[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 104 (Wednesday, May 31, 2006)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 30796-30798]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 06-4910]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2005-23478; Directorate Identifier 2005-NM-175-AD; 
Amendment 39-14602; AD 2006-10-18]
RIN 2120-AA64


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

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of 
Transportation (DOT).

ACTION: Final rule.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all 
Gulfstream Aerospace LP Model Galaxy and Model Gulfstream 200 
airplanes. This AD requires revising the Limitations section of the 
airplane flight manual (AFM) by incorporating revised takeoff 
performance tables. This AD results from a correction of the power 
setting logic and table limits in the performance model by the engine 
manufacturer. We are issuing this AD to ensure that the flightcrew is 
provided with correct information to ensure a safe takeoff at certain 
altitudes; inadequate takeoff performance tables used in such 
conditions could result in reduced control of the airplane during 
takeoff.

[[Page 30797]]


DATES: This AD becomes effective July 5, 2006.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in the AD as of July 5, 2006.

ADDRESSES: You may examine the 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., Nassif Building, 
Room PL-401, Washington, DC.
    Contact Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation, P.O. Box 2206, Mail 
Station D-25, Savannah, Georgia 31402-2206, for service information 
identified in this AD.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mike Borfitz, Aerospace Engineer, 
International Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA, 
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (425) 
227-2677; fax (425) 227-1149.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Examining the Docket

    You may examine the airworthiness directive (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 street address stated in the ADDRESSES section.

Discussion

    The FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 
CFR part 39 to include an AD that would apply to all Gulfstream 
Aerospace LP Model Galaxy and Model Gulfstream 200 airplanes. That NPRM 
was published in the Federal Register on January 4, 2006 (71 FR 295). 
That NPRM proposed to require revising the Limitations section of the 
airplane flight manual (AFM) by incorporating revised takeoff 
performance tables.

Comments

    We provided the public the opportunity to participate in the 
development of this AD. We have considered the single comment received.

Request To Withdraw NPRM

    Gulfstream asks that, instead of issuing the NPRM, the FAA consider 
the release of a new AFM as the official mandatory method to 
incorporate the revised takeoff performance tables, after the revision 
is approved by the Civil Aviation Administration of Israel (CAAI), 
which is the airworthiness authority for Israel. Gulfstream states that 
mandatory incorporation of Israel Aircraft Industries Gulfstream 200 
Temporary Revision (TR) 7, dated August 18, 2003, may result in 
operator indecision when incorporating the TR. Gulfstream notes the 
reason for this is that TR 7 includes two manual changes, in addition 
to the revised takeoff performance tables: MOD 10023 aircraft 
effectivity change, and a revision to the caution message definition of 
the thrust reverser meaning and action sections. Those temporary 
changes were superseded with permanent revisions to the AFM; therefore, 
full incorporation of TR 7 could confuse operators by mandating 
incorporation of superseded information. Gulfstream adds that TR 7 has 
been distributed to all Galaxy/Gulfstream 200 operators, and has been 
incorporated into the AFMs for new production airplanes; therefore, 
issuing the NPRM would only serve to mandate that operators verify that 
the correct flight limitation tables are in place.
    We do not agree to withdraw the NPRM since we have determined that 
an unsafe condition exists, and the actions required by this AD are 
necessary to ensure the continued safety of the affected fleet. In 
addition, without the issuance of an AD a new AFM cannot be made 
mandatory.
    For the reasons provided by Gulfstream, we do agree to change the 
requirements in paragraph (f) of this AD to incorporate only Section V, 
``Performance,'' as identified in Gulfstream TR 7. Section V contains 
the revised takeoff performance tables. We cannot delay the AD to wait 
for issuance of the new AFM; however, when the new AFM is issued and 
approved by us, operators may follow their standard procedures for 
incorporating AFM revisions. Additionally, paragraph (f) of this AD 
indicates that when information identical to that in Section V of TR 7 
is included in general revisions to the AFM, the general revisions may 
be inserted into the AFM. No further change to the AD is necessary in 
the regard.

Clarification of Unsafe Condition

    We have revised the statement of the unsafe condition in this AD to 
clarify the effect of using inadequate takeoff performance tables.

Conclusion

    We have carefully reviewed the available data, including the 
comment received, and determined that air safety and the public 
interest require adopting the AD with the change described previously. 
This change will neither increase the economic burden on any operator 
nor increase the scope of the AD.

Costs of Compliance

    This AD affects about 82 airplanes of U.S. registry. The AFM 
revision takes 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 
AD for U.S. operators is $5,330, or $65 per airplane.

Authority for This Rulemaking

    Title 49 of the United States Code specifies the FAA's authority to 
issue rules on aviation safety. Subtitle I, section 106, describes the 
authority of the FAA Administrator. Subtitle VII, Aviation Programs, 
describes in more detail the scope of the Agency's authority.
    We are issuing this rulemaking under the authority described in 
subtitle VII, part A, subpart III, section 44701, ``General 
requirements.''
    Under that section, Congress charges the FAA with promoting safe 
flight of civil aircraft in air commerce by prescribing regulations for 
practices, methods, and procedures the Administrator finds necessary 
for safety in air commerce. This regulation is within the scope of that 
authority because it addresses an unsafe condition that is likely to 
exist or develop on products identified in this rulemaking action.

Regulatory Findings

    We have determined that this AD will not have federalism 
implications under Executive Order 13132. This AD 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.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this AD:
    (1) Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive 
Order 12866;
    (2) Is not a ``significant rule'' under 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 AD and placed it in the AD docket. See the ADDRESSES 
section for a location to examine the regulatory evaluation.

[[Page 30798]]

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by 
reference, Safety.

Adoption of the Amendment

0
Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the Administrator, 
the FAA amends 14 CFR part 39 as follows:

PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES

0
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]

0
2. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) amends Sec.  39.13 by 
adding the following new airworthiness directive (AD):

2006-10-18 Gulfstream Aerospace LP (formerly Israel Aircraft 
Industries, Ltd.): Amendment 39-14602. Docket No. FAA-2005-23478; 
Directorate Identifier 2005-NM-175-AD.

Effective Date

    (a) This AD becomes effective July 5, 2006.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to all Gulfstream Model Galaxy and Model 
Gulfstream 200 airplanes, certificated in any category.

Unsafe Condition

    (d) This AD results from a correction of the power setting logic 
and table limits in the performance model by the engine 
manufacturer. We are issuing this AD to ensure that the flightcrew 
is provided with correct information to ensure a safe takeoff at 
certain altitudes; inadequate takeoff performance tables used in 
such conditions could result in reduced control of the airplane 
during takeoff.

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.

Airplane Flight Manual (AFM) Revision

    (f) Within 50 flight hours after the effective date of this AD: 
Revise the Limitations section of the Gulfstream 200 AFM, by 
incorporating the information specified in Section V, 
``Performance,'' of Israel Aircraft Industries Gulfstream 200 
Temporary Revision (TR) 7, dated August 18, 2003, as specified in 
the TR. Section V of TR 7 includes procedures for incorporating 
revised takeoff performance tables. Thereafter, operate the airplane 
according to the limitations and procedures in Section V of TR 7. 
This may be done by inserting a copy of Section V of Gulfstream TR 7 
into the AFM. When Section V of TR 7 has been included in the 
general revisions of the AFM, the general revisions may be inserted 
in the AFM, provided the relevant information in the general 
revision is identical to that in Section V of TR 7.

Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (g)(1) 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.
    (2) Before using any AMOC approved in accordance with Sec.  
39.19 on any airplane to which the AMOC applies, notify the 
appropriate principal inspector in the FAA Flight Standards 
Certificate Holding District Office.

Related Information

    (h) Israeli airworthiness directive 72-03-05-09, dated September 
22, 2003, also addresses the subject of this AD.

Material Incorporated by Reference

    (i) You must use Israel Aircraft Industries Gulfstream 200 
Temporary
    Revision 7, dated August 18, 2003, to the Gulfstream 200 
Airplane Flight
    Manual, to perform the actions that are required by this AD, 
unless the AD specifies otherwise. The Director of the Federal 
Register approved the incorporation by reference of this document in 
accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. Contact 
Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation, P.O. Box 2206, Mail Station D-25, 
Savannah, Georgia 31402-2206, for a copy of this service 
information. You may review copies at the Docket Management 
Facility, U.S. Department of Transportation, 400 Seventh Street, 
SW., Room PL-401, Nassif Building, Washington, DC; on the Internet 
at http://dms.dot.gov; or at the National Archives and Records 
Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of this 
material at the NARA, call (202) 741-6030, or go to http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on May 9, 2006.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 06-4910 Filed 5-30-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P