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[Federal Register: May 3, 2010 (Volume 75, Number 84)]
[Proposed Rules]               
[Page 23194-23196]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr03my10-9]                         

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2010-0458; Directorate Identifier 2010-CE-023-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64

 
Airworthiness Directives; GROB-WERKE GMBH & CO KG Models G102 
ASTIR CS and G102 STANDARD ASTIR III 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:

    During an annual inspection, a water ballast hose connector was 
found disconnected from the fuselage wall of an Astir CS.
    The investigation has shown that the hose-fuselage connection 
bonding has been degraded over years of service.
    This condition, if not corrected, could lead to the following 
consequences:

--The water contained in the wing tanks could run down into the 
fuselage and fuselage tail which could cause a displacement of the 
sailplane centre of gravity and consequently may lead to the loss of 
the sailplane controllability, or/and
--The loosened hose may jam the flight controls (push rods) and 
consequently may lead to the loss of the sailplane controllability.

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 June 17, 2010.

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, Aerospace Engineer, 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-2010-0458; 
Directorate Identifier 2010-CE-023-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.: 2010-0053R1, dated April 14, 2010 (referred to after this as 
``the MCAI''), to correct an unsafe condition for the specified 
products. The MCAI states:

[[Page 23195]]

    During an annual inspection, a water ballast hose connector was 
found disconnected from the fuselage wall of an Astir CS.
    The investigation has shown that the hose-fuselage connection 
bonding has been degraded over years of service.
    This condition, if not corrected, could lead to the following 
consequences:

--The water contained in the wing tanks could run down into the 
fuselage and fuselage tail which could cause a displacement of the 
sailplane centre of gravity and consequently may lead to the loss of 
the sailplane controllability, or/and
--The loosened hose may jam the flight controls (push rods) and 
consequently may lead to the loss of the sailplane controllability.

    For the reason stated above, the original issue of this AD 
required the inspection of the waterballast system hose-fuselage 
connections and the accomplishment of the relevant corrective 
actions (repair) as necessary.
    This AD is revised to clarify the purpose of the insertion of 
the repetitive inspection in the Aircraft Maintenance Programme and 
to refer to a more appropriate scheduled maintenance review for the 
insertion of the repetitive inspection in the Aircraft Maintenance 
Programme.

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

Relevant Service Information

    GROB Aircraft AG has issued Grob Aircraft Service Bulletin No. MSB-
GROB-003, dated October 21, 2009. 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 policies. Any such differences are 
highlighted in a Note within the proposed AD.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD will affect 113 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 $85 per work-hour.
    Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of the proposed AD on 
U.S. operators to be $9,605, or $85 per product.
    In addition, we estimate that any necessary follow-on actions would 
take about 1 work-hour and require parts costing $5, for a cost of $90 
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:

GROB-WERKE GMBH & CO KG: Docket No. FAA-2010-0458; Directorate 
Identifier 2010-CE-023-AD.

Comments Due Date

    (a) We must receive comments by June 17, 2010.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to Models G102 ASTIR CS and G102 STANDARD 
ASTIR III gliders, all serial numbers, that are:
    (1) Certificated in any category; and
    (2) Have water ballast equipment installed (the water ballast 
equipment could have been included as part of an option).

Subject

    (d) Air Transport Association of America (ATA) Code 41: Water 
Ballast.

Reason

    (e) The mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) 
states:
    During an annual inspection, a water ballast hose connector was 
found disconnected from the fuselage wall of an Astir CS.
    The investigation has shown that the hose-fuselage connection 
bonding has been degraded over years of service.
    This condition, if not corrected, could lead to the following 
consequences:

--The water contained in the wing tanks could run down into the 
fuselage and

[[Page 23196]]

fuselage tail which could cause a displacement of the sailplane 
centre of gravity and consequently may lead to the loss of the 
sailplane controllability, or/and
--The loosened hose may jam the flight controls (push rods) and 
consequently may lead to the loss of the sailplane controllability.

    For the reason stated above, the original issue of this AD 
required the inspection of the waterballast system hose-fuselage 
connections and the accomplishment of the relevant corrective 
actions (repair) as necessary.
    This AD is revised to clarify the purpose of the insertion of 
the repetitive inspection in the Aircraft Maintenance Programme and 
to refer to a more appropriate scheduled maintenance review for the 
insertion of the repetitive inspection in the Aircraft Maintenance 
Programme.

Actions and Compliance

    (f) Unless already done, do the following actions:
    (1) Within 30 days after the effective date of this AD and 
repetitively thereafter at intervals not to exceed 12 months, 
inspect the bonding between the water ballast system hose connectors 
and the fuselage wall connectors for correct and tight connection 
following paragraph 1.8 of Grob Aircraft Service Bulletin No. MSB-
GROB-003, dated October 21, 2009.
    (2) If, during any inspection required by paragraphs (f)(1) of 
this AD, any weak bonding is found, before further flight, repair 
the connection between the water ballast system hose connectors and 
the fuselage wall connectors following the instructions of paragraph 
1.8 of Grob Aircraft Service Bulletin No. MSB-GROB-003, dated 
October 21, 2009.
    (3) After the effective date of this AD, when installing a water 
ballast system on any affected sailplane, ensure that the water 
ballast system hose connectors and the fuselage wall connector are 
properly and tightly bonded.
    (4) Within 30 days after the effective date of this AD, insert 
the following scheduled maintenance task into the FAA-approved 
aircraft maintenance program: ``During each annual inspection and 
without exceeding a 12-month interval, inspect the bonding between 
the water ballast system hose connectors and the fuselage wall 
connectors for correct and tight connection. Repair any incorrect or 
loose connection.''

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, Aerospace Engineer, 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.

Related Information

    (h) Refer to MCAI European Aviation Safety Agency AD No.: 2010-
0053R1, dated April 14, 2010; and Grob Aircraft Service Bulletin No. 
MSB-GROB-003, dated October 21, 2009, for related information.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on April 22, 2010.
James E. Jackson,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2010-9954 Filed 4-30-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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