[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 171 (Tuesday, September 4, 2001)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 46214-46216]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-22083]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2001-CE-27-AD; Amendment 39-12431; AD 2001-18-05]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company Flight 
Eagle Tires, 34X9.25-16 18PR 210MPH, Part Number 348F83-2

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) that 
applies to certain Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company (Goodyear) Flight 
Eagle tires, 34X9.25-16 18PR 210MPH, Part Number (P/N) 348F83-2, that 
are installed on aircraft. This AD requires you to inspect these tires 
to determine if they are within a certain serial number range and 
replace any tires within this serial number range. This AD is the 
result of several instances of main landing gear (MLG) tire tread 
separations on Gulfstream aircraft. The actions specified by this AD 
are intended to remove these tires from service to prevent the 
potential of these tires experiencing tread separations during 
operation. These tread separations could result in structural damage to 
the aircraft, including damage to the flaps, engine nacelles, and wheel 
wells.

DATES: This AD becomes effective on September 24, 2001.
    The FAA must receive any comments on this rule on or before October 
12, 2001.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to FAA, Central Region, Office 
of the Regional Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket No. 2001-CE-27-AD, 901 
Locust, Room 506, Kansas City, Missouri 64106.
    You may get the service information referenced in this AD from 
Goodyear Global Aviation Tires, Global Product Support, 1144 East 
Market Street, Akron, Ohio 44316-0001; telephone: (330) 796-3293; 
facsimile: (330) 796-6535; or Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation, 500 
Gulfstream Road, P.O. Box 2206, Savannah, Georgia 31402-2206, as 
applicable. You may examine this information at FAA, Central Region, 
Office of the Regional Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket No. 2001-CE-27-
AD, 901 Locust, Room 506, Kansas City, Missouri 64106.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Roy Boffo, Aerospace Engineer, FAA, 
Chicago Aircraft Certification Office, 2300 E. Devon Avenue, Des 
Plaines, Illinois 60018; telephone: (847) 294-7564; facsimile: (847) 
294-7834.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

What Events Have Caused This AD?

    The FAA has received reports of four incidents of main landing gear 
(MLG) tire tread separations on Gulfstream aircraft. Two of these 
incidents occurred during takeoff, and the other two are being 
investigated.
    Goodyear has identified a batch of Flight Eagle tires, 34X9.25-16 
18PR 210MPH, Part Number (P/N) 348F83-2, that are susceptible to the 
tire tread separations. The serial numbers of this batch are 0168xxxx 
through 0185xxxx. This consists of approximately 300 tires.
    These tires are installed on, but not limited to, the following 
aircraft:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                Type certificate holder                               Models                   Serial numbers
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation.......................  GII, GIIB, and GIII               All serial numbers.
Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation.......................  GIV                               Serial numbers 1000
                                                                                            through 1213, except
                                                                                            for serial number
                                                                                            1183.
The Boeing Company.....................................  720 and 720B                      All serial numbers.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


[[Page 46215]]

What Are the Consequences if the Condition Is Not Corrected?

    Tire tread separations, if not prevented, could result in 
structural damage to the aircraft. This includes damage to the flaps, 
engine nacelles, and wheel wells.

Is There Service Information That Applies to This Subject?

    Goodyear has issued Service Bulletin GY SB 2001-32-006, dated July 
28, 2001. In addition, Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation has issued 
Alert Customer Bulletins #28 (GII/GIIB), #14 (GIII), and #28 (GIV), all 
dated July 31, 2001.
    These bulletins provide information that relates to removing the 
affected tires from service.

The FAA's Determination and an Explanation of the Provisions of 
This AD

What Has FAA Decided?

    After examining the circumstances and reviewing all available 
information related to the subject above, we have determined that:

--The unsafe condition referenced in this document exists or could 
develop on type design aircraft equipped with certain Goodyear Flight 
Eagle tires, 34X9.25-16 18PR 210MPH, P/N 348F83-2, serial numbers 
0168xxxx through 0185xxxx;
--These tires should be removed from service; and
--AD action should be taken in order to correct this unsafe condition

What Would This AD Require?

    This AD requires you to inspect all of these tires to determine if 
they are within the affected serial number range and replace any tires 
within this serial number range.

Will I Have the Opportunity to Comment Prior to the Issuance of the 
Rule?

    Because the unsafe condition described in this document could 
result in structural damage to the aircraft, including damage to the 
flaps, engine nacelles, and wheel wells, FAA finds that notice and 
opportunity for public prior comment are impracticable. Therefore, good 
cause exists for making this amendment effective in less than 30 days.

Comments Invited

How Do I Comment on This AD?

    Although this action is in the form of a final rule and was not 
preceded by notice and opportunity for public comment, we invite your 
comments on the rule. You may submit whatever written data, views, or 
arguments you choose. You need to include the rule's docket number and 
submit your comments in triplicate to the address specified under the 
caption ADDRESSES. We will consider all comments received on or before 
the closing date specified above. We may amend this rule in light of 
comments received. Factual information that supports your ideas and 
suggestions is extremely helpful in evaluating the effectiveness of the 
AD action and determining whether we need to take additional rulemaking 
action.

Are There Any Specific Portions of the AD I Should Pay Attention to?

    The FAA specifically invites comments on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the rule that might 
suggest a need to modify the rule. You may examine all comments we 
receive before and after the closing date of the rule in the Rules 
Docket. We will file a report in the Rules Docket that summarizes each 
FAA contact with the public that concerns the substantive parts of this 
AD.
    We are reviewing the writing style we currently use in regulatory 
documents, in response to the Presidential memorandum of June 1, 1998. 
That memorandum requires federal agencies to communicate more clearly 
with the public. We are interested in your comments on whether the 
style of this document is clear, and any other suggestions you might 
have to improve the clarity of FAA communications that affect you. You 
can get more information about the Presidential memorandum and the 
plain language initiative at http://www.plainlanguage.gov.

How Can I Be Sure FAA Receives My Comment?

    If you want us to acknowledge the receipt of your comments, you 
must include a self-addressed, stamped postcard. On the postcard, write 
``Comments to Docket No. 2001-CE-27-AD.'' We will date stamp and mail 
the postcard back to you.

Regulatory Impact

Does This AD Impact Various Entities?

    These regulations 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, FAA has determined that this 
final rule does not have federalism implications under Executive Order 
13132.

Does This AD Involve a Significant Rule or Regulatory Action?

    The FAA has determined that this regulation is an emergency 
regulation that must be issued immediately to correct an unsafe 
condition in aircraft, and is not a significant regulatory action under 
Executive Order 12866. It has been determined further that this action 
involves an emergency regulation under DOT Regulatory Policies and 
Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979). If it is determined that 
this emergency regulation otherwise would be significant under DOT 
Regulatory Policies and Procedures, a final regulatory evaluation will 
be prepared and placed in the Rules Docket (otherwise, an evaluation is 
not required). A copy of it, if filed, may be obtained from the Rules 
Docket.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Safety.

Adoption of the Amendment

    Accordingly, under 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. FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by adding a new AD to read as follows:

2001-18-05  Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company: Amendment 39-12431; 
Docket No. 2001-CE-27-AD.

    (a) What aircraft are affected by this AD? This AD applies to 
aircraft equipped with any Goodyear Flight Eagle tire, 34X9.25-16 
18PR 210MPH, Part Number (P/N) 348F83-2. The following is a list of 
aircraft where these tires could be installed. This is not a 
comprehensive list and aircraft not on this list that have the tires 
installed through field approval or other methods are still affected 
by this AD:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                Type certificate holder                               Models                   Serial numbers
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation.......................  GII, GIIB, and GIII               All serial numbers.

[[Page 46216]]

 
Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation.......................  GIV                               Serial numbers 1000
                                                                                            through 1213, except
                                                                                            for serial number
                                                                                            1183.
The Boeing Company.....................................  720 and 720B                      All serial numbers.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (b) Who must comply with this AD? Anyone who wishes to operate 
any aircraft that is equipped with one or more of the above-
referenced Goodyear Flight Eagle tires must comply with this AD.
    (c) What problem does this AD address? The actions specified by 
this AD are intended to remove these tires from service to prevent 
the potential of these tires experiencing tread separations during 
operation. These tread separations could result in structural damage 
to the aircraft, including damage to the flaps, engine nacelles, and 
wheel wells.
    (d) What must I do to address this problem? To address this 
problem, you must accomplish the following actions:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
            Action               Compliance time         Procedures
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Inspect all Goodyear        Within the next    Goodyear Service
 Flight Eagle tires, 34X9.25-    10 hours time-in-  Bulletin GY SB 2001-
 16 18PR 210MPH, P/N 348F83-2,   service (TIS)      32-006, dated July
 to determine if any are         after September    28, 2001, and
 within the serial number        24, 2001 (the      Gulfstream Aerospace
 range of 0168xxxx through       effective date     Corporation Alert
 0185xxxx.                       of this AD).       Customer Bulletins
                                                    #28 (GII/GIIB), #14
                                                    (GIII), and #28
                                                    (GIV), all dated
                                                    July 31, 2001,
                                                    contain information
                                                    that relates to this
                                                    subject.
(2) Replace any tire found      Prior to further   Goodyear Service
 within the serial number        flight after the   Bulletin GY SB 2001-
 range referenced in paragraph   inspection         32-006, dated July
 (d)(1) of this AD with an FAA-  required by        28, 2001, and
 approved tire that is not       paragraph (d)(1)   Gulfstream Aerospace
 Goodyear Flight Eagle,          of this AD.        Corporation Alert
 34X9.25-16 18 PR 210 MPH, P/N                      Customer Bulletins
 348F83-2, serial number                            #28 (GII/GIIB), #14
 0168xxxx through 0185xxxx.                         (GIII), and #28
                                                    (GIV), all dated
                                                    July 31, 2001,
                                                    contain information
                                                    that relates to this
                                                    subject.
(3) Do not install, on any      As of September    Not Applicable.
 airplane, a Goodyear Flight     24, 2001 (the
 Eagle tire, 34X9.25-16 18 PR    effective date
 210MPH, P/N 348F83-2, that is   of this AD).
 within the serial number
 range of 0168xxxx through
 0185xxxx.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (e) Can I comply with this AD in any other way? You may use an 
alternative method of compliance or adjust the compliance time if:
    (1) Your alternative method of compliance provides an equivalent 
level of safety; and
    (2) The Manager, Chicago Aircraft Certification Office, approves 
your alternative. Send your request through an FAA Principal 
Maintenance Inspector, who may add comments and then send it to the 
Manager, Chicago Aircraft Certification Office.

    Note: This AD applies to any aircraft with a tire installed as 
identified in paragraph (a) of this AD, regardless of whether the 
aircraft has been modified, altered, or repaired in the area subject 
to the requirements of this AD. For aircraft 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 (e) 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 you have not 
eliminated the unsafe condition, specific actions you propose to 
address it.

    (f) Where can I get information about any already-approved 
alternative methods of compliance? Contact Roy Boffo, Aerospace 
Engineer, FAA, Chicago Aircraft Certification Office, 2300 E. Devon 
Avenue, Des Plaines, Illinois 60018; telephone: (847) 294-7564; 
facsimile: (847) 294-7834.
    (g) What if I need to fly the airplane to another location to 
comply with this AD? The FAA can issue a special flight permit under 
sections 21.197 and 21.199 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 
CFR 21.197 and 21.199) to operate your airplane to a location where 
you can accomplish the requirements of this AD.
    (h) How do I get copies of the documents referenced in this AD? 
You may obtain copies of the documents referenced in this AD from 
Goodyear Global Aviation Tires, Global Product Support, 1144 East 
Market Street, Akron, Ohio 44316-0001; telephone: (330) 796-3293; 
facsimile: (330) 796-6535; or Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation, 500 
Gulfstream Road, P.O. Box 2206, Savannah, Georgia 31402-2206, as 
applicable. You may examine these documents at FAA, Central Region, 
Office of the Regional Counsel, 901 Locust, Room 506, Kansas City, 
Missouri 64106.
    (i) When does this amendment become effective? This amendment 
becomes effective on September 24, 2001.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on August 27, 2001.
Michael Gallagher,
Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 01-22083 Filed 8-31-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U