AD 2006-17-02 Airworthiness Directives; GROB-WERKE GMBH & CO KG Model G102 ASTIR CS Sailplanes

This AD affects Model G102 ASTIR CS sailplanes, serial numbers 1001 through 1536, that are certificated in any category.

To address this problem, you must do the following:   Actions Compliance Procedures (1) Remove and replace as follows: (i) Remove the existing retaining pins (collar bolts) and the self-locking nut and replace with new retaining pins, part numbers (P/N) 102-2142.46, and self-locking nut, P/N LN9348-M8 (or FAA-approved equivalent part numbers), on the T-plate; (ii) Remove the existing spherical locking bolt and replace with a new spherical locking bolt, P/N 102-3500.21, that has revision letter “b” permanently marked on the bottom of the bolt (or FAA-approved equivalent part number). Return replaced spherical locking bolts, P/N 102-3500.21, to Grob Systems, Inc., Aircraft Division, 1070 Navajo Drive, Bluffton, Ohio 45817; Within the next 90 days after September 22, 2006 (the effective date of this AD), unless already done. After doing the replacements, the spherical locking bolt and the retaining pins have a life limit of 10 years and must be replaced at that time As specified in GROB Service Bulletin MSB306-38/1, dated November 28, 2005, following the Accomplishment Instructions in GROB Service Bulletin MSB306-38, dated February 12, 2004, and the Annual Inspection procedures on pages 7 and 8 of the Astir CS Maintenance Manual, Rev. 9, dated Nov. 2005. (iii) Remove the existing nut and replace with a new nut, 102-3510.21 (or FAA-approved equivalent part number); and (iv) Remove the existing lock washer and replace with a new lock washer, P/N DIN 6797-10,5PHR (or FAA-approved equivalent part number) (2) Using a dye-penetrant method along with a minimum 10X magnifying glass, repetitively inspect the front and rear horizontal stabilizer attachment assembly for excessive movement, cracks, and/or damage in the spherical locking bolt. This inspection method takes precedence over the procedures outlined in GROB Service Bulletin MSB306-38, dated February 12, 2004 Initially inspect within the next 100 hours time-in-service (TIS) or at the next annual inspection after the replacement required in paragraph (e)(1) of this AD, whichever occurs first. Repetitively inspect thereafter at 12-month intervals or at intervals not to exceed 100 hours TIS, whichever occurs first As specified in GROB Service Bulletin MSB306-38/1, dated November 28, 2005, following the Accomplishment Instructions in GROB Service Bulletin MSB306-38, dated February 12, 2004, and the Annual Inspection procedures on pages 7 and 8 of the Astir CS Maintenance Manual, Rev. 9, dated Nov. 2005. (3) If, during any inspection required in paragraph (e)(2) of this AD, you find excessive movement: (i) In the front horizontal stabilizer attachment, you must replace the spherical locking bolt with a new part. Before further flight after each inspection required in paragraph (e)(2) of this AD. After each replacement, the spherical locking bolt and the retaining pins have a life limit of 10 years and must be replaced at that time As specified in GROB Service Bulletin MSB306-38/1, dated November 28, 2005, following the Accomplishment Instructions in GROB Service Bulletin MSB306-38, dated February 12, 2004, and the Annual Inspection procedures on pages 7 and 8 of the Astir CS Maintenance Manual, Rev. 9, dated Nov. 2005. (ii) In the rear horizontal stabilizer attachment, you must replace the retaining pins with new parts (iii) In the front and rear horizontal stabilizer attachment after doing the replacement(s) required in paragraph (e)(3)(i) and (e)(3)(ii) of this AD, you must replace the bearings in the stabilizer spar web (4) If, during any inspection required in paragraph (e)(2) of this AD, you do not find excessive movement in the front and rear horizontal stabilizer attachment: (i) Inspect the spherical locking bolt for cracks and damage using a dye-penetrant method along with a minimum 10X magnifying glass (ii) If you find cracks or damage on the spherical locking bolt, during the inspection required in paragraph (e)(4)(i) of this AD, you must replace the bolt with a new bolt Before further flight after each inspection required in paragraph (e)(2) of this AD. After each replacement, the spherical locking bolt and the retaining pins have a life limit of 10 years and must be replaced at that time As specified in GROB Service Bulletin MSB306-38/1, dated November 28, 2005, following the Accomplishment Instructions in GROB Service Bulletin MSB306-38, dated February 12, 2004, and the Annual Inspection procedures on pages 7 and 8 of the Astir CS Maintenance Manual, Rev. 9, dated Nov. 2005. (5) Do not install any spherical locking bolt, P/N 102-3500.21 (or FAA-approved equivalent part number), that does not have revision letter “b” permanently marked on the bottom of the bolt As of September 22, 2006 (the effective date of this AD) Not applicable. (6) 14 CFR 21.303 allows for replacement parts through parts manufacturer approval (PMA). The phrase “or FAA-approved equivalent part number” in this AD is intended to signify those parts that are PMA parts approved through identicality to the design of the part under the type certificate and replacement parts to correct the unsafe condition under PMA (other than identicality). If parts are installed that are identical to the unsafe parts, then the corrective actions of the AD affect these parts also. In addition, equivalent replacement parts to correct the unsafe condition under PMA (other than identicality) may also be installed provided they meet current airworthiness standards, which include those actions cited in this AD Not applicable Not applicable. Note: During ground handling, it has been noted that a tendency exists for the ground crew to move these gliders by using the horizontal stabilizer as a lifting point. This practice may facilitate damage to the stabilizer assembly and should be avoided. See Caution note in GROB Service Bulletin MSB306-38, dated February 12, 2004. Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs) (f) The Manager, Standards Office, Small Airplane Directorate, FAA, ATTN: Gregory A. Davison, Aerospace Engineer, ACE-112, Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, Missouri 64106; telephone: (816) 329-4130; facsimile: (816) 329-4090, has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. (g) AMOCs approved for AD 84-09-05 are not approved for this AD. Related Information (h) German AD Number D-2004-168, dated March 23, 2004, also addresses the subject of this AD. Material Incorporated by Reference (i) You must do the actions required by this AD following the instructions in GROB Service Bulletin MSB306-38, dated February 12, 2004, and GROB Service Bulletin MSB306-38/1, dated November 28, 2005. The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of this service bulletin in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. To get a copy of this service information, contact GROB Luft-und Raumfahrt, Lettenbachstrasse 9, D-86874 Tussenhausen-Mattsies, Federal Republic of Germany; telephone: 011 49 8268 998139; fax: 011 49 8268 998200; e-mail: productsupport@grob-aerospace.de. To review copies of this service information, go to the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of this material at NARA, go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html or call (202) 741-6030. 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 20590-0001 or on the Internet at http:// dms.dot.gov. The docket number is FAA-2006-24253; Directorate Identifier 2006-CE-23-AD. Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on August 9, 2006. John R. Colomy, Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. E6-13439 Filed 8-17-06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

This AD results from mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) issued by the airworthiness authority for Germany. We are issuing this AD to prevent cracks in the spherical locking bolt, which could result in failure of the horizontal stabilizer connection. This failure could lead to loss of control.