DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2015-0415; Directorate Identifier 2015-CE-001-AD;
Amendment 39-18152; AD 2015-09-06]
RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; GROB-WERKE Airplanes

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

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: We are superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2014-26-04 for
certain GROB-WERKE Models G115EG and G120A airplanes. This AD results
from mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) issued 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 AD to
require actions to address the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective June 16, 2015.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of certain publications listed in the AD as of June 16, 2015.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of certain other publications listed in this AD as of
February 9, 2015 (80 FR 155, January 5, 2015).

ADDRESSES: 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, U.S. Department
of Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor,
Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590.
For service information identified in 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">productsupport@grob-aircraft.com;
Internet: grob-aircraft.com. You may view this 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. It is also available on the
Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating
Docket No. FAA-2015-0415.

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:
karl.schletzbaum@faa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

We issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR
part 39 to add an AD that would apply to certain GROB-WERKE Models
G115EG and G120A airplanes. That NPRM was published in the Federal
Register on February 26, 2015 (80 FR 10423), and proposed to supersede
AD 2014-26-04, Amendment 39-18055 (80 FR 155, January 5, 2015).
The NPRM proposed to correct an unsafe condition for the specified
products and was based on mandatory continuing airworthiness
information (MCAI) originated by an aviation authority of another
country. 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/#!documentDetail;D=FAA-2015-0415-0002.

Comments

We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing
this AD. We received no comments on the NPRM (80 FR 10423, February 26,
2015) or on the determination of the cost to the public.

Conclusion

We reviewed the relevant data and determined that air safety and
the public interest require adopting the AD as proposed except for
minor editorial changes. We have determined that these minor changes:
Are consistent with the intent that was proposed in the
NPRM (80 FR 10423, February 26, 2015) for correcting the unsafe
condition; and
Do not add any additional burden upon the public than was
already proposed in the NPRM (80 FR 10423, February 26, 2015).

Relevant Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

We reviewed 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; and GROB Aircraft Service Bulletin No. MSB1121-144/3,
dated February 20, 2015. The service information describes procedures
for inspecting the starter solenoid, replacing damaged starters, and
installing a starter relay. This information is reasonably available at
http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No.
FAA-2015-0415, or you may see ADDRESSES for other ways to access this
service information.

Costs of Compliance

We estimate that this AD will affect 6 products of U.S. registry.
We also estimate that it will take about 4 work-hours per product to
comply with the basic starter inspection requirement of this AD. The
average labor rate is $85 per work-hour.
Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of this inspection on
U.S. operators to be $2,040, or $340 per product.
In addition, we estimate that any necessary starter replacements
will 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 will take about 20 work-hours per product
to comply with the starter relay installation requirement of this 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 AD will not have federalism implications
under Executive Order 13132. This AD will 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 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),
(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.

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 the NPRM, 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.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

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

Adoption of the Amendment

Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the
Administrator, the FAA amends 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. The FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by removing Amendment 39-18055 (80 FR
155, January 5, 2015) and adding the following new AD: