[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 217 (Wednesday, November 10, 2004)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 65095-65097]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-25029]


 ========================================================================
 Proposed Rules
                                                 Federal Register
 ________________________________________________________________________
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 This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains notices to the public of 
 the proposed issuance of rules and regulations. The purpose of these 
 notices is to give interested persons an opportunity to participate in 
 the rule making prior to the adoption of the final rules.
 
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 

  Federal Register / Vol. 69, No. 217 / Wednesday, November 10, 2004 / 
Proposed Rules  

[[Page 65095]]



DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2004-19565; Directorate Identifier 2004-NM-104-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


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

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) 
for certain Gulfstream Aerospace LP Model Galaxy and Gulfstream 200 
airplanes. This proposed AD would require inspecting for incorrect 
torque of the retaining bolt of the aft trunnion of the main landing 
gear (MLG), and for associated damage to certain components, and 
adjustments or repairs if necessary. This proposed AD is prompted by a 
report of a rumbling sound heard by the flightcrew during takeoff, and 
the rumbling stopped after the MLG was retracted. We are proposing this 
AD to prevent damage to the retaining bolt and bearing of the aft 
trunnion of the MLG, which could result in reduced structural integrity 
of the MLG and consequent reduced controllability of the airplane on 
the ground.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by December 10, 
2004.

ADDRESSES: Use one of the following addresses to submit comments on 
this proposed AD.
     DOT Docket Web site: Go to http://dms.dot.gov and follow 
the instructions for sending your comments electronically.
     Government-wide rulemaking web site: Go to http://www.regulations.gov and follow the instructions for sending your 
comments electronically.
     Mail: Docket Management Facility, U.S. Department of 
Transportation, 400 Seventh Street SW., Nassif Building, room PL-401, 
Washington, DC 20590.
     By fax: (202) 493-2251.
     Hand Delivery: Room PL-401 on the plaza level of the 
Nassif Building, 400 Seventh Street SW., Washington, DC, between 9 a.m. 
and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
    For service information identified in this proposed AD, contact 
Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation, P.O. Box 2206, Mail Station D-25, 
Savannah, Georgia 31402.
    You can examine the contents of this AD docket on the Internet at 
http://dms.dot.gov, or in person at the Docket Management Facility, 
U.S. Department of Transportation, 400 Seventh Street SW., room PL-401, 
on the plaza level of the Nassif Building, Washington, DC. This docket 
number is FAA-2004-19565; the directorate identifier for this docket is 
2004-NM-104-AD.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
    Technical information: 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.
    Plain language information: Marcia Walters, [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Docket Management System (DMS)

    The FAA has implemented new procedures for maintaining AD dockets 
electronically. As of May 17, 2004, new AD actions are posted on DMS 
and assigned a docket number. We track each action and assign a 
corresponding directorate identifier. The DMS AD docket number is in 
the form ``Docket No. FAA-2004-99999.'' The Transport Airplane 
Directorate identifier is in the form ``Directorate Identifier 2004-NM-
999-AD.'' Each DMS AD docket also lists the directorate identifier 
(``Old Docket Number'') as a cross-reference for searching purposes.

Comments Invited

    We invite you to submit any relevant written data, views, or 
arguments regarding this proposed AD. Send your comments to an address 
listed under ADDRESSES. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2004-19565; 
Directorate Identifier 2004-NM-104-AD'' at the beginning of your 
comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the proposed AD. We will 
consider all comments submitted by the closing date and may amend the 
proposed AD in light of those comments.
    We will post all comments we receive, without change, to http://dms.dot.gov, including any personal information you provide. We will 
also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact with FAA 
personnel concerning this proposed AD. Using the search function of our 
docket website, anyone can find and read the comments in any of our 
dockets, including the name of the individual who sent the comment (or 
signed the comment on behalf of an association, business, labor union, 
etc.). You can review the DOT's complete Privacy Act Statement in the 
Federal Register published on April 11, 2000 (65 FR 19477-78), or you 
can visit http://dms.dot.gov.
    We are reviewing the writing style we currently use in regulatory 
documents. We are interested in your comments on whether the style of 
this document is clear, and your suggestions to improve the clarity of 
our communications that affect you. You can get more information about 
plain language at http://www.faa.gov/language and http://www.plainlanguage.gov.

Examining the Docket

    You can examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://dms.dot.gov, or in person at the Docket Management Facility office 
between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal 
holidays. The Docket Management Facility office (telephone (800) 647-
5227) is located on the plaza level of the Nassif Building at the DOT 
street address stated in the ADDRESSES section. Comments will be 
available in the AD docket shortly after the DMS receives them.

Discussion

    The Civil Aviation Administration of Israel (CAAI), which is the 
airworthiness authority for Israel, notified us that an unsafe 
condition may exist on certain Gulfstream Model Galaxy and Gulfstream 
200 airplanes. The CAAI advises that a rumbling sound was heard by the 
flightcrew of a Model Galaxy airplane during takeoff,

[[Page 65096]]

and the rumbling stopped after the main landing gear (MLG) was 
retracted. Investigation revealed excessive play had occurred in the 
trunnion bearing of the left-hand MLG due to inadequate torque to 
retain the bearing. Inadequate torque would allow the bearing to 
migrate inside the bearing housing, causing damage to the retaining 
bolt and bearing, which could result in reduced structural integrity of 
the MLG and consequent reduced controllability of the airplane on the 
ground.
    The trunnion of the MLG on Model Galaxy airplanes is the same on 
Model Gulfstream 200 airplanes; therefore, the unsafe condition could 
exist on all of these airplanes.

Relevant Service Information

    Gulfstream has issued Alert Service Bulletin 200-32A-213, dated 
August 19, 2003. The service bulletin applies to airplanes on which the 
existing aft MLG washers have been replaced with improved chamfered 
washers, as specified in Gulfstream Service Bulletin 200-32-076, dated 
October 4, 2002. Service Bulletin 200-32-076 specified incorrect torque 
values and has been replaced with Service Bulletin 200-32A-213. Service 
Bulletin 200-32A-213 describes procedures for a one-time visual 
inspection of the retaining bolt of the aft trunnion of the MLG to 
ensure that it is torqued correctly; inspecting for associated damage 
to the bearing, washer, or bolt, and adjustments or repairs if 
necessary. The adjustments and repairs include re-torqueing the 
retaining bolt to the correct value, and replacing any damaged 
components.
    Accomplishing the actions specified in Service Bulletin 200-32A-213 
is intended to adequately address the unsafe condition. The CAAI 
mandated the service information and issued Israeli airworthiness 
directive 32-03-08-07, dated August 20, 2003, to ensure the continued 
airworthiness of these airplanes in Israel.

FAA's Determination and Requirements of the Proposed AD

    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. We have examined the CAAI's findings, 
evaluated all pertinent information, and determined that we need to 
issue an AD for products of this type design that are certificated for 
operation in the United States.
    Therefore, we are proposing this AD, which would require 
accomplishing the actions specified in Service Bulletin 200-32A-213, 
except as discussed under ``Difference Between the Proposed AD and 
Service Information.''

Difference Between the Proposed AD and Service Information

    Although Service Bulletin 200-32A-213 specifies to submit a service 
reply card to the manufacturer, this proposed AD does not include such 
a requirement.

Clarification of Inspection Type

    Service Bulletin 200-32A-213 specifies accomplishing a visual 
inspection, but this proposed AD would require a general visual 
inspection. A note has been added to define that inspection.

Costs of Compliance

    This proposed AD would affect about 63 airplanes of U.S. registry. 
The proposed inspection would take about 1 work hour per airplane, at 
an average labor rate of $65 per work hour. Based on these figures, the 
estimated cost of the proposed inspection for U.S. operators is $4,095, 
or $65 per airplane.

Regulatory Findings

    We have determined that this proposed AD would not have federalism 
implications under Executive Order 13132. This proposed AD 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.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify that the 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. 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.
    We prepared a regulatory evaluation of the estimated costs to 
comply with this proposed AD. See the ADDRESSES section for a location 
to examine the regulatory evaluation.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Safety.

The Proposed Amendment

    Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the FAA proposes to amend 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. The FAA amends Sec.  39.13 by adding the following new 
airworthiness directive (AD):

Gulfstream Aerospace LP (Formerly Israel Aircraft Industries, Ltd.): 
Docket No. FAA-2004-19565; Directorate Identifier 2004-NM-104-AD.

Comments Due Date

    (a) The Federal Aviation Administration must receive comments on 
this AD action by December 10, 2004.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to Gulfstream Aerospace LP Model Galaxy and 
Gulfstream 200 Airplanes, serial numbers 004 through 042 inclusive, 
on which Gulfstream Service Bulletin 200-32-076, dated October 4, 
2002, has been incorporated; certificated in any category.

Unsafe Condition

    (d) This AD was prompted by a report of a rumbling sound heard 
by the flightcrew during takeoff, and the rumbling stopped after the 
main landing gear (MLG) was retracted. We are issuing this AD to 
prevent damage to the retaining bolt and bearing of the aft trunnion 
of the MLG, which could result in reduced structural integrity of 
the MLG and consequent reduced controllability of the airplane on 
the ground.

Compliance

    (e) You are responsible for having the actions required by this 
AD performed within the compliance times specified, unless the 
actions have already been done.

Replacement/Inspection/Adjustments or Repairs

    (f) Within 50 flight hours after the effective date of this AD: 
Accomplish a general visual inspection, as required by paragraphs 
(f)(1) and (f)(2) of this AD, by doing all the actions specified in 
Gulfstream Alert Service Bulletin 200-32A-213, dated August 19, 
2003. Any adjustments or repairs must be accomplished before further 
flight in accordance with the service bulletin.
    (1) Inspect the retaining bolt of the aft trunnion of the MLG to 
ensure that it is correctly torqued.
    (2) Inspect for associated damage to the bearing, washer, or 
bolt of the MLG.

    Note 1: For the purposes of this AD, a general visual inspection 
is: ``A visual

[[Page 65097]]

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.''

No Reporting Requirement

    (g) Gulfstream Alert Service Bulletin 200-32A-213, dated August 
19, 2003, specifies to submit a service reply card to the 
manufacturer, but this AD does not include that requirement.

Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (h) The Manager, International Branch, ANM-116, Transport 
Airplane Directorate, FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs for 
this AD, if requested in accordance with the procedures found in 14 
CFR 39.19.

Related Information

    (i) Israeli airworthiness directive 32-03-08-07, dated August 
20, 2003, also addresses the subject of this AD.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on November 1, 2004.
Kalene C. Yanamura,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 04-25029 Filed 11-9-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P