[Federal Register: January 12, 2006 (Volume 71, Number 8)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 1935-1937]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr12ja06-7]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2005-22511; Directorate Identifier 2005-NM-120-AD;
Amendment 39-14440; AD 2006-01-01]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Gulfstream Aerospace LP Model
Gulfstream 100 Airplanes; and Model Astra SPX, and 1125 Westwind Astra
Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of
Transportation (DOT).
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for
certain Gulfstream Aerospace LP Model Gulfstream 100 airplanes; and
Model Astra SPX, and 1125 Westwind Astra airplanes. This AD requires a
one-time inspection for discrepancies of the nose wheel steering
assembly of the landing gear, installing a warning placard on each nose
landing gear door, and corrective action if necessary. This AD results
from reports of failure of the steering brackets of the nose wheel
steering assembly, and in one incident, loss of steering control. We
are issuing this AD to find and fix these discrepancies, which could
result in loss of steering control and consequent reduced
controllability of the airplane.
DATES: This AD becomes effective February 16, 2006.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of certain publications listed in the AD as of February 16,
2006.
ADDRESSES: You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://dms.dot.gov
or in person at the Docket Management Facility, U.S.
Department of Transportation, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Nassif Building,
Room PL-401, Washington, DC.
Contact Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation, P.O. Box 2206, Mail
Station D-25, Savannah, Georgia 31402-2206, for service information
identified in this AD.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mike Borfitz, Aerospace Engineer,
International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate,
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (425)
227-2677; fax (425) 227-1149.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Examining the Docket
You may examine the airworthiness directive (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 street address stated in the ADDRESSES section.
Discussion
The FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14
CFR part 39 to include an AD that would apply to certain Gulfstream
Aerospace LP Model Gulfstream 100 airplanes; and Model Astra SPX, and
1125 Westwind Astra airplanes. That NPRM was published in the Federal
Register on September 26, 2005 (70 FR 56143). That NPRM proposed to
require a one-time inspection for discrepancies of the nose wheel
steering assembly of the landing gear, installing a warning placard on
each nose landing gear door, and corrective action if necessary.
Comments
We provided the public the opportunity to participate in the
development of this AD. We have considered the comments received from
one commenter.
Request To Withdraw AD
The commenter notes that, since release of the service bulletins
referenced in the NPRM (100-32A-275 and 1125-11-181, both Revision 1,
both dated December 24, 2003), Gulfstream has issued a new service
bulletin (100-32-282) that provides instructions for removing the co-
rotating shaft connecting the nose wheels, and replacing it with a tube
that is inserted into the wheel axle. The new service bulletin also
provides instructions for replacing the self-locking nut of the
centering spring pivot axis with a castellated nut. The commenter adds
that Gulfstream has since put that service bulletin on hold due to the
fact that there was at least one airplane that experienced nose wheel
shimmy (due to cracked nose wheel steering brackets), after
incorporating the service bulletin. The commenter notes that Gulfstream
has now developed an improved upper and lower bracket assembly;
Revision 1 of service bulletin 100-32-282 will provide instructions for
replacing those bracket assemblies, as well as replacing the self-
locking nut of the centering spring pivot axis with a castellated nut.
In addition, Revision 1 will provide instructions for removing and
replacing the co-rotating shaft with a tube inserted into the wheel
axle. The commenter adds that the expected release date for Revision 1
is during the fourth quarter of 2005. In light of these facts, the
commenter asks that the NPRM be withdrawn. The commenter concludes that
if the FAA does not withdraw the NPRM, accomplishing Gulfstream Service
Bulletins 1125-11-181 and 100-32-282 should be included as terminating
action.
We do not agree with the commenter's requests as follows:
We do not agree to withdraw the NPRM since we have determined that
an unsafe condition exists, and that the actions required by this AD
are necessary to ensure the continued safety of the affected fleet.
Regarding the request to refer to a terminating action, we note
that the service bulletin revisions to which the commenter refers have
not yet been released. Approving revisions of service bulletins that
have not yet been released would violate the Office of the Federal
Register's (OFR) regulations for approving materials that are
incorporated by reference. In general terms, we are required by these
OFR regulations either to publish the service document contents as part
of the actual AD language, or to submit the service document to the OFR
for approval as ``referenced'' material, in which case we may only
refer to such material in the text of an AD. The AD may refer to the
service document only if the OFR has approved it for ``incorporation by
reference.'' Once the service bulletin revisions have been issued, and
we have approved them, we may consider approving them as an alternative
method of compliance (AMOC) with this AD. Operators may request
approval of an AMOC for this AD under the provisions of paragraph (g)
of this AD.
In addition, this AD requires a one-time non-destructive test
inspection for discrepancies of the nose wheel steering assembly,
installing a warning placard on each nose landing gear door, and doing
any applicable corrective action. No further action is required by this
AD, so it is not necessary to include an additional terminating action.
No change to the AD is needed in this regard.
[[Page 1936]]
Clarification of Alternative Method of Compliance (AMOC) Paragraph
We have changed this AD to clarify the appropriate procedure for
notifying the principal inspector before using any approved AMOC on any
airplane to which the AMOC applies.
Conclusion
We have carefully reviewed the available data, including the
comments received, and determined that air safety and the public
interest require adopting the AD with the change described previously.
This change will neither increase the economic burden on any operator
nor increase the scope of the AD.
Costs of Compliance
This AD would affect about 106 airplanes of U.S. registry. The
inspection would take about 8 work hours per airplane, at an average
labor rate of $65 per work hour. Based on these figures, the estimated
cost of the AD for U.S. operators is $55,120, or $520 per airplane.
Authority for This Rulemaking
Title 49 of the United States Code specifies the FAA's authority to
issue rules on aviation safety. Subtitle I, Section 106, describes the
authority of the FAA Administrator. Subtitle VII, Aviation Programs,
describes in more detail the scope of the Agency's authority.
We are issuing this rulemaking under the authority described in
Subtitle VII, Part A, Subpart III, Section 44701, ``General
requirements.'' Under that section, Congress charges the FAA with
promoting safe flight of civil aircraft in air commerce by prescribing
regulations for practices, methods, and procedures the Administrator
finds necessary for safety in air commerce. This regulation is within
the scope of that authority because it addresses an unsafe condition
that is likely to exist or develop on products identified in this
rulemaking action.
Regulatory Findings
We have determined that this AD will not have federalism
implications under Executive Order 13132. This AD will 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 this AD:
(1) Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive
Order 12866;
(2) Is not a ``significant rule'' under 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 AD and placed it in the AD docket. 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, Incorporation by
reference, Safety.
Adoption of the Amendment
0
Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the Administrator,
the FAA amends 14 CFR part 39 as follows:
PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
0
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]
0
2. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) amends Sec. 39.13 by
adding the following new airworthiness directive (AD):
2006-01-01 Gulfstream Aerospace LP (Formerly Israel Aircraft
Industries, Ltd.): Amendment 39-14440. Docket No. FAA-2005-22511;
Directorate Identifier 2005-NM-120-AD.
Effective Date
(a) This AD becomes effective February 16, 2006.
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
airplanes; certificated in any category; as identified in Gulfstream
Alert Service Bulletin 100-32A-275 and Gulfstream Service Bulletin
1125-11-181, both Revision 1, both dated December 24, 2003.
Unsafe Condition
(d) This AD was prompted by reports of failure of the steering
brackets of the nose wheel steering assembly of the landing gear,
and in one incident, loss of steering control. We are issuing this
AD to find and fix discrepancies of the nose wheel steering assembly
which could result in loss of steering control and consequent
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.
One-Time Inspection/Corrective Action
(f) Within 50 flight hours or 25 landings after the effective
date of this AD, whichever is first: Perform a one-time non-
destructive test inspection for discrepancies of the nose wheel
steering assembly, install a warning placard on each nose landing
gear door, and do any applicable corrective action, by accomplishing
all the actions specified in the Accomplishment Instructions of
Gulfstream Alert Service Bulletin 100-32A-275 and Gulfstream Service
Bulletin 1125-11-181, both Revision 1, both dated December 24, 2003.
Any applicable corrective action must be accomplished before further
flight in accordance with Alert Service Bulletin 100-32A-275.
Although the service bulletins specify to submit certain information
to the manufacturer, this AD does not include that requirement.
Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)
(g)(1) The Manager, International Branch, 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.
(2) Before using any AMOC approved in accordance with 14 CFR
39.19 on any airplane to which the AMOC applies, notify the
appropriate principal inspector in the FAA Flight Standards
Certificate Holding District Office.
Related Information
(h) Israeli airworthiness directives 32-03-10-05 R1, dated
February 8, 2004, and 32-03-12-09, dated February 5, 2004, also
address the subject of this AD.
Material Incorporated by Reference
(i) You must use Gulfstream Alert Service Bulletin 100-32A-275,
Revision 1, dated December 24, 2003; and Gulfstream Service Bulletin
1125-11-181, Revision 1, dated December 24, 2003; as applicable; to
perform the actions that are required by this AD, unless the AD
specifies otherwise. The Director of the Federal Register approved
the incorporation by reference of these documents in accordance with
5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. Contact Gulfstream Aerospace
Corporation, P.O. Box 2206, Mail Station D-25, Savannah, Georgia
31402-2206, for a copy of this service information. You may review
copies at the Docket Management Facility, U.S. Department of
Transportation, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Room PL-401, Nassif
Building, Washington, DC; on the Internet at http://dms.dot.gov; or
at the National Archives and Records 1 Administration (NARA). For
information on the availability of this material at the NARA, call
(202) 741-6030, or go to http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html
.
[[Page 1937]]
Issued in Renton, Washington, on December 20, 2005.
Kalene C. Yanamura,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 06-264 Filed 1-11-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P