Grob Astir AD spar spigots

To anybody that owns a Grob single,

There is a new AD proposal working it's way through the FAA requiring
inspection and eventual replacement of the spar spigots. The FAA
thinks this will cost $840 for parts and 22 hours of shop time. Total
over $2000.

Todd Smith
3S

The text of the AD is he

Date: April 12, 2007
Gregory Davison
Project Officer
Small Airplane Directorate
ACE-112
901 Locust Street
Kansas City, MO 64106
816 329-4130
Make, Model, Series, Serial No.: Grob G102 Astir CS, G102
Club Astir III, G102 Club Astir IIIb, G102 Standard Astir III; All
Serial Numbers
Reason for Airworthiness Concern:
Inspect and Replace Spar Spigot Assemblies
Attachments: *SDR(s) *A/IDS *SL(s) *SAIB *FAASR/*NTSBSR *AD *AMOC *RA
Notification: FAA *AOPA *EAA Type Club *TC Holder Other:
Response Date Requested: 03/21/05: Emergency (10 days) Alert (30 days)
Information (90 days)
(Space Bar Adds "X" to Check Boxes)
FAA Description of Airworthiness Concern:
In 1991, the German airworthiness authority, LBA, issued Airworthiness
Directive 91-5/2 on Grob single seat gliders
requiring an inspection and eventual replacement of the spar spigot
assemblies. This action was based on Grob Service
Bulletin TM 306-29 / 320-5. Grob issued this bulletin as a
precautionary
measure. There were no occurrence reports from
glider operators. However, due to the criticality of this assembly,
Grob's current position is to recommend that the FAA
issue an AD using the original service bulletin with adjustments in
the
time of compliance. The FAA had issued a similar
AD in 1990 (AD 90-02-09), which affects the spar spigot assemblies on
twin seat Grob models, but never issued an AD on
the single-seat versions. Cracks in the spar spigot assembly could
lead
to structural failure of the wing spar.
Approximately 75 units could be affected in the U.S. Parts cost is
estimated at $840 and 22 hours labor time.
T
he FAA is considering AD action through the NPRM process to address
this
concern. A copy of Grob's Service Bulletin
and LBA AD are attached electronically.
Please provide your comments on this airworthiness concern and address
any other issues (i.e., technical, cost of
compliance) that you deem appropriate to this matter.