[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 228 (Wednesday, November 26, 1997)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 62945-62946]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-30869]
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Rules and Regulations
Federal Register
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Federal Register / Vol. 62, No. 228 / Wednesday, November 26, 1997 /
Rules and Regulations
[[Page 62945]]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 96-CE-37-AD; Amendment 39-10216; AD 97-24-09]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Burkhart Grob, Luft-und Raumfahrt,
Model G 103 C Twin III SL Sailplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) that
applies to Burkhart Grob, Luft-und Raumfahrt (Grob), Model G 103 C Twin
III SL sailplanes. This action requires repetitively inspecting the
propeller bearing and upper pulley wheel for increased play and, if
increased play is found, modifying the propeller bearing and pulley
wheel with a part of improved design. This AD is the result of
mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) issued by the
airworthiness authority for Germany. The actions specified by this AD
are intended to prevent the loss of the sailplane engine propeller and
possible loss of the sailplane.
DATES: Effective January 5, 1998.
The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as
of January 5, 1998.
ADDRESSES: Service information that applies to this AD may be obtained
from Burkhart Grob Luft-und Raumfahrt, D-86874 Mattsies, Germany. This
information may also be examined at the Federal Aviation Administration
(FAA), Central Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, Attention: Rules
Docket No. 96-CE-37-AD, Room 1558, 601 E. 12th Street, Kansas City,
Missouri 64106; or at the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North
Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. J. Mike Kiesov, Project Officer,
Sailplanes, Small Airplane Directorate, Airplane Certification Service,
FAA, 1201 Walnut, suite 900, Kansas City, Missouri 64106; telephone
(816) 426-6934, facsimile (816) 426-2169.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Events Leading to the Issuance of This AD
A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14
CFR part 39) to include an AD that would apply to Grob Model G 103 C
Twin III SL sailplanes was published in the Federal Register on January
29, 1997 (62 FR 4205). The action proposed to require inspecting the
propeller bearing and pulley wheel for increased play, if there is no
increased play in the propeller bearing and pulley wheel, continuing to
inspect, and if increased play is found, modifying the propeller
bearing and upper pulley wheel by installing a part of improved design.
The modification would be considered a terminating action to the
repetitive inspections. Accomplishment of this action would be in
accordance with Grob Service Bulletin (SB) 869-18, dated March 7, 1996,
and Grob SB 869-18/2, dated July 8, 1996, which is a revised page 6 of
the Grob SB 869-18, dated March 7, 1996.
Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate
in the making of this amendment. No comments were received on the
proposed rule or the FAA's determination of the cost to the public.
The FAA's Determination
After careful review of all available information related to the
subject presented above, the FAA has determined that air safety and the
public interest require the adoption of the rule as proposed except for
minor editorial corrections. The FAA has determined that these minor
corrections will not change the meaning of the AD and will not add any
additional burden upon the public than was already proposed.
Cost Impact
The FAA estimates that 8 sailplanes in the U.S. registry will be
affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 1 workhour per
sailplane to accomplish the initial inspection, and that the average
labor rate is approximately $60 an hour. Based on these figures, the
total cost impact of the AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $480
or $60 per sailplane.
Grob has informed the FAA that parts have been distributed to equip
7 of the 8 sailplanes in the United States, which would reduce the
estimated impact on U.S. operators from $480 to $60.
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.
For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this action (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 (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. A copy of the final evaluation prepared for this
action is contained in the Rules Docket. A copy of it may be obtained
by contacting the Rules Docket at the location provided under the
caption ADDRESSES.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by
reference, 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:
[[Page 62946]]
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:
AD 97-24-09 Burkhart Grob, Luft-Und Raumfahrt: Amendment 39-10216;
Docket No. 96-CE-37-AD.
Applicability: Model G 103 C Twin III SL Sailplanes (serial
numbers 35002 through 35051), certificated in any category.
Note 1: This AD applies to each sailplane 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 sailplanes 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 (d) 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.
Note 2: The paragraph structure of this AD is as follows:
Level 1: (a), (b), (c), etc.
Level 2: (1), (2), (3), etc.
Level 3: (i), (ii), (iii), etc.
Level 2 and Level 3 structures are designations of the Level 1
paragraph they immediately follow.
Compliance: Required as indicated in the body of this AD, unless
already accomplished.
To prevent the loss of the sailplane engine propeller and
possible loss of the sailplane, accomplish the following:
(a) Within the next 5 engine operating hours after the effective
date of this AD, do one of the following:
(1) Modify the propeller bearing and upper pulley wheel by
installing parts of improved design in accordance with the
``Actions: 2.'' and the ``Installation Instructions'' sections of
Grob service bulletin (SB) 869-18, dated March 7, 1996, and Grob SB
869-18/2, dated July 8, 1996; or,
(2) Inspect the propeller bearing and upper pulley wheel for
increased play (movement that exceeds or is equal to 0.4 mm) in
accordance with the ``Actions'' section of Grob service bulletin
(SB) 869-18, dated March 7, 1996.
(i) If increased play is found, prior to further flight,
accomplish the modification in paragraph (a)(1) of this AD or,
(ii) If no increased play is found, continue to repetitively
inspect for increased play in the propeller bearing and upper pulley
wheel every 5 engine operating hours in accordance with the
``Actions: 1.'' section in Grob SB 869-18, dated March 7, 1996, and
Grob SB 869-18/2, dated July 8, 1996. If increased play is found
during any inspection, then, prior to further flight, accomplish the
modification in paragraph (a)(1) of this AD.
(b) Accomplishing the modification in paragraph (a)(1) of this
AD is a terminating action to the repetitive inspection required in
paragraph (a)(2)(ii) of this AD. This modification may be
accomplished at any time, but must be accomplished if increased play
is found.
(c) 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 sailplane to a location where
the requirements of this AD can be accomplished.
(d) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the
initial or repetitive compliance times that provides an equivalent
level of safety may be approved by the Manager, Small Airplane
Directorate, Airplane Certification Service, FAA, 1201 Walnut, suite
900, Kansas City, Missouri, 64106. The request shall be forwarded
through an appropriate FAA Maintenance Inspector, who may add
comments and then send it to the Manager, Small Airplane
Directorate.
Note 3: Information concerning the existence of approved
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be
obtained from the Small Airplane Directorate.
(e) The inspections and modifications required by this AD shall
be done in accordance with Burkhart Grob, Luft-und Raumfahrt Service
Bulletin 869-18, dated March 7, 1996, and Burkhart Grob, Luft-und
Raumfahrt Service Bulletin 869-18/2, dated July 8, 1996, which is a
revised page six of the Burkhart Grob, Luft-und Raumfahrt Service
Bulletin 869-18, dated March 7, 1996. This incorporation by
reference was approved by the Director of the Federal Register in
accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. Copies may be
obtained Burkhart Grob Luft-und Raumfahrt, D-86874 Mattsies,
Germany. Copies may be inspected at the FAA, Central Region, Office
of the Regional Counsel, Room 1558, 601 E. 12th Street, Kansas City,
Missouri, or at the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North
Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.
Note 4: The subject of this AD addresses German AD 96-206, April
4, 1996.
(f) This amendment (39-10216) becomes effective on January 5,
1998.
Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on November 17, 1997.
Larry E. Werth,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 97-30869 Filed 11-25-97; 8:45 am]
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