[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 75 (Thursday, April 18, 2013)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 23112-23114]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-08771]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2013-0013; Directorate Identifier 2012-CE-046-AD;
Amendment 39-17421; AD 2013-08-04]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Grob-Werke Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of
Transportation (DOT).
ACTION: Final rule.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Grob-
Werke Model G115EG 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 elevator trim tab arms on several Grob G 115 airplanes, which could
result in failure of the part and consequent loss of control. We are
issuing this AD to require actions to address the unsafe condition on
these products.
DATES: This AD is effective May 23, 2013.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of a certain publication listed in the AD as of May 23, 2013.
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, D-86874 Tussenhausen-Mattsies,
Germany; telephone: +49 (0) 8268 998 139; fax: +49 (0) 8268 998 200;
email: [email protected]; Internet: www.grob-aircraft.com/index.php/g-115e.html. 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: Taylor Martin, Aerospace Engineer,
FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City,
Missouri 64106; telephone: (816) 329-4138; fax: (816) 329-4090; email:
[email protected].
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 January 15, 2013 (78
FR 2910). That NPRM proposed to correct an unsafe condition for the
specified products. The MCAI states:
On several Grob G 115 aeroplanes, elevator trim tab arms Part
Number (P/N) 115E-3758 have been found cracked, from a rear mounting
hole (either L/H or R/H) to the rear edge of the trim tab arm.
This condition, if not detected and corrected, could lead to
further crack propagation, possibly resulting in failure of the part
and consequent loss of control of the aeroplane.
For the reasons described above, this AD requires repetitive
inspections of the elevator trim tab arm to detect cracks and, if
detected, replacement of the part with a serviceable part.
This AD also provides an optional terminating action for the
repetitive inspections.
The Model G115EG airplane is the only airplane type-certificated in
the United States with the same part numbers and similar configuration
as the airplane model described in the MCAI.
Comments
We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing
this AD. We received no comments on the NPRM (78 FR 2910, January 15,
2013) 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 (78 FR 2910, January 15, 2013) for correcting the unsafe
condition; and
Do not add any additional burden upon the public than was
already proposed in the NPRM (78 FR 2910, January 15, 2013).
Costs of Compliance
We estimate that this AD will affect 0 products of U.S. registry.
We also estimate that it would take about 3 work-hours per product to
comply with the basic requirements of this AD. The average labor rate
is $85 per work-hour. Required parts would cost about $372 per product.
Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of this AD on U.S.
operators to be $627 per product.
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.
[[Page 23113]]
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; 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:
2013-08-04 Grob-Werke: Amendment 39-17421; Docket No. FAA-2013-0013;
Directorate Identifier 2012-CE-046-AD.
(a) Effective Date
This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective May 23,
2013.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to GROB-WERKE G115EG airplanes, all serial
numbers, certificated in any category.
(d) Subject
Air Transport Association of America (ATA) Code 55: Stabilizers.
(e) Reason
This AD was prompted by the discovery of cracks in the elevator
trim tab arms on several Grob G 115 airplanes, which could result in
failure of the part and consequent loss of control. The Model G115EG
airplane is the only airplane type-certificated in the United States
with the same part numbers and similar configuration as the airplane
model described in the MCAI. We are issuing this proposed AD to
detect cracks and prevent the part from failing.
(f) Actions and Compliance
Unless already done, do the following actions following Grob
Aircraft Service Bulletin No. MSB1078-186/3, dated August 3, 2012.
(1) Within the next 50 hours time-in-service (TIS) after May 23,
2013 (the effective date of this AD) and repetitively thereafter at
intervals not to exceed 200 hours TIS, inspect both left hand (L/H)
and right hand (R/H) elevator trim tab arms, part number (P/N) 115E-
3758, using a nondestructive testing (NDT) method such as a dye-
penetrant or eddy-current that is beyond just a visual inspection.
(2) If during any inspection required in paragraph (f)(1) of
this AD a crack is found, before further flight, replace the
affected elevator trim tab arm with P/N 115E-3758/1. The replacement
of an elevator trim tab arm with P/N 115E-3758/1 will terminate the
repetitive inspection requirement for that trim tab arm. Replacement
of both R/H and L/H trim tab arms with P/N 115E-3758/1 will
terminate the repetitive requirement in paragraph (f)(1) of this AD.
(3) Replacement at any time of an elevator trim tab arm with P/N
115E-3758/1 will terminate the repetitive requirement in paragraph
(f)(1) of this AD for that elevator trim tab arm. Replacement of
both R/H and L/H trim tab arms with P/N 115E-3758/1 will terminate
the repetitive requirement in paragraph (f)(1) of this AD.
(g) Credit for Actions Accomplished in Accordance With Previous Service
Information
This AD provides credit for the actions required in this AD if
already done before the effective date of this AD following Grob
Aircraft Service Bulletin No. MSB1078-186/2, dated March 28, 2012;
Grob Aircraft Service Bulletin No. MSB1078-186/1, dated March 8,
2012; or Grob Aircraft Service Bulletin No. MSB1078-186, dated
February 15, 2012.
(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: Taylor Martin, Aerospace Engineer, FAA, Small
Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, Missouri
64106; telephone: (816) 329-4138; fax: (816) 329-4090; email:
[email protected]. 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.:
2012-0155, dated August 20, 2012; Grob Aircraft Service Bulletin No.
MSB1078-186/2, dated March 28, 2012; Grob Aircraft Service Bulletin
No. MSB1078-186/1, dated March 8, 2012; or Grob Aircraft Service
Bulletin No. MSB1078-
[[Page 23114]]
186, dated February 15, 2012; for related information.
(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. MSB1078-186/3, dated
August 3, 2012.
(ii) Reserved.
(3) For Grob Aircraft AG service information identified in this
AD, contact Grob Aircraft AG, Lettenbachstrasse 9, D-86874
Tussenhausen-Mattsies, Germany; phone: +49 (0) 8268 998 139; fax:
+49 (0) 8268 998 200; email: [email protected];
Internet: www.grob-aircraft.com/index.php/g-115e.html.
(4) You may view this service information at 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 8, 2013.
Earl Lawrence,
Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2013-08771 Filed 4-17-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P