AD 2000-26-20

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.

Final rule

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 asindicated, 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 mayadd 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 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 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, 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.

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 worldwidefleet. 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 thecaption "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: