[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 225 (Monday, November 23, 1998)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 64597-64598]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-30897]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 98-CE-71-AD; Amendment 39-10895; AD 98-24-09]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Burkhart GROB Luft-und Raumfahrt GmbH
Model G 109B 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 certain Burkhart GROB Luft-und Raumfahrt GmbH (Grob) Model G
109B gliders. This AD requires inspecting the elevator and trim tab for
water, and assuring that the necessary drain holes are installed and
existing drain holes are open. This AD also requires drilling any
necessary drain holes and opening any existing drain holes that are
closed; and, if a significant amount of water (more than \1/2\ liter)
is found in the elevator, assuring that the elevator's weight and
residual momentum and the glider's center of gravity (C.G.) are within
the limits specified in the flight manual, and adjusting the elevator's
weight and residual momentum and the glider's C.G., as needed. 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 water from penetrating the
elevator and trim tab because of inadequate drainage, which could
result in a delaminated elevator and trim tab structure with consequent
elevator imbalance and flutter.
DATES: Effective December 28, 1998.
The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as
of December 28, 1998.
ADDRESSES: Service information that applies to this AD may be obtained
from Burkhart Grob Luft-und Raumfahrt, D-8939 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. 98-CE-71-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. Mike Kiesov, Aerospace Engineer,
FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 1201 Walnut, suite 900, Kansas City,
Missouri 64106; telephone: (816) 426-6932; 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 certain Grob Model G
109B gliders was published in the Federal Register as a notice of
proposed rulemaking (NPRM) on September 17, 1998 (63 FR 49673). The
NPRM proposed to require inspecting the elevator and trim tab for
water, and assuring that the necessary drain holes are installed and
existing drain holes are open. The NPRM also proposed to require
drilling any necessary drain holes and opening any existing drain holes
that are closed; and, if a significant amount of water (more than \1/2\
liter) is found in the elevator, assuring that the elevator's weight
and residual momentum and the glider's center of gravity (C.G.) are
within the limits specified in the flight manual, and adjusting the
elevator's weight and residual momentum and the glider's C.G., as
needed. Accomplishment of the proposed action as specified in the NPRM
would be in accordance with Grob Service Bulletin TM 817-35, dated July
20, 1992.
The NPRM was the result of mandatory continuing airworthiness
information (MCAI) issued by the airworthiness authority for Germany.
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 20 gliders in the U.S. registry will be
affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 1 workhour per
glider to accomplish the proposed inspection, and that the average
labor rate is approximately $60 an hour. Based on these figures, the
total cost impact of the inspection on U.S. operators is estimated to
be $1,200, or $60 per glider.
If drain holes need to be added, the FAA estimates that it will
take approximately 1 workhour per glider to accomplish the
modification, and that the average labor rate is approximately $60 an
hour. Based on these figures, the total cost impact of the modification
on U.S. operators is estimated to be $60 per glider that will need
drain holes installed.
Compliance Time of This AD
The compliance time of this AD is presented in calendar time
instead of hours time-in-service (TIS). The unsafe condition is not a
result of the number of times the glider is operated. If the elevator
and trim tab of the affected gliders have inadequate drainage, then
water could penetrate the elevator and trim tab on the first flight, as
well as subsequent flights. The delamination and imbalance that could
then occur can happen in a very short period of time or happen over a
long period of time. For these reasons, the FAA has determined that a
compliance based on calendar time should be utilized in this AD in
order to assure that the unsafe condition is addressed on all gliders
in a reasonable time period.
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
[[Page 64598]]
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. 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:
98-24-09 Burkhart Grob Luft-Und Raumfahrt GMBH: Amendment 39-10895;
Docket No. 98-CE-71-AD.
Applicability: Model G 109B gliders, all serial numbers
beginning with 6200, certificated in any category.
Note 1: This AD applies to each glider 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 gliders 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 (c) 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 as indicated in the body of this AD, unless
already accomplished.
To prevent water from penetrating the elevator and trim tab
because of inadequate drainage, which could result in a delaminated
elevator and trim tab structure with consequent elevator imbalance
and flutter, accomplish the following:
(a) Within the next 6 calendar months after the effective date
of this AD, inspect the elevator and trim tab for water and to
assure that the necessary drain holes are installed and that the
existing drain holes are open. Accomplish these actions in
accordance with the Actions section of Grob Service Bulletin TM 817-
35, dated July 20, 1992. Prior to further flight after the
inspection, accomplish the following as specified in the service
bulletin:
(1) Drill any necessary drain holes and open any existing drain
holes that are closed; and,
(2) If a significant amount of water (more than \1/2\ liter) is
found in the elevator, after removal of the water, assure that the
elevator's weight and residual moment and the glider's center of
gravity (C.G.) are within the limits specified in the flight manual,
and adjust the elevator's weight and residual momentum and the
glider's C.G., as needed.
(b) 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 glider to a location where the
requirements of this AD can be accomplished.
(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, Small Airplane Directorate, 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 2: Information concerning the existence of approved
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be
obtained from the Small Airplane Directorate.
(d) Questions or technical information related to Grob Service
Bulletin TM 817-35, dated July 20, 1992, should be directed to
Burkhart Grob Luft-und Raumfahrt, D-8939 Mattsies, Germany. This
service information may be examined at the FAA, Central Region,
Office of the Regional Counsel, Room 1558, 601 E. 12th Street,
Kansas City, Missouri 64106.
(e) The inspections and modifications required by this AD shall
be done in accordance with Grob Service Bulletin TM 817-35, dated
July 20, 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 Burkhart Grob Luft-
und Raumfahrt, D-8939 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 3: The subject of this AD is addressed in German AD 92-350
Grob, dated October 26, 1992.
(f) This amendment becomes effective on December 28, 1998.
Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on November 10, 1998.
Michael Gallagher,
Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 98-30897 Filed 11-20-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U
