Airworthiness Directives; Gulfstream Model G-1159A (G-III) Series Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 7 (Wednesday, January 10, 2001)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 1829-1831]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-339]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2000-NM-144-AD; Amendment 39-12070; AD 2000-26-20]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Gulfstream Model G-1159A (G-III) Series 
Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD), 
applicable to certain Gulfstream Model G-1159A (G-III) series 
airplanes, that requires 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: Effective February 14, 2001.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of February 14, 2001.

ADDRESSES: The service information referenced in this AD 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 Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Transport Airplane 
Directorate, Rules Docket, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; 
or at the FAA, Atlanta Aircraft Certification Office,

[[Page 1830]]

One Crown Center, 1895 Phoenix Boulevard, suite 450, Atlanta, Georgia; 
or at the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, 
NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.

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: A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal 
Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) to include an airworthiness 
directive (AD) that is applicable to certain Gulfstream Model G-1159A 
(G-III) series airplanes was published in the Federal Register on 
October 12, 2000 (65 FR 60593). That action proposed to 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.

Comments

    Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate 
in the making of this amendment. No comments were submitted in response 
to the proposal or the FAA's determination of the cost to the public.

Conclusion

    The FAA has determined that air safety and the public interest 
require the adoption of the rule as proposed.

Cost Impact

    There are approximately 198 airplanes of the affected design in the 
worldwide fleet. The FAA estimates that 144 airplanes of U.S. registry 
will be affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 55 work 
hours per airplane to accomplish the required modification, and that 
the average labor rate is $60 per work hour. Required parts will cost 
approximately $1,587 per airplane. Based on these figures, the cost 
impact of the AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $703,728, or 
$4,887 per airplane.
    The cost impact figure discussed above is based on assumptions that 
no operator has yet accomplished any of the requirements of this AD 
action, and that no operator would accomplish those actions in the 
future if this 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 adopted herein 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. Therefore, it 
is determined that this final rule does not have federalism 
implications under Executive Order 13132.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this action (1) is 
not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive Order 12866; 
(2) is not a ``significant rule'' under 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. A final evaluation has been prepared for this action 
and it is contained in the Rules Docket. A copy of it may be obtained 
from the Rules Docket at the location provided under the caption 
ADDRESSES.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

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

Adoption of the Amendment

    Accordingly, pursuant to 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

    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. Section 39.13 is amended by adding the following new 
airworthiness directive:

2000-26-20  Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation: Amendment 39-12070. 
Docket 2000-NM-144-AD.

    Applicability: Model G-1159A (G-III) series airplanes, serial 
numbers 357 and 402 through 498 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 (b) 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 prevent the flight crew from being unaware that an electrical 
system failure has occurred and that the airplane main batteries are 
powering the direct current (DC) essential bus, accomplish the 
following:

Modification

    (a) Within 12 months after the effective date of this AD, modify 
the wiring in the pilot's and co-pilot's junction boxes, the 
auxiliary power relay box, the power distribution box, and the 
master caution panel, in accordance with Gulfstream Customer 
Bulletin No. 149, dated March 23, 1999, and Gulfstream Aircraft 
Service Change No. 294, dated February 3, 1999.

Alternative Methods of Compliance

    (b) 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 2: 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

    (c) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with 
Secs. 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.

Incorporation by Reference

    (d) The actions shall be done in accordance with Gulfstream 
Customer Bulletin No. 149, dated March 23, 1999, and Gulfstream 
Aircraft Service Change No. 294, dated February 3, 1999. (Note: The 
issue date of Gulfstream Aircraft Service Change No. 294 is 
indicated only on the title page of the document; no other page of 
the document contains this information.) This incorporation by 
reference was approved by the Director of the Federal Register in 
accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. Copies may be 
obtained from Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation, P.O. Box 2206, M/S 
D-10, Savannah, Georgia 31402-9980. Copies may be inspected 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,

[[Page 1831]]

suite 450, Atlanta, Georgia; or at the Office of the Federal 
Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.

Effective Date

    (e) This amendment becomes effective on February 14, 2001.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on December 29, 2000.
Dorenda D. Baker,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 01-339 Filed 1-9-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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