[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 108 (Tuesday, June 6, 2006)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 32487-32489]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-8711]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2006-24951; Directorate Identifier 2005-NM-184-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Gulfstream Model GV and 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 and GV-SP series airplanes. This 
proposed AD would require repairing the force link assembly wire 
harness. This proposed AD results from a report indicating that the 
wiring harness outer shield and insulation on the primary conductors 
may have been inadvertently cut due to an improper method used to 
remove the wiring outer jacket. We are proposing this AD to prevent the 
loss of the hardover prevention system (HOPS) in the roll axis due to a 
short circuit in the wiring harness, which could result in reduced 
controllability of the airplane.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by July 21, 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-2006-
24951; Directorate Identifier 2005-NM-184-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

[[Page 32488]]

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

    While installing an aileron force link assembly during the 
production of a Model GIV-X series airplane, a technician noticed that 
the wiring harness outer shield and insulation on the primary 
conductors were cut. The cuts did not appear to sever the electrical 
wire core, but the potential for severed wires prompted an 
investigation by the force link supplier. The investigation revealed 
that an improper method had been used to remove the wiring outer jacket 
on approximately 221 affected force links. If this condition causes the 
hardover prevention system (HOPS) to fire inadvertently, the HOPS would 
shut down the hydraulics system in that axis, increasing pilot 
workload. Also, an electrical short circuit in the wiring harness could 
result in loss of the HOPS in the roll axis, and consequent reduced 
controllability of the airplane.

Relevant Service Information

    We have reviewed Gulfstream G500 Customer Bulletin 14 and G550 
Customer Bulletin 14 (for Model GV-SP series airplanes), and Gulfstream 
GV Customer Bulletin 135 (for Model GV series airplanes), all dated 
June 23, 2005. The customer bulletins describe procedures for repairing 
the force link assembly wire harness. The repair includes installing 
new wiring, visually inspecting the seal around the wires for nicks and 
other damage, and visually inspecting the mating ends of the connectors 
to ensure the contacts are properly inserted. Accomplishing the actions 
specified in the service information is intended to adequately address 
the unsafe condition.
    The Gulfstream customer bulletins include Vought Service Bulletin 
SB-VAIGV/GVSP-27-PG0098, dated May 9, 2005, as an additional source of 
service information for the repair.

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 below.

Clarification of Proposed Repair Requirements

    The service bulletins do not provide corrective action for nicks or 
other damage found during the inspection of the environmental seal 
around the installed wires. This proposed AD would require operators to 
repair those conditions using a method approved by the FAA.

Costs of Compliance

    There are about 99 airplanes of the affected design in the 
worldwide fleet. The following table provides the estimated costs for 
U.S. operators to comply with this proposed AD.

                                                 Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                  Number of U.S.-
     Work hours        Average labor             Parts               Cost per       registered      Fleet cost
                       rate per hour                                 airplane        airplanes
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3...................             $80  The manufacturer states               $240              77         $18,480
                                       that it will supply
                                       required parts to the
                                       operators at no cost.
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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 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. See the 
ADDRESSES section for a location to examine the regulatory evaluation.

[[Page 32489]]

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-2006-24951; 
Directorate Identifier 2005-NM-184-AD.

Comments Due Date

    (a) The FAA must receive comments on this AD action by July 21, 
2006.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to the following Gulfstream Aerospace 
Corporation airplanes, certificated in any category:

                         Table 1.--Applicability
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                   Model                             Serial Nos.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
GV series airplanes.......................  674 through 693 inclusive.
GV-SP series airplanes....................  5001 through 5072 inclusive.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Unsafe Condition

    (d) This AD results from a report indicating that the wiring 
harness outer shield and insulation on the primary conductors may 
have been inadvertently cut due to an improper method used to remove 
the wiring outer jacket. We are issuing this AD to prevent the loss 
of the hardover prevention system (HOPS) in the roll axis due to a 
short circuit in the wiring harness of the aileron force link 
assembly, which could result in 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.

Repair

    (f) Within 12 months after the effective date of this AD, repair 
the force link assembly wire harness by doing all actions specified 
in the Accomplishment Instructions of the applicable service 
information identified in Table 2 of this AD, except as required by 
paragraph (g) of this AD.

                                                              Table 2.--Service Information
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                   For model--                                                                     Use--
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GV-SP series airplanes..........................  Gulfstream G500 Customer Bulletin 14, dated June 23, 2005.
GV-SP series airplanes..........................  Gulfstream G550 Customer Bulletin 14, dated June 23, 2005.
GV series airplanes.............................  Gulfstream GV Customer Bulletin 135, dated June 23, 2005.
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    Note 1: The Gulfstream customer bulletins identified in Table 2 
of this AD include Vought Service Bulletin SB-VAIGV/GVSP-27-PG0098, 
dated May 9, 2005, as an additional source of service information 
for the repair.

Exception to Service Bulletin Specifications

    (g) During the inspection of the environmental seal around the 
installed wires required by paragraph (f) of this AD: If any nick or 
other damage is found, repair before further flight using a method 
approved by the Manager, Atlanta Aircraft Certification Office 
(ACO), FAA. For a repair method to be approved by the Manager, 
Atlanta ACO, as required by this paragraph, the Manager's approval 
letter must specifically refer to this AD.

Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (h)(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 May 26, 2006.
Jeffrey E. Duven,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. E6-8711 Filed 6-5-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P