, 
2015.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Fiberglas-Technik Rudolf Lindner GmbH & Co. 
KG Models G103 TWIN ASTIR, G103 TWIN II, and G103A TWIN II ACRO 
gliders, all manufacturer serial numbers, certificated in any 
category.

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association of America (ATA) Code 27: Flight 
Controls.

(e) Reason

    This AD was prompted by 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 a broken bell-
crank installed in the air brake control system. We are issuing this 
AD to detect and correct a broken bell-crank which could lead to 
failure of the air brake system, possibly resulting in reduced 
control.

(f) Actions and Compliance

    Unless already done, do the following actions:
    (1) Within 30 days after December 4, 2015 (the effective date of 
this AD) and repetitively thereafter at intervals not to exceed 12 
months, inspect the locking forces of the air brake control unit, 
and, if any discrepancy is found, before further flight, correct the 
locking forces. Do the inspection and correction of any discrepancy 
following the instructions of Fiberglas-Technik Rudolf Lindner 
Service Bulletin (SB-G08), Edition April 24, 2015; and Fiberglas-
Technik Rudolf Lindner Anweisung (English translation: 
Instructions), (A/I-G08), Ausgabe (English translation: Edition) 
April 24, 2015.

    Note 1 to paragraph (f)(1) of this AD:  This service information 
contains German to English translation. The European Aviation Safety 
Agency (EASA) used the English translation in referencing the 
document. For enforceability purposes, we will refer to the 
Fiberglas-Technik Rudolf Lindner service information as it appears 
on the document.

    (2) Within 60 days after December 4, 2015 (the effective date of 
this AD), inspect the bell-crank installed in the air brake control 
system, and, if any cracks are found, before further flight, replace 
the bell-crank with a serviceable part. Do the inspection and 
replacement following the instructions of Fiberglas-Technik Rudolf 
Lindner Service Bulletin (SB-G08), Edition April 24, 2015; and 
Fiberglas-Technik Rudolf Lindner Anweisung (English translation: 
Instructions), (A/I-G08), Ausgabe (English translation: Edition) 
April 24, 2015.

    Note 2 to paragraph (f)(2) of this AD:  In the lower wing 
surface inspection, openings near the bell-crank may be installed to 
simplify the inspection and make a possible replacement of the bell-
crank possible. This optional installation is described in GROB Luft 
Und Raumfahrt Service Bulletin 315-45/2, dated December 21, 1995; 
and Fiberglas-Technik Rudolf Lindner Service Bulletin (SB-G07), 
Edition April 24, 2015.

    (3) Within 30 days after replacing a bell-crank as required by 
paragraph (f)(2) of this AD or within the next 30 days after 
December 4, 2015 (the effective date of this AD), whichever occurs 
later, report the inspection results of the removed bell-crank to 
Fiberglas-Technik Rudolf Lindner GmbH & Co. KG. You may find contact 
information for Fiberglas-Technik Rudolf Lindner GmbH & Co. KG in 
paragraph (h) 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 glider 
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 (EASA) AD No.: 
2015-0116, dated June 24, 2015; GROB Luft Und Raumfahrt Service 
Bulletin 315-45/2, dated December 21, 1995; and Fiberglas-Technik 
Rudolf Lindner Service Bulletin (SB-G07), Edition April 24, 2015, 
for related information. You may examine the MCAI on the Internet at 
http://www.regulations.gov/#!documentDetail;D=FAA-2015-3300-0003.

(i) Material Incorporated by Reference

    (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the 
incorporation by reference (IBR) of the service information listed 
in this paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
    (2) You must use this service information as applicable to do 
the actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise.
    (i) Fiberglas-Technik Rudolf Lindner Service Bulletin (SB-G08), 
Edition April 24, 2015; and
    (ii) Fiberglas-Technik Rudolf Lindner Anweisung (English 
translation: Instructions), (A/I-G08), Ausgabe (English translation: 
Edition) April 24, 2015.
    (3) For Fiberglas-Technik Rudolf Lindner GmbH & Co. KG service 
information identified in this AD, contact Fiberglas-Technik Rudolf 
Lindner GmbH & Co. KG, Steige 3, D-88487 Walpertshofen, Germany; 
phone: ++49 (0) 7353/22 43; fax: ++49 (0) 7353/30 96; email: 
/Lindner.com">Lindner.com">info@LTB-Lindner.com; Internet: http://www.ltb-lindner.com.
    (4) You may view this 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. In addition, you can access this service information 
on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and 
locating Docket No. FAA-2015-3300.
    (5) You may view this service information that is incorporated 
by reference at the National Archives and Records Administration 
(NARA). For information on the availability of this material at 
NARA, call 202-741-6030, or go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri on October 22, 2015.
Melvin Johnson,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2015-27440 Filed 10-29-15; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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