Airworthiness Directive · Amendment 39-16556 · Wings
GROB-WERKE GMBH & CO KG Models G102 ASTIR CS, G102 CLUB ASTIR III, G102 CLUB ASTIR IIIb, and G102 STANDARD ASTIR III Gliders
This AD applies to the GROB-WERKE GMBH & CO KG gliders Model G102 ASTIR CS, serial numbers (SNs) 1001 through 1536; Model G102 CLUB ASTIR III, SNs 5501 (suffix C) through 5652 (suffix C); Model G102 CLUB ASTIR IIIb, SNs 5501 (suffix Cb) through 5652 (suffix Cb); and Model G102 STANDARD ASTIR III, SNs 5501 (suffix S) through 5652 (suffix S), that are:
(1) Equipped with any wing spar spigot assembly that has not been replaced following Grob Luft-und Raumfahrt Service Bulletin TM 306-29; TM 320-5, issue date: October 11, 1990; and
(2) Are certificated in any category.
We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for the products listed above. 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:
Unless already done, do the following actions:
(1) Within the next 25 hours time-in-service (TIS) after February 14, 2011 (the effective date of this AD), inspect both wing spar spigot assemblies for cracks using a dye-penetrant or magnetic-particle method following Grob Luft- und Raumfahrt Service Bulletin TM 306-29; TM 320-5, issue date: October 11, 1990. The use of the magnification method is prohibited.
Note 1: If dye-penetrant method is used, great care should be exercised when cleaning and/or etching the surfaces and interpreting surface faults.
(2) Replace the wing main spigot assembly following Grob Luft- und Raumfahrt Service Bulletin TM 306-29; TM 320-5, issue date: October 11, 1990; and Grob Aircraft Repair Instructions No. RI-GROB-001, dated May 14, 2009, using whichever of the following compliance times that apply:
(i) If cracks are found during the inspection required in paragraph (f)(1) of this AD, before further flight; or
(ii) If no cracks are found during the inspection required in paragraph (f)(1) of this AD, within the next 15 months after February 14, 2011 (the effective date of this AD).
Note 2: This AD differs from the MCAI and/or service information as follows: (1) The MCAI compliance time required the wing main spigot assembly to be inspected before the next flight and replacement of the wing spar spigot assembly no later than December 31, 1992. This AD requires inspection within the next 25 hours TIS after February 14, 2011 (the effective date of this AD), and replacement prior to further flight after the inspection where cracks are found or 15 months after February 14, 2011 (the effective date of this AD), if no cracks are found. (2) In lieu of authorizing a 10x magnifier for inspection as specified in the MCAI, this AD requires you use either a dye-penetrant or magnetic-particle inspection method. (3) After the notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) was issued, we found that the material required for the repair was not available in the United States and an undue cost burden would have been placed on operators to get the repair material from Germany. This AD adds Grob Aircraft Repair Instructions No. RI-GROB-001, dated May 14, 2009. This repair instruction lists an alternate resin/hardener that is available in the United States.
