Airworthiness Directives; GROB-WERKE Model G120A Airplanes, 19340-19342 [05-7384]
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<![CDATA[
19340
Proposed Rules
Federal Register
Vol. 70, No. 70
Wednesday, April 13, 2005
This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER
contains notices to the public of the proposed
issuance of rules and regulations. The
purpose of these notices is to give interested
persons an opportunity to participate in the
rule making prior to the adoption of the final
rules.
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA–2005–20589; Directorate
Identifier 2005–CE–12–AD]
RIN 2120–AA64
Airworthiness Directives; GROBWERKE Model G120A Airplanes
Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking
(NPRM).
AGENCY:
SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to adopt a
new airworthiness directive (AD) for all
GROB-WERKE (GROB) Model G120A
airplanes. This proposed AD would
require you to repetitively inspect the
nose landing gear (NLG) assembly,
paying special attention to the NLG
swivel tube and the engine truss in the
area of the NLG attachment, for cracks
and damaged (defective) welding seams.
If you find cracks or defects during any
inspection, this proposed AD would
require you to replace the cracked or
defective part. This proposed AD results
from mandatory continuing
airworthiness information (MCAI)
issued by the airworthiness authority for
Germany. We are issuing this proposed
AD to detect and correct cracks and
defects in the NLG assembly, which
could result in failure of the NLG. This
failure could lead to a hard landing and/
or loss of control of the airplane during
landing operations.
DATES: We must receive any comments
on this proposed AD by May 13, 2005.
ADDRESSES: Use one of the following to
submit comments on this proposed AD:
• DOT Docket Web site: Go to
https://dms.dot.gov and follow the
instructions for sending your comments
electronically.
• Government-wide rulemaking Web
site: Go to https://www.regulations.gov
and follow the instructions for sending
your comments electronically.
VerDate jul<14>2003
15:00 Apr 12, 2005
Jkt 205001
• Mail: Docket Management Facility;
U.S. Department of Transportation, 400
Seventh Street, SW., Nassif Building,
Room PL–401, Washington, DC 20590–
0001.
• Fax: 1–202–493–2251.
• Hand Delivery: Room PL–401 on
the plaza level of the Nassif Building,
400 Seventh Street, SW., Washington,
DC, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday
through Friday, except Federal holidays.
To get the service information
identified in this proposed AD, contact
GROB Luft-und Raumfahrt,
Lettenbachstrasse 9, D–86874
Tussenhausen-Mattsies, Federal
Republic of Germany; telephone: 011 49
8268 998139; facsimile: 011 49 8268
998200.
To view the comments to this
proposed AD, go to https://dms.dot.gov.
This is docket number FAA–2005–
20589; Directorate Identifier 2005–CE–
12–AD.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Karl
Schletzbaum, Aerospace Engineer, FAA,
Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust,
Room 301, Kansas City, Missouri 64106;
telephone: (816) 329–4146; facsimile:
(816) 329–4090.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments Invited
How do I comment on this proposed
AD? We invite you to submit any
written relevant data, views, or
arguments regarding this proposal. Send
your comments to an address listed
under ADDRESSES. Include the docket
number, ‘‘FAA–2005–20589; Directorate
Identifier 2005–CE–12–AD’’ at the
beginning of your comments. We will
post all comments we receive, without
change, to https://dms.dot.gov, including
any personal information you provide.
We will also post a report summarizing
each substantive verbal contact with
FAA personnel concerning this
proposed rulemaking. Using the search
function of our docket Web site, anyone
can find and read the comments
received into any of our dockets,
including the name of the individual
who sent the comment (or signed the
comment on behalf of an association,
business, labor union, etc.). This is
docket number FAA–2005–20589;
Directorate Identifier 2005–CE–12–AD.
You may review the DOT’s complete
Privacy Act Statement in the Federal
Register published on April 11, 2000
PO 00000
Frm 00001
Fmt 4702
Sfmt 4702
(65 FR 19477–78) or you may visit
https://dms.dot.gov.
Are there any specific portions of this
proposed AD I should pay attention to?
We specifically invite comments on the
overall regulatory, economic,
environmental, and energy aspects of
this proposed AD. If you contact us
through a nonwritten communication
and that contact relates to a substantive
part of this proposed AD, we will
summarize the contact and place the
summary in the docket. We will
consider all comments received by the
closing date and may amend this
proposed AD in light of those comments
and contacts.
Docket Information
Where can I go to view the docket
information? You may view the AD
docket that contains the proposal, any
comments received, and any final
disposition in person at the DMS Docket
Offices between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.
(eastern standard time), Monday
through Friday, except Federal holidays.
The Docket Office (telephone 1–800–
647–5227) is located on the plaza level
of the Department of Transportation
NASSIF Building at the street address
stated in ADDRESSES. You may also view
the AD docket on the Internet at
https://dms.dot.gov. The comments will
be available in the AD docket shortly
after the DMS receives them.
Discussion
What events have caused this
proposed AD? The Luftfahrt-Bundesamt
(LBA), which is the airworthiness
authority for Germany, recently notified
FAA that an unsafe condition may exist
on all GROB Model G120A airplanes.
The LBA reports cracks found on the
nose landing gear (NLG) swivel tube on
one of the affected airplanes during
routine maintenance.
What is the potential impact if FAA
took no action? If not detected and
corrected, cracks and defects in the nose
landing gear assembly could cause the
nose landing gear to fail. This failure
could lead to a hard landing and/or loss
of control of the airplane during landing
operations.
Is there service information that
applies to this subject? GROB has issued
Service Bulletin No. MSB1121–055,
dated November 26, 2004.
What are the provisions of this service
information? The service bulletin
includes procedures for:
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19341
Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 70 / Wednesday, April 13, 2005 / Proposed Rules
—Inspecting the nose landing gear
(NLG) assembly, paying special
attention to the NLG swivel tube and
the engine truss in the area of the NLG
attachment, for cracks and damaged
(defective) welding seams; and
—Replacing any cracked or defective
part.
What action did the LBA take? The
LBA classified this service bulletin as
mandatory and issued German AD
Number D–2004–514, effective date:
December 9, 2004, to ensure the
continued airworthiness of these
airplanes in Germany.
Did the LBA inform the United States
under the bilateral airworthiness
agreement? These GROB Model G120A
airplanes are manufactured in Germany
and are type-certificated for operation in
the United States under the provisions
of section 21.29 of the Federal Aviation
Regulations (14 CFR 21.29) and the
applicable bilateral airworthiness
agreement.
Under this bilateral airworthiness
agreement, the LBA has kept us
informed of the situation described
above.
FAA’s Determination and Requirements
of This Proposed AD
What has FAA decided? We have
examined the LBA’s findings, reviewed
all available information, and
determined that AD action is necessary
for products of this type design that are
certificated for operation in the United
States.
Since the unsafe condition described
previously is likely to exist or develop
on other GROB Model G120A airplanes
of the same type design that are
registered in the United States, we are
proposing AD action to detect and
correct cracks and defects in the nose
landing gear assembly, which could
result in failure of the nose landing gear.
This failure could lead to a hard landing
and/or loss of control of the airplane
during landing operations.
What would this proposed AD
require? This proposed AD would
require you to incorporate the actions in
the previously-referenced service
bulletin.
Is there a modification I can
incorporate instead of repetitively
inspecting the nose landing gear
assembly? The FAA has determined that
long-term continued operational safety
would be better assured by design
changes that remove the source of the
problem rather than by repetitive
inspections or other special procedures.
With this in mind, FAA will continue
to work with GROB to collect
information and perform fatigue
analysis in determining whether a
future design change is feasible.
How does the revision to 14 CFR part
39 affect this proposed AD? On July 10,
2002, we published a new version of 14
CFR part 39 (67 FR 47997, July 22,
2002), which governs FAA’s AD system.
This regulation now includes material
that relates to altered products, special
flight permits, and alternative methods
of compliance. This material previously
was included in each individual AD.
Since this material is included in 14
CFR part 39, we will not include it in
future AD actions.
Costs of Compliance
How many airplanes would this
proposed AD impact? We estimate that
this proposed AD affects 6 airplanes in
the U.S. registry.
What would be the cost impact of this
proposed AD on owners/operators of the
affected airplanes? We estimate the
following costs to do the proposed
inspections:
Labor cost
Parts cost
Total cost per
airplane
Total cost
on U.S.
operators
1 work hour × $65 = $65 .............................................
Not applicable .............................................................
$65
$65 × 6 = $390
The cost for replacing any cracked or
defective part based on the results of the
proposed inspections will be covered
under warranty by the manufacturer.
Authority for This Rulemaking
What authority does FAA have for
issuing this rulemaking action? 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 AD.
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Jkt 205001
Regulatory Findings
Would this proposed AD impact
various entities? We have 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.
Would this proposed AD involve a
significant rule or regulatory action? For
the reasons discussed above, I certify
that this proposed AD:
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); 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.
We prepared a summary of the costs
to comply with this proposed AD (and
other information as included in the
PO 00000
Frm 00002
Fmt 4702
Sfmt 4702
Regulatory Evaluation) and placed it in
the AD Docket. You may get a copy of
this summary by sending a request to us
at the address listed under ADDRESSES.
Include ‘‘AD Docket FAA–2005–20589;
Directorate Identifier 2005–CE–12–AD’’
in your request.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation
safety, Safety.
The Proposed Amendment
Accordingly, under the authority
delegated to me by the Administrator,
the Federal Aviation Administration
proposes to amend 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.
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19342
§ 39.13
Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 70 / Wednesday, April 13, 2005 / Proposed Rules
[Amended]
2. The FAA amends § 39.13 by adding
the following new airworthiness
directive (AD):
GROB-WERKE: Docket No. FAA–2005–
20589; Directorate Identifier 2005–CE–
12–AD.
When Is the Last Date I Can Submit
Comments on This Proposed AD?
(a) We must receive comments on this
proposed airworthiness directive (AD) by
May 13, 2005.
What Other ADs Are Affected by This
Action?
(b) None.
What Airplanes Are Affected by This AD?
(c) This AD affects Model G120A airplanes,
all serial numbers, that are certificated in any
category.
What Is the Unsafe Condition Presented in
This AD?
(d) This AD is the result of mandatory
continuing airworthiness information (MCAI)
issued by the airworthiness authority for
Germany. We are issuing this AD to detect
and correct cracks and damage in the nose
landing gear (NLG) assembly, which could
result in failure of the NLG. This failure
could lead to a hard landing and/or loss of
control of the airplane during landing
operations.
What Must I Do To Address This Problem?
(e) To address this problem, you must do
the following:
Actions
Compliance
Procedures
(1) Inspect the nose landing gear (NLG) assembly for cracks or damaged (defective)
welding seams. Pay special attention to the
NLG swivel tube and the engine truss in the
area of the NLG attachment.
(2) If you find cracks or defects during any inspection required in paragraph (e)(1) of this
AD, replace the cracked or defective part.
Initially inspect within the next 50 hours timein-service (TIS) after the effective date of
this AD, unless already done. Repetitively
inspect thereafter at intervals not to exceed
50 hours TIS.
Replace before further flight after the inspection in which cracks and/or defects are
found. After you replace the cracked or defective part, continue with the repetitive inspections required paragraph (e)(1) of this
AD at the 50 hours TIS intervals.
Follow GRUB Service Bulletin No. MSB1121–
055 dated November 26, 2004.
Note: The compliance time in this AD is
different than the compliance time in GROB
Service Bulletin No. MSB1121–055 dated
November 26, 2004. The compliance time in
this AD takes precedence over the
compliance time in the service information.
Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on April
6, 2005.
David R. Showers,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate,
Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 05–7384 Filed 4–12–05; 8:45 am]
May I Request an Alternative Method of
Compliance?
(f) You may request a different method of
compliance or a different compliance time
for this AD by following the procedures in 14
CFR 39.19. Unless FAA authorizes otherwise,
send your request to your principal
inspector. The principal inspector may add
comments and will send your request to the
Manager, Standards Office, Small Airplane
Directorate, FAA. For information on any
already approved alternative methods of
compliance, contact Karl Schletzbaum,
Aerospace Engineer, FAA, Small Airplane
Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas
City, Missouri 64106; telephone: (816) 329–
4146; facsimile: (816) 329–4090.
BILLING CODE 4910–13–P
Is There Other Information That Relates to
This Subject?
(g) German AD Number D–2004–514,
effective date: December 9, 2004, also
addresses the subject of this AD.
AGENCY:
May I Get Copies of the Documents
Referenced in This AD?
(h) To get copies of the documents
referenced in this AD, contact GROB Luftund Raumfahrt, Lettenbachstrasse 9, D–
86874 Tussenhausen-Mattsies, Federal
Republic of Germany; telephone: 011 49 8268
998139; facsimile: 011 49 8268 998200. To
view the AD docket, go to the Docket
Management Facility; U.S. Department of
Transportation, 400 Seventh Street, SW.,
Nassif Building, Room PL–401, Washington,
DC, or on the Internet at https://dms.dot.gov.
This is docket number FAA–2005–20589;
Directorate Identifier 2005–CE–12–AD.
SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to adopt a
new airworthiness directive (AD) for
certain Pilatus Aircraft Ltd. (Pilatus)
Models PC–12 and PC–12/45 airplanes.
This proposed AD would require you to
insert a temporary revision into the
Limitations Section of the Pilot
Operating Handbook (POH). This
proposed AD would also require you to
replace the pitch actuator with an
improved design pitch actuator and
make the necessary wiring and circuit
breaker changes, as applicable.
Installing the improved design pitch
actuator terminates the need for the
temporary revision in the POH. This
proposed AD results from mandatory
continuing airworthiness information
(MCAI) issued by the airworthiness
authority for Switzerland. We are
issuing this proposed AD to prevent an
out-of-trim condition from occurring
when the flaps are at a 40-degree flight
phase and the pilot disconnects the
autopilot. This condition could lead to
reduced ability to control the airplane.
DATES: We must receive any comments
on this proposed AD by May 13, 2005.
ADDRESSES: Use one of the following to
submit comments on this proposed AD:
• DOT Docket Web Site: Go to http:/
/dms.dot.gov and follow the instructions
for sending your comments
electronically.
• Government-wide Rulemaking Web
Site: Go to https://www.regulations.gov
and follow the instructions for sending
your comments electronically.
• Mail: Docket Management Facility;
U.S. Department of Transportation, 400
Seventh Street, SW., Nassif Building,
Room PL–401, Washington, DC 20590–
001.
• Fax: 1–202–493–2251.
• Hand Delivery: Room PL–401 on
the plaza level of the Nassif Building,
400 Seventh Street, SW., Washington,
DC, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday
through Friday, except Federal holidays.
To get the service information
identified in this proposed AD, contact
Pilatus Aircraft Ltd., Customer Liaison
Manager, CH–6371 Stans, Switzerland;
telephone: +41 41 619 6208; facsimile:
+41 41 619 7311; e-mail:
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15:00 Apr 12, 2005
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA–2005–20720; Directorate
Identifier 2005–CE–17–AD]
RIN 2120–AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Pilatus
Aircraft Ltd. Models PC–12 and PC–12/
45 Airplanes
Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking
(NPRM).
PO 00000
Frm 00003
Fmt 4702
Sfmt 4702
Follow GROB Service Bulletin No. MSB1121–
055 dated November 26, 2004.
E:\FR\FM\13APP1.SGM
13APP1
]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 70 (Wednesday, April 13, 2005)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 19340-19342]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-7384]
========================================================================
Proposed Rules
Federal Register
________________________________________________________________________
This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains notices to the public of
the proposed issuance of rules and regulations. The purpose of these
notices is to give interested persons an opportunity to participate in
the rule making prior to the adoption of the final rules.
========================================================================
Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 70 / Wednesday, April 13, 2005 /
Proposed Rules
[[Page 19340]]
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2005-20589; Directorate Identifier 2005-CE-12-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; GROB-WERKE Model G120A Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD)
for all GROB-WERKE (GROB) Model G120A airplanes. This proposed AD would
require you to repetitively inspect the nose landing gear (NLG)
assembly, paying special attention to the NLG swivel tube and the
engine truss in the area of the NLG attachment, for cracks and damaged
(defective) welding seams. If you find cracks or defects during any
inspection, this proposed AD would require you to replace the cracked
or defective part. This proposed AD results from mandatory continuing
airworthiness information (MCAI) issued by the airworthiness authority
for Germany. We are issuing this proposed AD to detect and correct
cracks and defects in the NLG assembly, which could result in failure
of the NLG. This failure could lead to a hard landing and/or loss of
control of the airplane during landing operations.
DATES: We must receive any comments on this proposed AD by May 13,
2005.
ADDRESSES: Use one of the following to submit comments on this proposed
AD:
DOT Docket Web site: Go to https://dms.dot.gov and follow
the instructions for sending your comments electronically.
Government-wide rulemaking Web site: Go to https://
www.regulations.gov and follow the instructions for sending your
comments electronically.
Mail: Docket Management Facility; U.S. Department of
Transportation, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Nassif Building, Room PL-401,
Washington, DC 20590-0001.
Fax: 1-202-493-2251.
Hand Delivery: Room PL-401 on the plaza level of the
Nassif Building, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Washington, DC, between 9
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
To get the service information identified in this proposed AD,
contact GROB Luft-und Raumfahrt, Lettenbachstrasse 9, D-86874
Tussenhausen-Mattsies, Federal Republic of Germany; telephone: 011 49
8268 998139; facsimile: 011 49 8268 998200.
To view the comments to this proposed AD, go to https://dms.dot.gov.
This is docket number FAA-2005-20589; Directorate Identifier 2005-CE-
12-AD.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Karl Schletzbaum, Aerospace Engineer,
FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City,
Missouri 64106; telephone: (816) 329-4146; facsimile: (816) 329-4090.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments Invited
How do I comment on this proposed AD? We invite you to submit any
written relevant data, views, or arguments regarding this proposal.
Send your comments to an address listed under ADDRESSES. Include the
docket number, ``FAA-2005-20589; Directorate Identifier 2005-CE-12-AD''
at the beginning of your comments. We will post all comments we
receive, without change, to https://dms.dot.gov, including any personal
information you provide. We will also post a report summarizing each
substantive verbal contact with FAA personnel concerning this proposed
rulemaking. Using the search function of our docket Web site, anyone
can find and read the comments received into any of our dockets,
including the name of the individual who sent the comment (or signed
the comment on behalf of an association, business, labor union, etc.).
This is docket number FAA-2005-20589; Directorate Identifier 2005-CE-
12-AD. You may review the DOT's complete Privacy Act Statement in the
Federal Register published on April 11, 2000 (65 FR 19477-78) or you
may visit https://dms.dot.gov.
Are there any specific portions of this proposed AD I should pay
attention to? We specifically invite comments on the overall
regulatory, economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this
proposed AD. If you contact us through a nonwritten communication and
that contact relates to a substantive part of this proposed AD, we will
summarize the contact and place the summary in the docket. We will
consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend this
proposed AD in light of those comments and contacts.
Docket Information
Where can I go to view the docket information? You may view the AD
docket that contains the proposal, any comments received, and any final
disposition in person at the DMS Docket Offices between 9 a.m. and 5
p.m. (eastern standard time), Monday through Friday, except Federal
holidays. The Docket Office (telephone 1-800-647-5227) is located on
the plaza level of the Department of Transportation NASSIF Building at
the street address stated in ADDRESSES. You may also view the AD docket
on the Internet at https://dms.dot.gov. The comments will be available
in the AD docket shortly after the DMS receives them.
Discussion
What events have caused this proposed AD? The Luftfahrt-Bundesamt
(LBA), which is the airworthiness authority for Germany, recently
notified FAA that an unsafe condition may exist on all GROB Model G120A
airplanes. The LBA reports cracks found on the nose landing gear (NLG)
swivel tube on one of the affected airplanes during routine
maintenance.
What is the potential impact if FAA took no action? If not detected
and corrected, cracks and defects in the nose landing gear assembly
could cause the nose landing gear to fail. This failure could lead to a
hard landing and/or loss of control of the airplane during landing
operations.
Is there service information that applies to this subject? GROB has
issued Service Bulletin No. MSB1121-055, dated November 26, 2004.
What are the provisions of this service information? The service
bulletin includes procedures for:
[[Page 19341]]
--Inspecting the nose landing gear (NLG) assembly, paying special
attention to the NLG swivel tube and the engine truss in the area of
the NLG attachment, for cracks and damaged (defective) welding seams;
and
--Replacing any cracked or defective part.
What action did the LBA take? The LBA classified this service
bulletin as mandatory and issued German AD Number D-2004-514, effective
date: December 9, 2004, to ensure the continued airworthiness of these
airplanes in Germany.
Did the LBA inform the United States under the bilateral
airworthiness agreement? These GROB Model G120A airplanes are
manufactured in Germany and are type-certificated for operation in the
United States under the provisions of section 21.29 of the Federal
Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 21.29) and the applicable bilateral
airworthiness agreement.
Under this bilateral airworthiness agreement, the LBA has kept us
informed of the situation described above.
FAA's Determination and Requirements of This Proposed AD
What has FAA decided? We have examined the LBA's findings, reviewed
all available information, and determined that AD action is necessary
for products of this type design that are certificated for operation in
the United States.
Since the unsafe condition described previously is likely to exist
or develop on other GROB Model G120A airplanes of the same type design
that are registered in the United States, we are proposing AD action to
detect and correct cracks and defects in the nose landing gear
assembly, which could result in failure of the nose landing gear. This
failure could lead to a hard landing and/or loss of control of the
airplane during landing operations.
What would this proposed AD require? This proposed AD would require
you to incorporate the actions in the previously-referenced service
bulletin.
Is there a modification I can incorporate instead of repetitively
inspecting the nose landing gear assembly? The FAA has determined that
long-term continued operational safety would be better assured by
design changes that remove the source of the problem rather than by
repetitive inspections or other special procedures. With this in mind,
FAA will continue to work with GROB to collect information and perform
fatigue analysis in determining whether a future design change is
feasible.
How does the revision to 14 CFR part 39 affect this proposed AD? On
July 10, 2002, we published a new version of 14 CFR part 39 (67 FR
47997, July 22, 2002), which governs FAA's AD system. This regulation
now includes material that relates to altered products, special flight
permits, and alternative methods of compliance. This material
previously was included in each individual AD. Since this material is
included in 14 CFR part 39, we will not include it in future AD
actions.
Costs of Compliance
How many airplanes would this proposed AD impact? We estimate that
this proposed AD affects 6 airplanes in the U.S. registry.
What would be the cost impact of this proposed AD on owners/
operators of the affected airplanes? We estimate the following costs to
do the proposed inspections:
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total cost per Total cost on U.S.
Labor cost Parts cost airplane operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1 work hour x $65 = $65............... Not applicable.......... $65 $65 x 6 = $390
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The cost for replacing any cracked or defective part based on the
results of the proposed inspections will be covered under warranty by
the manufacturer.
Authority for This Rulemaking
What authority does FAA have for issuing this rulemaking action?
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 AD.
Regulatory Findings
Would this proposed AD impact various entities? We have 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.
Would this proposed AD involve a significant rule or regulatory
action? For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this proposed
AD:
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); 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.
We prepared a summary of the costs to comply with this proposed AD
(and other information as included in the Regulatory Evaluation) and
placed it in the AD Docket. You may get a copy of this summary by
sending a request to us at the address listed under ADDRESSES. Include
``AD Docket FAA-2005-20589; Directorate Identifier 2005-CE-12-AD'' in
your request.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Safety.
The Proposed Amendment
Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration proposes to amend 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.
[[Page 19342]]
Sec. 39.13 [Amended]
2. The FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by adding the following new
airworthiness directive (AD):
GROB-WERKE: Docket No. FAA-2005-20589; Directorate Identifier 2005-
CE-12-AD.
When Is the Last Date I Can Submit Comments on This Proposed AD?
(a) We must receive comments on this proposed airworthiness
directive (AD) by May 13, 2005.
What Other ADs Are Affected by This Action?
(b) None.
What Airplanes Are Affected by This AD?
(c) This AD affects Model G120A airplanes, all serial numbers,
that are certificated in any category.
What Is the Unsafe Condition Presented in This AD?
(d) This AD is the result of mandatory continuing airworthiness
information (MCAI) issued by the airworthiness authority for
Germany. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct cracks and
damage in the nose landing gear (NLG) assembly, which could result
in failure of the NLG. This failure could lead to a hard landing
and/or loss of control of the airplane during landing operations.
What Must I Do To Address This Problem?
(e) To address this problem, you must do the following:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Actions Compliance Procedures
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Inspect the nose landing Initially inspect Follow GRUB
gear (NLG) assembly for cracks within the next Service Bulletin
or damaged (defective) welding 50 hours time-in- No. MSB1121-055
seams. Pay special attention to service (TIS) dated November
the NLG swivel tube and the after the 26, 2004.
engine truss in the area of the effective date of
NLG attachment. this AD, unless
already done.
Repetitively
inspect
thereafter at
intervals not to
exceed 50 hours
TIS.
(2) If you find cracks or Replace before Follow GROB
defects during any inspection further flight Service Bulletin
required in paragraph (e)(1) of after the No. MSB1121-055
this AD, replace the cracked or inspection in dated November
defective part. which cracks and/ 26, 2004.
or defects are
found. After you
replace the
cracked or
defective part,
continue with the
repetitive
inspections
required
paragraph (e)(1)
of this AD at the
50 hours TIS
intervals.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Note: The compliance time in this AD is different than the
compliance time in GROB Service Bulletin No. MSB1121-055 dated
November 26, 2004. The compliance time in this AD takes precedence
over the compliance time in the service information.
May I Request an Alternative Method of Compliance?
(f) You may request a different method of compliance or a
different compliance time for this AD by following the procedures in
14 CFR 39.19. Unless FAA authorizes otherwise, send your request to
your principal inspector. The principal inspector may add comments
and will send your request to the Manager, Standards Office, Small
Airplane Directorate, FAA. For information on any already approved
alternative methods of compliance, contact Karl Schletzbaum,
Aerospace Engineer, FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust,
Room 301, Kansas City, Missouri 64106; telephone: (816) 329-4146;
facsimile: (816) 329-4090.
Is There Other Information That Relates to This Subject?
(g) German AD Number D-2004-514, effective date: December 9,
2004, also addresses the subject of this AD.
May I Get Copies of the Documents Referenced in This AD?
(h) To get copies of the documents referenced in this AD,
contact GROB Luft-und Raumfahrt, Lettenbachstrasse 9, D-86874
Tussenhausen-Mattsies, Federal Republic of Germany; telephone: 011
49 8268 998139; facsimile: 011 49 8268 998200. To view the AD
docket, go to the Docket Management Facility; U.S. Department of
Transportation, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Nassif Building, Room PL-
401, Washington, DC, or on the Internet at https://dms.dot.gov. This
is docket number FAA-2005-20589; Directorate Identifier 2005-CE-12-
AD.
Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on April 6, 2005.
David R. Showers,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 05-7384 Filed 4-12-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
