[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 119 (Friday, June 20, 1997)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 33543-33545]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-16105]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 96-NM-282-AD; Amendment 39-10049; AD 97-13-03]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Gulfstream American (Frakes Aviation) 
Model G-73 (Mallard) Series Airplanes Modified in Accordance With 
Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) SA2323WE

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD), 
applicable to certain Gulfstream American (Frakes Aviation) Model G-73 
(Mallard) series airplanes, that requires revising the Airplane Flight 
Manual (AFM) to prohibit positioning the power levers below the flight 
idle stop, and to provide a statement of consequences of positioning 
the power levers below the flight idle stop. This amendment is

[[Page 33544]]

prompted by incidents and accidents involving airplanes equipped with 
turboprop engines in which the propeller beta was used improperly 
during flight. The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent 
loss of airplane controllability, or engine overspeed and consequent 
loss of engine power caused by the power levers being positioned below 
the flight idle stop while the airplane is in flight.

EFFECTIVE DATE: July 25, 1997.

ADDRESSES: This information may be examined at the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, Rules Docket, 
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; or at the FAA, Airplane 
Certification Office, Rotorcraft Directorate, 1601 Meacham Boulevard, 
Fort Worth, Texas; or at the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North 
Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Brian Hancock, Flight Test Pilot, 
Airplane Certification Office, ASW-150, FAA, Rotorcraft Directorate, 
1601 Meacham Boulevard, Fort Worth, Texas 76137-4298; telephone (817) 
222-5152; fax (817) 222-5960.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal 
Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) to include an airworthiness 
directive (AD) that is applicable to certain Gulfstream American 
(Frakes Aviation) Model G-73 (Mallard) series airplanes was published 
in the Federal Register on March 26, 1997 (62 FR 14368). That action 
proposed to require revising the Limitations Section of the Airplane 
Flight Manual (AFM) to prohibit positioning the power levers below the 
flight idle stop, and to provide a statement of the consequences of 
positioning the power levers below the flight idle stop.
    Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate 
in the making of this amendment. No comments were submitted in response 
to the proposal or the FAA's determination of the cost to the public.

Conclusion

    The FAA has determined that air safety and the public interest 
require the adoption of the rule as proposed.

Cost Impact

    There are approximately 20 Gulfstream American (Frakes Aviation) 
Model G-73 (Mallard) series airplanes of the affected design in the 
worldwide fleet. The FAA estimates that 10 airplanes of U.S. registry 
will be affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 1 work 
hour per airplane to accomplish the required actions, and that the 
average labor rate is $60 per work hour. Based on these figures, the 
cost impact of the AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $600, or $60 
per airplane.
    The cost impact figure discussed above is based on assumptions that 
no operator has yet accomplished any of the requirements of this AD 
action, and that no operator would accomplish those actions in the 
future if this AD were not adopted.

Regulatory Impact

    The regulations adopted herein will not have substantial direct 
effects 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, in 
accordance with Executive Order 12612, it is determined that this final 
rule does not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant the 
preparation of a Federalism Assessment.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this action (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. A final evaluation has been prepared for this action 
and it is contained in the Rules Docket. A copy of it may be obtained 
from 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.

Adoption of the Amendment

    Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration amends 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:

97-13-03  Gulfstream American (Frakes Aviation): Amendment 39-10049. 
Docket 96-NM-282-AD.

    Applicability: Model G-73 (Mallard) series airplanes modified in 
accordance with Supplemental Type Certificate No. SA2323WE, 
certificated in any category.
    Note 1: This AD applies to each airplane identified in the 
preceding applicability provision, regardless of whether it has been 
modified, altered, or repaired in the area subject to the 
requirements of this AD. For airplanes that have been modified, 
altered, or repaired so that the performance of the requirements of 
this AD is affected, the owner/operator must request approval for an 
alternative method of compliance in accordance with paragraph (b) of 
this AD. The request should include an assessment of the effect of 
the modification, alteration, or repair on the unsafe condition 
addressed by this AD; and, if the unsafe condition has not been 
eliminated, the request should include specific proposed actions to 
address it.

    Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished 
previously.
    To prevent loss of airplane controllability, or engine overspeed 
and consequent loss of engine power caused by the power levers being 
positioned below the flight idle stop while the airplane is in 
flight, accomplish the following:
    (a) Within 30 days after the effective date of this AD, revise 
the Limitations Section of the FAA-approved Airplane Flight Manual 
(AFM) to include the following statements. This action may be 
accomplished by inserting a copy of this AD into the AFM.
    ``Positioning of power levers below the flight idle stop while 
the airplane is in flight is prohibited. Such positioning may lead 
to loss of airplane control or may result in an overspeed condition 
and consequent loss of engine power.''
    (b) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the 
compliance time that provides an acceptable level of safety may be 
used if approved by the Manager, Fort Worth Airplane Certification 
Office (ACO), ASW-150, FAA, Rotorcraft Directorate. Operators shall 
submit their requests through an appropriate FAA Principal 
Maintenance Inspector, who may add comments and then send it to the 
Manager, Fort Worth ACO.
    Note 2: Information concerning the existence of approved 
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be 
obtained from the Fort Worth ACO.

    (c) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with 
sections 21.197 and 21.199 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 
CFR 21.197 and 21.199) to operate the airplane to a location where 
the requirements of this AD can be accomplished.
    (d) This amendment becomes effective on July 25, 1997.


[[Page 33545]]


    Issued in Renton, Washington, on June 13, 1997.
S.R. Miller,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 97-16105 Filed 6-19-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U