AD 95-13-09

This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) that applies to certain Grob Luft Und Raumfahrt (Grob) Models G102 Astir CS, Club Astir IIb, Twin Astir, Speed Astir, Standard Astir II, and Speed Astir IIb sailplanes. This action requires inspecting all elevator and rudder hinges for damage (delamination, cracks, corrosion, or buckling), and repairing any damaged parts. Several occurrences of inner elevator hinges separating during flight operation prompted this AD action. The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent these hinges from separating, which could result in sailplane flutter and eventual loss of control of the sailplane.

Final rule

95-13-09 GROB LUFT UND RAUMFAHRT: Amendment 39-9289; Docket No. 93-CE-59- AD.

Applicability: Models G102 Astir CS, Club Astir IIb, Twin Astir, Speed Astir, Standard Astir II, and Speed Astir IIb Sailplanes (all serial numbers), 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 use the authority provided in paragraph (c) of this AD to request approval from the FAA. This approval may address either no action, if the current configuration eliminates the unsafe condition, or different actions necessary to address the unsafe condition described in this AD. Such a request should include an assessment of the effect of the changed configuration on the unsafe condition addressed by this AD. In no case does the presence of any modification, alteration, or repair remove any sailplane from the applicability of this AD.

Compliance: Required within the next 30 calendar days after the effective date of this AD, unless already accomplished.

To prevent elevator and rudder hinge separation, which could result in sailplane flutter and eventual loss of control of the sailplane, accomplish the following:

(a) Visually inspect all elevator and rudder hinges for damage (delamination, cracks, corrosion, or buckling) in accordance with the III. Procedure section of Grob Repair Instruction No. 306-27/1 to Service Bulletin TM 306-27/1, dated June 4, 1991. Prior to further flight, repair any damaged parts in accordance with the service information referenced above.

(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) tooperate the sailplanes 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) The inspection required by this AD shall be done in accordance with Grob Repair Instruction No. 306-27/1 to Service Bulletin TM 306-27/1, dated June 4, 1991. 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 uft und Raumfahrt, D-8939 Mattsies, 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.

(e) This amendment becomes effective on August 15, 1995.

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 Models G102 Astir CS, Club Astir IIb, Twin Astir, Speed Astir, Standard Astir II, and Speed Astir IIb sailplanes was published in the Federal Register on January 18, 1995 (60 FR 3588). The action proposed to require inspecting all elevator and rudder hinges for damage (delamination, cracks, corrosion, or buckling), and repairing any damaged parts. Accomplishment of the proposed actions would be in accordance with the III. Procedure section of Grob Repair Instruction No. 306-27/1 to Service Bulletin TM 306-27/1, dated June 4, 1991.

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 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.

The FAA estimates that 146 sailplanes in the U.S. registry will be affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 1 workhour per sailplane to accomplish the required action, 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 $8,760. This figure takes into account that no affected sailplane owner/operator has accomplished the required inspection.

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 amongthe 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.

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