[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 83 (Thursday, April 29, 2004)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 23458-23460]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-9764]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2002-NM-325-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Gulfstream Aerospace LP Model Galaxy 
and Model Gulfstream 200 Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: This document proposes the adoption of a new airworthiness 
directive (AD) that is applicable to certain Gulfstream Aerospace LP 
Model Galaxy and Model Gulfstream 200 airplanes. This proposal would 
require a one-time detailed inspection of the wing flap actuators for 
proper bonding of the flap actuator fairings to the lower skin of the 
wings, and related corrective or preventative actions. These actions 
are necessary to prevent possible damage to adjacent structural 
elements (such as the horizontal stabilizer) caused by separation of 
the flap actuator fairings from the wing lower skin, which could result 
in reduced controllability of the airplane. These actions are intended 
to address the identified unsafe condition.

DATES: Comments must be received by June 1, 2004.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 2002-NM-325-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-325-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 or 2000 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:

     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.
     For each issue, state what specific change to 
the proposed AD is being requested.
     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

[[Page 23459]]

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-325-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-325-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 Galaxy and 
Model Gulfstream 200 airplanes. The CAAI advises that several cases of 
adhesive separation of the flap actuator fairings from the lower skin 
of the wings have been reported. This condition, if not corrected, 
could result in possible damage to adjacent structural elements (such 
as the horizontal stabilizer), which could result in reduced 
controllability of the airplane.

Explanation of Relevant Service Information

    Gulfstream Aerospace LP has issued Alert Service Bulletin 200-57A-
161, Revision 1, dated November 7, 2002, which describes procedures for 
a one-time detailed inspection of the wing flap actuators for proper 
bonding of the flap actuator fairings to the lower skin of the wings. 
Related corrective or preventative actions, as applicable, include 
initial reinforcement of the adhesive of the actuator fairings; and 
removal and reattachment of the fairings to the lower skin of the 
wings. 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 57-02-10-15, dated October 31, 2002, to ensure 
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 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.

Difference Between Proposed Rule and Referenced Service Bulletin

    Operators should note that, although the referenced service 
bulletin describes procedures for reporting compliance with the service 
bulletin to the manufacturer, this proposed AD would not require that 
action. The FAA does not need this information from operators.

Cost Impact

    The FAA estimates that 60 airplanes of U.S. registry would be 
affected by this proposed AD, that it would take approximately 13 work 
hours per airplane to accomplish the proposed actions, and that the 
average labor rate is $65 per work hour. Required parts would be 
supplied free of charge by the manufacturer. Based on these figures, 
the cost impact of the proposed AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be 
$50,700, or $845 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.

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-325-AD.

    Applicability: Model Galaxy and Model Gulfstream 200 airplanes, 
serial numbers 004 through 074 inclusive; certificated in any 
category.
    Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished 
previously.
    To prevent possible separation of the flap actuator fairings 
from the wing lower skin from causing damage to adjacent structural 
elements (such as the horizontal stabilizer), which could result in 
reduced controllability of the airplane, accomplish the following:

[[Page 23460]]

Inspection

    (a) Within 30 flight hours or 5 flight cycles after the 
effective date of this AD, whichever occurs earlier, perform a one-
time detailed inspection of the wing flap actuators for proper 
bonding of the flap actuator fairings to the lower skin of the 
wings; in accordance with Part A of the Accomplishment Instructions 
of Gulfstream Aerospace LP Alert Service Bulletin 200-57A-161, 
Revision 1, dated November 7, 2002.

    Note 1: For the purposes of this AD, a detailed inspection is 
defined as: ``An intensive visual examination of a specific 
structural area, system, installation, or assembly to detect damage, 
failure, or irregularity. Available lighting is normally 
supplemented with a direct source of good lighting at intensity 
deemed appropriate by the inspector. Inspection aids such as mirror, 
magnifying lenses, etc., may be used. Surface cleaning and elaborate 
access procedures may be required.''

Reinforcement of Actuator Fairing Adhesive

    (b) If the inspection required by paragraph (a) of this AD 
reveals either no separation or separation of the flap actuator 
fairings from the lower skin of the wings that is within the limits 
specified in Gulfstream Aerospace LP Alert Service Bulletin 200-57A-
161, Revision 1, dated November 7, 2002, do paragraphs (b)(1) and 
(b)(2) of this AD.
    (1) Prior to further flight, apply sealant around the edges of 
the fairings, in accordance with Part A of the Accomplishment 
Instructions of the service bulletin.
    (2) Within 300 flight hours after performing paragraph (b)(1) of 
this AD, remove and reattach the flap actuator fairings in 
accordance with Part B of the Accomplishment Instructions of the 
service bulletin.

Removal and Reattachment of Actuator Fairings

    (c) If the inspection required by paragraph (a) of this AD 
reveals separation of the flap actuator fairings from the lower skin 
of the wings that is outside the limits specified in Gulfstream 
Aerospace LP Alert Service Bulletin 200-57A161, Revision 1, dated 
November 7, 2002: Prior to further flight, remove and reattach the 
flap actuator fairings in accordance with Part B of the 
Accomplishment Instructions of the service bulletin.

Actions Accomplished Per Previous Issue of Service Bulletin

    (d) Actions accomplished before the effective date of this AD 
per Gulfstream Aerospace LP Alert Service Bulletin 200-57A-161, 
dated November 5, 2002, are considered acceptable for compliance 
with the corresponding actions specified in this AD.

Reporting Requirements

    (e) Although the service bulletin referenced in this AD 
specifies to submit certain information to the manufacturer, this AD 
does not include such a requirement.

Alternative Methods of Compliance

    (f) In accordance with 14 CFR 39.19, the Manager, International 
Branch, ANM-116, FAA, is authorized to approve alternative methods 
of compliance for this AD.

    Note 2: The subject of this AD is addressed in Israeli 
airworthiness directive AD 57-02-10-15, dated October 31, 2002.


    Issued in Renton, Washington, on April 21, 2004.
Kalene C. Yanamura,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 04-9764 Filed 4-28-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P