[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 185 (Monday, September 26, 2005)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 56143-56145]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-19141]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2005-22511; Directorate Identifier 2005-NM-120-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Gulfstream Aerospace LP Model 
Gulfstream 100 Airplanes; and Model Astra SPX, and 1125 Westwind Astra 
Airplanes

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

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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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 airplanes. This proposed AD 
would require a one-time inspection for discrepancies of the nose wheel 
steering assembly of the landing gear, installing a warning placard on 
each nose landing gear door, and corrective action if necessary. This 
proposed AD is prompted by reports of failure of the steering brackets 
of the nose wheel steering assembly, and in one incident, loss of 
steering control. We are proposing this AD to find and fix these 
discrepancies, which could result in loss of steering control and 
consequent reduced controllability of the airplane.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by October 26, 
2005.

ADDRESSES: Use one of the following addresses to submit comments on 
this proposed AD.
    <bullet> DOT Docket Web site: Go to http://dms.dot.gov and follow 
the instructions for sending your comments electronically.
    <bullet> Government-wide rulemaking Web site: Go to http://www.regulations.gov and follow the instructions for sending your 
comments electronically.

[[Page 56144]]

    <bullet> Mail: Docket Management Facility, U.S. Department of 
Transportation, 400 Seventh Street SW, Nassif Building, room PL-401, 
Washington, DC 20590.
    <bullet> By fax: (202) 493-2251.
    <bullet> 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 31402-2206.
    You can examine the contents of this AD docket on the Internet at 
http://dms.dot.gov, or in person 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. This docket 
number is FAA-2005-22511; the directorate identifier for this docket is 
2005-NM-120-AD.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mike Borfitz, Aerospace Engineer, 
International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (425) 
227-2677; fax (425) 227-1149.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

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-2005-22511; 
Directorate Identifier 2005-NM-120-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.

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 three operators reported failure of 
the steering brackets of the nose wheel steering assembly of the 
landing gear, and in one incident, loss of steering control. Evaluation 
of the steering brackets revealed that the probable cause of these 
failures is excessive torsional forces applied to the steering 
assembly, which can be caused during towing operation of the airplane 
with the torque links connected. Subsequent to the original reports, 
similar conditions have been found on other airplanes. This condition, 
if not corrected, could result in loss of steering control and 
consequent reduced controllability of the airplane.

Relevant Service Information

    Gulfstream Aerospace LP has issued Alert Service Bulletin 100-32A-
275, Revision 1, dated December 24, 2003. The service bulletin 
describes procedures for a nondestructive test inspection for 
discrepancies of the nose wheel steering assembly of the landing gear, 
and corrective action if necessary. The discrepancies include cracking 
of the upper and lower steering brackets and lack of rotation of the 
centering spring. The corrective action involves replacing both the 
upper and lower brackets if either bracket is cracked; applying 
silicone grease to the centering spring mounting shaft and steering 
bracket mounting hole; and torqueing the nut and verifying free 
rotation of the centering spring. If no cracking is found, free 
rotation of the centering spring must be verified before reconnecting 
the spring; if the centering spring does not rotate, the nut must be 
backed off until free rotation is obtained.
    Gulfstream Aerospace LP has also issued Service Bulletin 1125-11-
181, Revision 1, dated December 24, 2003. The service bulletin 
describes procedures for installing a warning placard on the outside of 
each nose landing gear door that cautions ground handling crews to use 
proper towing methods.
    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 directives 32-03-10-05 R1, dated February 8, 2004; and 
32-03-12-09, dated February 5, 2004, 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 we need to 
issue an AD for products of this type design that are certificated for 
operation in the United States.
    Therefore, we are proposing this AD, which would require 
accomplishing the actions specified in the service information 
described previously, except as discussed under ``Differences Among the 
Proposed AD, Service Bulletins, and Israeli Airworthiness Directives.''

Differences Among the Proposed AD, Service Bulletins, and Israeli 
Airworthiness Directives

    The applicability of Israeli airworthiness directive 32-03-10-05 R1 
identifies Model Gulfstream 100 airplanes; Model Astra SPX and 1125 
Westwind Astra airplanes with serial numbers 004, 011 through 147 
inclusive, and 149. That airworthiness directive requires a one-time 
inspection for discrepancies of the nose wheel steering assembly of the 
landing gear. The applicability of Israeli airworthiness directive 32-
03-12-09 identifies Model Astra SPX and 1125 Westwind Astra with serial 
numbers 004 through 110 inclusive. That airworthiness directive 
requires installation of warning placards. We have expanded the 
applicability in this

[[Page 56145]]

proposed AD to require that all those airplanes accomplish all the 
required actions. This requirement would ensure that the actions 
specified in both of the Israeli airworthiness directives, and required 
by this proposed AD, are accomplished on all affected airplanes. This 
difference has been coordinated with the CAAI.
    Operators should note that, although the Accomplishment 
Instructions of the referenced service bulletins 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 inspection would take about 8 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 $55,120, or 
$520 per airplane.

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. 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.


Sec.  39.13  [Amended]

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

Gulfstream Aerospace LP (Formerly Israel Aircraft Industries, Ltd.): 
Docket No. FAA-2005-22511; Directorate Identifier 2005-NM-120-AD.

Comments Due Date

    (a) The Federal Aviation Administration must receive comments on 
this AD action by October 26, 2005.

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 
airplanes; certificated in any category; as identified in Gulfstream 
Alert Service Bulletin 100-32A-275, and Gulfstream Service Bulletin 
1125-11-181, both Revision 1, both dated December 24, 2003.

Unsafe Condition

    (d) This AD was prompted by reports of failure of the steering 
brackets of the nose wheel steering assembly of the landing gear, 
and in one incident, loss of steering control. We are issuing this 
AD to find and fix discrepancies of the nose wheel steering assembly 
which could result in loss of steering control and consequent 
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.

One-Time Inspection/Corrective Action

    (f) Within 50 flight hours or 25 landings after the effective 
date of this AD, whichever is first: Perform a one-time non-
destructive test inspection for discrepancies of the nose wheel 
steering assembly, install a warning placard on each nose landing 
gear door, and do any applicable corrective action, by accomplishing 
all the actions specified in the Accomplishment Instructions of 
Gulfstream Alert Service Bulletin 100-32A-275, and Gulfstream 
Service Bulletin 1125-11-181, both Revision 1, both dated December 
24, 2003. Any applicable corrective action must be accomplished 
before further flight in accordance with Alert Service Bulletin 100-
32A-275. Although the service bulletins specify to submit certain 
information to the manufacturer, this AD does not include that 
requirement.

Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (g) The Manager, International Branch, 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 directives 32-03-10-05 R1, effective 
February 8, 2004, and 32-03-12-09, effective February 5, 2004, also 
address the subject of this AD.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on September 16, 2005.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 05-19141 Filed 9-23-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P