[Federal Register: February 9, 2004 (Volume 69, Number 26)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 5936-5939]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr09fe04-18]
=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 2001-NM-402-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Gulfstream Aerospace LP Model 1125
Westwind Astra Series Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: This document proposes the supersedure of an existing
airworthiness directive (AD), applicable to certain Gulfstream
Aerospace LP Model 1125 Westwind Astra series airplanes, that currently
requires revising the Airplane Flight Manual (AFM) to provide the
flight crew with operational guidance under certain failure conditions
and a limitation not to engage the long-range navigation system during
takeoff, approach, or landing. This action would require replacing the
low-voltage sensing relays with higher-accuracy relays, and replacing
the circuit breakers of the directional gyros with circuit breakers
with lower amps. After the replacements have been accomplished, this
action would also require inserting a new temporary revision (TR) in
the Limitations section of the AFM, or removing the revision to the AFM
required by the previous AD. The actions specified by the proposed AD
are intended to prevent the loss of primary attitude and directional
gyros, which relate position information to the flight crew. This
action is intended to address the identified unsafe condition.
DATES: Comments must be received by March 25, 2004.
[[Page 5937]]
ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114,
Attention: Rules Docket No. 2001-NM-402-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW.,
Renton, Washington 98055-4056. Comments may be inspected at this
location between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m., Monday through Friday, except
Federal holidays. Comments may be submitted via fax to (425) 227-1232.
Comments may also be sent via the Internet using the following address:
9-anm-nprmcomment@faa.gov. Comments sent via fax or the Internet must
contain ``Docket No. 2001-NM-402-AD'' in the subject line and need not
be submitted in triplicate. Comments sent via the Internet as attached
electronic files must be formatted in Microsoft Word 97 or 2000 or
ASCII text.
The service information referenced in the proposed rule may be
obtained from Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation, P.O. Box 2206, Mail
Station D25, Savannah, Georgia 31402. This information may be examined
at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW.,
Renton, Washington.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 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.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments Invited
Interested persons are invited to participate in the making of the
proposed rule by submitting such written data, views, or arguments as
they may desire. Communications shall identify the Rules Docket number
and be submitted in triplicate to the address specified above. All
communications received on or before the closing date for comments,
specified above, will be considered before taking action on the
proposed rule. The proposals contained in this action may be changed in
light of the comments received.
Submit comments using the following format:
Organize comments issue-by-issue. For example,
discuss a request to change the compliance time and a request to change
the service bulletin reference as two separate issues.
For each issue, state what specific change to
the proposed AD is being requested.
Include justification (e.g., reasons or data)
for each request.
Comments are specifically invited on the overall regulatory,
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the proposed rule. All
comments submitted will be available, both before and after the closing
date for comments, in the Rules Docket for examination by interested
persons. A report summarizing each FAA-public contact concerned with
the substance of this proposal will be filed in the Rules Docket.
Commenters wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments
submitted in response to this action must submit a self-addressed,
stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments
to Docket Number 2001-NM-402-AD.'' The postcard will be date stamped
and returned to the commenter.
Availability of NPRMs
Any person may obtain a copy of this NPRM by submitting a request
to the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114, Attention: Rules
Docket No. 2001-NM-402-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington
98055-4056.
Discussion
On September 5, 2000, the FAA issued AD 2000-18-11, amendment 39-
11896 (65 FR 55450, September 14, 2000), applicable to certain
Gulfstream Aerospace LP (Formerly Israel Aircraft Industries, Ltd.)
Model 1125 Westwind Astra series airplanes, to require revising the
Airplane Flight Manual (AFM) to provide the flight crew with
operational guidance under certain failure conditions and a limitation
not to engage the long-range navigation system during takeoff,
approach, or landing. That action was prompted by a report of the
failure of a single alternating current inverter, which resulted in the
simultaneous in-flight failure of all primary attitude and directional
gyros on board. The requirements of that AD are intended to prevent
loss of power to the electronic flight information system (EFIS)
screens and internal gyros during takeoff, approach, or landing, and
consequent loss of primary position information to the flight crew.
Actions Since Issuance of Previous Rule
The preamble to AD 2000-18-11 specified that we considered the
requirements ``interim action'' and that the manufacturer may develop a
modification to address the unsafe condition. That AD explained that we
may consider further rulemaking if a modification is developed,
approved, and available. The manufacturer now has developed such a
modification, and we have determined that further rulemaking is indeed
necessary; this proposed AD follows from that determination.
Explanation of Relevant Service Information
We have reviewed and approved Astra (Gulfstream Aerospace
Corporation) Alert Service Bulletin 1125-24A-246, dated September 26,
2001, which describes procedures for replacing existing low voltage
sensing relays with higher-accuracy relays capable of providing warning
at approximately 97.5 volts alternating current (VAC), and for
replacing the 3-amp directional gyros circuit breakers with 0.5-amp
circuit breakers. Accomplishment of the actions specified in the
service bulletin is intended to adequately address the identified
unsafe condition.
We have also reviewed and approved Temporary Revision (TR)
13, dated October 31, 2001, which directs operators to remove
TR 9 from the Limitations section of the AFM.
Accomplishment of the actions specified in the service bulletin and
the TR is intended to adequately address the identified unsafe
condition. The Civil Aviation Administration of Israel (CAAI)
classified this service bulletin as mandatory and issued Israeli AD 24-
01-06-04 to ensure the continued airworthiness of these airplanes in
Israel.
Explanation of Requirements of Proposed Rule
Since an unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to
exist or develop on other products of this same type design, the
proposed AD would supersede AD 2000-18-11 to continue to require a
revision to the Limitations section of the AFM. This proposed AD would
also require replacing the low-voltage sensing relays with higher-
accuracy relays; replacing the circuit breakers of the directional
gyros with circuit breakers with lower amps; and inserting a new
temporary revision in the Limitations Section of the AFM that directs
operators to remove the revision to the AFM required by the previous
AD, after the proposed replacements have been accomplished. The actions
would be required to be accomplished in accordance with the service
bulletin described previously, except as discussed below.
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 certificate of compliance to the manufacturer, this
[[Page 5938]]
proposed AD would not require those actions.
Changes to 14 CFR Part 39/Effect on the Proposed AD
On July 10, 2002, the FAA issued a new version of 14 CFR part 39
(67 FR 47997, July 22, 2002), which governs the FAA's airworthiness
directives system. The regulation now includes material that relates to
altered products, special flight permits, and alternative methods of
compliance. Because we have now included this material in part 39, we
no longer need to include it in each individual AD; therefore,
paragraphs (b) and (c) and Note 2 of AD 2000-18-11 are not included in
this proposed AD. However, this proposed AD identifies the office
authorized to approve alternative methods of compliance.
Explanation of Change to Applicability
We have revised the applicability of the existing AD to identify
model designations as published in the most recent type certificate
data sheet for the affected models.
Cost Impact
There are approximately 29 airplanes of U.S. registry that would be
affected by this proposed AD.
The actions that are currently required by AD 2000-18-11 take
approximately 1 work hour per airplane to accomplish, at an average
labor rate of $65 per work hour. Based on these figures, the cost
impact of the currently required actions on U.S. operators is estimated
to be $1,885, or $65 per airplane.
The new actions that are proposed in this AD action would take
approximately 24 work hours per airplane to accomplish for the proposed
replacements, and approximately 1 work hour per airplane to accomplish
for the proposed revision of the AFM. The average labor rate is $65 per
work hour. Required parts would cost approximately $1,030 per airplane.
Based on these figures, the cost impact of the proposed requirements of
this AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $76,995, or $2,655 per
airplane.
The cost impact figures discussed above are based on assumptions
that no operator has yet accomplished any of the current or proposed
requirements of this AD action, and that no operator would accomplish
those actions in the future if this AD were not adopted. The cost
impact figures discussed in AD rulemaking actions represent only the
time necessary to perform the specific actions actually required by the
AD. These figures typically do not include incidental costs, such as
the time required to gain access and close up, planning time, or time
necessitated by other administrative actions.
Regulatory Impact
The regulations proposed herein 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. Therefore, it
is determined that this proposal would not have federalism implications
under Executive Order 13132.
For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this 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) if promulgated, 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. A copy of the draft
regulatory evaluation prepared for this action is contained in the
Rules Docket. A copy of it may be obtained by contacting the Rules
Docket at the location provided under the caption ADDRESSES.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Safety.
The Proposed Amendment
Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration proposes to amend
part 39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (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. Section 39.13 is amended by removing amendment 39-11896 (65 FR
55450, September 14, 2000), and by adding a new airworthiness directive
(AD), to read as follows:
Gulfstream Aerospace LP (Formerly Israel Aircraft Industries, Ltd.):
Docket 2001-NM-402-AD. Supersedes AD 2000-18-11, Amendment 39-11896.
Applicability: Model 1125 Westwind Astra series airplanes,
certificated in any category; serial numbers 004 through 029
inclusive, and 031 through 041 inclusive.
Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished
previously.
To prevent the loss of primary attitude and directional gyros,
which relate position information to the flight crew, accomplish the
following:
Restatement of the Requirements of AD 2000-18-11
AFM Revision
(a) Within 10 days after September 29, 2000 (the effective date
of AD 2000-18-11), revise the Limitations and Abnormal Procedures
Sections of the Israel Aircraft Industries, Ltd., Astra Airplane
Flight Manual (AFM) by inserting a copy of Temporary Revision No. 9,
dated May 21, 2000, into the AFM.
Note 1: When the temporary revision required by paragraph (a) of
this AD has been incorporated into the general revisions of the AFM,
the general revisions may be inserted into the AFM, provided that
the information contained in the general revisions is identical to
that specified in the temporary revision.
New Requirements of this AD
Replacements
(b) Within 50 flight hours after the effective date of this AD:
Replace existing sensing relays with new higher-accuracy relays
having new part number (P/N) 1350-X3042; and replace existing DIRECT
GYRO 1 and 2 circuit breakers having P/N 7274-47-3 with new circuit
breakers having new P/N 7274-47-0.5; in accordance with the
Accomplishment Instructions of Astra (Gulfstream Aerospace
Corporation) Alert Service Bulletin 1125-24A-246, dated September
26, 2001.
New AFM Revision
(c) Before further flight following the actions required by
paragraph (b) of this AD, remove Temporary Revision No. 9, dated May
21, 2000, from the AFM; or revise the Limitations and Abnormal
Procedures Sections of the Gulfstream Aerospace LP ASTRA AFM by
inserting a copy of Temporary Revision No. 13, dated October 31,
2001, into the AFM.
Note 2: When the temporary revision required by paragraph (c) of
this AD has been incorporated into the general revisions of the AFM,
the general revisions may be inserted into the AFM, provided that
the information contained in the general revisions is identical to
that specified in the temporary revision.
No Reporting Requirement
(d) Operators should note that, although the Accomplishment
Instructions of the service bulletin referenced in paragraph (b) of
this AD describe procedures for submitting a certificate of
compliance to the manufacturer, this AD does not require those
actions.
Alternative Methods of Compliance
(e) In accordance with 14 CFR 39.19, the Manager, International
Branch, ANM-116, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, is authorized
to approve alternative methods of compliance (AMOCs) for this AD.
Note 3: The subject of this AD is addressed in Israeli
airworthiness directive 24-01-06-04, dated November 13, 2001.
[[Page 5939]]
Issued in Renton, Washington, on February 3, 2004.
Ali Bahrami,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 04-2679 Filed 2-6-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P