E7-16416. Airworthiness Directives; GARMIN International GSM 85 Servo Gearbox Units

AGENCY:

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of Transportation (DOT).

ACTION:

Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

SUMMARY:

We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain GARMIN International (GARMIN) GSM 85 servo gearbox units that are installed on airplanes. This proposed AD would 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. This proposed AD results from reports of certain GARMIN GSM 85 servo gearbox units that have foreign object debris inside the assembly. We are proposing 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 excessive manual force to control the airplane.

DATES:

We must receive comments on this proposed AD by October 22, 2007.

ADDRESSES:

Use one of the following addresses to comment on this proposed AD:

• DOT Docket Web site: Go to http://dms.dot.gov and follow the instructions for sending your comments electronically.
• Mail: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590.
• Fax: [phone].
• Hand Delivery: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
• Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.

For service information identified in this proposed AD, contact GARMIN International Inc., 1200 East 151st Street, Olathe, KS 66062; telephone: [phone]; fax: [phone].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Roger A. Souter, Aerospace Engineer, FAA, Wichita Aircraft Certification Office, 1801 Airport Road, Room 100, Wichita, Kansas 67209; telephone: [phone]; fax: [phone]; e-mail address: [e-mail].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or arguments regarding this proposed AD. Send your comments to an address listed under the ADDRESSES section. Include the docket number, “FAA-2007-28730; Directorate Identifier 2007-CE-063-AD” at the beginning of your comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the proposed AD. We will consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend the proposed AD in light of those comments.

We will post all comments we receive, without change, to http://dms.dot.gov,, including any personal information you provide. We will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact we receive concerning this proposed AD.

Discussion

We have received reports of certain GARMIN GSM 85 servo gearbox units having foreign object debris inside the assembly. The debris was found during installation and removal.

The GSM 85 servo gearbox extrusion (housing) is composed primarily of aluminum. The manufacturer selectively uses a tumbling process to deburr the housing, which resulted in foreign object debris collecting in the housing cavities.

We have determined that foreign object debris inside the gear-assembly housing may come loose causing the GSM 85 servo gearbox to jam.

This condition, if not corrected, could result in the GSM 85 servo gearbox unit becoming jammed. Jamming of the servo gearbox could lead to the pilot having to apply excessive manual force to control the airplane.

Relevant Service Information

We have reviewed 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; and GARMIN International, Inc. Service Bulletin No. 0713, Revision D, dated June 13, 2007. These service bulletins describe procedures for inspecting the GSM 85 servo gearbox for foreign object debris and returning the unit to the manufacturer for replacement if debris is found.

FAA's Determination and Requirements of the Proposed AD

We are proposing this AD because we evaluated all information and determined the unsafe condition described previously is likely to exist or develop on other products of the same type design. This proposed AD would 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.

Costs of Compliance

We estimate that this proposed AD would affect 900 airplanes in the U.S. registry.

We estimate the following costs to do the proposed inspection:

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

For airplanes that would need to replace the GSM 85 servo gearbox based on the results of the proposed 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 may need this replacement:

Labor cost per GSM 85 Servo Gearbox	Parts cost	Total cost per GSM 85 Servo Gearbox
.5 work-hours × $80 per hour = $40	Not applicable	$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 rulemaking action.

Regulatory Findings

We have determined that this proposed AD would not have federalism implications under Executive Order 13132. This proposed AD would 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 the proposed regulation:

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 regulatory evaluation of the estimated costs to comply with this proposed AD and placed it in the AD docket.

Examining the AD Docket

You may examine the AD docket that contains the proposed AD, the regulatory evaluation, any comments received, and other information on the Internet at http://dms.dot.gov;​; or in person at the Docket Management Facility between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The Docket Office (telephone [phone]) is located at the street address stated in the ADDRESSES section. Comments will be available in the AD docket shortly after receipt.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

• Air transportation
• Aircraft
• Aviation safety
• Safety

The Proposed Amendment

Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the Administrator, the FAA proposes to amend 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. The FAA amends § 39.13 by adding the following new AD:

GARMIN International: Docket No. FAA-2007-28730; Directorate Identifier 2007-CE-063-AD.

Comments Due Date

(a) We must receive comments on this airworthiness directive (AD) action by October 22, 2007.

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 excessive manual force to control the airplane.

Compliance

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

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

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: [phone]; fax: [phone]; e-mail address: [e-mail]. 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.

Related Information

(g) To get copies of the service information referenced in this AD, contact GARMIN International Inc., 1200 East 151st Street, Olathe, KS 66062; telephone: [phone]; fax: [phone]. 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://dms.dot.gov. The docket number is Docket No. FAA-2007-28730; Directorate Identifier 2007-CE-063-AD.

Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on August 14, 2007.

Terry L. Chasteen,

Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.