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

[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 103 (Thursday, May 29, 2003)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 31954-31955]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-12962]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2002-NM-281-AD; Amendment 39-13152; AD 2003-10-07]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Gulfstream Aerospace LP Model Astra SPX 
and 1125 Westwind Astra 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 Aerospace LP Model Astra SPX and 1125 
Westwind Astra series airplanes, that requires removing the existing 
oxygen shutoff valve and installing a new oxygen shutoff valve. The 
actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent rapid adiabatic 
compression within the oxygen line between the oxygen shutoff valve and 
the pressure regulator due to a shutoff valve that can be opened 
quickly, which could result in overheating of the oxygen system and 
consequent fire in the cockpit. This action is intended to address the 
identified unsafe condition.

DATES: Effective July 3, 2003.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of July 3, 2003.

ADDRESSES: The service information referenced in this AD may be 
obtained from Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation, P.O. Box 2206, Mail 
Station D25, Savannah, Georgia 31402. 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 Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, 
NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 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.

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 Aerospace LP 
Model Astra SPX and 1125 Westwind Astra series airplanes was published 
in the Federal Register on February 21, 2003 (68 FR 8475). That action 
proposed to require removing the existing oxygen shutoff valve and 
installing a new oxygen shutoff valve.

Comments

    Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate 
in the making of this amendment. No comments were received in response 
to the proposed rule 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.

Changes to 14 CFR Part 39/Effect on the AD

    On July 10, 2002, the FAA issued a new version of 14 CFR part 39 
(67 FR 47997, July 22, 2002), which governs the FAA's airworthiness 
directives system. The regulation now includes material that relates to 
altered products, special flight permits, and alternative methods of 
compliance. However, for clarity and consistency in this final rule, we 
have retained the language of the proposed AD regarding that material.

Cost Impact

    The FAA estimates that 100 airplanes of U.S. registry will be 
affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 8 work hours per 
airplane to accomplish the proposed actions, and that the average labor 
rate is $60 per work hour. Required parts will cost approximately $900 
per airplane. Based on these figures, the cost impact of this AD on 
U.S. operators is estimated to be $138,000, or $1,380 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. The manufacturer may cover the cost of 
replacement parts associated with this AD, subject to warranty 
conditions. Manufacturer warranty remedies may also be available for 
labor costs associated with this AD. As a result, the costs 
attributable to the AD may be less than stated above.

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

0
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

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

2003-10-07 Gulfstream Aerospace LP (Formerly Israel Aircraft 
Industries, Ltd.): Amendment 39-13152. Docket 2002-NM-281-AD.

    Applicability: Model Astra SPX series airplanes having serial 
numbers 073 and 079

[[Page 31955]]

through 131 inclusive; and Model 1125 Westwind Astra series 
airplanes having serial numbers 004 though 072 inclusive, and 074 
through 078 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 rapid adiabatic compression within the oxygen line 
between the oxygen shutoff valve and the pressure regulator due to a 
shutoff valve that can be opened quickly, which could result in 
overheating of the oxygen system, and consequent fire in the 
cockpit, accomplish the following:

Removal and Installation of Oxygen Shutoff Valve

    (a) Within 250 flight hours after the effective date of this AD, 
remove the existing oxygen shutoff valve and install a new oxygen 
shutoff valve, per the Accomplishment Instructions of Astra 
(Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation) Alert Service Bulletin 1125-35A-
114, dated November 28, 2001, excluding Service Bulletin Certificate 
of Compliance.

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, International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, 
Transport Airplane Directorate. Operators shall submit their 
requests through an appropriate FAA Principal Maintenance Inspector, 
who may add comments and then send it to the Manager, International 
Branch, ANM-116.

    Note 2: Information concerning the existence of approved 
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be 
obtained from the International Branch, ANM-116.

Special Flight Permits

    (c) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with 
sections 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 must be done in accordance with Astra 
(Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation) Alert Service Bulletin 1125-35A-
114, dated November 28, 2001, excluding Service Bulletin Certificate 
of Compliance. 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, Mail Station D25, Savannah, Georgia 
31402. Copies may be inspected at the FAA, Transport Airplane 
Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington; or at the 
Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 
700, Washington, DC.

    Note 3: The subject of this AD is addressed in Israeli 
airworthiness directive 35-02-07-02, dated August 18, 2002.

Effective Date

    (e) This amendment becomes effective on July 3, 2003.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on May 19, 2003.
Vi L. Lipski,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 03-12962 Filed 5-28-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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