[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 135 (Monday, July 17, 2017)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 32654-32656]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-14594]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2017-0693; Directorate Identifier 2017-NM-044-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


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

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for 
certain Gulfstream Aerospace LP Model Gulfstream 100, Astra SPX, and 
1125 Westwind Astra airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by a 
report that the main entrance door (MED) opened during flight, and by 
the determination that the ``CABIN DOOR UNLOCK'' crew alerting system 
(CAS) message may extinguish before the handle latch pin is fully 
engaged. This proposed AD would require accomplishing an updated 
rigging procedure for the adjustment of the MED microswitch. We are 
proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: We must receive comments on this NPRM by August 31, 2017.

ADDRESSES: You may send comments, using the procedures found in 14 CFR 
11.43 and 11.45, by any of the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
     Fax: 202-493-2251.
     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.
     Hand Delivery: Deliver to Mail address above between 9 
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
    For service information identified in this NPRM, contact Gulfstream 
Aerospace Corporation, P.O. Box 2206, Mail Station D-25, Savannah, GA 
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. You may view this 
referenced service information at the FAA, Transport Airplane 
Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA. For information on the 
availability of this material at the FAA, call 425-227-1221.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2017-
0693; or in person at the Docket Management Facility between 9 a.m. and 
5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The AD docket 
contains this proposed AD, 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.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tom Rodriguez, Aerospace Engineer, 
International Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA, 
1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA 98057-3356; telephone 425-227-1137; 
fax 425-227-1149.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Comments Invited

    We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or 
arguments about this proposal. Send your comments to an address listed 
under the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2017-0693; 
Directorate Identifier 2017-NM-044-AD'' at the beginning of your 
comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this proposed AD. We 
will consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend 
this proposed AD based on those comments.
    We will post all comments we receive, without change, to http://www.regulations.gov, including any personal information you provide. We 
will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact we 
receive about this proposed AD.

Discussion

    The Civil Aviation Authority of Israel (CAAI), which is the 
aviation authority for Israel, has issued Israeli Airworthiness 
Directive ISR-I-52-2017-03-29, dated January 3, 2017 (referred to after 
this as the Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information, or ``the 
MCAI''), to correct an unsafe condition for certain Gulfstream 
Aerospace LP Model Gulfstream 100, Astra SPX, and 1125 Westwind Astra 
airplanes. The MCAI states:

    [The purpose of the Israeli AD is] to improve the Main Entrance 
Door (MED)

[[Page 32655]]

microswitch adjustment procedure so that the locking indication will 
be extinguished when the door handle is locked.

    The required actions include accomplishing an updated rigging 
procedure for the adjustment of the MED microswitch. The unsafe 
condition is the in-flight opening of the MED, which could lead to 
structural damage and loss of control of the airplane. You may examine 
the MCAI in the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov 
by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2017-0693.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    Gulfstream Aerospace LP has issued G100 Service Bulletin 100-52-
312, dated January 15, 2016. The service information describes an 
updated rigging procedure for the adjustment of the MED microswitch. 
This service information is reasonably available because the interested 
parties have access to it through their normal course of business or by 
the means identified in the ADDRESSES section.

FAA's Determination and Requirements of This Proposed AD

    This product has been approved by the aviation authority of another 
country, and is approved for operation in the United States. Pursuant 
to our bilateral agreement with the State of Design Authority, we have 
been notified of the unsafe condition described in the MCAI and service 
information referenced above. We are proposing this AD because we 
evaluated all pertinent information and determined an unsafe condition 
exists and is likely to exist or develop on other products of these 
same type designs.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD affects 110 airplanes of U.S. 
registry.
    We estimate the following costs to comply with this proposed AD:

                                                 Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                     Cost per      Cost on U.S.
                Action                         Labor cost           Parts cost        product        operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MED microswitch adjustment............  6 work-hours x $85 per                $3            $513         $56,430
                                         hour = $510.
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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 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 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);
    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.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

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

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 airworthiness 
directive (AD):

Gulfstream Aerospace LP (Type Certificate Previously Held by Israel 
Aircraft Industries, Ltd.): Docket No. FAA-2017-0693; Directorate 
Identifier 2017-NM-044-AD.

(a) Comments Due Date

    We must receive comments by August 31, 2017.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Gulfstream Aerospace LP Model Gulfstream 100, 
Astra SPX, and 1125 Westwind Astra airplanes, certificated in any 
category, serial numbers 004, and 011 through 158 inclusive.

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 52, Doors.

(e) Reason

    This AD was prompted by a report that the main entrance door 
(MED) opened during flight, and by the determination that the 
``CABIN DOOR UNLOCK'' crew alerting system (CAS) message may 
extinguish before the handle latch pin is fully engaged. We are 
issuing this AD to prevent the MED from opening during flight, which 
could lead to structural damage and loss of control of the airplane.

(f) Compliance

    Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, 
unless already done.

(g) Rigging Procedure

    Within 12 months after the effective date of this AD: Do an 
updated rigging procedure for the adjustment of the MED microswitch, 
in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Gulfstream 
G100 Service Bulletin 100-52-312, dated January 15, 2016.

(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

[[Page 32656]]

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 the 
attention of the person identified in paragraph (i)(2) of this AD. 
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.
    (2) Contacting the Manufacturer: For any requirement in this AD 
to obtain corrective actions from a manufacturer, the action must be 
accomplished using a method approved by the Manager, International 
Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA; or the Civil 
Aviation Authority of Israel (CAAI); or the CAAI's authorized 
Designee. If approved by the CAAI Designee, the approval must 
include the Designee's authorized signature.

(i) Related Information

    (1) Refer to Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information 
(MCAI) CAAI Airworthiness Directive ISR-I-52-2017-03-29, dated 
January 3, 2017, for related information. This MCAI may be found in 
the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by 
searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2017-0693.
    (2) For more information about this AD, contact Tom Rodriguez, 
Aerospace Engineer, International Branch, ANM-116, Transport 
Airplane Directorate, FAA, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA 98057-
3356; telephone 425-227-1137; fax 425-227-1149.
    (3) For service information identified in this AD, contact 
Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation, P.O. Box 2206, Mail Station D-25, 
Savannah, GA 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. You may view this 
service information at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 
Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA. For information on the availability of 
this material at the FAA, call 425-227-1221.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on June 29, 2017.
Michael Kaszycki,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2017-14594 Filed 7-14-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P