Document ID: FAA-2014-0092-0003
Agency: faa
Document Type: Rule
Title: Airworthiness Directives: GROB-WERKE Airplanes
Posted Date: 2014-05-09T04:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 90 (Friday, May 9, 2014)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 26610-26612]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-10060]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2014-0092; Directorate Identifier 2014-CE-002-AD; 
Amendment 39-17846; AD 2014-09-11]
RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; GROB-WERKE Airplanes

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 certain 
GROB-WERKE Models G115EG and G120A airplanes. 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 cracks in the left hand elevator flange. We are issuing 
this AD to require actions to address the unsafe condition on these 
products.

DATES: This AD is effective June 13, 2014.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of certain publications listed in the AD as of June 13, 2014.

ADDRESSES: You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2014-
0092; 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 Grob 
Aircraft AG, Customer Service, Lettenbachstrasse 9, 86874 Tussenhausen-
Mattsies, Germany, telephone: + 49 (0) 8268-998-105; fax; + 49 (0) 
8268-998-200; email: aircraft.com">productsupport@grob-aircraft.com; Internet: grob-
aircraft.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.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Karl Schletzbaum, Aerospace Engineer, 
FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, 
Missouri 64106; telephone: (816) 329-4123; fax: (816)

[[Page 26611]]

329-4090; email: karl.schletzbaum@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 certain GROB-WERKE Models 
G115EG and G120A airplanes. That NPRM was published in the Federal 
Register on February 20, 2014 (79 FR 9661). That 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:

    An operator of a G 115E aeroplane reported finding a crack 
during scheduled maintenance on the left hand (LH) elevator flange, 
part number (P/N) 115E-3761.06. The design of the right hand (RH) 
elevator flange, P/N 115E-3762.07, is identical. A similar design is 
used for the elevator flanges installed on G 120A and G-120A-I 
aeroplanes, P/N 120A-3561.20(A) and P/N 120A-3562.20(A). Therefore, 
the reported deficiency may also exist on G 120 aeroplanes.
    This condition, if not detected and corrected, could lead to 
elevator failure, resulting in reduced control of the aeroplane.
    To address this potential unsafe condition, GROB Aircraft AG 
issued Service Bulletins (SB) MSB1078-194 and SB MSB1121-140 to 
provide instruction for inspection and corrective action.
    For the reasons described above, this AD requires repetitive 
inspections of both elevator flanges on an aeroplane to detect any 
crack, and, depending on findings, replacement of the affected part.

You may examine the MCAI on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov/#!documentDetail;D=FAA-2014-0092-0002.

Comments

    We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing 
this AD. We received no comments on the NPRM (79 FR 9661, February 20, 
2014) or on the determination of the cost to the public.

Conclusion

    We reviewed the relevant data 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 (79 FR 9661, February 20, 2014) for correcting the unsafe 
condition; and
     Do not add any additional burden upon the public than was 
already proposed in the NPRM (79 FR 9661, February 20, 2014).

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD will affect 6 products of U.S. registry. 
We also estimate that it will take about 1 work-hour 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 $510, or $85 per product.
    In addition, we estimate that any necessary follow-on actions will 
take about 8 work-hours and require parts costing approximately $306 
for the left hand (LH) elevator flange and $365 for the right hand (RH) 
elevator flange. We estimate a cost of $986 to replace the LH elevator 
flange per product and $1,045 to replace the RH elevator flange 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 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 it in Docket No. FAA-
2014-0092; 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:

2014-09-11 GROB-WERKE: Amendment 39-17846; Docket No. FAA-2014-0092; 
Directorate Identifier 2014-CE-002-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective June 13, 
2014.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to GROB-WERKE Model G115EG airplanes, all serial 
numbers, and Model G120A airplanes, serial numbers 85001 through 
85007, 85026 through 85056, and 85058, certificated in any category.

(d) Subject

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

(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

[[Page 26612]]

describes the unsafe condition as cracks in the left hand elevator 
flange. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct cracks in the 
left hand and right hand elevator flanges, which could cause the 
elevator to fail and could result in reduced control.

(f) Actions and Compliance

    Unless already done, do the actions in paragraphs (f)(1) through 
(f)(3) of this AD:
    (1) Within the next 30 days after June 13, 2014 (the effective 
date of this AD) and repetitively thereafter at intervals not to 
exceed 100 hours time-in-service (TIS), inspect the left hand (LH) 
and the right hand (RH) elevator flanges, part number (P/N) 115E-
3761.06 and P/N 115E-3762.07 or P/N 120A-3561.20(A) and P/N 120A-
3562.20(A), as applicable, for cracks. Do the inspections following 
GROB Aircraft Service Bulletin No. MSB1078-194/1, dated December 3, 
2013, or GROB Aircraft Service Bulletin No. MSB1121-140, dated 
December 3, 2013, as applicable.
    (2) If any crack is found during any inspection required in 
paragraph (f)(1) of this AD, before further flight, replace the 
affected elevator flange with a serviceable part. Do the replacement 
following GROB Aircraft Service Bulletin No. MSB1078-194/1, dated 
December 3, 2013, or GROB Aircraft Service Bulletin No. MSB1121-140, 
dated December 3, 2013, as applicable.
    (3) As of June 13, 2014 (the effective date of this AD), only 
install an elevator flange P/N 115E-3761.06, P/N 115E-3762.07, P/N 
120A-3561.20(A), or P/N 120A-3562.20(A), if it has been inspected 
following GROB Aircraft Service Bulletin No. MSB1078-194/1, dated 
December 3, 2013, or GROB Aircraft Service Bulletin No. MSB1121-140, 
dated December 3, 2013, as applicable, and is free of any cracks.

(g) Credit for Actions Accomplished in Accordance With Previous Service 
Information for Model G115EG Airplanes

    This paragraph provides credit for the initial inspection 
required in paragraph (f)(1) of this AD and any replacement required 
in paragraph (f)(2) based on the result of the initial inspection if 
already done before June 13, 2014 (the effective date of this AD) 
following GROB Aircraft Service Bulletin No. MSB1078-194, dated 
November 26, 2013.

(h) 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: Karl Schletzbaum, Aerospace Engineer, FAA, 
Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, 
Missouri 64106; telephone: (816) 329-4123; fax: (816) 329-4090; 
email: karl.schletzbaum@faa.gov. 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.

(i) Related Information

    Refer to MCAI European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD No. 
2014-0004, dated January 7, 2014; and GROB Aircraft Service Bulletin 
No. MSB1078-194, dated November 26, 2013, for related information. 
You may examine the MCAI on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov/#!documentDetail;D=FAA-2014-0092-0002.

(j) 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) GROB Aircraft Service Bulletin No. MSB1078-194/1, dated 
December 3, 2013.
    (ii) GROB Aircraft Service Bulletin No. MSB1121-140, dated 
December 3, 2013.
    (3) For GROB-WERKE service information identified in this AD, 
contact Grob Aircraft AG, Customer Service, Lettenbachstrasse 9, 
86874 Tussenhausen-Mattsies, Germany, telephone: + 49 (0) 8268-998-
105; fax; + 49 (0) 8268-998-200; email: aircraft.com">productsupport@grob-aircraft.com; Internet: grob-aircraft.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.
    (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 April 25, 2014.
Earl Lawrence,
Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2014-10060 Filed 5-8-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P