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###### Department of Transportation

###### Federal Aviation Administration

          - 14 CFR Part 39
          - [Docket No. FAA-2004-19138; Directorate Identifier 2004-NM-102-AD]
          - RIN 2120-AA64

# AGENCY:

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

# ACTION:

Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

# SUMMARY:

The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Gulfstream Aerospace LP Model Gulfstream 100 airplanes; and Model Astra SPX and 1125 Westwind Astra series airplanes. This proposed AD would require adjusting the ground contact switches of the main landing gear. This proposed AD is prompted by two occurrences of uncommanded deployments of the ground airbrakes during descent. We are proposing this AD to prevent a false “Ground” position signal, which could result in deployment of the ground airbrakes and reduced controllability of the airplane.

# DATES:

We must receive comments on this proposed AD by November 3, 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 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.                    

# 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,                         *marcia.walters@faa.gov*.                    

# 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-2004-19138; Directorate Identifier 2004-NM-102-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 Aerospace LP Model Gulfstream 100 airplanes; and Model Astra SPX and 1125 Westwind Astra series airplanes. The CAAI advises that increasing the adjustment margin of the ground contact switches of the main landing gear (MLG) could prevent a false “Ground” position signal. This condition, if not corrected, could result in deployment of the ground airbrakes and reduced controllability of the airplane.                          ( print page 59148)    

## Relevant Service Information

Gulfstream Aerospace LP has issued Alert Service Bulletin 1125-32A-233, Revision 1, dated August 1, 2003. The service bulletin describes procedures for adjusting the ground contact switches of the MLG. Accomplishing the actions specified in the service information is intended to adequately address the unsafe condition. The CAAI mandated the service information and issued Israeli airworthiness directive 32-03-08-05, dated September 4, 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 AD action is necessary for products of this type design that are certificated for operation in the United States.

Therefore, we are proposing this AD, which would require adjusting the ground contact switches of the MLG. The proposed AD would require you to use the service information described previously to perform these actions, except as discussed under “Difference Between the Proposed AD and Service Bulletin.”

## Difference Between the Proposed AD and the Service Bulletin

Operators should note that, although the Accomplishment Instructions of the referenced service bulletin describe procedures for submitting a service reply card, this proposed AD would not require that action. We do not need this information from operators.

## Costs of Compliance

This proposed AD would affect about 106 airplanes of U.S. registry. The proposed actions would take about 3 work hours per airplane, at an average labor rate of $65 per work hour. Based on these figures, the estimated cost of the proposed AD for U.S. operators is $20,670, or $195 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.

§ 39.13 

2. The FAA amends § 39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness directive (AD):

**Gulfstream Aerospace LP (Formerly Israel Aircraft Industries, Ltd.):**                                 Docket No. FAA-2004-19138; Directorate Identifier 2004-NM-102-AD.                            

## Comments Due Date

(a) The Federal Aviation Administration must receive comments on this AD action by November 3, 2004.

## Affected ADs

(b) None.

## Applicability

(c) This AD applies to Gulfstream Aerospace LP Model Gulfstream 100 airplanes; and Model Astra SPX and 1125 Westwind Astra series airplanes; serial numbers 004 through 127 inclusive; certificated in any category.

## Unsafe Condition

(d) This AD was prompted by two occurrences of uncommanded deployments of the ground airbrakes during descent. We are issuing this AD to prevent a false “Ground” position signal, which could result in deployment of the ground airbrakes and reduced controllability of the airplane.

## 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.

## Corrective Action

(f) Within 250 flight hours after the effective date of this AD, adjust the ground contact switches of the left and right main landing gear, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Gulfstream Alert Service Bulletin 1125-32A-233, Revision 1, dated August 1, 2003. Although the service bulletin referenced in this AD specifies to submit certain information to the manufacturer, this AD does not include that requirement.

## Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

(g) 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

(h) Israeli airworthiness directive 32-03-08-05, dated September 4, 2003, also addresses the subject of this AD.

Issued in Renton, Washington, on September 15, 2004.

Ali Bahrami,

Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.

[FR Doc. 04-22193 Filed 10-1-04; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4910-13-P