[Federal Register: January 7, 2004 (Volume 69, Number 4)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 895-897]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr07ja04-24]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 2002-NM-236-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Gulfstream Aerospace LP Model Astra SPX
and 1125 Westwind Astra Series Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
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SUMMARY: This document proposes the adoption of a new airworthiness
directive (AD) that is applicable to certain Model Astra SPX and 1125
Westwind Astra series airplanes. This proposal would require detailed
inspections and resistance measurements of the starter generator
electrical cables of both engines to detect damage, and replacement of
the electrical cable and cable support if any damage is found. This
proposal would also require eventual replacement of the cable support.
This action is necessary to prevent chafing of the starter generator
cable, which could result in electrical arcing in the vicinity of a
fuel line, and possible fire or explosion. This action is intended to
address the identified unsafe condition.
DATES: Comments must be received by February 6, 2004.
ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114,
Attention: Rules Docket No. 2002-NM-236-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. 2002-NM-236-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
[[Page 896]]
Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tim Dulin, Aerospace Engineer,
International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate,
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (425)
227-2141; 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:
[sbull] 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.
[sbull] For each issue, state what specific change to the proposed
AD is being requested.
[sbull] 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 2002-NM-236-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. 2002-NM-236-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington
98055-4056.
Discussion
The Civil Aviation Administration of Israel (CAAI), which is the
airworthiness authority for Israel, notified the FAA that an unsafe
condition may exist on certain Gulfstream Aerospace LP Model Astra SPX
and 1125 Westwind Astra series airplanes. The CAAI advises that there
has been a report of electrical failure on one airplane. Investigation
revealed that the starter generator electrical cable was chafed in the
area of the firewall support, and that the cable shorted to the
structure. This condition, if not corrected, could result in electrical
arcing in the vicinity of a fuel line, and possible fire or explosion.
Explanation of Relevant Service Information
Gulfstream Aerospace LP has issued Gulfstream Service Bulletin 100-
54-252, dated April 24, 2002, which describes procedures for repetitive
detailed inspections of the starter generator electrical cables of both
engines to detect damage. If no damage is found, the service bulletin
describes procedures for measuring the insulation resistance between
the cable and the support. If any damage is found or if the insulation
resistance is less than 20 megaohms, the service bulletin describes
procedures for replacement of the electrical cables and cable support
prior to further flight. If no damage is found, and the insulation
resistance is more than 20 megaohms, the service bulletin describes
procedures for repetitive inspection and eventual replacement of the
cable support at the next engine removal. Replacement of the cable
support and the cable, as necessary, is considered terminating action
for repetitive inspections. Accomplishment of the actions specified in
the service bulletin is intended to adequately address the identified
unsafe condition. The CAAI classified this service bulletin as
mandatory and issued Israeli airworthiness directive 54-02-06-12, dated
July 4, 2002, to ensure the continued airworthiness of these airplanes
in Israel.
FAA's Conclusions
These airplane models are manufactured in Israel and are type
certificated for operation in the United States under the provisions of
Sec. 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. The FAA has examined the findings of
the CAAI, reviewed all available information, and determined that AD
action is necessary for products of this type design that are
certificated for operation in the United States.
Explanation of Requirements of Proposed Rule
Since an unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to
exist or develop on other airplanes of the same type design registered
in the United States, the proposed AD would require accomplishment of
the actions specified in the service bulletin described previously,
except as discussed below.
Differences Between the Proposed AD and the Service Bulletin
While the service bulletin gives a compliance time of ``at the next
engine removal'' for replacement of the cable support if no damage is
found, this proposed AD gives a compliance time for the replacements of
``within 5 years after the effective date of this AD, or at the next
engine removal, whichever occurs first.'' This difference has been
coordinated with the CAAI.
Although the service bulletin specifies to submit certain
information to the manufacturer, this proposed AD does not include such
a requirement.
Difference Between the Proposed AD and the Israeli AD
While the Israeli AD does not require repetitive inspections until
replacement, the proposed AD would require, and the service bulletin
recommends repetitive inspections at intervals not to exceed 250 flight
hours until the applicable replacement is accomplished.
Cost Impact
The FAA estimates that 55 airplanes of U.S. registry would be
affected by this proposed AD; that it would take approximately 2 work
hours per airplane to accomplish the proposed inspection and
measurement; 4 hours per airplane to accomplish the proposed
replacement of the cable support if no damage is found; and 12 hours
per airplane to accomplish the proposed replacement of the cable and
cable support if any damage is found. The average labor rate is $65 per
work hour. All necessary parts will be provided by the manufacturer
free of charge. Based on these figures, the cost impact of the proposed
inspection and measurement on U.S. operators is estimated to be $7,150,
or $130 per airplane, per inspection cycle. For airplanes on which no
damage is found, the cost impact of the proposed replacement on U.S.
operators is estimated to be
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$14,300, or $260 per airplane. For airplanes on which damage is found,
the cost impact of the proposed replacement on U.S. operators is
estimated to be $42,900, or $780 per airplane.
The cost impact figure discussed above is based on assumptions that
no operator has yet accomplished any of the 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 adding the following new
airworthiness directive:
Gulfstream Aerospace LP (Formerly Israel Aircraft Industries, Ltd.):
Docket 2002-NM-236-AD.
Applicability: Model Astra SPX and 1125 Westwind Astra series
airplanes, serial numbers 004 through 141 inclusive; certificated in
any category.
Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished
previously.
To prevent chafing of the starter generator cable, which could
result in electrical arcing in the vicinity of a fuel line, and
possible fire or explosion, accomplish the following:
Service Bulletin Reference
(a) The following information pertains to the service bulletin
referenced in this AD:
(1) The term ``service bulletin,'' as used in this AD, means the
Accomplishment Instructions of Gulfstream Service Bulletin 100-54-
252, dated April 24, 2002.
(2) Although the service bulletin referenced in this AD
specifies to submit certain information to the manufacturer, this AD
does not include such a requirement.
Initial and Repetitive Inspections
(b) Within 250 flight hours after the effective date of this AD,
perform a detailed inspection of the starter generator electrical
cables of both engines to detect damage, per the service bulletin.
Note 1: For the purposes of this AD, a detailed inspection is
defined as: ``An intensive visual examination of a specific
structural area, system, installation, or assembly to detect damage,
failure, or irregularity. Available lighting is normally
supplemented with a direct source of good lighting at intensity
deemed appropriate by the inspector. Inspection aids such as mirror,
magnifying lenses, etc., may be used. Surface cleaning and elaborate
access procedures may be required.''
Follow-on Action if No Damage Is Found
(c) If no damage is found during any inspection required by
paragraph (b) of this AD: Before further flight, measure the
insulation resistance between the starter generator cable and
firewall support in accordance with the service bulletin.
(1) If the measured resistance is less than 20 Megaohms: Before
further flight, replace the electrical cables and cable support per
paragraph (d) of this AD.
(2) If the measured resistance is greater than or equal to 20
Megaohms, repeat the inspection required by paragraph (b) of this AD
at intervals not to exceed 250 flight hours, including the follow-on
measurement in paragraph (c), as applicable, until the applicable
replacement required by paragraph (d) or (e) of this AD is
accomplished.
Replacement if Any Damage Is Found
(d) If any damage is found during any inspection required by
paragraph (b), or if the insulation resistance as required to be
measured by paragraph (c) of this AD is less than 20 megaohms:
Before further flight, replace the electrical cables and cable
support per Part C of the service bulletin. This replacement
terminates the repetitive inspections required by paragraph (b) and
the measurement required by paragraph (c) of this AD, for that
affected engine.
Replacement if No Damage is Found
(e) If no damage is found during any inspection required by
paragraph (b) or if the insulation resistance as required to be
measured by paragraph (c) of this AD is greater than or equal to 20
megaohms: Within 5 years after the effective date of this AD, or at
the next engine removal, whichever comes first, replace the cable
support per Part B of the service bulletin. This replacement
terminates the repetitive inspections required by paragraph (b) and
the measurement required by paragraph (c) of this AD, for that
affected engine.
Alternative Methods of Compliance
(f) 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 for this AD.
Note 2: The subject of this AD is addressed in Israeli
airworthiness directive 54-02-06-12, dated July 4, 2002.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on December 31, 2003.
Michael J. Kaszycki,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 04-271 Filed 1-6-04; 8:45 am]
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