Document ID: FAA-2011-0127-0001
Agency: faa
Document Type: Rule
Title: Airworthiness Directives: BURKHART GROB LUFT-UND Model G 103 C Twin III SL Gliders
Posted Date: 2011-02-18T05:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 34 (Friday, February 18, 2011)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 9513-9515]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-3660]

 ========================================================================
 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.
 
 ========================================================================
 

  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