Airworthiness Directives; GROB Luft und Raumfahrt Models G102, G103, G109, and G109B Gliders

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 93-CE-16-AD; Amendment 39-9002; AD 94-17- 06]

Airworthiness Directives; GROB Luft und Raumfahrt Models G102,

G103, G109, and G109B Gliders

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) that

applies to GROB Luft und Raumfahrt (Grob) Models G102, G103, G109, and

G109B gliders. This action requires inspecting (one-time) the airbrake

stops for cracks in the surrounding gelcoat and to ensure that the

outer airbrake swivel levers are in contact with the stops during

operation, and repairing any gelcoat cracks or any airbrake stops not

in contact with the swivel levers. Excessive wear caused the airbrake

fence to jam on the upper shell of the wing on one of the affected

gliders, resulting in an accident. The actions specified by this AD are

intended to prevent airbrake failure caused by jamming of the airbrake

fence, which could result in loss of control of the glider.

DATES: Effective September 30, 1994.

The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in

the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as

of September 30, 1994.

ADDRESSES: Service information that applies to this AD may be obtained

from Grob Luft und Raumfahrt GmbH, D- 8939 Mattsies, Germany. This

information may also be examined at the Federal Aviation Administration

(FAA), Central Region, Office of the Assistant Chief Counsel, 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. E. S. Chalpin, Program Manager,

Brussels Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, Europe, Africa, and Middle

East Office, c/o American Embassy, B-1000 Brussels, Belgium; telephone

(322) 513.38.30 ext. 2717; facsimile (322) 230.68.99; or Mr. Herman C.

Belderok, Project Officer, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft

Certification Service, FAA, 1201 Walnut, suite 900, Kansas City,

Missouri 64106; telephone (816) 426-6932; facsimile (816) 426-2169.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal

Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) to include an AD that would apply

to GROB Luft und Raumfahrt Models G102, G103, G109, and G109B gliders

was published in the Federal Register on March 15, 1993 (58 FR 13710).

The action proposed to require inspecting (one-time) the airbrake stops

for cracks in the surrounding gelcoat and to ensure that the outer

airbrake swivel levers are in contact with stops during operation, and

repairing any gelcoat cracks or any airbrake stops not in contact with

the swivel levers. The proposed actions would be accomplished in

accordance with Grob Service Bulletin TM 306-31, TM 315-49, TM 320-6,

and TM 817-36 (one document), dated September 14, 1992.

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.

After careful review of all available information, 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 nor add any additional burden upon the public than was

already proposed.

The FAA estimates that 282 gliders in the U.S. registry will be

affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 1 workhour per

glider to accomplish the required action, and that the average labor

rate is approximately $55 an hour. Based on these figures, the total

cost impact of the AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $15,510.

This figure is based on the assumption that no affected glider owner/

operator has accomplished the required action.

The FAA has determined that calendar time is the most desirable

method of compliance for this AD because yearly operational times vary

greatly throughout the fleet. For example, one glider operator might

utilize the glider 10 hours time-in-service (TIS) in one month, while

another may not utilize the glider 10 hours TIS in one year. Therefore,

to maintain continuity and avoid inadvertent grounding of the affected

gliders, compliance based upon calendar time is utilized.

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:

PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES

1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows:

Authority: 49 U.S.C. App. 1354(a), 1421 and 1423; 49 U.S.C.

106(g); and 14 CFR 11.89.

39.13 [Amended]

2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding a new AD to read as follows:

94-17-06 Grob Luft und Raumfahrt: Amendment 39-9002; Docket No. 93-

CE-16-AD.

Applicability: Models G102, G103, G109, and G109B gliders (all

serial numbers), certificated in any category.

Compliance: Required within the next 60 calendar days after the

effective date of this AD, unless already accomplished.

To prevent airbrake failure caused by jamming of the airbrake

fence, which could result in loss of control of the glider,

accomplish the following:

(a) Inspect the airbrake stops for cracks in the surrounding

gelcoat and to ensure that the outer airbrake swivel levers are in

contact with stops during operation in accordance with the

instructions in Grob Service Bulletin TM 306-31, TM 315-49, TM 320-

6, and TM 817-36 (one document), dated September 14, 1992.

(b) Prior to further flight, repair any gelcoat cracks or any

airbrake stops not in contact with the swivel levers in accordance

with the instructions in Grob Service Bulletin TM 306-31, TM 315-49,

TM 320-6, and TM 817-36 (one document), dated September 14, 1992.

(c) 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 Office

(ACO), 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 ACO.

Note: Information concerning the existence of approved

alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be

obtained from the Brussels ACO.

(d) The inspection required by this AD shall be done in

accordance with Grob Service Bulletin TM 306- 31, TM 315-49, TM 320-

6, and TM 817-36 (one document), dated September 14, 1992. 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 from GROB Luft und Raumfahrt GmbH, D-8939

Mattsies, Federal Republic of Germany. Copies may be inspected at

the FAA, Central Region, Office of the Assistant Chief 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.

(f) This amendment (39-9002) becomes effective on September 30,

1994.

Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on August 8, 1994.

Barry D. Clements,

Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.

[FR Doc. 94-19853 Filed 8-12-94; 8:45 am]

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