[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 61 (Thursday, March 30, 2006)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 16066-16070]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-4621]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2005-22034; Directorate Identifier 2004-NM-182-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Gulfstream Model GV and GV-SP Series 
Airplanes

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

ACTION: Supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM); reopening of 
comment period.

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SUMMARY: The FAA is revising an earlier proposed airworthiness 
directive (AD) for all Gulfstream Model GV and certain Model GV-SP 
series airplanes. The original NPRM would have required a one-time 
inspection of the left and right aileron and elevator actuators to 
determine the part and serial numbers of each actuator, repetitive 
inspections of suspect actuators to detect broken damper shafts, and 
replacement of any actuator having a broken damper shaft. The original 
NPRM would also have required that operators report any broken damper 
shaft they find to the FAA. The original NPRM would also have provided 
an optional terminating action for the repetitive inspection 
requirements of the proposed AD. The original NPRM resulted from 
reports of broken or cracked damper shafts within the aileron and 
elevator actuator assemblies. This action revises the original NPRM by 
proposing to mandate the previously optional terminating action. We are 
proposing this supplemental NPRM to prevent broken damper shafts, which 
could result in locking of an aileron or elevator actuator (hard-over 
condition), which would activate the hard-over protection system 
(HOPS), resulting in increased pilot workload and consequent reduced 
controllability of the airplane.

DATES: We must receive comments on this supplemental NPRM by April 24, 
2006.

ADDRESSES: Use one of the following addresses to submit comments on 
this supplemental NPRM.
     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 31402-9980, for service 
information identified in this proposed AD.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Gerald Avella, 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) 703-6066; fax (770) 703-
6097.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

    We invite you to submit any relevant written data, views, or 
arguments regarding this supplemental NPRM.

[[Page 16067]]

Send your comments to an address listed in the ADDRESSES section. 
Include the docket number ``Docket No. FAA-2005-22034; Directorate 
Identifier 2004-NM-182-AD''; at the beginning of your comments. We 
specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, economic, 
environmental, and energy aspects of this supplemental NPRM. We will 
consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend this 
supplemental NPRM in light of those comments.
    We will post all comments submitted, 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 supplemental NPRM. 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 the 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 in the Nassif Building at the DOT 
street address stated in ADDRESSES. Comments will be available in the 
AD docket shortly after the Docket Management System receives them.

Discussion

    We proposed to amend 14 CFR part 39 with a notice of proposed 
rulemaking (NPRM) for an AD (the ``original NPRM'') for all Gulfstream 
Model GV and certain Model GV-SP series airplanes. The original NPRM 
was published in the Federal Register on August 8, 2005 (70 FR 45581). 
The original NPRM proposed to require a one-time inspection of the left 
and right aileron and elevator actuators to determine the part and 
serial numbers of each actuator, repetitive inspections of suspect 
actuators to detect broken damper shafts, and replacement of any 
actuator having a broken damper shaft. The original NPRM proposed to 
require that operators report any broken damper shaft they find to the 
FAA. The original NPRM also proposed to provide an optional terminating 
action for the repetitive inspection requirements of the proposed AD.

Comments

    We have considered the following comments on the original NPRM.

Request for Correction of the Statement of Proposed Requirements

    One commenter, Gulfstream Aerospace, requests that we correct our 
position in the ``FAA's Determination and Requirements of the Proposed 
AD'' section of the original NPRM that states that we are not requiring 
the terminating action (i.e., replacement of all suspect actuators) 
because the necessary replacement parts are not yet available. 
Gulfstream asserts that the new, improved replacement actuators are now 
available and that airplane owners are required to replace the 
actuators during the recall time, after which the replacement cost will 
be charged to the customer.
    From this comment, we infer that Gulfstream is ultimately 
requesting that we revise the original NPRM to require the previously 
optional terminating replacement. We agree that the terminating 
replacement should now be required. We have confirmed that the 
necessary replacement actuators are available. Therefore, we have 
revised the original NPRM to require the previously optional 
terminating actuator replacement and have revised the ``FAA's 
Determination and Requirements of the Supplemental NPRM'' section as 
requested by Gulfstream.

Request for Addition of Gulfstream GV Customer Bulletin 124

    The other commenter, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), 
requests that we add Gulfstream GV Customer Bulletin 124, dated 
December 8, 2004, to the proposed requirements. The FBI states that 
this bulletin lists the part numbers (P/Ns) for the new actuators 
necessary for the terminating replacement. The FBI also asserts that 
adding this bulletin will prevent operators who have already done the 
replacement from being required to do it again.
    We agree that Gulfstream GV Customer Bulletin 124, dated December 
8, 2004, should be added to the proposed requirements. As we stated 
previously, we have revised the original NPRM to propose to require the 
terminating replacement. Because Gulfstream GV Customer Bulletin 124 
does contain the necessary P/Ns for Model GV series airplanes to do the 
replacement, we have added it to this supplemental NPRM as the source 
of service information for those airplanes to do the replacement. We 
have also added Gulfstream G500 and G550 Customer Bulletins 6, both 
dated December 8, 2004, to this supplemental NPRM as the source of 
service information for Model GV-SP series airplanes to do the 
terminating replacement. These bulletins are described below.

Relevant Service Information

    We have reviewed the following Gulfstream customer bulletins:

                                      Table.--Relevant Service Information
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                  Model                           Customer bulletin                         Dated
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GV-SP series airplanes..................  Gulfstream G500 Customer          December 8, 2004.
                                           Bulletin 6.
GV-SP series airplanes..................  Gulfstream G550 Customer          December 8, 2004.
                                           Bulletin 6.
GV series airplanes.....................  Gulfstream GV Customer Bulletin   December 8, 2004.
                                           124.
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    The customer bulletins describe procedures for doing a one-time 
inspection of the left and right aileron and elevator actuators to 
determine the P/N and serial number (S/N) of each actuator and for 
replacing identified actuators. The customer bulletins also describe 
procedures for reporting accomplishment of the actions and returning 
affected actuators to Gulfstream. Accomplishing the actions specified 
in the service information is intended to adequately address the unsafe 
condition.

FAA's Determination and Proposed Requirements of the Supplemental NPRM

    The changes discussed above expand the scope of the original NPRM; 
therefore, we have determined that it is necessary to reopen the 
comment period

[[Page 16068]]

to provide additional opportunity for public comment on this 
supplemental NPRM.

Differences Between the Proposed AD and New Customer Bulletins

    Gulfstream G500 Customer Bulletin 6 is effective to all Gulfstream 
Model G500 series airplanes, and Gulfstream G550 Customer Bulletin 6 is 
effective to all Gulfstream Model G550 series airplanes. The 
supplemental NPRM remains applicable only to Gulfstream Model GV-SP 
series airplanes having S/Ns 5001 through 5052 inclusive. We have 
determined that Model GV-SP series airplanes having S/Ns 5053 and 
subsequent are equipped with non-suspect actuators during production.
    Gulfstream G500 and G550 Customer Bulletins 6 and Gulfstream GV 
Customer Bulletin 124 do not specify what to do if an installed 
actuator has either a P/N or S/N that is missing or is unreadable. This 
supplemental NPRM would require that those actuators also be inspected 
to detect broken damper shafts as if they have a P/N and S/N listed in 
the customer bulletins.
    These customer bulletins specify replacing a subject actuator 
having a P/N and S/N listed in the customer bulletins, but they do not 
specify the type of replacement actuator. This supplemental NPRM would 
require replacement with either:
     A new or serviceable actuator having a subject P/N and S/N 
identified in Table 1 ``Serial Number Effectivity Table'' in Gulfstream 
G500 and G550 Customer Bulletins 6 and Gulfstream GV Customer Bulletin 
124, as applicable, provided the actuator has been and continues to be 
inspected for broken damper shafts in accordance with the requirements 
of this supplemental NPRM; or
     A new or serviceable actuator having a new P/N identified 
in Table 2 ``Retrofit Part Number Replacement Table'' in Gulfstream 
G500 and G550 Customer Bulletins 6 and Gulfstream GV Customer Bulletin 
124, as applicable, regardless of the S/N. Replacing an actuator with 
an actuator having a new P/N, regardless of S/N, would terminate the 
requirements of this supplemental NPRM for that actuator only.
    The customer bulletins do not specify reporting findings of broken 
damper shafts. This supplemental NPRM would require that findings of 
all broken damper shafts be reported to the FAA. When the unsafe 
condition addressed by an AD is likely due to a manufacturer's quality 
control (QC) problem, a reporting requirement is instrumental in 
ensuring that we can gather as much information as possible regarding 
the extent and nature of the QC problem or breakdown, especially in 
cases where the data may not be available through other established 
means. This information is necessary to ensure that proper corrective 
action will be taken. Based on the results of these reports, we may 
determine that further corrective action is warranted.
    The Accomplishment Instructions of the customer bulletins specify 
to submit the Service Reply Card or compliance information to the 
manufacturer. This supplemental NPRM does not include those actions.
    These differences have been coordinated with the airplane 
manufacturer.

Clarification of Terminating Action

    The terminating action proposed in this supplemental NPRM is 
replacement of the suspect actuators with actuators having new P/Ns 
listed in Table 2 ``Retrofit Part Number Replacement Table'' in 
Gulfstream G500 and G550 Customer Bulletins 6 and Gulfstream GV 
Customer Bulletin 124, as applicable. This is not made clear in the 
customer bulletins.

Costs of Compliance

    There are about 214 airplanes of the affected design in the 
worldwide fleet. This proposed AD would affect about 174 airplanes of 
U.S. registry. The following table provides the estimated costs for 
U.S. operators to comply with this proposed AD. Gulfstream will provide 
replacement parts at no cost to operators.

                                                                     Estimated Costs
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                                          Gulfstream airplane                                    Average labor     Cost per
                Action                           model                     Work hours            rate per hour     airplane            Fleet cost
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Inspection for part/serial number....  GV and GV-SP series       1............................             $80             $80  $13,920.
                                        airplanes.
Inspection of actuators, per           GV series airplanes.....  14 per actuator..............              80           1,120  $194,880, per actuator,
 inspection cycle (if accomplished).                                                                                             per inspection cycle.
                                       GV-SP series airplanes..  4 per actuator...............              80             320  $55,680, per actuator,
                                                                                                                                 per inspection cycle.
Terminating replacement..............  GV series airplanes.....  26 per aileron actuator (2                 80            4160  $723,840.
                                                                  actuators per airplane).
                                                                 52 per elevator actuator (2                80           8,320  $1,447,680.
                                                                  actuators per airplane).
                                       GV-SP series airplanes..  32 per aileron actuator (2                 80           5,120  $890,880.
                                                                  actuators per airplane).
                                                                 52 per elevator actuator (2                80           8,320  $1,447,680.
                                                                  actuators per airplane).
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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

[[Page 16069]]

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 supplemental NPRM and placed it in the 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-2005-22034; 
Directorate Identifier 2004-NM-182-AD.

Comments Due Date

    (a) The FAA must receive comments on this AD action by April 24, 
2006.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to all Gulfstream Model GV series airplanes, 
and Model GV-SP series airplanes having serial numbers (S/Ns) 5001 
through 5052 inclusive; certificated in any category.

Unsafe Condition

    (d) This AD results from reports of broken or cracked damper 
shafts within the aileron and elevator actuator assemblies. We are 
issuing this AD to prevent broken damper shafts, which could result 
in locking of an aileron or elevator actuator (hard-over condition), 
which would activate the hard-over protection system (HOPS), 
resulting in increased pilot workload and consequent reduced 
controllability of 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.

Service Information References

    (f) The term ``customer bulletin,'' as used in this AD, means 
the Accomplishment Instructions of the applicable Gulfstream 
customer bulletins specified in Table 1 of this AD. Although the 
customer bulletins recommend completing and submitting the Service 
Reply Card or reporting compliance with the customer bulletin, those 
actions are not required by this AD.

                               Table 1.--Applicable Gulfstream Customer Bulletins
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               For--                     For model--               Use--                     Dated--
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(1) Initial/repetitive inspections  (i) GV-SP series       Gulfstream G500       August 23, 2004.
 of and corrective actions for       airplanes.             Customer Bulletin 4. August 23, 2004.
 identified subject actuators.      (ii) GV-SP series      Gulfstream G550       August 23, 2004.
                                     airplanes.             Customer Bulletin 4.
                                    (iii) GV series        Gulfstream GV
                                     airplanes.             Customer Bulletin
                                                            123.
(2) Terminating replacement of      (i) GV-SP series       Gulfstream G500       December 8, 2004.
 subject actuators.                  airplanes.             Customer Bulletin 6. December 8, 2004.
                                    (ii) GV-SP series      Gulfstream G550
                                     airplanes.             Customer Bulletin 6.
                                    (iii) GV series        Gulfstream GV         December 8, 2004.
                                     airplanes.             Customer Bulletin
                                                            124.
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Inspection To Determine Actuator Part and Serial Numbers

    (g) Within 500 flight hours after the effective date of this AD: 
Do a one-time inspection of the left and right aileron and elevator 
actuators to determine the part number (P/N) and S/N of each 
actuator, in accordance with the applicable customer bulletin.

No Subject Actuators Installed

    (h) If no actuator with a P/N and S/N listed in Table 1 ``Serial 
Number Effectivity Table'' of the applicable customer bulletin is 
identified during the inspection required by paragraph (g) of this 
AD, no further action is required by this AD, except as required by 
paragraph (l) of this AD.

Initial and Repetitive Inspections of Subject Actuators

    (i) For any actuator identified during the inspection required 
by paragraph (g) of this AD with a P/N and S/N listed in Table 1 
``Serial Number Effectivity Table'' of the applicable customer 
bulletin, and for actuators for which the P/N or S/N is missing or 
unreadable: Before further flight, do a detailed inspection of the 
identified actuator to detect a broken damper shaft, in accordance 
with the applicable customer bulletin.

    Note 1: For the purposes of this AD, a detailed inspection is: 
``An intensive examination of a specific item, installation, or 
assembly to detect damage, failure, or irregularity. Available 
lighting is normally supplemented with a direct source of good 
lighting at an intensity deemed appropriate. Inspection aids such as 
mirror, magnifying lenses, etc., may be necessary. Surface cleaning 
and elaborate procedures may be required.''

    (1) If no damper shaft is found broken: Repeat the inspection 
required by paragraph (i) of this AD thereafter at intervals not to 
exceed 500 flight hours, until the terminating replacement specified 
in paragraph (j) of this AD is accomplished.

Corrective Action for Subject Actuators

    (2) If any damper shaft is found broken: Before further flight, 
do the action specified in paragraph (i)(2)(i), (i)(2)(ii), or (j) 
of this AD, in accordance with the applicable customer bulletin.
    (i) Replace the actuator with a new or serviceable actuator 
having a P/N and S/N listed in Table 1 ``Serial Number Effectivity 
Table'' of the applicable customer bulletin, provided the new or 
serviceable actuator has been inspected in accordance with the 
requirements of paragraph (i) of this AD. Thereafter, repeat the 
inspection required by paragraph (i) of this AD for that actuator at 
intervals not to exceed 500 flight hours, until the terminating 
replacement specified in paragraph (j) of this AD is accomplished.
    (ii) Replace the actuator with a new or serviceable actuator 
having a new P/N listed in Table 2 ``Retrofit Part Number 
Replacement Table'' of the applicable customer bulletin. This 
replacement terminates the requirements of this paragraph for that 
actuator only.

[[Page 16070]]

Terminating Replacement

    (j) Within 24 months after the effective date of this AD: 
Replace all identified suspect actuators with new or serviceable 
actuators having a new P/N listed in Table 2 ``Retrofit Part Number 
Replacement Table'' of the applicable customer bulletin. This 
replacement terminates the requirements of this AD, except as 
required by paragraph (l) of this AD.

Reporting Requirement

    (k) Submit a report of any broken damper shafts to the Manager, 
Atlanta Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), FAA, One Crown Center, 
1895 Phoenix Boulevard, suite 450, Atlanta, Georgia 30349; fax (770) 
703-6097. The report must be done at the applicable time specified 
in paragraph (k)(1) or (k)(2) of this AD. The report must include 
the inspection date, the airplane model and S/N, the actuator 
position (left or right aileron or elevator), and the actuator P/N 
and S/N. Information collection requirements contained in this AD 
have been approved by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) 
under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. 3501 
et seq.) and have been assigned OMB Control Number 2120-0056.
    (1) If the inspection required by paragraph (i) of this AD is 
done after the effective date of this AD: Submit a report within 30 
days after the inspection is done.
    (2) If an inspection required by paragraph (i) of this AD was 
done before the effective date of this AD: Submit a report within 30 
days after the effective date of this AD.

Parts Installation

    (l) As of the effective date of this AD, no person may install 
an aileron or elevator actuator having a P/N and S/N specified in 
the applicable customer bulletin on any airplane, unless the 
actuator has been inspected according to paragraph (i) of this AD.

Special Flight Permit Prohibited

    (m) Special flight permits (14 CFR 21.197 and 21.199) are not 
allowed if any broken damper shaft is found during any inspection 
required by paragraph (i) of this AD.

Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (n)(1) The Manager, Atlanta ACO, 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 March 17, 2006.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. E6-4621 Filed 3-29-06; 8:45 am]
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