[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 161 (Tuesday, August 21, 2007)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 46582-46584]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-16416]


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

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2007-28730; Directorate Identifier 2007-CE-063-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; GARMIN International GSM 85 Servo 
Gearbox Units

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

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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

SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for 
certain GARMIN International (GARMIN) GSM 85 servo gearbox units that 
are installed on airplanes. This proposed AD would require you to 
inspect the GSM 85 servo gearbox for foreign object debris and return 
the unit to the manufacturer for replacement if you find debris. This 
proposed AD results from reports of certain GARMIN GSM 85 servo gearbox 
units that have foreign object debris inside the assembly. We are 
proposing this AD to detect and correct defective GARMIN GSM 85 servo 
gearbox units, which could result in jamming of the gearbox. Jamming of 
the gearbox could lead to the pilot having to apply excessive manual 
force to control the airplane.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by October 22, 
2007.

ADDRESSES: Use one of the following addresses to comment on this 
proposed AD:
     DOT Docket Web site: Go to  http://dms.dot.gov and follow 
the instructions for sending your comments electronically.
     Mail: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket 
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590.
     Fax: (202) 493-2251.
     Hand Delivery: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket 
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., 
Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
    For service information identified in this proposed AD, contact 
GARMIN International Inc., 1200 East 151st Street, Olathe, KS 66062; 
telephone: 913-397-8200; fax: 913-397-8282.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Roger A. Souter, Aerospace Engineer, 
FAA, Wichita Aircraft Certification Office, 1801 Airport Road, Room 
100, Wichita, Kansas 67209; telephone: 316-946-4134; fax: 316-946-4107; 
e-mail address: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

    We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or 
arguments regarding this proposed AD. Send your comments to an address 
listed under the ADDRESSES section. Include the docket number, ``FAA-
2007-28730; Directorate Identifier 2007-CE-063-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 received 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 we 
receive concerning this proposed AD.

Discussion

    We have received reports of certain GARMIN GSM 85 servo gearbox 
units having foreign object debris inside the assembly. The debris was 
found during installation and removal.
    The GSM 85 servo gearbox extrusion (housing) is composed primarily 
of aluminum. The manufacturer selectively uses a tumbling process to 
deburr the housing, which resulted in foreign object debris collecting 
in the housing cavities.
    We have determined that foreign object debris inside the gear-
assembly housing may come loose causing the GSM 85 servo gearbox to 
jam.
    This condition, if not corrected, could result in the GSM 85 servo 
gearbox unit becoming jammed. Jamming of the servo gearbox could lead 
to the pilot having to apply excessive manual force to control the 
airplane.

Relevant Service Information

    We have reviewed GARMIN International, Inc. Service Bulletin No. 
0713, Revision A, dated May 7, 2007; GARMIN International, Inc. Service 
Bulletin No. 0713, Revision B, dated May 18, 2007; GARMIN 
International, Inc. Service Bulletin No. 0713, Revision C, dated May 
29, 2007; and GARMIN International, Inc. Service Bulletin No. 0713, 
Revision D, dated June 13, 2007. These service bulletins describe 
procedures for inspecting the GSM 85 servo gearbox for foreign object 
debris and returning the unit to the manufacturer for replacement if 
debris is found.

FAA's Determination and Requirements of the Proposed AD

    We are proposing this AD because we evaluated all information and 
determined the unsafe condition described previously is likely to exist 
or develop on other products of the same type design. This proposed AD 
would require you to inspect the GSM 85 servo gearbox for foreign 
object debris and return the unit to the manufacturer for replacement 
if you find debris.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD would affect 900 airplanes in the 
U.S. registry.
    We estimate the following costs to do the proposed inspection:

[[Page 46583]]



----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                            Total cost per    Total cost on U.S.
                Labor cost                           Parts cost                airplane            operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
7 work-hours x $80 per hour = $560........  Not applicable..............               $560            $504,000
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    For airplanes that would need to replace the GSM 85 servo gearbox 
based on the results of the proposed inspection, we estimate the 
following costs to set the torque value of the slip-clutch breakaway 
required for installation. We have no way of determining the number of 
airplanes that may need this replacement:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                         Total cost per GSM 85
       Labor cost per GSM 85 Servo Gearbox                    Parts cost                     Servo Gearbox
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
.5 work-hours x $80 per hour = $40..............  Not applicable....................                        $40
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Warranty credit will be given to the extent specified in the 
service information.

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 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 and placed it in the AD docket.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket that contains the proposed AD, the 
regulatory evaluation, any comments received, and other information on 
the Internet at http://dms.dot.gov; or in person at the Docket 
Management Facility between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, 
except Federal holidays. The Docket Office (telephone (800) 647-5527) 
is located at the street address stated in the ADDRESSES section. 
Comments will be available in the AD docket shortly after receipt.

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 AD:

GARMIN International: Docket No. FAA-2007-28730; Directorate 
Identifier 2007-CE-063-AD.

Comments Due Date

    (a) We must receive comments on this airworthiness directive 
(AD) action by October 22, 2007.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to the GSM 85 servo gearbox units that are 
specified in paragraph (c)(1) of this AD and are installed on 
airplanes. These GSM 85 servo gearbox units are installed in, but 
not limited to, airplanes that are certificated in any category and 
presented in paragraph (c)(2) of this AD:
    (1) GSM 85 servo gearbox units, part numbers (P/Ns): 011-00894-
00, 011-00894-02, 011-00894-04, 011-00894-06, 011-00894-07, 011-
00894-08, 011-00894-09, 011-00894-10, 011-00894-11, and 011-00894-
14.
    (2) Airplanes with the GSM 85 servo gearbox units installed 
(other aircraft could have installations through other methods such 
as field approval):

------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Type certificate holder                       Models
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(i) Cessna Aircraft Company..  182T, T182T, 206H, and T206H.
(ii) Hawker Beechcraft         G36 and G58.
 Corporation.
(iii) Diamond Aircraft         DA40 and DA40F.
 Industries GmbH.
(iv) Columbia Aircraft         350 and 400.
 Manufacturing.
(v) Mooney Airplane Company,   M20M and M20R.
 Inc.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Unsafe Condition

    (d) This AD results from reports of certain GARMIN GSM 85 servo 
gearbox units that have foreign object debris inside the assembly. 
We are issuing this AD to detect and correct defective GARMIN GSM 85 
servo gearbox units, which could result in jamming of the servo 
gearbox. This jamming could

[[Page 46584]]

lead to the pilot having to apply excessive manual force to control 
the airplane.

Compliance

    (e) To address this problem, you must do the following, unless 
already done:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
           Actions                 Compliance            Procedures
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Check the serial tag of   Check within the      Check following
 the installed GSM 85 servo    next 100 hours time-  GARMIN
 gearbox unit to determine     in-service (TIS)      International, Inc.
 the mod level. The mod        after the effective   Service Bulletin
 level marked on the serial    date of this AD or    No. 0713, Revision
 tag indicates if the GSM 85   within the next 3     A, dated May 7,
 servo gearbox unit is         months after the      2007; Service
 already in compliance with    effective date of     Bulletin No. 0713,
 this AD.                      this AD, whichever    Revision B, dated
(i) If the serial tag on the   occurs first.         May 18, 2007;
 installed GSM 85 servo                              Service Bulletin
 gearbox unit for P/Ns 011-                          No. 0713, Revision
 00894-00 or 011-00894-10 is                         C, dated May 29,
 marked at mod level 3, no                           2007; or Service
 further action is required.                         Bulletin No. 0713,
(ii) If the serial tag on                            Revision D, dated
 the installed GSM 85 servo                          June 13, 2007. If
 gearbox unit for P/Ns 011-                          the Mod Level of
 00894-02, 011-00894-04, 011-                        the P/Ns specified
 00894-06, 011-00894-07, 011-                        in paragraph
 00894-08, 011-00894-09, 011-                        (e)(1)(i) and
 00894-11, or 011-00894-14                           (e)(1)(ii) are at
 is marked at mod level 1,                           mod level 1 and mod
 no further action is                                level 3, as
 required.                                           applicable, make an
(iii) If the serial tag on                           entry into the
 the above GSM servo gearbox                         aircraft logbook
 unit is not at mod level 1                          showing compliance
 or 3, then go to paragraph                          with this portion
 (e)(2) of this AD.                                  of the AD in
                                                     accordance with
                                                     section 43.9 of the
                                                     Federal Aviation
                                                     Regulations (14 CFR
                                                     43.9). The owner/
                                                     operator holding at
                                                     least a private
                                                     pilot certificate
                                                     as authorized by
                                                     section 43.7 of the
                                                     Federal Aviation
                                                     Regulations (14 CFR
                                                     43.7) may do this
                                                     action.
(2) If the serial tag on the  Within the next 100   Follow the
 GSM 85 servo gearbox for P/   hours TIS after the   Modification
 Ns specified in paragraph     effective date of     Instructions in
 (e)(1) of this AD is not      this AD or within     GARMIN
 marked at mod level 1 or      the next 3 calendar   International, Inc.
 mod level 3 as applicable,    months after the      Service Bulletin
 inspect the servo gearbox     effective date of     No. 0713, Revision
 for foreign object debris.    this AD, whichever    A, dated May 7,
                               occurs first.         2007; Service
                                                     Bulletin No. 0713,
                                                     Revision B, dated
                                                     May 18, 2007;
                                                     Service Bulletin
                                                     No. 0713, Revision
                                                     C, dated May 29,
                                                     2007; or Service
                                                     Bulletin No. 0713,
                                                     Revision D, dated
                                                     June 13, 2007.
(3) If foreign object debris  Before further        Follow the
 is found during the           flight after the      Modification
 inspection required in        inspection required   Instructions in
 paragraph (e)(2) of this      in paragraph (e)(2)   GARMIN
 AD, remove and return the     of this AD.           International, Inc.
 GSM 85 servo gearbox to the                         Service Bulletin
 manufacturer for                                    No. 0713, Revision
 replacement.                                        A, dated May 7,
                                                     2007; Service
                                                     Bulletin No. 0713,
                                                     Revision B, dated
                                                     May 18, 2007;
                                                     Service Bulletin
                                                     No. 0713, Revision
                                                     C, dated May 29,
                                                     2007; or Service
                                                     Bulletin No. 0713,
                                                     Revision D, dated
                                                     June 13, 2007.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (f) The Manager, Wichita Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), 
FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested 
using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. Send information to 
ATTN: Roger A. Souter, Aerospace Engineer, FAA, Wichita ACO, 1801 
Airport Road, Room 100, Wichita, Kansas 67209; telephone: (316) 946-
4134; fax: (316) 946-4107; e-mail address: [email protected]. 
Before using any approved AMOC on any airplane to which the AMOC 
applies, notify your appropriate principal inspector (PI) in the FAA 
Flight Standards District Office (FSDO), or lacking a PI, your local 
FSDO.

Related Information

    (g) To get copies of the service information referenced in this 
AD, contact GARMIN International Inc., 1200 East 151st Street, 
Olathe, KS 66062; telephone: (913) 397-8200; fax: (913) 397-8282. To 
view the AD docket, go to U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket 
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590, or on the Internet at 
http://dms.dot.gov. The docket number is Docket No. FAA-2007-28730; 
Directorate Identifier 2007-CE-063-AD.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on August 14, 2007.
Terry L. Chasteen,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
 [FR Doc. E7-16416 Filed 8-20-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P