DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2010-0034; Directorate Identifier 2009-NM-120-AD] 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), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
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SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for the
products listed above that would supersede an existing AD. This proposed
AD results from mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI)
originated by an aviation authority of another country to identify and
correct an unsafe condition on an aviation product. The MCAI describes the
unsafe condition as: Incomplete closure of the MED [main entry door] may
be followed by in-flight opening of the door. As a result, the MED and the
adjacent fuselage structure may be damaged during opening and landing
impact. Damage to the left engine by flying debris and objects may also
occur.
The proposed AD would require actions that are intended to address the
unsafe condition described in the MCAI.
DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by March 25, 2010.
ADDRESSES: You may send comments by any of the following methods:
Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the
instructions for submitting comments.
Fax: (202) 493-2251.
Mail: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30, West
Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE.,
Washington, DC 20590.
Hand Delivery: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30,
West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-40, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE.,
Washington, DC, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except
Federal holidays.
For Gulfstream service information identified in this proposed AD, contact
Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation, P.O. Box 2206, Mail Station D-25,
Savannah, Georgia 31402-2206; telephone 800-810-4853; fax 912-965-3520;
e-mail pubs@gulfstream.com; Internet http://www.gulfstream.com/product_
support/technical_pubs/pubs/index.htm. For Honeywell service information
identified in this proposed AD, contact Honeywell Aerospace, Technical
Publications and Distribution, M/S 2101-201, P.O. Box 52170, Phoenix,
Arizona 85072-2170; telephone 602-365-5535; fax 602-365-5577; Internet
http://www.honeywell.com. You may review copies of the referenced service
information at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue,
SW., Renton, Washington. For information on the availability of this
material at the FAA, call 425-227-1221 or 425-227-1152.
EXAMINING THE AD DOCKET
You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at
http://www.regulations.gov; or in person at the Docket Operations office
between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
The AD docket contains this proposed AD, the regulatory evaluation, any
comments received, and other information. The street address for the
Docket Operations office (telephone (800) 647-5527) is in the ADDRESSES
section. Comments will be available in the AD docket shortly after
receipt.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mike Borfitz, Aerospace Engineer, Inter-
national Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA, 1601 Lind
Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98057-3356; telephone (425) 227-2677; fax
(425) 227-1149.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
COMMENTS INVITED
We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or arguments about
this proposed AD. Send your comments to an address listed under the
ADDRESSES section. Include "Docket No. FAA-2010-0034; Directorate
Identifier 2009-NM-120-AD" at the beginning of your comments. We
specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, economic,
environmental, and energy aspects of this proposed AD. We will consider
all comments received by the closing date and may amend this proposed AD
based on those comments.
We have lengthened the 30-day comment period for proposed ADs that address
MCAI originated by aviation authorities of other countries to provide
adequate time for interested parties to submit comments. The comment
period for these proposed ADs is now typically 45 days, which is
consistent with the comment period for domestic transport ADs.
We will post all comments we receive, without change, to http://
www.regulations.gov, including any personal information you provide. We
will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact we
receive about this proposed AD.
DISCUSSION
On January 23, 2007, we issued AD 2007-03-05, Amendment 39-14916 (72 FR
4414, January 31, 2007). That AD required actions intended to address an
unsafe condition on the products listed above.
Since we issued AD 2007-03-05, the Civil Aviation Administration of Israel
(CAAI), which is the aviation authority for Israel, has issued Israeli
Airworthiness Directive 31-06-11-05, dated May 27, 2009 (referred to after
this as "the MCAI"), to correct an unsafe condition for the specified
products. The MCAI states:
To increase pilots' awareness to the possibility of incomplete closure of
the Main Entry Door (MED) by the following means:
1. Splitting the common caution light CABIN DOOR signaling both MED
Improper Closure and MED Inflatable Seal Failure into two separate
lights: CABIN DOOR and CABIN DOOR SEAL.
2. Converting the separated CABIN DOOR Caution light into a Warning light
by changing its color to red.
NOTE: Aircraft Flight Manuals (AFM'S) refer to these changes as MOD G1
-20052.
Incomplete closure of the MED may be followed by in-flight opening of the
door. As a result, the MED and the adjacent fuselage structure may be
damaged during opening and landing impact.
Damage to the left engine by flying debris and objects may also occur.
Required actions include modifying the warning and caution lights panel
(WACLP), changing the WACLP and MED wiring, changing the wiring harness
connecting the MED to the WACLP, and ensuring the Log of Modification of
the AFM includes reference to MOD G1-20052. You may obtain further
information by examining the MCAI in the AD docket.
RELEVANT SERVICE INFORMATION
Gulfstream has issued Service Bulletin 100-31-284, dated August 17, 2006.
Honeywell has issued Service Bulletin 80-0548-31-0002, dated March 1,
2006; Service Bulletin 80-5090-31-0001, dated March 1, 2006; and Service
Bulletin 80-0548-31-0001, dated April 1, 2006. The actions described in
this service information are intended to correct the unsafe condition
identified in the MCAI.
FAA'S DETERMINATION AND REQUIREMENTS OF THIS PROPOSED AD
This product has been approved by the aviation authority of another
country, and is approved for operation in the United States. Pursuant to
our bilateral agreement with the State of Design Authority, we have been
notified of the unsafe condition described in the MCAI and service
information referenced above. We are proposing this AD because we
evaluated all pertinent information and determined an unsafe condition
exists and is likely to exist or develop on other products of the same
type design.
DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THIS AD AND THE MCAI OR SERVICE INFORMATION
We have reviewed the MCAI and related service information and, in general,
agree with their substance. But we might have found it necessary to use
different words from those in the MCAI to ensure the AD is clear for U.S.
operators and is enforceable. In making these changes, we do not intend to
differ substantively from the information provided in the MCAI and related
service information.
We might also have proposed different actions in this AD from those in the
MCAI in order to follow FAA policies. Any such differences are highlighted
in a Note within the proposed AD.
COSTS OF COMPLIANCE
Based on the service information, we estimate that this proposed AD would
affect about 120 products of U.S. registry.
The actions that are required by AD 2007-03-05 and retained in this
proposed AD take about 1 work-hour per product, at an average labor rate
of $80 per work hour. Based on these figures, the estimated cost of the
currently required actions is $80 per product.
We estimate that it would take about 60 additional work-hours per product
to comply with the new basic requirements of this proposed AD. Required
parts would cost about $600 per product. The average labor rate is $80 per
work-hour. Where the service information lists required parts costs that
are covered under warranty, we have assumed that there will be no charge
for these costs. As we do not control warranty coverage for affected
parties, some parties may incur costs higher than estimated here. Based on
these figures, we estimate the cost of the proposed AD on U.S. operators
to be $648,000, or $5,400 per product.
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 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 responsib-
ilities among the various levels of government.
For the reasons discussed above, I certify 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 Pro-
cedures (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 and placed it in the AD docket.
LIST OF SUBJECTS IN 14 CFR PART 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by reference,
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 removing Amendment 39-14916 (72 FR 4414,
January 31, 2007) and adding the following new AD: