[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 229 (Tuesday, November 29, 2011)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 73483-73486]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-29806]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2011-0572; Directorate Identifier 2011-NM-009-AD; 
Amendment 39-16866; AD 2011-24-02]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation Model 
GV and GV-SP Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain 
Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation Model GV and GV-SP airplanes. This AD 
was prompted by notification from the airplane manufacturer that the 
third fire extinguisher bottle is mounted in a small-fragment impact 
zone. This AD requires inspecting to determine whether a third Halon 
fire extinguisher bottle is installed in the auxiliary power unit (APU) 
fragment impact zone, revising the limitations section of the airplane 
flight manual to add restrictions for APU usage for certain airplanes 
having a third fire extinguisher bottle, and removing the third fire 
extinguisher bottle from certain airplanes. We are issuing this AD to 
prevent penetration of the bottle by fragments released due to a 
failure of the APU rotor system. The bottle could rupture and cause 
substantial damage to primary airframe structure and primary flight 
controls.

DATES: This AD is effective January 3, 2012.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of certain publications listed in the AD as of January 3, 
2012.

ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this AD, contact 
Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation, Technical Publications Dept., P.O. 
Box 2206, Savannah, Georgia 31402-2206; telephone (800) 810-4853; fax 
(912) 965-3520; email [email protected]; Internet http://www.gulfstream.com/product_support/technical_pubs/pubs/index.htm. You 
may review copies of the referenced service information at the FAA, 
Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, 
Washington. For information on the availability of this material at the 
FAA, call (425) 227-1221.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://

[[Page 73484]]

www.regulations.gov; or in person at the Docket Management Facility 
between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal 
holidays. The AD docket contains this AD, the regulatory evaluation, 
any comments received, and other information. The address for the 
Docket Office (phone: (800) 647-5527) is Document Management Facility, 
U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30, West 
Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., 
Washington, DC 20590.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Sanford Proveaux, Aerospace Engineer, 
Continued Operational Safety and Certificate Management Branch, ACE-
102A, FAA, Atlanta Aircraft Certification Office (ACO) 1701 Columbia 
Avenue, College Park, Georgia 30337; phone: (404) 474-5566; fax: (404) 
474-5606; email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Discussion

    We issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR 
part 39 to include an AD that would apply to the specified products. 
That NPRM was published in the Federal Register on June 22, 2011 (76 FR 
36392). That NPRM proposed to require inspecting to determine whether a 
third Halon fire extinguisher bottle is installed in the auxiliary 
power unit (APU) fragment impact zone, revising the limitations section 
of the airplane flight manual to add restrictions for APU usage for 
certain airplanes having a third fire extinguisher bottle, and removing 
the third fire extinguisher bottle from certain airplanes.

Comments

    We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing 
this AD. The following presents the comments received on the proposal 
and the FAA's response to each comment.

Request To Include an Optional Terminating Action

    Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation (Gulfstream) requested that we 
revise the NPRM (76 FR 36392, June 22, 2011) to include an option for 
terminating action by incorporation of the amended supplemental type 
certificate (STC) ST01822AT-D, dated July 31, 2011. Gulfstream 
explained that the amended STC relocates the third halon fire 
extinguisher, and that Gulfstream could provide details of the amended 
STC as required to support the wording in the final rule. Gulfstream 
expressed that there is no need for a compliance time associated with 
their proposed terminating action since the interim actions ``(APU 
operating limitation and AFM [airplane flight manual] revision)'' will 
be in place as required by the NPRM.
    We disagree with the request to revise the final rule to include an 
option for terminating action by incorporating the amended STC 
ST01822AT-D, dated July 31, 2011. The Gulfstream documents required 
(customer service bulletins and aircraft change instructions) for this 
action are not yet available. However, under the provisions of 
paragraph (l) of this final rule, we will consider requests for 
approval of an option for a terminating action as an alternative method 
of compliance if sufficient data are submitted to substantiate that the 
new action would provide an acceptable level of safety. We have not 
changed the AD in this regard.

Request for Clarification of Cost Analysis

    Gulfstream also indicated that the cost analysis for the inspection 
action is based on 1,000 airplanes whereas the AFM revision action is 
based on 70 airplanes, and that the bottle removal action is based on 
about 30 airplanes.
    We infer that Gulfstream is requesting clarification on why 1,000 
airplanes are inspected, but the on-condition action only applies to 
certain airplanes. All airplanes must be inspected to determine if they 
have the third fire extinguisher bottle and to determine if it is a 
spare. Gulfstream's indication that the AFM revision action is based on 
70 airplanes, and that the bottle removal action is based on about 30 
airplanes, is only an estimate. We have not changed the AD in this 
regard.

Conclusion

    We reviewed the relevant data, considered the comment received, and 
determined that air safety and the public interest require adopting the 
AD as proposed--except for minor editorial changes. We have determined 
that these minor changes:
     Are consistent with the intent that was proposed in the 
NPRM (76 FR 36392, June 22, 2011) for correcting the unsafe condition; 
and
     Do not add any additional burden upon the public than was 
already proposed in the NPRM.

Interim Action

    We consider this AD interim action. The manufacturer is currently 
developing a modification that will address the unsafe condition 
identified in this AD. Once this modification is developed, approved, 
and available, we might consider additional rulemaking.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD affects 1,000 airplanes of U.S. registry.
    We estimate the following costs to comply with this AD:

                                                 Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                              Parts     Cost per   Cost on U.S.
                 Action                              Labor cost                cost     product      operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Inspection..............................  1 work-hour x $85 per hour = $85         $0        $85         $85,000
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    We estimate the following costs to do any necessary actions that 
would be required based on the results of the inspection.

                                               On-Condition Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                          Parts
                Action                            Labor cost               cost           Cost per product
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AFM revision..........................  1 work-hour x $85 per hour =           $0  $85 (about 70 GV/GV-SP
                                         $85.                                       airplanes).
Bottle removal........................  1 work-hour x $85 per hour =            0  $85 (about 30 GV-SP
                                         $85.                                       airplanes).
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[[Page 73485]]

    According to the manufacturer, some of the costs of this AD may be 
covered under warranty, thereby reducing the cost impact on affected 
individuals. We do not control warranty coverage for affected 
individuals. As a result, we have included all costs in our cost 
estimate.

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

    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 this AD:
    (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),
    (3) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and
    (4) 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.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by 
reference, Safety.

Adoption of the Amendment

    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 FAA amends Sec.  39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness 
directive (AD):

2011-24-02 Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation: Amendment 39-16866; 
Docket No. FAA-2011-0572; Directorate Identifier 2011-NM-009-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This AD is effective January 3, 2012.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to the Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation 
airplanes, certificated in any category, identified in paragraphs 
(c)(1) and (c)(2) of this AD.
    (1) Model GV airplanes having serial numbers (S/Ns) 501 and 
subsequent.
    (2) Model GV-SP airplanes having S/Ns 5001 through 5308 
inclusive.

(d) Subject

    Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC)/Air Transport Association 
(ATA) of America Code 2621, Fire bottle, fixed.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by notification from the airplane 
manufacturer that the third fire extinguisher bottle is mounted in a 
small-fragment impact zone. We are issuing this AD to prevent 
penetration of the bottle by fragments released due to a failure of 
the auxiliary power unit (APU) rotor system. The bottle could 
rupture and cause substantial damage to primary airframe structure 
and primary flight controls.

(f) Compliance

    Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, 
unless already done.

(g) Inspection

    For all airplanes: Within 21 days after the effective date of 
this AD, or before removing the APU flight restrictions required by 
AD 2009-17-01, Amendment 39-15991 (74 FR 40061, August 11, 2009), 
whichever occurs first, inspect to determine whether a third Halon 
fire extinguisher bottle for engines is installed in the APU 
fragment impact zone (rotor fragment impact zone), in accordance 
with the Accomplishment Instructions of the applicable Gulfstream 
alert customer bulletin identified in table 1 of this AD.

                             Table 1--Applicable Gulfstream Alert Customer Bulletins
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          For model--                   Use--                  Which includes--                 To the--
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
GV airplanes..................  Gulfstream V Alert     Gulfstream GV/GV-SP Airplane     Gulfstream GV AFM.
                                 Customer Bulletin      Flight Manual (AFM) Supplement
                                 30A, dated December    CE51 628M001, Revision A,
                                 20, 2010.              dated December 20, 2010.
GV-SP (G500) airplanes........  Gulfstream G500 Alert  Gulfstream GV/GV-SP AFM          Gulfstream GV-SP AFM.
                                 Customer Bulletin      Supplement CE51 628M001,
                                 10A, dated December    Revision A, dated December 20,
                                 20, 2010.              2010.
GV-SP (G550) airplanes........  Gulfstream G550 Alert  Gulfstream GV/GV-SP AFM          Gulfstream GV-SP AFM.
                                 Customer Bulletin      Supplement CE51 628M001,
                                 10A, dated December    Revision A, dated December 20,
                                 20, 2010.              2010.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

     (1) If the third fire extinguisher bottle is not installed, no 
further work is required by this paragraph.
    (2) For Model GV airplanes in which the third fire extinguisher 
bottle is installed as a dedicated APU fire bottle configuration, as 
defined in Gulfstream V Alert Customer Bulletin 30A, dated December 
20, 2010 (as a functioning part of the aircraft fire suppression 
system): Before further flight, revise the Limitations section of 
the Gulfstream GV AFM to include the information in Gulfstream GV/
GV-SP AFM Supplement CE51 628M001, Revision A, dated December 20, 
2010 (which is included in Gulfstream V Alert Customer Bulletin 30A, 
dated December 20, 2010). This AFM supplement adds restrictions for 
APU usage. Operate the airplane thereafter according to the 
limitations in this AFM supplement.

    Note 1: This may be done by inserting a copy of Gulfstream GV/
GV-SP AFM Supplement CE51 628M001, Revision A, dated December 20, 
2010, in the applicable AFM. When information in this AFM supplement 
has been included in general revisions of the applicable AFM, the 
general revisions may be inserted in the applicable AFM, provided 
the relevant information in the general revision is identical to 
that in Gulfstream GV/GV-SP AFM Supplement CE51 628M001, Revision A, 
dated December 20, 2010, and that AFM supplement may be removed.

    (3) For Model GV and GV-SP airplanes in which the third fire 
extinguisher bottle is installed as a spare fire bottle 
configuration (not connected to the airplane's electrical or fire 
suppression system), as defined in the

[[Page 73486]]

applicable Gulfstream alert customer bulletin identified in table 1 
of this AD: Do the actions required by paragraph (g)(3)(i) or 
(g)(3)(ii) of this AD.
    (i) Before further flight, remove the bottle, in accordance with 
the Accomplishment Instructions of the applicable Gulfstream alert 
customer bulletin identified in table 1 of this AD.
    (ii) Before further flight, revise the limitations section of 
the applicable Gulfstream AFM specified in table 1 of this AD to 
include the information in Gulfstream GV/GV-SP AFM Supplement CE51 
628M001, Revision A, dated December 20, 2010. This AFM supplement 
adds restrictions for APU usage. Operate the airplane thereafter 
according to the limitations in that AFM supplement.

    Note 2: This may be done by inserting a copy of Gulfstream GV/
GV-SP AFM Supplement CE51 628M001, Revision A, dated December 20, 
2010, in the applicable AFM. When information in this AFM supplement 
has been included in general revisions of the applicable AFM, the 
general revisions may be inserted in the applicable AFM, provided 
the relevant information in the general revision is identical to 
that in Gulfstream GV/GV-SP AFM Supplement CE51 628M001, Revision A, 
dated December 20, 2010, and that AFM supplement may be removed.

(h) Credit for Actions Accomplished in Accordance With Previous Service 
Information

    Actions accomplished before the effective date of this AD in 
accordance with Gulfstream V Alert Customer Bulletin 30, dated 
December 6, 2010, including Gulfstream GV/GV-SP AFM Supplement CE51 
628M001, dated November 18, 2010 (for Model GV airplanes); 
Gulfstream G550 Alert Customer Bulletin 10, dated December 6, 2010, 
including Gulfstream GV/GV-SP AFM Supplement CE51 628M001, dated 
November 18, 2010 (for Model GV airplanes); or G500 Alert Customer 
Bulletin 10, dated December 6, 2010, including Gulfstream GV/GV-SP 
AFM Supplement CE51 628M001, dated November 18, 2010 (for Model GV 
airplanes), are acceptable for compliance with the corresponding 
actions required by paragraph (g) of this AD.

(i) Parts Installation

    As of the effective date of this AD, no person may install a 
third fire extinguisher bottle in the APU fragment impact zone 
(rotor fragment impact zone) of any airplane.

(j) No Reporting

    Although the service information specified in paragraphs (j)(1), 
(j)(2), and (j)(3) of this AD specify to submit certain information 
to the manufacturer, this AD does not include that requirement.
    (1) Gulfstream V Alert Customer Bulletin 30A, dated December 20, 
2010, including Gulfstream GV/GV-SP AFM Supplement CE51 628M001, 
Revision A, dated December 20, 2010, (for Model GV airplanes).
    (2) Gulfstream G500 Alert Customer Bulletin 10A, dated December 
20, 2010, including Gulfstream GV/GV-SP AFM Supplement CE51 628M001, 
Revision A, dated December 20, 2010, (for Model GV-SP (G500) 
airplanes).
    (3) Gulfstream G550 Alert Customer Bulletin 10A, dated December 
20, 2010, including Gulfstream GV/GV-SP AFM Supplement CE51 628M001, 
Revision A, dated December 20, 2010, (for Model GV-SP (G550) 
airplanes).

(k) Special Flight Permit

    Special flight permits, as described in Section 21.197 and 
Section 21.199 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 21.197 
and 21.199), may be issued to operate the airplane to a location 
where the requirements of this AD can be accomplished, provided the 
following conditions are met:
    (1) If an airplane is grounded due to a single generator 
failure, the APU may be operated during a ferry flight, provided no 
passengers are carried.
    (2) Only the minimum required flight-crew is allowed on any 
ferry flight.

(l) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (1) The Manager, Atlanta Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), 
FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested 
using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. In accordance with 14 
CFR 39.19, send your request to your principal inspector or local 
Flight Standards District Office, as appropriate. If sending 
information directly to the manager of the ACO, send it to the 
attention of the person identified in the Related Information 
section of this AD.
    (2) Before using any approved AMOC, notify your appropriate 
principal inspector, or lacking a principal inspector, the manager 
of the local flight standards district office/certificate holding 
district office.

(m) Related Information

    For more information about this AD, contact Sanford Proveaux, 
Aerospace Engineer, Continued Operational Safety and Certificate 
Management Branch, ACE-102A, FAA, Atlanta Aircraft Certification 
Office (ACO), 1701 Columbia Avenue, College Park, Georgia 30337; 
telephone (404) 474-5566; fax (404) 474-5606; email: 
[email protected].

(n) Material Incorporated by Reference

    (1) You must use the following service information to do the 
actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise. The 
Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference (IBR) under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51 of the 
following service information on the date specified:
    (2) Gulfstream G500 Alert Customer Bulletin 10A, dated December 
20, 2010, including Gulfstream GV/GV-SP airplane flight manual (AFM) 
Supplement CE51 628M001, Revision A, dated December 20, 2010, 
approved for IBR January 3, 2012.
    (3) Gulfstream G550 Alert Customer Bulletin 10A, dated December 
20, 2010, including Gulfstream GV/GV-SP AFM Supplement CE51 628M001, 
Revision A, dated December 20, 2010, approved for IBR January 3, 
2012.
    (4) Gulfstream V Alert Customer Bulletin 30A, dated December 20, 
2010, including Gulfstream GV/GV-SP AFM Supplement CE51 628M001, 
Revision A, dated December 20, 2010, approved for IBR January 3, 
2012.
    (5) For service information identified in this AD, contact 
Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation, Technical Publications Dept., P.O. 
Box 2206, Savannah, Georgia 31402-2206; telephone (800) 810-4853; 
fax (912) 965-3520; e-mail [email protected]; Internet http://www.gulfstream.com/product_support/technical_pubs/pubs/index.htm. 
You may review copies of the referenced service information at the 
FAA.
    (6) You may review copies of the service information at the FAA, 
Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, 
Washington. For information on the availability of this material at 
the FAA, call (425) 227-1221.
    (7) You may also review copies of the service information that 
is incorporated by reference at the National Archives and Records 
Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of this 
material at an NARA facility, call (202) 741-6030, or go to http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on November 8, 2011.
Kalene C. Yanamura,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2011-29806 Filed 11-28-11; 8:45 am]
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