[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 35 (Friday, February 21, 2003)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 8475-8477]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-4166]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2002-NM-281-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Gulfstream Aerospace LP Model Astra SPX 
and 1125 Westwind Astra Series Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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[[Page 8476]]

SUMMARY: This document proposes the adoption of a new airworthiness 
directive (AD) that is applicable to certain Gulfstream Aerospace LP 
Model Astra SPX and 1125 Westwind Astra series airplanes. This proposal 
would require removing the existing oxygen shutoff valve and installing 
a new oxygen shutoff valve. This action is necessary to prevent rapid 
adiabatic compression within the oxygen line between the oxygen shutoff 
valve and the pressure regulator due to a shutoff valve that can be 
opened quickly, which could result in overheating of the oxygen system 
and consequent fire in the cockpit. This action is intended to address 
the identified unsafe condition.

DATES: Comments must be received by March 24, 2003.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 2002-NM-281-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., 
Renton, Washington 98055-4056. Comments may be inspected at this 
location between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m., Monday through Friday, except 
Federal holidays. Comments may be submitted via fax to (425) 227-1232. 
Comments may also be sent via the Internet using the following address: 
[email protected]. Comments sent via fax or the Internet must 
contain ``Docket No. 2002-NM-281-AD'' in the subject line and need not 
be submitted in triplicate. Comments sent via the Internet as attached 
electronic files must be formatted in Microsoft Word 97 for Windows or 
ASCII text.
    The service information referenced in the proposed rule may be 
obtained from Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation, P.O. Box 2206, Mail 
Station D25, Savannah, Georgia 31402. This information may be examined 
at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., 
Renton, Washington.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dan Rodina, Aerospace Engineer, 
International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (425) 
227-2125; fax (425) 227-1149.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

    Interested persons are invited to participate in the making of the 
proposed rule by submitting such written data, views, or arguments as 
they may desire. Communications shall identify the Rules Docket number 
and be submitted in triplicate to the address specified above. All 
communications received on or before the closing date for comments, 
specified above, will be considered before taking action on the 
proposed rule. The proposals contained in this action may be changed in 
light of the comments received.
    Submit comments using the following format:
    [sbull] Organize comments issue-by-issue. For example, discuss a 
request to change the compliance time and a request to change the 
service bulletin reference as two separate issues.
    [sbull] For each issue, state what specific change to the proposed 
AD is being requested.
    [sbull] Include justification (e.g., reasons or data) for each 
request.
    Comments are specifically invited on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the proposed rule. All 
comments submitted will be available, both before and after the closing 
date for comments, in the Rules Docket for examination by interested 
persons. A report summarizing each FAA-public contact concerned with 
the substance of this proposal will be filed in the Rules Docket.
    Commenters wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments 
submitted in response to this action must submit a self-addressed, 
stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments 
to Docket Number 2002-NM-281-AD.'' The postcard will be date stamped 
and returned to the commenter.

Availability of NPRMs

    Any person may obtain a copy of this NPRM by submitting a request 
to the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114, Attention: Rules 
Docket No. 2002-NM-281-AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 
98055-4056.

Discussion

    The Civil Aviation Administration of Israel (CAAI), which is the 
airworthiness authority for Israel, notified the FAA that an unsafe 
condition may exist on certain Gulfstream Aerospace LP Model Astra SPX 
and 1125 Westwind Astra series airplanes. The CAAI advises that a fire 
occurred in the cockpit on two Israel Aircraft Industries, Ltd., Model 
1124 and 1124A series airplanes during taxiing, when the co-pilot 
turned on the oxygen system. Investigation revealed that the existing 
design of the oxygen system allows high-pressure oxygen into the 
cockpit, which is reduced at a pressure regulator located on the 
airframe structure adjacent to the co-pilot. If the shutoff valve is 
opened too quickly, a rapid adiabatic compression within the oxygen 
line between the oxygen shutoff valve and the pressure regulator may 
occur. This condition, if not corrected, could result in overheating of 
the oxygen system, and consequent fire in the cockpit.
    The oxygen systems on certain Gulfstream Aerospace LP Model Astra 
SPX and 1125 Westwind Astra series airplanes are identical to those on 
the affected Israel Aircraft Industries, Ltd., Model 1124 and 1124A 
series airplanes. Therefore, all of these models may be subject to the 
same unsafe condition.

Other Relevant Rulemaking

    The FAA has issued NPRM, Rules Docket 2002-NM-290-AD, to address 
the identified unsafe condition on Israel Aircraft Industries, Ltd., 
Model 1121, 1121A, 1121B, 1123, 1124, and 1124A series airplanes.

Explanation of Relevant Service Information

    The manufacturer has issued Astra (Gulfstream Aerospace 
Corporation) Alert Service Bulletin 1125-35A-114, dated November 28, 
2001, including Service Bulletin Certificate of Compliance, which 
describes procedures for removing the existing oxygen shutoff valve and 
installing a new oxygen shutoff valve. Accomplishment of the actions 
specified in the service bulletin is intended to adequately address the 
identified unsafe condition. The CAAI classified this service bulletin 
as mandatory and issued Israeli airworthiness directive 35-02-07-02, 
dated August 18, 2002, in order to assure the continued airworthiness 
of these airplanes in Israel.

FAA's Conclusions

    These airplane models are manufactured in Israel and are type 
certificated for operation in the United States under the provisions of 
section 21.29 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 21.29) and 
the applicable bilateral airworthiness agreement. Pursuant to this 
bilateral airworthiness agreement, the CAAI has kept the FAA informed 
of the situation described above. The FAA has examined the findings of 
the CAAI, reviewed all available information, and determined that AD 
action is necessary for products of this type design that are 
certificated for operation in the United States.

Explanation of Requirements of Proposed Rule

    Since an unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to 
exist or develop on other airplanes of the same

[[Page 8477]]

type design registered in the United States, the proposed AD would 
require accomplishment of the actions specified in the service bulletin 
described previously, except as discussed below.

Differences Between Proposed AD and Relevant Service Bulletin

    Operators should note that, although the referenced service 
bulletin describes procedures for completing a Service Bulletin 
Certificate of Compliance to record compliance with the service 
bulletin, this proposed AD would not require that action.

Cost Impact

    The FAA estimates that 100 Model Astra SPX and 1125 Westwind Astra 
series airplanes of U.S. registry would be affected by this proposed 
AD, that it would take approximately 8 work hours per airplane to 
accomplish the proposed actions, and that the average labor rate is $60 
per work hour. Required parts would cost approximately $900 per 
airplane. Based on these figures, the cost impact of the proposed AD on 
U.S. operators is estimated to be $138,000, or $1,380 per airplane.
    The cost impact figure discussed above is based on assumptions that 
no operator has yet accomplished any of the proposed 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. The manufacturer may cover the cost of 
replacement parts associated with this proposed AD, subject to warranty 
conditions. Manufacturer warranty remedies may also be available for 
labor costs associated with this proposed AD. As a result, the costs 
attributable to the proposed AD may be less than stated above.

Regulatory Impact

    The regulations proposed herein 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 
responsibilities among the various levels of government. Therefore, it 
is determined that this proposal would not have federalism implications 
under Executive Order 13132.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify that 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 Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979); 
and (3) if promulgated, 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 copy of the draft 
regulatory evaluation prepared for this action is contained in the 
Rules Docket. A copy of it may be obtained by contacting 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.

The Proposed Amendment

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

Gulfstream Aerospace LP (Formerly Israel Aircraft Industries, Ltd.): 
Docket 2002-NM-281-AD.

    Applicability: Model Astra SPX series airplanes having serial 
numbers 073 and 079 through 131 inclusive; and Model 1125 Westwind 
Astra series airplanes having serial numbers 004 though 072 
inclusive, and 074 through 078 inclusive; 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 rapid adiabatic compression within the oxygen line 
between the oxygen shutoff valve and the pressure regulator due to a 
shutoff valve that can be opened quickly, which could result in 
overheating of the oxygen system, and consequent fire in the 
cockpit, accomplish the following:

Removal and Installation of Oxygen Shutoff Valve

    (a) Within 250 flight hours after the effective date of this AD, 
remove the existing oxygen shutoff valve and install a new oxygen 
shutoff valve, per the Accomplishment Instructions of Astra 
(Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation) Alert Service Bulletin 1125-35A-
114, dated November 28, 2001, excluding Service Bulletin Certificate 
of Compliance.

Alternative Methods of Compliance

    (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, International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, 
Transport Airplane Directorate. Operators shall submit their 
requests through an appropriate FAA Principal Maintenance Inspector, 
who may add comments and then send it to the Manager, International 
Branch, ANM-116.

    Note 2: Information concerning the existence of approved 
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be 
obtained from the International Branch, ANM-116.

Special Flight Permits

    (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.

    Note 3: The subject of this AD is addressed in Israeli 
airworthiness directive 35-02-07-02, dated August 18, 2002.


    Issued in Renton, Washington, on February 13, 2003.
Ali Bahrami,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 03-4166 Filed 2-20-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P