[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 118 (Wednesday, June 20, 2007)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 33867-33871]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-11587]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2007-28373; Directorate Identifier 2007-NM-110-AD; 
Amendment 39-15104; AD 2007-12-25]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Gulfstream Model GIV-X, GV, and GV-SP 
Series Airplanes

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

ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for 
certain Gulfstream Model GIV-X, GV, and GV-SP series airplanes. This AD 
requires revising the airplane flight manuals (AFMs) of those 
airplanes, and doing repetitive functional checks of the forward water 
drain/supply valves and applicable corrective actions. This AD also 
provides for optional terminating action for the repetitive functional 
checks. This AD results from reports of failed forward water drain/
supply valves on numerous airplanes, and reports of ice striking the 
wing-to-body fairings and engine nose cowls of several airplanes. We 
are issuing this AD to prevent leakage from failed water drain/supply 
valves allowing the build-up of ice on the airplane, which could 
separate and strike the airplane structure aft of the failed valves; 
become ingested by a propulsion engine; or become a hazard to persons 
or property on the ground.

DATES: This AD becomes effective July 5, 2007.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of certain publications listed in the AD as of July 5, 2007.
    We must receive comments on this AD by August 20, 2007.

ADDRESSES: Use one of the following addresses to submit comments on 
this 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 service 
information identified in this 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:

Discussion

    We have received a report of 18 instances of failed forward water 
drain/supply valves on Gulfstream Model GIV-X, GV, and GV-SP series 
airplanes. Investigation by the airplane manufacturer revealed that the 
water drain/supply valves can be damaged by attempted operation when 
they are frozen. We also received a report of seven instances of ice 
striking the wing-to-body fairings and engine nose cowls of several 
airplanes. Leakage from failed water drain/supply valves can allow the 
build-up of ice on the airplane, which could separate and strike the 
airplane structure aft of the failed valves; become ingested by a 
propulsion engine; or become a hazard to persons or property on the 
ground.

Relevant Service Information

    We have reviewed the Gulfstream airplane flight manual (AFM) 
supplements and alert customer bulletins, including the Joint Aviation 
Authority (JAA) Gulfstream AFM revisions. We have identified these 
documents in the following tables.
    The Gulfstream AFM supplements describe procedures for revising the 
Normal Procedures section of the AFMs of the affected airplanes to 
specify a functional check of forward water drain/supply valves, and 
corrective actions if necessary. Corrective actions include purging, 
deactivating, and securing the galley and lavatory sinks, or the entire 
water system, as applicable, and placarding those systems 
``Inoperative'' or ``Do Not Use.'' The AFM supplements are identified 
as follows:

                                           Gulfstream AFM Supplements
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
            Airplane model                            AFM supplement                            Date
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
GIV-X.................................  G350-2007-01.............................  April 12, 2007.
                                        G450-2007-02.............................  April 12, 2007.
GV....................................  GV-2007-04...............................  April 12, 2007.
GV-SP.................................  G500-2007-03.............................  April 12, 2007.

[[Page 33868]]

 
                                        G550-2007-05.............................  April 12, 2007.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The alert customer bulletins identified in the following table 
describe procedures for doing repetitive functional checks of the 
forward water drain/supply valves for leakage; inspecting to determine 
whether the water supply valve has part number (P/N) 4E4151-1 or the 
water drain valve has P/N 4E4151-3; and replacing any water supply 
valve having P/N 4E4151-1 with a new, improved valve having P/N 4E4491-
1, or any water drain valve having P/N 4E4151-3 with a new, improved 
valve having P/N 4E4493-1. The alert customer bulletins also specify 
reporting compliance to the manufacturer.

                                       Gulfstream Alert Customer Bulletins
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
            Airplane model                       Alert Customer Bulletin                        Date
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
GIV-X.................................  G350 Number 5............................  April 11, 2007.
                                        G450 Number 5............................  April 11, 2007.
GV....................................  GV Number 26.............................  April 11, 2007.
GV-SP.................................  G500 Number 7............................  April 11, 2007.
                                        G550 Number 7............................  April 11, 2007.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The information contained in the JAA AFM revisions identified in 
the following table is considered acceptable by the European Aviation 
Safety Agency (EASA) for airplanes operated under and in accordance 
with the JAA and EASA regulations, supervision, and oversight:

                                          JAA Gulfstream AFM Revisions
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
            Airplane model                          JAA AFM revisions                           Date
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
GIV-X.................................  JAA-G350-2007-01.........................  May 21, 2007.
                                        JAA-G450-2007-01.........................  May 21, 2007.
GV....................................  JAA-GV-2007-02...........................  May 21, 2007.
GV-SP.................................  JAA-G500-2007-03.........................  May 21, 2007.
                                        JAA-G550-2007-03.........................  May 21, 2007.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

FAA's Determination and Requirements of This AD

    The unsafe condition described previously is likely to exist or 
develop on other airplanes of the same type design. For this reason, we 
are issuing this AD to prevent leakage from failed water drain/supply 
valves allowing the build-up of ice on the airplane, which could 
separate and strike the airplane structure aft of the failed valves; 
become ingested by a propulsion engine; or become a hazard to persons 
or property on the ground. This AD requires accomplishing the actions 
specified in the service information described previously, except as 
discussed under ``Differences Between the AD and Service Information.''

Differences Between the AD and Service Information

    The alert customer bulletins do not describe procedures to be 
followed if the part number of a water drain/supply valve is missing or 
cannot be determined. However, this AD requires replacing any such 
valve with a new, improved valve having P/N 4E4491-1 or P/N 4E4493-1, 
as applicable.
    Although the Accomplishment Instructions of the referenced alert 
customer bulletins describe procedures for submitting reports of 
compliance with the service bulletin, this AD does not require those 
actions.

Interim Action

    We consider this AD interim action. We are currently considering 
requiring the optional terminating action (replacing the water drain/
supply valves) provided in this AD, which will terminate the required 
repetitive functional checks. However, the planned compliance time for 
the terminating action would allow enough time to provide notice and 
opportunity for prior public comment on the merits of the valve 
replacement.

Clarification of Terminology

    This AD provides procedures for repetitive functional checks for 
proper operation of the forward water drain/supply valves, and 
corrective actions if necessary. We have determined that these 
functional checks and corrective actions may be properly performed by 
the cockpit flightcrew because the checks and actions do not require 
tools, precision measuring equipment, training, or pilot logbook 
endorsements, or the use of or reference to technical data.

FAA's Determination of the Effective Date

    Since an unsafe condition exists that requires the immediate 
adoption of this AD, we have found that notice and opportunity for 
public comment before issuing this AD are impracticable, and that good 
cause exists to make this AD effective in less than 30 days.

Comments Invited

    This AD is a final rule that involves requirements that affect 
flight safety and was not preceded by notice and an opportunity for 
public comment; however, we invite you to submit any relevant written 
data, views, or arguments regarding this AD. Send your comments to an 
address listed in the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2007-
28373; Directorate Identifier 2007-NM-110-AD'' at the beginning of

[[Page 33869]]

your comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall 
regulatory, economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the AD that 
might suggest a need to modify it.
    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 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 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 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.

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 AD will not have federalism 
implications under Executive Order 13132. This AD 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.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify that the 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 AD 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, Incorporation by 
reference, Safety.

Adoption of the Amendment

0
Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the Administrator, 
the FAA amends 14 CFR part 39 as follows:

PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES

0
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]

0
2. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) amends Sec.  39.13 by 
adding the following new airworthiness directive (AD):

2007-12-25 Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation: Amendment 39-15104. 
Docket No. FAA-2007-28373; Directorate Identifier 2007-NM-110-AD.

Effective Date

    (a) This AD becomes effective July 5, 2007.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to Gulfstream Model GIV-X, GV, and GV-SP 
series airplanes, certificated in any category; as identified in the 
alert customer bulletins specified in Table 1 of this AD.

                                  Table 1.--Gulfstream Alert Customer Bulletins
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            Airplane model                       Alert Customer Bulletin                        Date
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
GIV-X.................................  G350 Number 5............................  April 11, 2007.
                                        G450 Number 5............................  April 11, 2007.
GV....................................  GV Number 26.............................  April 11, 2007.
GV-SP.................................  G500 Number 7............................  April 11, 2007.
                                        G550 Number 7............................  April 11, 2007.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Unsafe Condition

    (d) This AD results from reports of failed forward water drain/
supply valves on numerous airplanes, and reports of ice striking the 
wing-to-body fairings and engine nose cowls of several airplanes. We 
are issuing this AD to prevent leakage from failed water drain/
supply valves allowing the build-up of ice on the airplane, which 
could separate and strike the airplane structure aft of the failed 
valves; become ingested by a propulsion engine; or become a hazard 
to persons or property on the ground.

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.

Airplane Flight Manual (AFM) Revision and Valve Functional Check

    (f) Within 20 flight hours after the effective date of this AD: 
Revise the Normal Procedures section of the AFMs to include the 
information in the applicable AFM supplement identified in Table 2 
of this AD. This may be done by inserting a copy of the supplement 
into the AFM.

[[Page 33870]]



                                            Table 2.--AFM Supplements
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            Airplane model                            AFM supplement                            Date
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
GIV-X.................................  G350-2007-01.............................  April 12, 2007.
                                        G450-2007-02.............................  April 12, 2007.
GV....................................  GV-2007-04...............................  April 12, 2007.
GV-SP.................................  G500-2007-03.............................  April 12, 2007.
                                        G550-2007-05.............................  April 12, 2007.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


    Note 1: For airplanes that are operated under and in accordance 
with the Joint Aviation Authority (JAA)/European Aviation Safety 
Agency (EASA) regulations, supervision, and oversight: EASA has 
advised us that revising the Normal Procedures section of the AFMs 
to include the information in the JAA Gulfstream AFM revisions 
specified in Table 3 of this AD, as applicable, is acceptable for 
compliance with the requirements of paragraph (f) of this AD.


                                     Table 3.--JAA Gulfstream AFM Revisions
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
            Airplane model                          JAA AFM revisions                           Date
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
GIV-X.................................  JAA-G350-2007-01.........................  May 21, 2007.
                                        JAA-G450-2007-01.........................  May 21, 2007.
GV....................................  JAA-GV-2007-02...........................  May 21, 2007.
GV-SP.................................  JAA-G500-2007-03.........................  May 21, 2007.
                                        JAA-G550-2007-03.........................  May 21, 2007.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (g) Before further flight following accomplishment of the AFM 
revision required by paragraph (f) of this AD: Perform a functional 
check of the forward water system water drain/supply valves and do 
applicable corrective actions, in accordance with the applicable AFM 
supplement identified in Table 2 of this AD. Do the functional check 
at the times specified in paragraphs (g)(1) and (g)(2) of this AD. 
Either the cockpit flightcrew or certificated maintenance personnel 
may perform these functional checks. If the water system has been 
deactivated as part of the corrective actions, the functional checks 
need not be performed again until the water system is reactivated. 
Doing the optional terminating action specified by paragraph (g) of 
this AD ends the requirement for the repetitive functional checks.
    (1) Before the first flight of the day.
    (2) Before further flight when the airplane is exposed to 
freezing conditions on the ground after the airplane has been 
powered down.

Optional Terminating Action

    (h) Doing the actions described in paragraphs (h)(1) and (h)(2), 
as applicable, of this AD terminates the functional checks required 
by paragraph (g) of this AD. After the actions specified in 
paragraphs (h)(1) and (h)(2), as applicable, of this AD have been 
done, the applicable AFM supplement specified in paragraph (f) of 
this AD may be removed from the AFM.
    (1) Inspect to determine the part numbers of the forward water 
drain/supply valves, in accordance with Part II of the 
Accomplishment Instructions of the applicable alert customer 
bulletin identified in Table 1 of this AD. A review of airplane 
maintenance records is acceptable in lieu of this inspection if the 
part numbers of the drain/supply valves can be conclusively 
determined from that review.
    (2) Replace any water supply valve having part number (P/N) 
4E4151-1 with a new, improved water supply valve having P/N 4E4491-
1, and any water drain valve having P/N 4E4151-3 with a new, 
improved water drain valve having P/N 4E4493-1; in accordance with 
Part III of the Accomplishment Instructions of the applicable alert 
customer bulletin identified in Table 1 of this AD. If the P/N of 
any water drain/supply valve is missing or cannot be determined, 
replace the water drain/supply valve with a new, improved water 
drain/supply valve, as applicable.

    Note 2: Help is available from Gulfstream for determining a 
missing or otherwise indeterminate part number of any water drain/
supply valve.

Parts Installation

    (i) As of the effective date of this AD, no person may install a 
water supply valve having P/N 4E4151-1, or a water drain valve 
having P/N 4E4151-3, on any airplane.

No Reporting Required

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

Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (k)(1) The Manager, Atlanta Aircraft Certification Office (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) To request a different method of compliance or a different 
compliance time for this AD, follow the procedures in 14 CFR 39.19. 
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.

Material Incorporated by Reference

    (l) You must use the service information identified in Table 4 
and Table 5 of this AD to perform the actions that are required by 
this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise. The Director of the 
Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of these 
documents in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. 
Contact Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation, Technical Publications 
Dept., P.O. Box 2206, Savannah, Georgia 31402-2206, for a copy of 
this service information. You may review copies at the FAA, 
Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, 
Washington; or at the National Archives and Records Administration 
(NARA). For information on the availability of this material at 
NARA, call 202-741-6030, or go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.

              Table 4.--Gulfstream Alert Customer Bulletins
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              Bulletin No.                             Date
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G350 Number 5..........................  April 11, 2007.
G450 Number 5..........................  April 11, 2007.
GV Number 26...........................  April 11, 2007.
G500 Number 7..........................  April 11, 2007.
G550 Number 7..........................  April 11, 2007.
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         Table 5.--Gulfstream Airplane Flight Manual Supplements
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             Supplement No.                            Date
------------------------------------------------------------------------
G350-2007-01...........................  April 12, 2007.
G450-2007-02...........................  April 12, 2007.
GV-2007-04.............................  April 12, 2007.
G500-2007-03...........................  April 12, 2007.
G550-2007-05...........................  April 12, 2007.
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[[Page 33871]]

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on June 8, 2007.
Stephen P. Boyd,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
 [FR Doc. E7-11587 Filed 6-19-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P