[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 121 (Wednesday, June 24, 1998)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 34268-34269]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-16493]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 97-NM-302-AD; Amendment 39-10621; AD 98-13-30]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation Model
G-159 (G-I) Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD),
applicable to all Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation Model G-159 (G-I)
airplanes, that requires revising the Airplane Flight Manual (AFM) to
prohibit positioning the power levers below the flight idle stop. This
amendment is prompted by incidents and accidents involving airplanes
equipped with turboprop engines in which the ground propeller beta
range was used improperly during flight. The actions specified by this
AD are intended to prevent loss of airplane controllability or engine
overspeed with consequent loss of engine power caused by the power
levers being positioned below the flight idle stop while the airplane
is in flight.
EFFECTIVE DATE: July 29, 1998.
ADDRESSES: Information pertaining to this rulemaking action may be
examined at the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Transport
Airplane Directorate, Rules Docket, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton,
Washington; or at the FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, Atlanta Aircraft
Certification Office, 1895 Phoenix Boulevard, suite 450, Atlanta,
Georgia.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Wayne A. Shade, Aerospace Engineer,
Airframe and Propulsion Branch, ACE-117A , FAA, Small Airplane
Directorate, Atlanta Aircraft Certification Office, 1895 Phoenix
Boulevard, suite 450, Atlanta, Georgia 30349; telephone (770) 703-7337;
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 all Gulfstream Aerospace
Corporation Model G-159 (G-I) airplanes was published in the Federal
Register on April 27, 1998 (63 FR 20556). That action proposed to
require revising the Limitations Section of the Airplane Flight Manual
(AFM) to prohibit the positioning of the power
[[Page 34269]]
levers below the flight idle stop while the airplane is in flight, and
to add a statement of the consequences of positioning the power levers
below the flight idle stop while the airplane is in flight.
Comments
Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate
in the making of this amendment. Due consideration has been given to
the single comment received.
The commenter supports the proposed rule.
Conclusion
After careful review of the available data, including the comment
noted above, the FAA has determined that air safety and the public
interest require the adoption of the rule as proposed.
Interim Action
This is considered interim action until final action is identified,
at which time the FAA may consider further rulemaking.
Cost Impact
There are approximately 143 Gulfstream Model G-159 (G-I) airplanes
of the affected design in the worldwide fleet. The FAA estimates that
63 airplanes of U.S. registry will be affected by this AD, that it will
take approximately 1 work hour per airplane to accomplish the required
actions, and that the average labor rate is $60 per work hour. Based on
these figures, the cost impact of the AD on U.S. operators is estimated
to be $3,780, or $60 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.
Regulatory Impact
The regulations adopted herein will not have substantial direct
effects 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, in
accordance with Executive Order 12612, it is determined that this final
rule does not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant the
preparation of a Federalism Assessment.
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, 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:
98-13-30 Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation (Formerly Grumman):
Amendment 39-10621. Docket 97-NM-302-AD.
Applicability: All Model G-159 (G-I) airplanes, 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 loss of airplane controllability or engine overspeed
with consequent loss of engine power, caused by the power levers
being positioned below the flight idle stop while the airplane is in
flight, accomplish the following:
(a) For turbopropeller-powered Gulfstream Model G-159 (G-1)
airplanes: Within 30 days after the effective date of this AD,
revise the Limitations Section of the FAA-approved Airplane Flight
Manual (AFM) to include the following statements. This action may be
accomplished by inserting a copy of this AD into the AFM.
``Positioning of the propeller flight fine pitch lock selector
to the ground interlock position in flight is PROHIBITED. Such
positioning may lead to loss of airplane control.''
(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, FAA, Small Airplane Directorate,
Atlanta Aircraft Certification Office (ACO). Operators shall submit
their requests through an appropriate FAA Principal Operations
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.
(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.
(d) This amendment becomes effective on July 29, 1998.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on June 16, 1998.
Darrell M. Pederson,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 98-16493 Filed 6-23-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
