[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 85 (Monday, May 3, 2004)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 24103-24105]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-9901]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2003-NM-204-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Gulfstream Aerospace LP Model Astra SPX 
and 1125 Westwind Astra Series Airplanes; and Model Gulfstream 100 
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 Astra SPX, and 1125 Westwind Astra series airplanes; and Model 
Gulfstream 100 airplanes. This proposal would require a one-time 
inspection of the outboard doors of the main landing gear (MLG) for 
evidence of impact with the surrounding structure, and for damage to 
the door seals and seal channels; measurements for adequate gaps and 
clearances; and related investigative and corrective actions, if 
necessary. This action is necessary to prevent damage to or breakage of 
the MLG outboard doors, which could result in the loss of a door during 
flight, and consequent damage to the airplane and injury to people or 
damage to property on the ground. This action is intended to address 
the identified unsafe condition.

DATES: Comments must be received by June 2, 2004.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane Directorate, ANM-114, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 2003-NM-204-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. 2003-NM-204-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 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 2003-NM-204-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. 2003-NM-204-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; and Model Gulfstream 100 
airplanes. The CAAI advises that at least six cases of damage and/or 
breakage of the outboard doors of the main landing gear (MLG) have been 
reported, which were caused by insufficient clearance or interference 
with the surrounding structure. This condition, if not corrected, could 
result in damage to or breakage of the MLG outboard doors, which could 
cause the loss of a door during flight, and consequent damage to the 
airplane and injury to people or damage to property on the ground.

Explanation of Relevant Service Information

    Gulfstream Aerospace LP has issued Service Bulletin 100-32-223, 
Revision 2, dated June 2, 2003, which describes procedures for 
accomplishing the following actions on the left and right MLG outboard 
doors:
     An inspection for evidence of impact with the 
surrounding structure (including evidence of the edge of the door 
hitting the wing or wing fairing when the door closes; and damage to 
the door seals and door seal channels, which includes tears, scratches, 
and rub marks).
     Measurement of the gap clearance of the forward 
and aft edges of the door.
     Measurement of the clearance between the hinge 
taper fillers and the door opening in the wing lower skin.
    For doors on which evidence of impact with the surrounding 
structure is found, the service bulletin describes procedures for 
related investigative action, which includes doing an inspection for 
delamination or cracking at the door hinge area and at locations on the 
door where it hit the wing fairing. If any cracking or delamination is 
found, the service bulletin

[[Page 24104]]

recommends contacting Gulfstream for evaluation of the damage and for 
corrective actions.
    If any damage is found to the door seals or seal channels, or if 
any gap or clearance measurement is incorrect, the service bulletin 
describes procedures for corrective actions. The corrective actions 
include replacing damaged seals and/or seal channels; repairing cracks 
and/or delamination; shifting the door forward; and trimming the wheel 
well fairing, the hinge taper fillers, and/or the wing fairing; as 
applicable.
    The CAAI classified this service bulletin as mandatory and issued 
Israeli airworthiness directive 32-03-03-04, R3, dated June 24, 2003, 
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 us informed of the 
situation described above. We have 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 the Proposed Rule and the Israeli Airworthiness 
Directive

    Although Israeli airworthiness directive 32-03-03-04, Revision 3, 
requires compliance with Part A and Part B of the Accomplishment 
Instructions of Gulfstream Service Bulletin 1125-32-223, Revision 1, 
this proposed AD would require compliance only with Part A of Revision 
2 of the service bulletin. Part B contains actions for airplanes that 
have incorporated the original release of the service bulletin. Part A 
includes all of the actions from the original release as well as the 
actions in Part B of Revisions 1 and 2 so that all airplanes, even 
those that have not incorporated the original release, would be 
compliant at the same level. We did not previously require compliance 
with either the original release or with Release 1 of the service 
bulletin; consequently, we would require compliance only with Part A of 
Revision 2.

Differences Between Proposed Rule and the Service Bulletin

    Although the service bulletin specifies that operators may contact 
the manufacturer for disposition of certain repair conditions, this 
proposal would require operators to repair those conditions per a 
method approved by either the FAA or the CAAI (or its delegated agent). 
In light of the type of repair that would be required to address the 
unsafe condition, and consistent with existing bilateral airworthiness 
agreements, we have determined that, for this proposed AD, a repair 
approved by either the FAA or the CAAI would be acceptable for 
compliance with this proposed AD.
    The service bulletin describes procedures for inspecting for 
delamination or cracking, but does not define the type of inspection. 
This proposed AD defines the inspection as a ``general visual 
inspection.'' A definition of this inspection is included in Note 1 of 
this proposed AD.
    Although the referenced service bulletin describes procedures for 
completion and submission of a service reply card, this proposed AD 
would not require that action.

Cost Impact

    The FAA estimates that 125 airplanes of U.S. registry would be 
affected by this proposed AD, that it would take approximately 16 work 
hours per airplane to accomplish the proposed actions, and that the 
average labor rate is $65 per work hour. Based on these figures, the 
cost impact of the proposed AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be 
$130,000, or $1,040 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 2003-NM-204-AD.

    Applicability: Gulfstream Aerospace LP Model Astra SPX and 
Westwind Astra 1125 series airplanes; and Model Gulfstream 100 
airplanes; as listed in Gulfstream Service Bulletin 1125-32-223, 
Revision 2, dated June 2, 2003; certificated in any category.
    Compliance: Required as indicated, unless accomplished 
previously.
    To prevent damage to or breakage of the main landing gear (MLG) 
outboard doors, which could result in the loss of a door during 
flight, and consequent damage to the airplane and injury to people 
or damage to property on the ground, accomplish the following:

[[Page 24105]]

Inspections and Measurements

    (a) Except as provided by paragraph (b) of this AD: Within 250 
flight hours after the effective date of this AD, do general visual 
inspections of the MLG outboard doors for evidence of impact with 
the surrounding structure, measure door gap clearances, and do any 
related investigative and corrective actions, as applicable, by 
accomplishing all of the actions per Part A of the Accomplishment 
Instructions of Gulfstream Service Bulletin 100-32-223, Revision 2, 
dated June 2, 2003. Do the applicable related investigative and 
corrective actions prior to further flight following the 
inspections.

    Note 1: For the purposes of this AD, a general visual inspection 
is defined as: ``A visual examination of an interior or exterior 
area, installation, or assembly to detect obvious damage, failure, 
or irregularity. This level of inspection is made from within 
touching distance unless otherwise specified. A mirror may be 
necessary to enhance visual access to all exposed surfaces in the 
inspection area. This level of inspection is made under normally 
available lighting conditions such as daylight, hangar lighting, 
flashlight, or droplight and may require removal or opening of 
access panels or doors. Stands, ladders, or platforms may be 
required to gain proximity to the area being checked.''

Repair of Cracks or Delamination, if Necessary

    (b) If any evidence of cracking or delamination is found on any 
MLG door during the inspection for delamination or cracking required 
by paragraph (a) of this AD: Before further flight, repair in 
accordance with a method approved by either the Manager, 
International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate; 
or the Civil Aviation Administration of Israel (CAAI) (or its 
delegated agent).

No Reply Requirement

    (c) Although the service bulletin describes procedures for 
completion and submission of a service reply card, this AD would not 
require those actions.

Actions Accomplished per a Previous Release of the Service Bulletin

    (d) Actions accomplished before the effective date of this AD 
per Gulfstream Service Bulletin 100-32-223, Revision 1, dated May 
22, 2003, are considered acceptable for compliance with the 
corresponding actions specified in paragraph (a) of this AD.

Alternative Methods of Compliance

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

    Note 2: The subject of this AD is addressed in Israeli 
airworthiness directive 32-03-03-04 R3, dated June 24, 2003.


    Issued in Renton, Washington, on April 21, 2004.
Kalene C. Yanamura,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 04-9901 Filed 4-30-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P