Federal Register, Volume 76 Issue 91 (Wednesday, May 11, 2011)

[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 91 (Wednesday, May 11, 2011)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 27240-27242]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-10388]

[[Page 27240]]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2011-0127; Directorate Identifier 2010-CE-065-AD;
Amendment 39-16681; AD 2011-09-19]
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: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for the
products listed above. 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:

We are issuing this AD to require actions to correct the unsafe
condition on these products.

DATES: This AD becomes effective June 15, 2011.
On June 15, 2011, the Director of the Federal Register approved the
incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in this AD.

ADDRESSES: You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov 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, Lettenbachstrasse 9, 86874 Tussenhausen-Mattsies, Head of
Customer Service and Support, Germany; telephone: +49 (0) 8268-998-139;
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.

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:

Discussion

We issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR
part 39 to include an AD that would apply to the specified products.
That NPRM was published in the Federal Register on February 18, 2011
(76 FR 9513). That NPRM proposed 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.

Comments

We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing
this AD. We received no comments on the NPRM or on the determination of
the cost to the public.

Conclusion

We reviewed the available data and determined that air safety and
the public interest require adopting the AD as proposed.

Differences Between This 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 required 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 AD.

Costs of Compliance

We estimate that this 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 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 $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 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 DOT Regulatory Policies and
Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979); and

[[Page 27241]]

(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 AD and placed it in the AD Docket.

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 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:

2011-09-19 BURKHART GROB LUFT-UND: Amendment 39-16681; Docket No.
FAA-2011-0127; Directorate Identifier 2010-CE-065-AD.

Effective Date

(a) This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective June 15,
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:

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 revised pages from Grob Aircraft AG:
(i) Into the Grob Aircraft AG 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 Grob Aircraft AG 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 Grob Aircraft AG 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 Grob Aircraft AG 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.

(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 Grob Aircraft AG 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 Grob Aircraft AG 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 Grob Aircraft AG 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 Grob
Aircraft AG 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

[[Page 27242]]

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) Grob Aircraft AG 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) Grob Aircraft AG 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, Head
of Customer Service and Support, Germany; telephone: +49 (0) 8268-
998-139; 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.

Material Incorporated by Reference

(i) You must use Grob Aircraft Service Bulletin No. MSB-869-24/
1, dated July 20, 2009; Grob Aircraft Service Letter SL-869-01,
dated June 9, 2009; Grob Aircraft AG 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 Grob Aircraft AG
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; to do the actions
required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise.
(1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the
incorporation by reference of this service information under 5
U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
(2) For service information identified in this AD, contact GROB
Aircraft AG, Lettenbachstrasse 9, 86874 Tussenhausen-Mattsies, Head
of Customer Service and Support, Germany; telephone: +49 (0) 8268-
998-139; fax: +49 (0) 8268-998-200; e-mail aircraft.com">productsupport@grob-aircraft.com; Internet: http://www.grob-aircraft.eu.
(3) 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.
(4) You may also review copies of the service information
incorporated by reference for this AD 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/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html.

Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on April 22, 2011.
John Colomy,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 2011-10388 Filed 5-10-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P