[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 137 (Tuesday, July 17, 2001)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 37130-37132]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-17758]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2000-NM-357-AD; Amendment 39-12327; AD 2001-14-16]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Gulfstream Model G-V Series Airplanes

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 Model G-V series airplanes, that 
requires repetitively replacing the existing nose wheel steering 
actuator with a new or reworked actuator having the same part number. 
The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent loss of nose 
wheel steering control without a corresponding alert message 
annunciation due to the effects of moisture intrusion into the rotary 
variable displacement transducer (RVDT) inside the steering actuator, 
and consequently, an over steering condition. If an over steering 
condition were to occur during landing, the airplane could depart the 
runway. This action is intended to address the identified unsafe 
condition.

[[Page 37131]]


DATES: Effective August 21, 2001.

ADDRESSES: The service information referenced in this AD may be 
obtained from Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation, P.O. Box 2206, M/S D-
10, Savannah, Georgia 31402-9980. 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, Atlanta Aircraft Certification Office, One Crown Center, 
1895 Phoenix Boulevard, Suite 450, Atlanta, Georgia.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Frank Mokry, Systems Engineer, Systems 
and Flight Test Branch, ACE-116A, FAA, Atlanta Aircraft Certification 
Office, One Crown Center, 1895 Phoenix Boulevard, Suite 450, Atlanta, 
Georgia 30349; telephone (770) 703-6066; fax (770) 703-6097.

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 Model G-V 
series airplanes was published in the Federal Register on February 15, 
2001 (66 FR 10378). That action proposed to require repetitively 
replacing the existing nose wheel steering actuator with a new or 
reworked actuator having the same part number.

Public Comments

    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.

Since the Issuance of the Proposed Rule

    In the preamble of the proposed rule, the FAA indicated that the 
actions proposed were considered to be interim action, and that further 
rulemaking was being considered. Since the issuance of the proposed 
rule, the manufacturer has developed a new improved nose wheel steering 
actuator, and the FAA has approved replacement of the actuator with the 
new improved actuator as terminating action for the repetitive 
inspection requirements specified in the final rule.

Optional Terminating Action

    Since the public has not been given opportunity to comment on the 
replacement of the steering actuator with the new improved actuator, 
the FAA has included that replacement action as an optional terminating 
action in new paragraph (b) of the final rule.

Interim Action

    The FAA is considering further rulemaking to require the 
replacement of the nose wheel steering actuator with the new improved 
actuator.

Conclusion

    After careful review of the available data, the FAA has determined 
that air safety and the public interest require the adoption of the 
rule with the change described previously. The FAA has determined that 
this change, specifying an optional terminating action, will neither 
increase the economic burden on any operator nor increase the scope of 
the AD.

Cost Impact

    There are approximately 94 Model G-V series airplanes of the 
affected design in the worldwide fleet. The FAA estimates that 89 
airplanes of U.S. registry will be affected by this AD, that it will 
take approximately 6 work hours per airplane to accomplish the required 
actions, and that the average labor rate is $60 per work hour. Required 
parts will cost approximately $15,000 per airplane. Based on these 
figures, the cost impact of the AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be 
$1,367,040, or $15,360 per airplane, per replacement.
    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. 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 adopted herein 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. Therefore, it 
is determined that this final rule does not have federalism 
implications under Executive Order 13132.
    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:

2001-14-16  Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation: Amendment 39-12327. 
Docket 2000-NM-357-AD.

    Applicability: Model G-V series airplanes, serial numbers 501 
and subsequent, 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 (c) 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 nose wheel steering control, without a 
corresponding alert message annunciation, due to the effects of 
moisture intrusion into the rotary variable displacement transducer 
(RVDT) inside the steering actuator, which could result in the 
airplane departing the runway if an over steering condition were to 
occur during landing, accomplish the following:

Repetitive Replacement

    (a) Replace the nose wheel steering actuator, part number (P/N) 
1159SCL500-41 Rev. D, with a new or restored actuator

[[Page 37132]]

having the same part number, per Gulfstream V Maintenance Manual 
Chapter 05-10-00, dated September 15, 2000; at the later of the 
times specified in paragraphs (a)(1) and (a)(2) of this AD. Repeat 
this replacement thereafter every 450 flight hours or 12 months, 
whichever occurs first.
    (1) Within 450 flight hours or 12 months after replacing the 
nose wheel steering actuator, P/N 1159SCL500-41 Rev. D, with a new 
or restored actuator having the same part number, whichever occurs 
first.
    (2) Within 30 days after the effective date of this AD.

Optional Terminating Action

    (b) Replacement of all nose wheel steering actuators with new 
improved actuators having P/N 1159SCL500-51, per Gulfstream V 
Maintenance Manual Chapter 05-10-00, dated April 30, 2001, 
constitutes terminating action for the repetitive replacement 
requirements specified in paragraph (a) of this AD.

Alternative Methods of Compliance

    (c) 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, Atlanta Aircraft Certification 
Office (ACO), FAA. Operators shall submit their requests through an 
appropriate FAA Principal Maintenance Inspector, who may add 
comments and then send it to the Manager, Atlanta ACO.

    Note 2: Information concerning the existence of approved 
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be 
obtained from the Atlanta ACO.

Special Flight Permit

    (d) 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.
    (e) This amendment becomes effective on August 21, 2001.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on July 10, 2001.
Donald L. Riggin,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 01-17758 Filed 7-16-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U