[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 236 (Friday, December 9, 2005)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 73173-73175]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-23832]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2005-23249; Directorate Identifier 2005-NM-219-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Gulfstream Model GV-SP Series Airplanes

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

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) 
for certain Gulfstream Model GV-SP series airplanes. This proposed AD 
would require an inspection to determine the serial number of the anti-
skid control unit (ACU) in the right electronics equipment rack, and 
replacement of the ACU with a new or serviceable ACU if necessary. This 
proposed AD results from a report that an airplane temporarily lost 
normal braking function during landing rollout on a pre-delivery 
flight. We are proposing this AD to prevent loss of normal braking 
function, which could result in a runway overrun that could cause 
injury to flightcrew or passengers or damage to the airplane.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by January 23, 
2006.

ADDRESSES: Use one of the following addresses to submit comments on 
this proposed AD.
     DOT Docket Web site: Go to http://dms.dot.gov and follow 
the instructions for sending your comments electronically.
     Government-wide rulemaking Web site: Go to http://www.regulations.gov and follow the instructions for sending your 
comments electronically.
     Mail: Docket Management Facility, U.S. Department of 
Transportation, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Nassif Building, Room PL-401, 
Washington, DC 20590.
     Fax: (202) 493-2251.
     Hand Delivery: Room PL-401 on the plaza level of the 
Nassif Building, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Washington, DC, between 9 
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
    Contact Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation, Technical Publications 
Dept., P.O. Box 2206, Savannah, Georgia 31402-2206, for the service 
information identified in this proposed AD.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Darby Mirocha, Aerospace Engineer, 
Systems and Equipment Branch, ACE-119A, FAA, Atlanta Aircraft 
Certification Office, One Crown Center, 1895 Phoenix Boulevard, suite 
450, Atlanta, Georgia 30349; telephone (770) 703-6095; fax (770) 703-
6097.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

    We invite you to submit any relevant written data, views, or 
arguments regarding this proposed AD. Send your comments to an address 
listed in the ADDRESSES section. Include the docket number ``FAA-2005-
23249; Directorate Identifier 2005-NM-219-AD'' at the

[[Page 73174]]

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 with FAA 
personnel concerning this proposed AD. Using the search function of 
that Web site, anyone can find and read the comments in any of our 
dockets, including the name of the individual who sent the comment (or 
signed the comment on behalf of an association, business, labor union, 
etc.). You may review DOT's complete Privacy Act Statement in the 
Federal Register published on April 11, 2000 (65 FR 19477-78), or you 
may visit http://dms.dot.gov.

Examining the Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://dms.dot.gov, or in person at the Docket Management Facility office 
between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal 
holidays. The Docket Management Facility office (telephone (800) 647-
5227) is located on the plaza level of the Nassif Building at the DOT 
street address stated in the ADDRESSES section. Comments will be 
available in the AD docket shortly after the Docket Management System 
receives them.

Discussion

    We have received a report indicating that a Gulfstream Model GV-SP 
series airplane temporarily lost normal braking function during landing 
rollout on a pre-delivery flight. The flightcrew received no indication 
of failure or degradation within the braking system prior to the loss 
of braking. Normal braking function was recovered after the wheel speed 
decreased through 50 knots. Investigation revealed that the temporary 
loss of braking was caused by incorrect capacitors installed in the 
anti-skid control unit (ACU). The manufacturer of the ACUs has 
identified a range of serial numbers that may have this defect. Loss of 
normal braking function, if not corrected, could result in a runway 
overrun that could cause injury to flightcrew or passengers or damage 
to the airplane.

Relevant Service Information

    We have reviewed Gulfstream G500 Customer Bulletin 17, dated August 
12, 2005 (for Model GV-SP (G500) series airplanes); and Gulfstream G550 
Customer Bulletin 17, dated August 12, 2005 (for Model GV-SP (G550) 
series airplanes). The customer bulletins describe procedures for 
inspecting the ACU in the right electronics equipment rack to determine 
the serial number (S/N). If the ACU unit has an affected S/N, the 
customer bulletins also describe procedures for replacing the ACU unit 
with a new part having a S/N outside the affected range or with a 
serviceable part having a re-identified S/N. Accomplishing the actions 
specified in the service information is intended to adequately address 
the unsafe condition.

FAA's Determination and Requirements of the Proposed AD

    We have evaluated all pertinent information and identified an 
unsafe condition that is likely to exist or develop on other airplanes 
of this same type design. For this reason, we are proposing this AD, 
which would require accomplishing the actions specified in the service 
information described previously, except as discussed under 
``Differences Between the Proposed AD and Customer Bulletins.''

Differences Between the AD and Customer Bulletins

    Although the customer bulletins recommend accomplishing the 
inspection within 60 days, we have determined that extending the 
compliance time will not adversely affect safety for the affected 
fleet. In developing an appropriate compliance time for this AD, we 
considered the degree of urgency associated with the subject unsafe 
condition, the average utilization of the affected fleet, and the time 
necessary to perform the inspection (1 hour). In light of all of these 
factors, we find that a 90-day compliance time represents an 
appropriate interval of time for affected airplanes to continue to 
operate without compromising safety. This difference has been 
coordinated with Gulfstream.
    Operators should note that, although the Accomplishment 
Instructions of the referenced customer bulletins describe procedures 
for submitting a sheet recording compliance with the customer 
bulletins, this AD would not require those actions. We do not need this 
information from operators.

Clarification of Customer Bulletins

    The accomplishment instructions of the referenced customer 
bulletins specify contacting Gulfstream if technical assistance is 
required. We have included a note in this AD to clarify that any 
deviation from the instructions in the applicable customer bulletin 
must be approved as an alternative method of compliance under paragraph 
(h) of this AD.

Costs of Compliance

    There are about 20 airplanes of the affected design in the 
worldwide fleet. This proposed AD would affect about 15 airplanes of 
U.S. registry. The proposed inspection would take about 1 work hour per 
airplane, at an average labor rate of $65 per work hour. Based on these 
figures, the estimated cost of the proposed AD for U.S. operators is 
$975, or $65 per airplane.

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

[[Page 73175]]

AD docket. See the ADDRESSES section for a location to examine the 
regulatory evaluation.

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.


Sec.  39.13  [Amended]

    2. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) amends Sec.  39.13 by 
adding the following new airworthiness directive (AD):

Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation: Docket No. FAA-2005-23249; 
Directorate Identifier 2005-NM-219-AD.

Comments Due Date

    (a) The FAA must receive comments on this AD action by January 
23, 2006.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to Gulfstream Model GV-SP series airplanes, 
certificated in any category; serial numbers 5044-5063 inclusive.

Unsafe Condition

    (d) This AD results from a report that an airplane temporarily 
lost normal braking function during landing rollout on a pre-
delivery flight. We are issuing this AD to prevent loss of normal 
braking function, which could result in a runway overrun that could 
cause injury to flightcrew or passengers or damage to the airplane.

Compliance

    (e) You are responsible for having the actions required by this 
AD performed within the compliance times specified, unless the 
actions have already been done.

Inspection and Replacement If Necessary

    (f) Within 90 days after the effective date of this AD, inspect 
the anti-skid control unit (ACU) in the right electronics equipment 
rack to determine the serial number (S/N), in accordance with the 
Accomplishment Instructions of Gulfstream G500 Customer Bulletin 17, 
dated August 12, 2005 (for Model GV-SP (G500) series airplanes); or 
Gulfstream G550 Customer Bulletin 17, dated August 12, 2005 (for 
Model GV-SP (G550) series airplanes); as applicable. If the S/N of 
the ACU is in the affected range of S/N 355-400 inclusive: Replace 
the ACU with a new ACU having a S/N outside the affected range or 
with a serviceable ACU having a reidentified S/N, in accordance with 
the applicable customer bulletin.

    Note 1: The Accomplishment Instructions of the Gulfstream 
customer bulletins instruct operators to contact Gulfstream if 
technical assistance is required. However, any deviation from the 
instructions provided in the applicable customer bulletin must be 
approved as an alternative method of compliance under paragraph (h) 
of this AD.

No Reporting Requirement

    (g) Although the customer bulletins referenced in this AD 
specify to submit certain information to the manufacturer, this AD 
does not include that requirement.

AMOCs

    (h)(1) The Manager, Atlanta Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, 
has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested in 
accordance with the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19.
    (2) Before using any AMOC approved in accordance with Sec.  
39.19 on any airplane to which the AMOC applies, notify the 
appropriate principal inspector in the FAA Flight Standards 
Certificate Holding District Office.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on December 2, 2005.
Kalene C. Yanamura,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 05-23832 Filed 12-8-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P