Document ID: FAA-2007-28730-0008
Agency: faa
Document Type: Rule
Title: Airworthiness Directives; GARMIN International GSM 85 Servo Gearbox Units
Posted Date: 2008-01-22T05:00Z

[Federal Register: January 22, 2008 (Volume 73, Number 14)]
[Rules and Regulations]               
[Page 3615-3617]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr22ja08-1]                         

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[[Page 3615]]

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2007-28730; Directorate Identifier 2007-CE-063-AD; 
Amendment 39-15336; AD 2008-02-06]
RIN 2120-AA64

 
Airworthiness Directives; GARMIN International GSM 85 Servo 
Gearbox Units

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The FAA adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain 
GARMIN International (GARMIN) GSM 85 servo gearbox units that are 
installed on airplanes. This AD requires you to inspect the GSM 85 
servo gearbox for foreign object debris and return the unit to the 
manufacturer for replacement if you find debris. This AD results from 
reports of certain GARMIN GSM 85 servo gearbox units that have foreign 
object debris inside the assembly. We are issuing this AD to detect and 
correct defective GARMIN GSM 85 servo gearbox units, which could result 
in jamming of the gearbox. Jamming of the gearbox could lead to the 
pilot having to apply sufficient control force to override the servo 
gearbox slip clutch in order to control the airplane. In certain 
situations, this could compromise the safety of the airplane if the 
pilot was not able to focus on critical duties due to having to tend to 
the servo gearbox.

DATES: This AD becomes effective on February 26, 2008.
    On February 26, 2008, the Director of the Federal Register approved 
the incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in this 
AD.

ADDRESSES: To get the service information identified in this AD, 
contact GARMIN International Inc., 1200 East 151st Street, Olathe, KS 
66062; telephone: 913-397-8200; fax: 913-397-8282.
    To view the AD docket, go to U.S. Department of Transportation, 
Docket Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 
New Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590, or on the Internet at 
http://www.regulations.gov. The docket number is FAA-2007-28730; 

Directorate Identifier 2007-CE-063-AD.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Roger A. Souter, Aerospace Engineer, 
FAA, Wichita Aircraft Certification Office, 1801 Airport Road, Room 
100, Wichita, Kansas 67209; telephone: 316-946-4134; fax: 316-946-4107; 
e-mail address: roger.souter@faa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

    On August 14, 2007, we issued a proposal to amend part 39 of the 
Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) to include an AD that 
would apply to certain GARMIN International (GARMIN) GSM 85 servo 
gearbox units that are installed on airplanes. This proposal was 
published in the Federal Register as a notice of proposed rulemaking 
(NPRM) on August 21, 2007 (72 FR 46582). The NPRM proposed to require 
you to inspect the GSM 85 servo gearbox for foreign object debris and 
return the unit to the manufacturer for replacement if you find debris.

Comments

    We provided the public the opportunity to participate in developing 
this AD. The following presents the comments received on the proposal 
and FAA's response to each comment:

Comment Issue No. 1: Replace the Phrase ``Excessive Manual Force''

    GARMIN states that using the phrase ``excessive manual force'' in 
the NPRM implies that the flight crew may not be able to control the 
airplane if the servo gearbox jams because of loose foreign object 
debris inside the gear-assembly housing.
    GARMIN agrees that more than typical or usual force may be 
necessary to overcome the slip clutch in the servo, but it is within 
the capability of the pilot to control the airplane.
    GARMIN requests that the phrase ``excessive manual force'' be 
replaced with ``sufficient control force to override the servo gearbox 
slip clutch.''
    We partially agree with GARMIN. We will change the final rule AD 
action to reflect that jamming could lead to the pilot having to apply 
sufficient control force to override the servo gearbox slip clutch in 
order to control the airplane.

Comment Issue No. 2: Incorporate Cessna Service Bulletin

    Cessna Aircraft Company (Cessna) has issued Service Bulletin SB07-
22-01, dated June 4, 2007, to transmit GARMIN International, Inc. 
Service Bulletin No. 0713, Revision C, dated May 29, 2007.
    Cessna requests that their service bulletin be incorporated as a 
means for complying with this AD.
    We agree with Cessna and will change the final rule AD action to 
incorporate this change.

Conclusion

    We have carefully reviewed the available data and determined that 
air safety and the public interest require adopting the AD as proposed 
except for the changes previously discussed and minor editorial 
corrections. We have determined that these minor corrections:
     Are consistent with the intent that was proposed in the 
NPRM for correcting the unsafe condition; and
     Do not add any additional burden upon the public than was 
already proposed in the NPRM.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD affects 900 airplanes in the U.S. 
registry.
    We estimate the following costs to do the inspection:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                            Total cost per    Total cost on U.S.
                Labor cost                           Parts cost                airplane            operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
7 work-hours x $80 per hour = $560........  Not applicable..............               $560            $504,000
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[[Page 3616]]

    For airplanes that will need to replace the GSM 85 servo gearbox 
based on the results of the inspection, we estimate the following costs 
to set the torque value of the slip-clutch breakaway required for 
installation. We have no way of determining the number of airplanes 
that will need this replacement:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Labor cost per GSM 85 servo                          Total cost per GSM
           gearbox                   Parts cost        85 servo gearbox
------------------------------------------------------------------------
.5 work-hour x $80 per hour =  Not applicable.......                $40
 $40.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Warranty credit will be given to the extent specified in the 
service information.

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 AD.

Regulatory Findings

    We have 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); 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 summary of the costs to comply with this AD (and 
other information as included in the Regulatory Evaluation) and placed 
it in the AD Docket. You may get a copy of this summary by sending a 
request to us at the address listed under ADDRESSES. Include ``Docket 
No. FAA-2007-28730; Directorate Identifier 2007-CE-063-AD'' in your 
request.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

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

Adoption of the Amendment

0
Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the Administrator, 
the Federal Aviation Administration amends part 39 of the Federal 
Aviation Regulations (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. FAA amends Sec.  39.13 by adding a new AD to read as follows:

2008-02-06 GARMIN International: Amendment 39-15336; Docket No. FAA-
2007-28730; Directorate Identifier 2007-CE-063-AD.

Effective Date

    (a) This AD becomes effective on February 26, 2008.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to the GSM 85 servo gearbox units that are 
specified in paragraph (c)(1) of this AD and are installed on 
airplanes. These GSM 85 servo gearbox units are installed in, but 
not limited to, airplanes that are certificated in any category and 
presented in paragraph (c)(2) of this AD:
    (1) GSM 85 servo gearbox units, part numbers (P/Ns): 011-00894-
00, 011-00894-02, 011-00894-04, 011-00894-06, 011-00894-07, 011-
00894-08, 011-00894-09, 011-00894-10, 011-00894-11, and 011-00894-
14.
    (2) Airplanes with the GSM 85 servo gearbox units installed 
(other aircraft could have installations through other methods such 
as field approval):

------------------------------------------------------------------------
        Type certificate holder                       Models
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(i) Cessna Aircraft Company............  182T, T182T, 206H, and T206H.
(ii) Hawker Beechcraft Corporation.....  G36 and G58.
(iii) Diamond Aircraft Industries GmbH.  DA40 and DA40F.
(iv) Columbia Aircraft Manufacturing...  350 and 400.
(v) Mooney Airplane Company, Inc.......  M20M and M20R.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Unsafe Condition

    (d) This AD results from reports of certain GARMIN GSM 85 servo 
gearbox units that have foreign object debris inside the assembly. 
We are issuing this AD to detect and correct defective GARMIN GSM 85 
servo gearbox units, which could result in jamming of the servo 
gearbox. This jamming could lead to the pilot having to apply 
sufficient control force to override the servo gearbox slip clutch 
in order to control the airplane. In certain situations, this could 
compromise the safety of the airplane if the pilot was not able to 
focus on critical duties due to having to tend to the servo gearbox.

Compliance

    (e) To address this problem, you must do the following, unless 
already done:

[[Page 3617]]

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Actions                             Compliance                            Procedures
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Check the serial tag of the       Check within the next 100 hours time- Check following GARMIN
 installed GSM 85 servo gearbox unit   in-service (TIS) after February 26,   International, Inc. Service
 to determine the mod level. The mod   2008 (the effective date of this      Bulletin No. 0713, Revision A,
 level marked on the serial tag        AD) or within the next 3 months       dated May 7, 2007; Service Bulletin
 indicates if the GSM 85 servo         after February 26, 2008 (the          No. 0713, Revision B, dated May 18,
 gearbox unit is already in            effective date of this AD),           2007; Service Bulletin No. 0713,
 compliance with this AD.              whichever occurs first.               Revision C, dated May 29, 2007;
(i) If the serial tag on the                                                 Service Bulletin No. 0713, Revision
 installed GSM 85 servo gearbox unit                                         D, dated June 13, 2007; or Cessna
 for P/Ns 011-00894-00 or 011-00894-                                         Aircraft Company Single Engine
 10 is marked at mod level 3, no                                             Service Bulletin SB07-22-01, dated
 further action is required.                                                 June 4, 2007, as applicable. If the
(ii) If the serial tag on the                                                Mod Level of the P/Ns specified in
 installed GSM 85 servo gearbox unit                                         paragraph (e)(1)(i) and (e)(1)(ii)
 for P/Ns 011-00894-02, 011-00894-                                           are at mod level 1 and mod level 3,
 04, 011-00894-06, 011-00894-07, 011-                                        as applicable, make an entry into
 00894-08, 011-00894-09, 011-00894-                                          the aircraft logbook showing
 11, or 011-00894-14 is marked at                                            compliance with this portion of the
 mod level 1, no further action is                                           AD in accordance with section 43.9
 required.                                                                   of the Federal Aviation Regulations
(iii) If the serial tag on the above                                         (14 CFR 43.9). The owner/operator
 GSM servo gearbox unit is not at                                            holding at least a private pilot
 mod level 1 or 3 as specified in                                            certificate as authorized by
 paragraphs (e)(1)(i) and (e)(1)(ii)                                         section 43.7 of the Federal
 of this AD, then go to paragraph                                            Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 43.7)
 (e)(2) of this AD.                                                          may do this action.
(2) If the serial tag on the GSM 85   Within the next 100 hours TIS after   Follow the Modification Instructions
 servo gearbox for P/Ns specified in   February 26, 2008 (the effective      in GARMIN International, Inc.
 paragraph (e)(1) of this AD is not    date of this AD) or within the next   Service Bulletin No. 0713, Revision
 marked at mod level 1 or mod level    3 calendar months after February      A, dated May 7, 2007; Service
 3 as specified in paragraphs          26, 2008 (the effective date of       Bulletin No. 0713, Revision B,
 (e)(1)(i) and (e)(1)(ii) of this      this AD), whichever occurs first.     dated May 18, 2007; Service
 AD, inspect the servo gearbox for                                           Bulletin No. 0713, Revision C,
 foreign object debris.                                                      dated May 29, 2007; Service
                                                                             Bulletin No. 0713, Revision D,
                                                                             dated June 13, 2007; or Cessna
                                                                             Aircraft Company Single Engine
                                                                             Service Bulletin SB07-22-01, dated
                                                                             June 4, 2007, as applicable.
(3) If foreign object debris is       Before further flight after the       Follow the Modification Instructions
 found during the inspection           inspection required in paragraph      in GARMIN International, Inc.
 required in paragraph (e)(2) of       (e)(2) of this AD.                    Service Bulletin No. 0713, Revision
 this AD, remove and return the GSM                                          A, dated May 7, 2007; Service
 85 servo gearbox to the                                                     Bulletin No. 0713, Revision B,
 manufacturer for replacement.                                               dated May 18, 2007; Service
                                                                             Bulletin No. 0713, Revision C,
                                                                             dated May 29, 2007; Service
                                                                             Bulletin No. 0713, Revision D,
                                                                             dated June 13, 2007; or Cessna
                                                                             Aircraft Company Single Engine
                                                                             Service Bulletin SB07-22-01, dated
                                                                             June 4, 2007, as applicable.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (f) The Manager, Wichita Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), 
FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested 
using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. Send information to 
ATTN: Roger A. Souter, Aerospace Engineer, FAA, Wichita ACO, 1801 
Airport Road, Room 100, Wichita, Kansas 67209; telephone: (316) 946-
4134; fax: (316) 946-4107; e-mail address: roger.souter@faa.gov. 
Before using any approved AMOC on any airplane to which the AMOC 
applies, notify your appropriate principal inspector (PI) in the FAA 
Flight Standards District Office (FSDO), or lacking a PI, your local 
FSDO.

Material Incorporated by Reference

    (g) You must use GARMIN International, Inc. Service Bulletin No. 
0713, Revision A, dated May 7, 2007; GARMIN International, Inc. 
Service Bulletin No. 0713, Revision B, dated May 18, 2007; GARMIN 
International, Inc. Service Bulletin No. 0713, Revision C, dated May 
29, 2007; GARMIN International, Inc. Service Bulletin No. 0713, 
Revision D, dated June 13, 2007; and Cessna Aircraft Company Single 
Engine Service Bulletin SB07-22-01, dated June 4, 2007, to do the 
actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise.
    (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the 
incorporation by reference of this service information under 5 
U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
    (2) For service information identified in this AD, contact 
GARMIN International, Inc., 1200 East 151st Street, Olathe, KS 
66062; telephone: (913) 397-8200; fax: (913) 397-8282.
    (3) You may review copies at the FAA, Central Region, Office of 
the Regional Counsel, 901 Locust, Kansas City, Missouri 64106; or at 
the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For 
information on the availability of this material at NARA, call 202-
741-6030, or go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html
.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on January 11, 2008.
John Colomy,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
 [FR Doc. E8-828 Filed 1-18-08; 8:45 am]

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