2010-15-06: Water Ballast

2010-15-06 GROB-WERKE GMBH & CO KG: Amendment 39-16372; Docket No. FAA-2010-0458; Directorate Identifier 2010-CE-023-AD. Effective Date (a) This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective September 9, 2010. Affected ADs (b) None. Applicability (c) This AD applies to GROB-WERKE GMBH & CO KG Models G102 ASTIR CS and G102 STANDARD ASTIR III gliders, all serial numbers, that are: (1) certificated in any category; and (2) have water ballast equipment installed (the water ballast equipment could have been included as part of an option). Subject (d) Air Transport Association of America (ATA) Code 41: Water Ballast. Reason (e) The mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) states: During an annual inspection, a water ballast hose connector was found disconnected from the fuselage wall of an Astir CS. The investigation has shown that the hose-fuselage connection bonding has been degraded over years of service. This condition, if not corrected, could lead to the following consequences: --The water contained in the wing tanks could run down into the fuselage and fuselage tail which could cause a displacement of the sailplane centre of gravity and consequently may lead to the loss of the sailplane controllability, or/and --The loosened hose may jam the flight controls (push rods) and consequently may lead to the loss of the sailplane controllability. For the reason stated above, the original issue of this AD required the inspection of the waterballast system hose-fuselage connections and the accomplishment of the relevant corrective actions (repair) as necessary. This AD is revised to clarify the purpose of the insertion of the repetitive inspection in the Aircraft Maintenance Programme and to refer to a more appropriate scheduled maintenance review for the insertion of the repetitive inspection in the Aircraft Maintenance Programme. Actions and Compliance (f) Unless already done, do the following actions: (1) Within 30 days after September 9, 2010 (the effective date of this AD) and repetitively thereafter at intervals not to exceed 12 months, inspect the bonding between the water ballast system hose connectors and the fuselage wall connectors for correct and tight connection following paragraph 1.8 of Grob Aircraft Service Bulletin No. MSB-GROB-003, dated October 21, 2009. (2) If, during any inspection required by paragraph (f)(1) of this AD, any weak bonding is found, before further flight, repair the connection between the water ballast system hose connectors and the fuselage wall connectors following the instructions of paragraph 1.8 of Grob Aircraft Service Bulletin No. MSB-GROB-003, dated October 21, 2009. (3) After September 9, 2010 (the effective date of this AD), when installing a water ballast system on any affected sailplane, ensure that the water ballast system hose connectors and the fuselage wall connector are properly and tightly bonded. (4) Within 30 days after September 9, 2010 (the effective date of this AD), insert the following scheduled maintenance task into the FAA-approved aircraft maintenance program: ``During each annual inspection and without exceeding a 12-month interval, inspect the bonding between the water ballast system hose connectors and the fuselage wall connectors for correct and tight connection. Repair any incorrect or loose connection.'' FAA AD Differences Note: This AD differs from the MCAI and/or service information as follows: No differences. Other FAA AD Provisions (g) 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: Greg Davison, Aerospace Engineer, FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, Missouri 64106; telephone: (816) 329-4130; fax: (816) 329-4090. 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. (3) Reporting Requirements: For any reporting requirement in this AD, under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.), the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has approved the information collection requirements and has assigned OMB Control Number 2120-0056. Related Information (h) Refer to MCAI European Aviation Safety Agency AD No.: 2010-0053R1, dated April 14, 2010; and Grob Aircraft Service Bulletin No. MSB-GROB-003, dated October 21, 2009, for related information. Material Incorporated by Reference (i) You must use Grob Aircraft Service Bulletin No. MSB-GROB- 003, dated October 21, 2009, to do the actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise. (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of this service information under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. (2) For service information identified in this AD, contact Grob Aircraft, Head of Customer Service & Support, Lettenbachstr. 9, Tussenhausen-Mattsies, Germany; telephone: +49 (0) 8268 998 139; fax: +49 (0) 8268 998 200; E-mail: [email protected]; Internet: www.grob-aircraft.com and/or http://www.firecmm.com. (3) You may review copies of the service information incorporated by reference for this AD at the FAA, Central Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, 901 Locust, Kansas City, Missouri 64106. For information on the availability of this material at the Central Region, call (816) 329-3768. (4) You may also review copies of the service information incorporated by reference for this AD at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of this material at NARA, call (202) 741-6030, or go to: http:// www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_of_federal_regulations/ ibr_locations.html.