Document ID: FAA-2014-0848-0001
Agency: faa
Document Type: Proposed Rule
Title: Airworthiness Directives: GROB-WERKE Airplanes
Posted Date: 2014-10-23T04:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 205 (Thursday, October 23, 2014)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 63340-63341]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-25226]

=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2014-0848; Directorate Identifier 2014-CE-031-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; Grob-Werke Airplanes

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

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for 
certain Grob-Werke Models G115EG and G120A airplanes. 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 a defective starter solenoid. 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 December 8, 
2014.

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, Customer Service, Lettenbachstrasse 9, D-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 review 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.

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-2014-
0848; 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: 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.

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-2014-0848; 
Directorate Identifier 2014-CE-031-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. 2014-0212, dated September 19, 2014 (referred to after this as 
``the MCAI''), to correct an unsafe condition for certain Grob-Werke 
Models G115EG and G120A airplanes. The MCAI states:

    An operator of a G 115E aeroplane experienced a total loss of 
electrical power in flight. The root cause was found to be a 
defective starter solenoid causing an internal short circuit, which 
resulted in breakdown of the system voltage.
    This condition, if not detected and corrected, could result in 
reduced control of the aeroplane.
    To address this potential unsafe condition, GROB Aircraft AG 
issued Service Bulletin (SB) MSB1078-196 for G 115 aeroplanes and SB 
MSB1121-144 for G 120 aeroplanes to provide instructions for 
inspection and corrective action.
    For the reason described above, this AD requires a one-time 
inspection of the starter solenoid and, depending on the findings, 
replacement of the starter.
    A technical solution is currently under development and further 
AD action may follow.

You may examine the MCAI on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov 
by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2014-0848.

Relevant Service Information

    GROB Aircraft has issued Service Bulletin No. MSB1078-196 and 
Service Bulletin No. MSB1121-144, both dated July 14, 2014. The actions 
described in this service information are intended to correct the 
unsafe condition identified in the MCAI.

FAA's Determination and Requirements of This 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.

Interim Action

    We consider this proposed AD interim action. GROB Aircraft is 
currently working on a final technical solution to resolve the unsafe 
condition. If final action is later identified, we might consider 
further rulemaking.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD will affect 6 products of U.S. 
registry. We also estimate that it would take about 4 work-hours per 
product to comply with the basic requirements of this proposed AD. The 
average labor rate is $85 per work-hour.

[[Page 63341]]

    Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of this proposed AD on 
U.S. operators to be $2,040, or $340 per product.
    In addition, we estimate that any necessary follow-on actions would 
take about 4 work-hours and require parts costing $600, for a cost of 
$940 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),
    (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

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. Amend Sec.  39.13 by adding the following new AD:

Grob-Werke: Docket No. FAA-2014-0848; Directorate Identifier 2014-
CE-031-AD.

(a) Comments Due Date

    We must receive comments by December 8, 2014.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to GROB-WERKE Model G115EG airplanes, all serial 
numbers through 82323/E, and Model G120A airplanes, all serial 
numbers through 85063, certificated in any category.

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association of America (ATA) Code 80: Starting.

(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 defective 
starter solenoid. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct 
defective starter solenoids, which could cause an internal short 
circuit and could result in reduced control.

 (f) Actions and Compliance

    Unless already done, do the actions in paragraphs (f)(1) and 
(f)(2) of this AD:
    (1) Within the next 30 days after the effective date of this AD, 
inspect the starter following the Accomplishment Instructions in 
GROB Aircraft Service Bulletin No. MSB1078-196, dated July 14, 2014, 
or GROB Aircraft Service Bulletin No. MSB1121-144, dated July 14, 
2014, as applicable.
    (2) If any damage is found on the starter during the inspection 
required in paragraph (f)(1) of this AD, before further flight, 
replace the starter with a serviceable part. Do the replacement 
following the Accomplishment Instructions in GROB Aircraft Service 
Bulletin No. MSB1078-196, dated July 14, 2014, or GROB Aircraft 
Service Bulletin No. MSB1121-144, dated July 14, 2014, as 
applicable.

(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: 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.

(h) Related Information

    Refer to MCAI European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD No. 
2014-0212, dated September 19, 2014, for related information. You 
may examine the MCAI on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov 
by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2014-0848. For service 
information related to this AD, contact Grob Aircraft AG, Customer 
Service, Lettenbachstrasse 9, D-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 review 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.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on October 16, 2014.
Earl Lawrence,
Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2014-25226 Filed 10-22-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P