03-12962. Airworthiness Directives; Gulfstream Aerospace LP Model Astra SPX and 1125 Westwind Astra Series Airplanes

AGENCY:

Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION:

Final rule.

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 [phone]; fax [phone].

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

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.

§ 39.13

[Amended]

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 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.