80 FR 10423 - Airworthiness Directives; GROB-WERKE Airplanes

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration

Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 38 (February 26, 2015)

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain GROB-WERKE Models G115EG and G120A airplanes that would supersede AD 2014-26-04. This proposed AD results from mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) originated by an aviation authority of another country to identify and correct an unsafe condition on an aviation product. The MCAI describes the unsafe condition as a defective starter solenoid. We are issuing this proposed AD to require actions to address the unsafe condition on these products.

[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 38 (Thursday, February 26, 2015)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 10423-10426]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2015-03979]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2015-0415; Directorate Identifier 2015-CE-001-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; GROB-WERKE Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of 
Transportation (DOT).

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for 
certain GROB-WERKE Models G115EG and G120A airplanes that would 
supersede AD 2014-26-04. This proposed AD results from mandatory 
continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) originated by an aviation 
authority of another country to identify and correct an unsafe 
condition on an aviation product. The MCAI describes the unsafe

[[Page 10424]]

condition as a defective starter solenoid. We are issuing this proposed 
AD to require actions to address the unsafe condition on these 
products.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by April 13, 2015.

ADDRESSES: You may send comments by any of the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
     Fax: (202) 493-2251.
     Mail: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket 
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590.
     Hand Delivery: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket 
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., 
Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
    For service information identified in this proposed AD, contact 
Grob Aircraft AG, Customer Service, Lettenbachstrasse 9, D-86874 
Tussenhausen-Mattsies, Germany, telephone: + 49 (0) 8268-998-105; fax: 
+ 49 (0) 8268-998-200; email: aircraft.com">[email protected]aircraft.com; 
Internet: grob-aircraft.com. You may review copies of the referenced 
service information at the FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, 
Kansas City, Missouri 64106. For information on the availability of 
this material at the FAA, call (816) 329-4148.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2015-
0415; or in person at the Docket Management Facility between 9 a.m. and 
5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The AD docket 
contains this proposed AD, the regulatory evaluation, any comments 
received, and other information. The street address for the Docket 
Office (telephone (800) 647-5527) is in the ADDRESSES section. Comments 
will be available in the AD docket shortly after receipt.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Karl Schletzbaum, Aerospace Engineer, 
FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, 
Missouri 64106; telephone: (816) 329-4123; fax: (816) 329-4090; email: 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

    We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or 
arguments about this proposed AD. Send your comments to an address 
listed under the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2015-0415; 
Directorate Identifier 2015-CE-001-AD'' at the beginning of your 
comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this proposed AD. We 
will consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend 
this proposed AD because of those comments.
    We will post all comments we receive, without change, to http://regulations.gov, including any personal information you provide. We 
will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact we 
receive about this proposed AD.

Discussion

    On December 22, 2014, we issued AD 2014-26-04, Amendment 39-18055 
(80 FR 155, January 5, 2015). That AD required actions intended to 
address an unsafe condition on certain GROB-WERKE Models G115EG and 
G120A airplanes and was based on mandatory continuing airworthiness 
information (MCAI) originated by an aviation authority of another 
country.
    AD 2014-26-04, Amendment 39-18055 (80 FR 155, January 5, 2015), was 
considered an interim action. Since we issued AD 2014-26-04, GROB 
Aircraft developed a modification to avoid loss of electrical power in 
case of electrical shortage in the starter solenoid.
    European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the Technical 
Agent for the Member States of the European Community, has issued AD 
No. 2015-0010R1, dated February 4, 2015 (referred to after this as 
``the MCAI''), to correct an unsafe condition for the specified 
products. The MCAI states:

    An operator of a G 115E aeroplane experienced a total loss of 
electrical power in flight. The investigation found that a defective 
starter solenoid had caused an internal short circuit which resulted 
in breakdown of the system voltage.
    This condition, if not detected and corrected, could result in 
reduced control of the aeroplane.
    To address this potential unsafe condition, GROB Aircraft AG 
issued Mandatory Service Bulletin (MSB) MSB1078-196 for G 115 
aeroplanes and MSB 1121-144 for G 120 aeroplanes to provide 
instructions for inspection and corrective action. Consequently, 
EASA issued AD 2014-0212 to require a one-time inspection of the 
starter solenoid and, depending on findings, replacement of the 
starter. In addition, for G 115E aeroplanes, installation of a 
placard was required.
    More recently, GROB Aircraft AG developed a modification to 
avoid loss of electrical power in case of electrical shortage in the 
starter solenoid, which was published in revised GROB MSB1078-196/1 
and MSB1121-144/1.
    Prompted by this development, EASA issued AD 2015-0010, 
retaining the requirements of EASA AD 2014-0212, which was 
superseded, and required installation of a starter relay.
    Since that AD was issued, operator comments have indicated the 
existence of a logistical problem, resulting in the unnecessary 
grounding of aeroplanes.
    For the reason described above, this AD is revised to amend 
paragraph (3), extending the compliance time for modification.

You may examine the MCAI on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov 
by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2015-0415.

Relevant Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    GROB Aircraft has issued Service Bulletin No. MSB1078-196/1, dated 
December 1, 2014, and Service Bulletin No. MSB1121-144/3, dated 
February 20, 2015. The actions described in this service information 
are intended to correct the unsafe condition identified in the MCAI. 
The GROB Aircraft service bulletins describe procedures for inspecting 
the starter solenoid, replacing damaged starters, and installing a 
starter relay. This service information is reasonably available; see 
ADDRESSES for ways to access this service information.

FAA's Determination and Requirements of the Proposed AD

    This product has been approved by the aviation authority of another 
country, and is approved for operation in the United States. Pursuant 
to our bilateral agreement with this State of Design Authority, they 
have notified us of the unsafe condition described in the MCAI and 
service information referenced above. We are proposing this AD because 
we evaluated all information and determined the unsafe condition exists 
and is likely to exist or develop on other products of the same type 
design.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD will affect 6 products of U.S. 
registry. We also estimate that it would take about 4 work-hours per 
product to comply with the basic starter inspection requirement of this 
proposed AD. The average labor rate is $85 per work-hour.
    Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of this proposed 
inspection on

[[Page 10425]]

U.S. operators to be $2,040, or $340 per product.
    In addition, we estimate that any necessary starter replacements 
would take about 4 work-hours and require parts costing $600, for a 
cost of $940 per product. We have no way of determining the number of 
products that may need this replacement.
    We also estimate that it would take about 20 work-hours per product 
to comply with the starter relay installation requirement of this 
proposed AD. The average labor rate is $85 per work-hour. Required 
parts would cost about $1,000 per product.
    Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of this proposed 
installation on U.S. operators to be $16,200, or $2,700 per product

Authority for This Rulemaking

    Title 49 of the United States Code specifies the FAA's authority to 
issue rules on aviation safety. Subtitle I, section 106, describes the 
authority of the FAA Administrator. ``Subtitle VII: Aviation 
Programs,'' describes in more detail the scope of the Agency's 
authority.
    We are issuing this rulemaking under the authority described in 
``Subtitle VII, Part A, Subpart III, section 44701: General 
requirements.'' Under that section, Congress charges the FAA with 
promoting safe flight of civil aircraft in air commerce by prescribing 
regulations for practices, methods, and procedures the Administrator 
finds necessary for safety in air commerce. This regulation is within 
the scope of that authority because it addresses an unsafe condition 
that is likely to exist or develop on products identified in this 
rulemaking action.

Regulatory Findings

    We determined that this proposed AD would not have federalism 
implications under Executive Order 13132. This proposed AD would not 
have a substantial direct effect 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.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify this proposed 
regulation:
    (1) Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive 
Order 12866,
    (2) Is not a ``significant rule'' under the DOT Regulatory Policies 
and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979),
    (3) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and
    (4) 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.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by 
reference, Safety.

The Proposed Amendment

    Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the FAA proposes to amend 14 CFR part 39 as follows:

PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES

0
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]

0
2. The FAA amends Sec.  39.13 by removing Amendment 39-18055 (80 FR 
155, January 5, 2015), and adding the following new AD:

GROB-WERKE: Docket No. FAA-2015-0415; Directorate Identifier 2015-
CE-001-AD.

(a) Comments Due Date

    We must receive comments by April 13, 2015.

(b) Affected ADs

    This AD supersedes AD 2014-26-04, Amendment 39-18055 (80 FR 155, 
January 5, 2015) (``AD 2014-26-04'').

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to GROB-WERKE Model G115EG airplanes, all serial 
numbers through 82323/E, and Model G120A airplanes, all serial 
numbers through 85063, certificated in any category.

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association of America (ATA) Code 80: Starting.

(e) Reason

    This AD was prompted by mandatory continuing airworthiness 
information (MCAI) originated by an aviation authority of another 
country to identify and correct an unsafe condition on an aviation 
product. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct defective 
starter solenoids, which could cause an internal short circuit and 
could result in reduced control. We are superseding AD 2014-26-04 
requiring installation of a starter relay that will prevent loss of 
electrical power in case of electrical shortage in the starter 
solenoid.

 (f) Actions and Compliance

    Unless already done, do the actions in paragraphs (f)(1) through 
(f)(3) of this AD:
    (1) Within the next 30 days after February 9, 2015 (the 
effective date retained from AD 2014-26-04), inspect the starter 
following Part A of the Accomplishment Instructions in GROB Aircraft 
Service Bulletin No. MSB1078-196, dated July 14, 2014; GROB Aircraft 
Service Bulletin No. MSB1078-196/1, dated December 1, 2014; GROB 
Aircraft Service Bulletin No. MSB1121-144, dated July 14, 2014; GROB 
Aircraft Service Bulletin No. MSB1121-144/1, dated January 12, 2015; 
GROB Aircraft Service Bulletin No. MSB1121-144/2, dated February 5, 
2015; or GROB Aircraft Service Bulletin No. MSB1121-144/3, dated 
February 20, 2015, as applicable.
    (2) If any damage is found on the starter during the inspection 
required in paragraph (f)(1) of this AD, before further flight, 
replace the starter with a serviceable part. Do the replacement 
following Part A of the Accomplishment Instructions in GROB Aircraft 
Service Bulletin No. MSB1078-196, dated July 14, 2014; GROB Aircraft 
Service Bulletin No. MSB1078-196/1, dated December 1, 2014; GROB 
Aircraft Service Bulletin No. MSB1121-144, dated July 14, 2014; GROB 
Aircraft Service Bulletin No. MSB1121-144/1, dated January 12, 2015; 
GROB Aircraft Service Bulletin No. MSB1121-144/2, dated February 5, 
2015; or GROB Aircraft Service Bulletin No. MSB1121-144/3, dated 
February 20, 2015, as applicable.
    (3) Within the next 100 hours time-in-service after the 
effective date of this AD, install a starter relay following Part B 
of the Accomplishment Instructions in GROB Aircraft Service Bulletin 
No. MSB1078-196/1, dated December 1, 2014, or GROB Aircraft Service 
Bulletin No. MSB1121-144/3, dated February 205, 2015, as applicable.

(g) Credit for Actions Done in Accordance With Previous Service 
Information

    Actions done before the effective date of this AD following the 
Accomplishment Instructions specified in GROB Aircraft Service 
Bulletin No. MSB1121-144/1, dated January 12, 2015; or GROB Aircraft 
Service Bulletin No. MSB1121-144/2, dated February 5, 2015, as 
applicable, are considered acceptable for compliance with the 
corresponding actions specified in paragraphs (f)(1) through (f)(2) 
of this AD.

(h) Other FAA AD Provisions

    The following provisions also apply to this AD:
    (1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager, 
Standards Office, FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs for this 
AD, if requested using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. Send 
information to ATTN: Karl Schletzbaum, Aerospace Engineer, FAA, 
Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, 
Missouri 64106; telephone: (816) 329-4146; fax: (816) 329-4090; 
email: [email protected]. Before using any approved AMOC on 
any airplane to which the AMOC applies, notify your appropriate 
principal inspector (PI) in the FAA Flight Standards District Office 
(FSDO), or lacking a PI, your local FSDO.
    (2) Airworthy Product: For any requirement in this AD to obtain 
corrective actions from a manufacturer or other source, use these 
actions if they are FAA-approved. Corrective actions are considered 
FAA-approved if they are approved by the State of Design Authority 
(or their delegated agent). You are required to assure the product 
is airworthy before it is returned to service.

[[Page 10426]]

(i) Related Information

    Refer to MCAI European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD No. 
2015-0010R1, dated February 4, 2015, for related information. You 
may examine the MCAI on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov 
by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2015-0415. For service 
information related to this AD, contact Grob Aircraft AG, Customer 
Service, Lettenbachstrasse 9, D-86874 Tussenhausen-Mattsies, 
Germany, telephone: + 49 (0) 8268-998-105; fax: + 49 (0) 8268-998-
200; email: aircraft.com">[email protected]aircraft.com; Internet: grob-
aircraft.com. You may review copies of the referenced service 
information at the FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, 
Kansas City, Missouri 64106. For information on the availability of 
this material at the FAA, call (816) 329-4148.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on February 19, 2015.
Pat Mullen,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2015-03979 Filed 2-25-15; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P