[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 146 (Monday, July 30, 2012)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 44432-44434]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-18153]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2010-1164; Directorate Identifier 2010-NM-057-AD; 
Amendment 39-17135; AD 2012-15-06]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Gulfstream Aerospace LP (Type 
Certificate Previously Held by Israel Aircraft Industries, Ltd.) 
Airplanes

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

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain 
Gulfstream Aerospace LP (Type Certificate previously held by Israel 
Aircraft Industries, Ltd.) Model Astra SPX, 1125 Westwind Astra, and 
Gulfstream 100 airplanes. This AD was prompted by a report indicating 
that sponge rubber padding was found between wheel well fuel lines and 
electrical harnesses. This AD requires inspecting for the presence of 
sponge rubber padding and for proper separation of the fuel lines and 
electrical harnesses in the wheel well area, and corrective actions if 
necessary. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct corrosion or 
chafing of the fuel lines, which could result in fuel leakage and 
possible fire in the wheel well area.

DATES: This AD becomes effective September 4, 2012.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of September 4, 
2012.

ADDRESSES: You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov or in person at the U.S. Department of 
Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, 
Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tom Groves, Aerospace Engineer, 
International Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA, 
1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, Washington 98057-3356; telephone (425) 
227-1503; fax (425) 227-1149.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

    We issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR 
part 39 to include an AD that would apply to the specified products. 
That NPRM was published in the Federal Register on December 8, 2010 (75 
FR 76317). That NPRM proposed to correct an unsafe condition for the 
specified products. The MCAI states:

    Sponge rubber padding used to provide separation between wheel 
well fuel lines and electrical harnesses was discovered during fleet 
maintenance. Use of this type of padding for this purpose is not 
approved as it is liable to cause corrosion of the fuel lines. 
Unless steps are taken to remove this padding and install approved 
separation means, fuel lines may be damaged by corrosion and/or 
chafing resulting in an unsafe condition due to fuel leakage[, which 
could result in a fire] in the wheel well area.

Corrective actions include installing loop clamps to correct improper 
separation and removing sponge rubber padding, and repair or 
replacement of any corroded or chafed fuel lines found after sponge 
rubber padding removal. You may obtain further information by examining 
the MCAI in the AD docket.

Comments

    We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing 
this AD. We have considered the comments received.

Requests To Include Additional Inspection Area

    Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation (Gulfstream) requested that the 
inspection area be expanded to include tube assemblies outside of the 
wheel well area that have also been found to have sponge rubber padding 
and corrosion beneath the padding. Gulfstream stated that the padding 
with corrosion beneath has been found on four tube assemblies outside 
of the wheel well area specified in the NPRM (75 FR 76317, December 8, 
2010) and Gulfstream Service Bulletin 100-28-297, dated January 21, 
2010. These four tube assemblies are part of, or an extension of, the 
tube assemblies identified by part number in that service bulletin, and 
terminate in the wing root area.
    John R. Dunn, a private citizen, stated that, upon further 
investigation after discovering instances of sponge rubber

[[Page 44433]]

in the left wheel well, foam (sponge rubber padding) was found wrapped 
around tubes in the forward wing root areas of two airplanes along with 
wire harnesses alongside the affected tubes. Corrosion was also found 
on those tubes. John R. Dunn stated that neither of the affected wing 
root areas are mentioned in Gulfstream Service Bulletin 100-28-297, 
dated January 21, 2010.
    We partially agree. We agree to investigate reports of sponge 
rubber padding use, and any subsequent corrosion, that occurs outside 
of the wheel well area specified in Gulfstream Service Bulletin 100-28-
297, dated January 21, 2010. Depending on the results of the 
investigation, we will work with the airplane manufacturer to develop 
appropriate service information and might consider additional 
rulemaking to address these areas. We do not agree to change this AD to 
include the additional areas outside of the wheel well areas, since 
that would expand the scope of this AD and therefore require additional 
public review. We do not yet have sufficient information to justify 
delaying this AD to include those tubes. We have not changed the AD in 
this regard.

Request To Revise Wording in Paragraph (g) of NPRM (75 FR 76317, 
December 8, 2010)

    Gulfstream requested that the NPRM (75 FR 76317, December 8, 2010) 
be revised to state that ``all'' tubes in the wheel well areas be 
inspected for the sponge rubber padding and corrosion conditions. 
Gulfstream stated that it has received reports where tube part numbers 
other than those called out in the service information have sponge 
rubber padding.
    We disagree to revise the wording in paragraph (g) of this AD to 
add the word ``all.'' Gulfstream Service Bulletin 100-28-297, dated 
January 21, 2010, already specifies a detailed inspection in the wheel 
well area for the presence of sponge rubber padding without specifying 
part numbers. As noted in paragraph 4.A. of the Accomplishment 
Instructions of that service bulletin, this inspection is not limited 
to the fuel line part numbers identified in that service bulletin. The 
Accomplishment Instructions of that service bulletin note that if fuel 
lines other than those with part numbers identified in that service 
bulletin are found to have sponge rubber padding, then the padding must 
be removed and those affected tubes must also be inspected for 
corrosion. We have not revised the AD in this regard.

Conclusion

    We reviewed the available data, including the comments received, 
and determined that air safety and the public interest require adopting 
the AD as proposed, except for minor editorial changes. We have 
determined that these minor changes:
     Are consistent with the intent that was proposed in the 
NPRM (75 FR 76317, December 8, 2010) for correcting the unsafe 
condition; and
     Do not add any additional burden upon the public than was 
already proposed in the NPRM (75 FR 76317, December 8, 2010).

Differences Between This AD and the MCAI or Service Information

    Where Gulfstream Service Bulletin 100-28-297, dated January 21, 
2010, specifies to submit a photo of any sponge rubber padding that is 
found to the manufacturer, this AD does not require that action.
    Gulfstream Service Bulletin 100-28-297, dated January 21, 2010, 
instructs operators to contact Gulfstream if technical assistance is 
required. However, any deviation from the instructions provided in that 
service bulletin and mandated by this AD must be approved as an 
alternative method of compliance (AMOC) under the provisions of 
paragraph (h)(1) of this AD.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD will affect 130 products of U.S. registry. 
We also estimate that it will take about 25 work-hours per product to 
comply with the basic requirements of this AD. The average labor rate 
is $85 per work-hour. Required parts will cost about $100 per product. 
Where the service information lists required parts costs that are 
covered under warranty, we have assumed that there will be no charge 
for these parts. As we do not control warranty coverage for affected 
parties, some parties may incur costs higher than estimated here. Based 
on these figures, we estimate the cost of this AD to the U.S. operators 
to be $289,250, or $2,225 per product.

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 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 the DOT Regulatory Policies 
and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979);
    3. Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska; and
    4. 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.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov; or in person at the Docket Operations office 
between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal 
holidays. The AD docket contains the NPRM (75 FR 76317, December 8, 
2010), the regulatory evaluation, any comments received, and other 
information. The street address for the Docket Operations office 
(telephone (800) 647-5527) is 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, Incorporation by 
reference, Safety.

Adoption of the Amendment

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

[[Page 44434]]

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 FAA amends Sec.  39.13 by adding the following new AD:

2012-15-06 Gulfstream Aerospace LP (Type Certificate Previously Held 
by Israel Aircraft Industries, Ltd.): Amendment 39-17135. Docket No. 
FAA-2010-1164; Directorate Identifier 2010-NM-057-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective September 4, 
2012.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Gulfstream Aerospace LP (Type Certificate 
previously held by Israel Aircraft Industries, Ltd.) Model Astra 
SPX, 1125 Westwind Astra, and Gulfstream 100 airplanes, serial 
numbers 002 through 158 inclusive, certificated in any category.

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 28: Fuel.

(e) Reason

    This AD was prompted by a report indicating that sponge rubber 
padding was found between wheel well fuel lines and electrical 
harnesses. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct corrosion or 
chafing of the fuel lines, which could result in fuel leakage and 
possible fire in the wheel well area.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Actions

    Within 24 months after the effective date of this AD, inspect 
for the presence of sponge rubber padding on the fuel lines in the 
wheel well area and inspect the fuel lines and electrical harnesses 
in the wheel well area for proper separation, in accordance with the 
Accomplishment Instructions of Gulfstream Service Bulletin 100-28-
297, dated January 21, 2010.
    (1) If any sponge rubber padding is found, before further 
flight, remove all sponge rubber padding from the fuel lines, 
inspect the fuel lines that were covered with the rubber padding for 
any corrosion and repair or replace as applicable any corroded or 
chafed fuel lines, in accordance with the Accomplishment 
Instructions of Gulfstream Service Bulletin 100-28-297, dated 
January 21, 2010.
    (2) If any fuel lines and electrical harnesses are found to not 
have proper separation, before further flight, install loop clamps 
in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Gulfstream 
Service Bulletin 100-28-297, dated January 21, 2010.
    (3) If proper separation is found, and no sponge rubber padding 
is found, no further action is required by this paragraph.

(h) Other FAA AD Provisions

    The following provisions also apply to this AD:
    (1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager, 
International Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA, 
has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using 
the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. In accordance with 14 CFR 
39.19, send your request to your principal inspector or local Flight 
Standards District Office, as appropriate. If sending information 
directly to the International Branch, send it to ATTN: Tom Groves, 
Aerospace Engineer, International Branch, ANM-116, Transport 
Airplane Directorate, FAA, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, Washington 
98057-3356; telephone (425) 227-1503; fax (425) 227-1149. 
Information may be emailed to: [email protected]. 
Before using any approved AMOC, notify your appropriate principal 
inspector, or lacking a principal inspector, the manager of the 
local flight standards district office/certificate holding district 
office. The AMOC approval letter must specifically reference this 
AD.
    (2) Airworthy Product: For any requirement in this AD to obtain 
corrective actions from a manufacturer or other source, use these 
actions if they are FAA-approved. Corrective actions are considered 
FAA-approved if they are approved by the State of Design Authority 
(or their delegated agent). You are required to assure the product 
is airworthy before it is returned to service.

(i) Related Information

    Refer to MCAI Israeli Airworthiness Directive 28-10-02-01, dated 
February 22, 2010; and Gulfstream Service Bulletin 100-28-297, dated 
January 21, 2010; for related information.

(j) Material Incorporated by Reference

    (1) You must use the following service information to do the 
actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise. The 
Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference (IBR) of the following service information under 5 U.S.C. 
552(a) and 1 CFR part:
    (i) Gulfstream Service Bulletin 100-28-297, dated January 21, 
2010.
    (ii) Reserved.
    (2) For service information identified in this AD, contact 
Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation, P.O. Box 2206, Mail Station D-25, 
Savannah, Georgia 31402-2206; telephone 800-810-4853; fax 912-965-
3520; email [email protected]; Internet http://www.gulfstream.com/product_support/technical_pubs/pubs/index.htm.
    (3) You may review copies of the service information at the FAA, 
Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, 
Washington. For information on the availability of this material at 
the FAA, call 425-227-1221.
    (4) You may also review copies of the service information that 
is incorporated by reference at the National Archives and Records 
Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of this 
material at an NARA facility, 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 July 17, 2012.
Michael Kaszycki,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2012-18153 Filed 7-27-12; 8:45 am]
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