[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 191 (Monday, October 4, 2004)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 59147-59148]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-22193]
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Proposed Rules
Federal Register
________________________________________________________________________
This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains notices to the public of
the proposed issuance of rules and regulations. The purpose of these
notices is to give interested persons an opportunity to participate in
the rule making prior to the adoption of the final rules.
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Federal Register / Vol. 69, No. 191 / Monday, October 4, 2004 /
Proposed Rules
[[Page 59147]]
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2004-19138; Directorate Identifier 2004-NM-102-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Gulfstream Aerospace LP Model
Gulfstream 100 Airplanes; and Model Astra SPX and 1125 Westwind Astra
Series Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
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SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD)
for certain Gulfstream Aerospace LP Model Gulfstream 100 airplanes; and
Model Astra SPX and 1125 Westwind Astra series airplanes. This proposed
AD would require adjusting the ground contact switches of the main
landing gear. This proposed AD is prompted by two occurrences of
uncommanded deployments of the ground airbrakes during descent. We are
proposing this AD to prevent a false ``Ground'' position signal, which
could result in deployment of the ground airbrakes and reduced
controllability of the airplane.
DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by November 3,
2004.
ADDRESSES: Use one of the following addresses to submit comments on
this proposed AD.
DOT Docket Web site: Go to http://dms.dot.gov and follow
the instructions for sending your comments electronically.
Government-wide rulemaking Web site: Go to http://www.regulations.gov and follow the instructions for sending your
comments electronically.
Mail: Docket Management Facility, U.S. Department of
Transportation, 400 Seventh Street SW., Nassif Building, room PL-401,
Washington, DC 20590.
By fax: (202) 493-2251.
Hand Delivery: Room PL-401 on the plaza level of the
Nassif Building, 400 Seventh Street SW., Washington, DC, between 9 a.m.
and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
For service information identified in this proposed AD, contact
Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation, P.O. Box 2206, Mail Station D-25,
Savannah, Georgia 31402.
You can examine the contents of this AD docket on the Internet at
http://dms.dot.gov, or at the Docket Management Facility, U.S.
Department of Transportation, 400 Seventh Street SW., room PL-401, on
the plaza level of the Nassif Building, Washington, DC.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Technical information: Dan Rodina, Aerospace Engineer,
International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate,
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (425)
227-2125; fax (425) 227-1149.
Plain language information: Marcia Walters, [email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Docket Management System (DMS)
The FAA has implemented new procedures for maintaining AD dockets
electronically. As of May 17, 2004, new AD actions are posted on DMS
and assigned a docket number. We track each action and assign a
corresponding directorate identifier. The DMS AD docket number is in
the form ``Docket No. FAA-2004-99999.'' The Transport Airplane
Directorate identifier is in the form ``Directorate Identifier 2004-NM-
999-AD.'' Each DMS AD docket also lists the directorate identifier
(``Old Docket Number'') as a cross-reference for searching purposes.
Comments Invited
We invite you to submit any relevant written data, views, or
arguments regarding this proposed AD. Send your comments to an address
listed under ADDRESSES. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2004-19138;
Directorate Identifier 2004-NM-102-AD'' at the beginning of your
comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory,
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the proposed AD. We will
consider all comments submitted by the closing date and may amend the
proposed AD in light of those comments.
We will post all comments we receive, without change, to http://dms.dot.gov, including any personal information you provide. We will
also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact with FAA
personnel concerning this proposed AD. Using the search function of our
docket website, anyone can find and read the comments in any of our
dockets, including the name of the individual who sent the comment (or
signed the comment on behalf of an association, business, labor union,
etc.). You can review the DOT's complete Privacy Act Statement in the
Federal Register published on April 11, 2000 (65 FR 19477-78), or you
can visit http://dms.dot.gov.
We are reviewing the writing style we currently use in regulatory
documents. We are interested in your comments on whether the style of
this document is clear, and your suggestions to improve the clarity of
our communications that affect you. You can get more information about
plain language at http://www.faa.gov/language and http://www.plainlanguage.gov.
Examining the Docket
You can examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://dms.dot.gov, or in person at the Docket Management Facility office
between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal
holidays. The Docket Management Facility office (telephone (800) 647-
5227) is located on the plaza level of the Nassif Building at the DOT
street address stated in the ADDRESSES section. Comments will be
available in the AD docket shortly after the DMS receives them.
Discussion
The Civil Aviation Administration of Israel (CAAI), which is the
airworthiness authority for Israel, notified us that an unsafe
condition may exist on certain Gulfstream Aerospace LP Model Gulfstream
100 airplanes; and Model Astra SPX and 1125 Westwind Astra series
airplanes. The CAAI advises that increasing the adjustment margin of
the ground contact switches of the main landing gear (MLG) could
prevent a false ``Ground'' position signal. This condition, if not
corrected, could result in deployment of the ground airbrakes and
reduced controllability of the airplane.
[[Page 59148]]
Relevant Service Information
Gulfstream Aerospace LP has issued Alert Service Bulletin 1125-32A-
233, Revision 1, dated August 1, 2003. The service bulletin describes
procedures for adjusting the ground contact switches of the MLG.
Accomplishing the actions specified in the service information is
intended to adequately address the unsafe condition. The CAAI mandated
the service information and issued Israeli airworthiness directive 32-
03-08-05, dated September 4, 2003, to ensure the continued
airworthiness of these airplanes in Israel.
FAA's Determination and Requirements of the Proposed AD
These airplane models are manufactured in Israel and are type
certificated for operation in the United States under the provisions of
section 21.29 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 21.29) and
the applicable bilateral airworthiness agreement. Pursuant to this
bilateral airworthiness agreement, the CAAI has kept the FAA informed
of the situation described above. We have examined the CAAI's findings,
evaluated all pertinent information, and determined that AD action is
necessary for products of this type design that are certificated for
operation in the United States.
Therefore, we are proposing this AD, which would require adjusting
the ground contact switches of the MLG. The proposed AD would require
you to use the service information described previously to perform
these actions, except as discussed under ``Difference Between the
Proposed AD and Service Bulletin.''
Difference Between the Proposed AD and the Service Bulletin
Operators should note that, although the Accomplishment
Instructions of the referenced service bulletin describe procedures for
submitting a service reply card, this proposed AD would not require
that action. We do not need this information from operators.
Costs of Compliance
This proposed AD would affect about 106 airplanes of U.S. registry.
The proposed actions would take about 3 work hours per airplane, at an
average labor rate of $65 per work hour. Based on these figures, the
estimated cost of the proposed AD for U.S. operators is $20,670, or
$195 per airplane.
Regulatory Findings
We have determined that this proposed AD would not have federalism
implications under Executive Order 13132. This proposed AD would 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 that the proposed
regulation:
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); and
3. 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.
We prepared a regulatory evaluation of the estimated costs to
comply with this proposed AD. See the ADDRESSES section for a location
to examine the regulatory evaluation.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Safety.
The Proposed Amendment
Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the
Administrator, the FAA proposes to amend 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 adding the following new
airworthiness directive (AD):
Gulfstream Aerospace LP (Formerly Israel Aircraft Industries, Ltd.):
Docket No. FAA-2004-19138; Directorate Identifier 2004-NM-102-AD.
Comments Due Date
(a) The Federal Aviation Administration must receive comments on
this AD action by November 3, 2004.
Affected ADs
(b) None.
Applicability
(c) This AD applies to Gulfstream Aerospace LP Model Gulfstream
100 airplanes; and Model Astra SPX and 1125 Westwind Astra series
airplanes; serial numbers 004 through 127 inclusive; certificated in
any category.
Unsafe Condition
(d) This AD was prompted by two occurrences of uncommanded
deployments of the ground airbrakes during descent. We are issuing
this AD to prevent a false ``Ground'' position signal, which could
result in deployment of the ground airbrakes and reduced
controllability of the airplane.
Compliance
(e) You are responsible for having the actions required by this
AD performed within the compliance times specified, unless the
actions have already been done.
Corrective Action
(f) Within 250 flight hours after the effective date of this AD,
adjust the ground contact switches of the left and right main
landing gear, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of
Gulfstream Alert Service Bulletin 1125-32A-233, Revision 1, dated
August 1, 2003. Although the service bulletin referenced in this AD
specifies to submit certain information to the manufacturer, this AD
does not include that requirement.
Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)
(g) The Manager, International Branch, ANM-116, Transport
Airplane Directorate, FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs for
this AD, if requested in accordance with the procedures found in 14
CFR 39.19.
Related Information
(h) Israeli airworthiness directive 32-03-08-05, dated September
4, 2003, also addresses the subject of this AD.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on September 15, 2004.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 04-22193 Filed 10-1-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P