[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 183 (Thursday, September 19, 1996)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 49250-49251]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-23988]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 96-CE-50-AD; Amendment 39-9765; AD 96-19-07]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Burkhart Grob Luft-und Raumfahrt Models
G115C, G115C2, G115D, and G115D2 Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.
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SUMMARY: This document publishes in the Federal Register an amendment
adopting Airworthiness Directive (AD) 96-19-07, which was sent
previously to all known U.S. owners and operators of Burkhart Grob
Luft-und Raumfahrt (Grob) Models G115C, G115C2, G115D, and G115D2
airplanes. This AD requires installing a placard that restricts the
never exceed speed (Vne) of the affected airplane models from 184 knots
to 160 knots; installing on the airspeed indicator glass a red line at
296 km/h (160 knots); installing a placard that prohibits aerobatic
maneuvers; and placing a copy of this AD in the Limitations Section of
the airplane flight manual. An in-flight breakup of a Grob Model G115D
airplane prompted priority letter AD 96-19-07. The actions specified by
this AD are intended to prevent loss of control of the airplane caused
by excessive speed or aerobatic maneuvers.
DATES: Effective September 27, 1996, to all persons except those to
whom it was made immediately effective by priority letter AD 96-19-07,
issued September 6, 1996, which contained the requirements of this
amendment.
Comments for inclusion in the Rules Docket must be received on or
before November 19, 1996.
ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), Central Region, Office of the Assistant Chief
Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket 96-CE-50-AD, Room 1558, 601 E. 12th
Street, Kansas City, Missouri 64106.
The service information and placards specified in this AD may be
obtained from Burkhart Grob Luft-und Raumfahrt, D-8939 Mattsies,
Germany. This information may also be examined at the Rules Docket at
the address above.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Greg Holt, Program Officer,
Brussels Aircraft Certification Division, FAA, Europe, Africa, and
Middle East Office, c/o American Embassy, B-1000 Brussels, Belgium;
telephone (32 2) 508.26.92; facsimile (32 2) 230.68.99; or Mr. Mike
Kiesov, Aerospace Engineer, FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 1201
Walnut Street, suite 900, Kansas City, Missouri 64106; telephone (816)
426-6934; facsimile (816) 426-2169.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Events Leading to the AD
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is currently involved
with investigating an in-flight breakup of a Grob Model G115D airplane.
Preliminary investigation of the accident reveals that the empennage
separated from the airplane. Both crew members were killed in the
accident. Involved in the on-going investigation are:
--The FAA;
--The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB); and
--Grob (the manufacturer of the accident airplane).
Applicable Service Information
Grob has issued Service Bulletin (SB) 1078-59/2, dated September 2,
1996, which specifies (1) installing a placard that restricts the never
exceed speed (Vne) of the affected airplanes from 184 knots to 160
knots; (2) installing on the airspeed indicator a red line at 296 km/h
(160 knots); and (3) installing a placard that prohibits aerobatic
maneuvers. The placards are included in this service bulletin.
The FAA's Determination
Although the on-going investigation of the in-flight breakup of the
Grob Model G115D airplane is not complete, the FAA has determined (1)
that the actions specified in Grob SB 1078-59/2, dated September 2,
1996, should be accomplished by all owners/operators of Grob Models
G115C, G115C2, G115D, and G115D2 airplanes; and (2) airworthiness
directive (AD) action should be taken to prevent loss of control of the
airplane caused by excessive speed or aerobatic maneuvers. Further
rulemaking may be required when the results of the accident
investigation are known.
These airplane models are manufactured in Germany and are type
certificated for operation in the United States under the provisions of
section 21.29 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 21.29) and
the applicable bilateral airworthiness agreement. The Luftfahrt-
Bundesamt (LBA), which is the airworthiness authority for Germany, is
preparing an AD in order to assure the continued airworthiness of these
airplanes in Germany.
Explanation of the Provisions of This AD
Since an unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to
exist or develop on other Grob Models G115C, G115C2, G115D, and G115D2
airplanes of the same type design that are registered for operation in
the United States, the FAA issued priority letter AD 96-19-07 on
September 5, 1996, to prevent loss of control of the airplane caused by
excessive speed or aerobatic maneuvers. The AD requires the following:
--Installing a placard that restricts the never exceed speed (Vne) of
the affected airplane models from 184 knots to 160 knots;
--Installing on the airspeed indicator glass a red line at 296 km/h
(160 knots);
--Installing a placard that prohibits aerobatic maneuvers; and
--Placing a copy of this AD in the Limitations Section of the airplane
flight manual.
The placards are included with Grob SB 1078-59/2, dated September
2, 1996.
Since it was found that immediate corrective action was required,
notice and opportunity for prior public comment thereon were
impracticable and contrary to the public interest, and good cause
existed to make the AD effective immediately by individual letters
issued on September 5, 1996, to all known U.S. operators of Grob G115C,
[[Page 49251]]
G115C2, G115D, and G115D2 airplanes. These conditions still exist, and
the AD is hereby published in the Federal Register as an amendment to
section 39.13 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 39.13) to
make it effective as to all persons.
Comments Invited
Although this action is in the form of a final rule that involves
requirements affecting immediate flight safety and, thus, was not
preceded by notice and opportunity to comment, comments are invited on
this rule. Interested persons are invited to comment on this rule by
submitting such written data, views, or arguments as they may desire.
Communications should identify the Rules Docket number and be submitted
in triplicate to the address specified above. All communications
received on or before the closing date for comments will be considered,
and this rule may be amended in light of the comments received. Factual
information that supports the commenter's ideas and suggestions is
extremely helpful in evaluating the effectiveness of the AD action and
determining whether additional rulemaking action would be needed.
Comments are specifically invited on the overall regulatory,
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the rule that might
suggest a need to modify the rule. All comments submitted will be
available, both before and after the closing date for comments, in the
Rules Docket for examination by interested persons. A report that
summarizes each FAA-public contact concerned with the substance of this
AD will be filed in the Rules Docket.
Commenters wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments
submitted in response to this rule must submit a self-addressed,
stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments
to Docket No. 96-CE-50-AD.'' The postcard will be date stamped and
returned to the commenter.
Regulatory Impact
The regulations adopted herein will not have substantial direct
effects 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. Therefore, in
accordance with Executive Order 12612, it is determined that this final
rule does not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant the
preparation of a Federalism Assessment.
The FAA has determined that this regulation is an emergency
regulation that must be issued immediately to correct an unsafe
condition in aircraft, and is not a ``significant regulatory action''
under Executive Order 12866. It has been determined further that this
action involves an emergency regulation under DOT Regulatory Policies
and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979). If it is determined
that this emergency regulation otherwise would be significant under DOT
Regulatory Policies and Procedures, a final regulatory evaluation will
be prepared and placed in the Rules Docket. A copy of it, if filed, may
be obtained from the Rules Docket at the location provided under the
caption ADDRESSES.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Safety.
Adoption of the Amendment
Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration amends part 39 of
the Federal Aviation Regulations (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. Section 39.13 is amended by adding a new airworthiness directive
(AD) to read as follows:
96-19-07 Burkhart Grob Luft-Und Raumfahrt: Amendment 39-9765;
Docket No. 96-CE-50-AD.
Applicability: Models G115C, G115C2, G115D, and G115D2 airplanes
(all serial numbers), certificated in any category.
Note 1: This AD applies to each airplane identified in the
preceding applicability provision, regardless of whether it has been
modified, altered, or repaired in the area subject to the
requirements of this AD. For airplanes that have been modified,
altered, or repaired so that the performance of the requirements of
this AD is affected, the owner/operator must request approval for an
alternative method of compliance in accordance with paragraph (f) of
this AD. The request should include an assessment of the effect of
the modification, alteration, or repair on the unsafe condition
addressed by this AD; and, if the unsafe condition has not been
eliminated, the request should include specific proposed actions to
address it.
Compliance: Required prior to further flight after the effective
date of this AD, unless already accomplished, except to those
operators receiving this action by priority letter issued September
6, 1996, which made these actions effective immediately upon
receipt.
To prevent loss of control of the airplane caused by excessive
speed or aerobatic maneuvers, accomplish the following:
(a) Install, on the limitation placard at the left-hand cabin
wall, the airspeed placard that is included with Grob Service
Bulletin (SB) 1078-59/2, dated September 2, 1996. This placard
reduces the maximum airspeed to 296 kilometers per hour (km/h);
equal to 160 knots per hour.
(b) Modify the airspeed indicator glass by accomplishing the
following:
(1) Place a red radial line on the indicator glass at 296 km/h
(160 knots). The minimum dimensions for this radial line are 0.05-
inch in width and 0.30-inch in length.
(2) Place a white 0.05-inch minimum width slippage index mark
that connects both the instrument glass and bezel. This slippage
index mark shall not obscure any airspeed markings.
(c) Install, near the airspeed indicator, the red placard
included with Grob SB 1078-59/2 that has the words: ``Aerobatic
maneuvers are prohibited.''
(d) Insert a copy of this AD into the Limitations Section of the
airplane flight manual.
(e) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with
sections 21.197 and 21.199 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14
CFR 21.197 and 21.199) to operate the airplane to a location where
the requirements of this AD can be accomplished.
(f) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the
compliance time that provides an equivalent level of safety may be
approved by the Manager, Brussels Aircraft Certification Division,
FAA, Europe, Africa, and Middle East Office, c/o American Embassy,
B-1000 Brussels, Belgium. The request shall be forwarded through an
appropriate FAA Maintenance Inspector, who may add comments and then
send it to the Manager, Brussels Aircraft Certification Division.
Note 2: Information concerning the existence of approved
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be
obtained from the Brussels Aircraft Certification Division.
(g) The service information and placards specified in this AD
may be obtained from Burkhart Grob Luft-und Raumfahrt, D-8939
Mattsies, Germany. This information may also be examined at the FAA,
Central Region, Office of the Assistant Chief Counsel, Room 1558,
601 E. 12th Street, Kansas City, Missouri 64106.
(h) This amendment (39-9765) becomes effective on September 27,
1996, to all persons except those persons to whom it was made
immediately effective by priority letter AD 96-19-07, issued
September 6, 1996, which contained the requirements of this
amendment.
Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on September 12, 1996.
Michael Gallagher,
Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 96-23988 Filed 9-18-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U