This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER

contains notices to the public of the proposed

issuance of rules and regulations. The

purpose of these notices is to give interested

persons an opportunity to participate in the

rule making prior to the adoption of the final

rules.

Proposed Rules Federal Register

60591

Vol. 65, No. 198

Thursday, October 12, 2000

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2000–NM–101–AD]

RIN 2120–AA64

Airworthiness Directives; Gulfstream

Model G–IV Series Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation

Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking

(NPRM).

SUMMARY: This document proposes the

adoption of a new airworthiness

directive (AD) that is applicable to

certain Gulfstream Model G–IV series

airplanes. For certain airplanes this

proposal would require installation of

an additional indicator located on the

pilot’s instrument panel in primary

view of the flight crew. The indicator

would inform the flight crew that the

airplane main batteries are powering the

direct current (DC) essential bus which

supplies power to vital communication

and navigation equipment. For certain

other airplanes, this proposal would

require the EICAS (Engine Instruments/

Caution Advisory System) to be used for

this indication. This action is necessary

to ensure that the flight crew is aware

that an electrical system failure has

occurred and that the airplane main

batteries are powering the essential DC

bus. If the flight crew is unaware of this

situation, action to stop depletion of the

airplane batteries will not be taken, and

critical communications and navigation

equipment could fail. This action is

intended to address the identified

unsafe condition.

DATES: Comments must be received by

November 27, 2000.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in

triplicate to the Federal Aviation

Administration (FAA), Transport

Airplane Directorate, ANM–114,

Attention: Rules Docket No. 2000–NM–

101–AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW.,

Renton, Washington 98055–4056.

Comments may be inspected at this

location between 9:00 a.m. and 3:00

p.m., Monday through Friday, except

Federal holidays. Comments may be

submitted via fax to (425) 227–1232.

Comments may also be sent via the

Internet using the following address: 9–

anm–nprmcomment@faa.gov.

Comments sent via fax or the Internet

must contain ‘‘Docket No. 2000–NM–

101–AD’’ in the subject line and need

not be submitted in triplicate.

Comments sent via the Internet as

attached electronic files must be

formatted in Microsoft Word 97 for

Windows or ASCII text.

The service information referenced in

the proposed rule may be obtained from

Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation, P.O.

Box 2206, M/S D–10, Savannah, Georgia

31402–9980. This information may be

examined at the FAA, Transport

Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind

Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; or at

the FAA, Atlanta Aircraft Certification

Office, One Crown Center, 1895 Phoenix

Boulevard, suite 450, Atlanta, Georgia.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Neil

Berryman, Aerospace Engineer, ACE–

116A, FAA, Atlanta Aircraft

Certification Office, One Crown Center,

1895 Phoenix Boulevard, suite 450,

Atlanta, Georgia 30349; telephone (770)

703–6066; fax (770) 703–6097.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

Interested persons are invited to

participate in the making of the

proposed rule by submitting such

written data, views, or arguments as

they may desire. Communications shall

identify the Rules Docket number and

be submitted in triplicate to the address

specified above. All communications

received on or before the closing date

for comments, specified above, will be

considered before taking action on the

proposed rule. The proposals contained

in this notice may be changed in light

of the comments received.

Submit comments using the following

format:

• Organize comments issue-by-issue.

For example, discuss a request to

change the compliance time and a

request to change the service bulletin

reference as two separate issues.

• For each issue, state what specific

change to the proposed AD is being

requested.

• Include justification (e.g., reasons or

data) for each request.

Comments are specifically invited on

the overall regulatory, economic,

environmental, and energy aspects of

the proposed rule. All comments

submitted will be available, both before

and after the closing date for comments,

in the Rules Docket for examination by

interested persons. A report

summarizing each FAA-public contact

concerned with the substance of this

proposal will be filed in the Rules

Docket.

Commenters wishing the FAA to

acknowledge receipt of their comments

submitted in response to this notice

must submit a self-addressed, stamped

postcard on which the following

statement is made: ‘‘Comments to

Docket Number 2000–NM–101–AD.’’

The postcard will be date stamped and

returned to the commenter.

Availability of NPRMs

Any person may obtain a copy of this

NPRM by submitting a request to the

FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate,

ANM–114, Attention: Rules Docket No.

2000–NM–101–AD, 1601 Lind Avenue,

SW., Renton, Washington 98055–4056.

Discussion

The FAA has received a report of the

loss of normal electrical power to the

essential direct current (DC) bus going

undetected by the flight crew. The bus

provides power to vital systems, such as

aircraft flight displays, communication

and navigation equipment, the thrust

reverser control, the auxiliary power

unit, and fire extinguishing systems. In

the event of a problem with the power

supply, the bus will automatically

switch to the airplane’s main batteries to

keep these vital systems operating.

Operation on battery power is for a short

time and is intended only to allow time

to land the airplane.

Following a problem with the power

supply to the DC essential bus, the flight

crew may not be aware of the switch to

battery power or the subsequent

depletion of the batteries, because the

relevant caution lights are located on

the overhead instrument panel, rather

than in the flight crew’s primary line of

sight.

This condition, if not corrected, could

lead to the flight crew being unaware

that depletion of the airplane batteries is

occurring, which could result in failure

60592 Federal Register / Vol. 65, No. 198 / Thursday, October 12, 2000 / Proposed Rules

of the vital equipment normally

powered by the DC essential bus.

Explanation of Relevant Service

Information

The FAA has reviewed and approved

Gulfstream Customer Bulletin No. 102A,

dated February 1, 2000; Gulfstream

Aircraft Service Change No. 327B, dated

January 26, 2000; and Aircraft Service

Change No. 327B AM1 (Amendment 1),

dated August 28, 2000, which describe

procedures for modifications to inform

the flight crew when the aircraft

batteries are powering the essential (DC)

bus.

For airplanes having SPZ 8400, the

procedures describe modification of the

EICAS (Engine Instruments/Caution

Advisory System) to replace the existing

blue message with an amber indicating

light. For airplanes not having the SPZ

8400, the procedures describe

modification of the pilot’s instrument

panel to add an amber indicating light.

All airplanes will also have an audible

tone when the indicating system is

activated. Accomplishment of the

actions specified in the customer

bulletin and aircraft service changes is

intended to adequately address the

identified unsafe condition.

Explanation of Requirements of

Proposed Rule

Since an unsafe condition has been

identified that is likely to exist or

develop on other products of this same

type design, the proposed AD would

require accomplishment of the actions

specified in the customer bulletin and

aircraft service changes described

previously.

Cost Impact

The FAA estimates that 292 airplanes

of U.S. registry would be affected by this

proposed AD and that the average labor

rate is $60 per work hour. There will be

no charge for required parts for the

modification. The cost impact of the

proposed AD on U.S. operators depends

upon whether the airplane has the SPZ

400, whether the airplane has the

production equivalent of Aircraft

Service Change No. 327, and whether

the operator has performed earlier

Aircraft Service Changes No. 327 or No.

327A, as shown in Table 1.

TABLE 1.—COST IMPACT OF PERFORMING AIRCRAFT SERVICE CHANGE NO. 327B OR NO. 327B AM1 (AMENDMENT 1)

Airplane has the SPZ 8400 Airplane does not have the

SPZ 8400

Airplane has production equivalent of Aircraft Service Change No.

327:

Time (in work-hours) ........................................................................ 36 ................................................... 68

Cost/airplane (in $) ........................................................................... 2,160 .............................................. 4,080

Operator has performed Aircraft Service Change No. 327

Time (in work-hours) ........................................................................ 24 ................................................... 28

Cost/airplane (in $) ........................................................................... 1,440 .............................................. 1,680

Operator has performed Aircraft Service Change No. 327A .................. No time estimate given .................. No time estimate given.

The cost impact figures discussed

above are based on assumptions that no

operator has yet accomplished any of

the proposed requirements of this AD

action, and that no operator would

accomplish those actions in the future if

this proposed AD were not adopted. The

cost impact figures discussed in AD

rulemaking actions represent only the

time necessary to perform the specific

actions actually required by the AD.

These figures typically do not include

incidental costs, such as the time

required to gain access and close up,

planning time, or time necessitated by

other administrative actions.

Regulatory Impact

The regulations proposed herein

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. Therefore,

it is determined that this proposal

would not have federalism implications

under Executive Order 13132.

For the reasons discussed above, I

certify that 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); and (3) if

promulgated, 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. A copy of the draft

regulatory evaluation prepared for this

action is contained in the Rules Docket.

A copy of it may be obtained by

contacting the Rules Docket at the

location provided under the caption

ADDRESSES.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation

safety, Safety.

The Proposed Amendment

Accordingly, pursuant to the

authority delegated to me by the

Administrator, the Federal Aviation

Administration proposes to amend part

39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations

(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 [Amended]

2. Section 39.13 is amended by

adding the following new airworthiness

directive:

Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation: Docket

2000–NM–101–AD.

Applicability: Model G–IV series airplanes,

serial numbers 1000 through 1359 inclusive,

certificated in any category.

Note 1: This AD applies to each airplane

identified in the preceding applicability

provision, regardless of whether it has been

modified, altered, or repaired in the area

subject to the requirements of this AD. For

airplanes that have been modified, altered, or

repaired so that the performance of the

requirements of this AD is affected, the

owner/operator must request approval for an

alternative method of compliance in

accordance with paragraph (c) of this AD.

The request should include an assessment of

the effect of the modification, alteration, or

repair on the unsafe condition addressed by

this AD; and, if the unsafe condition has not

been eliminated, the request should include

specific proposed actions to address it.

Compliance: Required as indicated, unless

accomplished previously. To ensure that the

flight crew is aware that an electrical system

failure may have occurred and that the main

airplane batteries are powering the direct

current (DC) essential bus, accomplish the

following:

Federal Register / Vol. 65, No. 198 / Thursday, October 12, 2000 / Proposed Rules 60593

Modifications

(a) Within 12 months after the effective

date if this AD, for airplanes equipped with

the SPZ 8400: Perform paragraph (a)(1),

(a)(2), or (a)(3) of this AD, as applicable.

(1) If the airplane has the production

equivalent of Aircraft Service Change No.

327, install the new indicator light and the

audible tone, in accordance with Gulfstream

Customer Bulletin No. 102A, dated February

1, 2000; and Modification Instructions A, J

through L, and P of Gulfstream Aircraft

Service Change No. 327B, dated January 26,

2000.

(2) If the operator has performed

Gulfstream Aircraft Service Change No. 327

but not Gulfstream Aircraft Service Change

No. 327A, install the new indicator light and

the audible tone, in accordance with

Gulfstream Customer Bulletin No. 102A,

dated February 1, 2000; Modification

Instructions A through E of Gulfsteam

Aircraft Service Change No. 327B AM1,

dated August 28, 2000; and Modification

Instruction P of Gulfstream Aircraft Service

Change No. 327B, dated January 26, 2000.

Note 2: Modification Instruction E in

Gulfstream Aircraft Service Change No. 327B

AM1 is the same as Modification Instruction

P in Gulfstream Aircraft Service Change No.

327B.

(3) If the operator has performed

Gulfstream Aircraft Service Change No.

327A, ensure that all ground wires from

connectors 95A1P2B and 95A2P2B are

removed or rerouted in accordance with

Gulfstream Customer Bulletin No. 102A,

dated February 1, 2000; and Figure 6 of

Gulfstream Aircraft Service Change No. 327B,

dated January 26, 2000.

(b) Within 12 months after the effective

date if this AD, for airplanes not equipped

with the SPZ 400: Perform paragraph (b)(1),

(b)(2), or (b)(3) of this AD, as applicable.

(1) If the operator has not performed

Gulfstream Aircraft Service Change No. 327,

install the new indicator light and the

audible tone, in accordance with Gulfstream

Customer Bulletin No. 102A, dated February

1, 2000; and Modification Instructions A, B

through I, and P of Gulfstream Aircraft

Service Change No. 327B, dated January 26,

2000.

(2) If the operator has performed

Gulfstream Aircraft Service Change No. 327,

install the new indicator light and the

audible tone, in accordance with Gulfstream

Customer Bulletin No. 102A, dated February

1, 2000; and Modification Instructions A, M

through O, and P of Gulfstream Aircraft

Service Change No. 327B dated January 26,

2000.

(3) If the operator has performed

Gulfstream Aircraft Service Change No. 27A,

ensure that wire P9052C22 is rerouted and is

connected in accordance with Gulfstream

Customer Bulletin No. 102A, dated February

1, 2000; and Figure 7 of Gulfstream Aircraft

Service Change No. 327B, dated January 26,

2000.

Note 3: Page 1 of Gulfstream Aircraft

Service Change No. 327B incorrectly refers to

Figure 5; Figure 7 is the correct figure.

Alternative Methods of Compliance

(c) An alternative method of compliance or

adjustment of the compliance time that

provides an acceptable level of safety may be

used if approved by the Manager, Atlanta

Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), FAA.

Operators shall submit their requests through

an appropriate FAA Principal Maintenance

Inspector, who may add comments and then

send it to the Manager, Atlanta ACO.

Note 4: Information concerning the

existence of approved alternative methods of

compliance with this AD, if any, may be

obtained from the Atlanta ACO.

Special Flight Permits

(d) Special flight permits may be issued in

accordance with §§ 21.197 and 21.199 of the

Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 21.197

and 21.199) to operate the airplane to a

location where the requirements of this AD

can be accomplished.

Issued in Renton, Washington, on October

4, 2000.

Donald L. Riggin,

Acting Manager, Transport Airplane

Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.

[FR Doc. 00–26095 Filed 10–11–00; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4910–13–P

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2000–NM–144–AD]

RIN 2120–AA64

Airworthiness Directives; Gulfstream

Model G–1159A (G–III) Series Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation

Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking

(NPRM).

SUMMARY: This document proposes the

adoption of a new airworthiness

directive (AD) that is applicable to

certain Gulfstream Model G–1159A (G–

III) series airplanes. This proposal

would require modification of the

master caution panel by installing an

additional legend labeled ‘‘BATT ON

BUS’’ and associated wiring to indicate

when the airplane batteries are

powering the direct current (DC)

essential bus. This action is necessary to

ensure that the flight crew is aware that

an electrical system failure has occurred

and that the main airplane batteries are

powering the essential DC bus. If the

flight crew is unaware of this situation,

action to stop the depletion of the

airplane batteries will not be taken and

critical equipment, such as

communications and navigation

equipment, could fail. This action is

intended to address the identified

unsafe condition.

DATES: Comments must be received by

November 27, 2000.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in

triplicate to the Federal Aviation

Administration (FAA), Transport

Airplane Directorate, ANM–114,

Attention: Rules Docket No. 2000–NM–

144–AD, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW.,

Renton, Washington 98055–4056.

Comments may be inspected at this

location between 9:00 a.m. and 3:00

p.m., Monday through Friday, except

Federal holidays. Comments may be

submitted via fax to (425) 227–1232.

Comments may also be sent via the

Internet using the following address: 9-

anm-nprmcomment@faa.gov. Comments

sent via fax or the Internet must contain

‘‘Docket No. 2000–NM–144–AD’’ in the

subject line and need not be submitted

in triplicate. Comments sent via the

Internet as attached electronic files must

be formatted in Microsoft Word 97 for

Windows or ASCII text.

The service information referenced in

the proposed rule may be obtained from

Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation, P.O.

Box 2206, M/S D–10, Savannah, Georgia

31402–9980. This information may be

examined at the FAA, Transport

Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind

Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; or at

the FAA, Atlanta Aircraft Certification

Office, One Crown Center, 1895 Phoenix

Boulevard, suite 450, Atlanta, Georgia.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Neil

Berryman, Aerospace Engineer, Systems

and Flight Test Branch, ACE–116A,

FAA, Atlanta Aircraft Certification

Office, One Crown Center, 1895 Phoenix

Boulevard, suite 450, Atlanta, Georgia

30349; telephone (770) 703–6066; fax

(770) 703–6097.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

Interested persons are invited to

participate in the making of the

proposed rule by submitting such

written data, views, or arguments as

they may desire. Communications shall

identify the Rules Docket number and

be submitted in triplicate to the address

specified above. All communications

received on or before the closing date

for comments, specified above, will be

considered before taking action on the

proposed rule. The proposals contained

in this notice may be changed in light

of the comments received.

Submit comments using the following

format:

• Organize comments issue-by-issue.

For example, discuss a request to

change the compliance time and a