[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 49 (Monday, March 14, 2016)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 13301-13303]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-05606]
[[Page 13301]]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2016-4223; Directorate Identifier 2015-NM-108-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation
Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
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SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for
certain Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation Model GV and GV-SP airplanes.
This proposed AD was prompted by a new revision to the airworthiness
limitations of the maintenance planning document based on fatigue and
damage tolerance testing, and updated analysis. This proposed AD would
require revising the maintenance or inspection program to update
inspection requirements and life limits that address fatigue cracking
of principal structural elements (PSEs). We are proposing this AD to
ensure fatigue cracking of PSEs is detected and corrected; such fatigue
cracking could result in reduced structural integrity of the PSEs and
critical components.
DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by April 28, 2016.
ADDRESSES: You may send comments, using the procedures found in 14 CFR
11.43 and 11.45, by any of the following methods:
Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
Fax: 202-493-2251.
Mail: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New
Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590.
Hand Delivery: Deliver to Mail address above between 9
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
For service information identified in this NPRM, contact Gulfstream
Aerospace Corporation, Technical Publications Dept., P.O. Box 2206,
Savannah, GA 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 view this
referenced service information at the FAA, Transport Airplane
Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA 98057-3356. 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://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2016-
4223; 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 proposed AD, the regulatory evaluation, any comments
received, and other information. The street address for the Docket
Office (phone: 800-647-5527) is in the ADDRESSES section. Comments will
be available in the AD docket shortly after receipt.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ronald Wissing, Aerospace Engineer,
Airframe Branch, ACE-117A, FAA, Atlanta Aircraft Certification Office
(ACO), 1701 Columbia Avenue, College Park, GA 30337; phone: 404-474-
5552; fax: 404-474-5606; email: [email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments Invited
We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or
arguments about this proposal. Send your comments to an address listed
under the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2016-4223;
Directorate Identifier 2015-NM-108-AD'' at the beginning of your
comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory,
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this proposed AD. We
will consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend
this proposed AD because of those comments.
We will post all comments we receive, without change, to http://www.regulations.gov, including any personal information you provide. We
will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact we
receive about this proposed AD.
Discussion
We received a new revision to the airworthiness limitations of the
maintenance planning document based on fatigue and damage tolerance
testing, and updated analysis. The airworthiness limitations of the
maintenance planning document update inspection requirements and life
limits that address fatigue cracking of PSEs. We determined that these
actions are necessary to address the identified unsafe condition. This
condition, if not corrected, could result in fatigue cracking of PSEs,
which could result in reduced structural integrity of the PSEs and
critical components.
Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51
We reviewed Gulfstream Document GV-GER-9973, Summary of Changes to
the GV Series Airworthiness Limitations, Revision C, dated January 8,
2015. The service information describes inspection requirements and
life limits that address fatigue cracking of the PSEs. This service
information is reasonably available because the interested parties have
access to it through their normal course of business or by the means
identified in the ADDRESSES section.
FAA's Determination
We are proposing this AD because we evaluated all the relevant
information and determined the unsafe condition described previously is
likely to exist or develop in other products of the same type design.
Proposed AD Requirements
This proposed AD would require revising the maintenance or
inspection program to update inspection requirements and life limits to
detect fatigue cracking of PSEs.
This proposed AD would require revisions to certain operator
maintenance documents to include new actions (e.g., inspections).
Compliance with these actions is required by 14 CFR 91.403(c). For
airplanes that have been previously modified, altered, or repaired in
the areas addressed by this AD, the operator may not be able to
accomplish the actions described in the revisions. In this situation,
to comply with 14 CFR 91.403(c), the operator must request approval for
an alternative method of compliance (AMOC) according to paragraph (i)
of this AD. The request should include a description of changes to the
required actions that will ensure the continued operational safety of
the airplane.
Differences Between This Proposed AD and the Service Information
Section 4.0, ``Excluded Aircraft Due to Special Operation or
Modifications,'' of Gulfstream Document GV-GER-9973, Summary of Changes
to the GV Series Airworthiness Limitations, Revision C, dated January
8, 2015, states that aircraft on which the listed supplemental type
certificates (STCs) have been accomplished are excluded from the
effectivity of that document. However, we have determined that these
airplanes could have inspections and limits specified in Gulfstream
Document GV-
[[Page 13302]]
GER-9973, Summary of Changes to the GV Series Airworthiness
Limitations, Revision C, dated January 8, 2015, that are applicable
and, therefore, those airplanes are included in the applicability of
this proposed AD. The referenced STCs provide a specific airworthiness
limitation section (ALS). An operator that has one of these STCs
installed may be able to review their installation and the ALS
revisions being mandated, and develop an alternate program. The
alternate program may be submitted for approval as an AMOC under the
provisions of paragraph (i) of this proposed AD. We have coordinated
this difference with Gulfstream.
Costs of Compliance
We estimate that this proposed AD affects 392 airplanes of U.S.
registry.
We estimate the following costs to comply with this proposed AD:
Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cost per Cost on U.S.
Action Labor cost Parts cost product operators
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Revise the maintenance or inspection 1 work-hour x $85 per hour $0 $85 $33,320.
program. = $85.
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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 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 this 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),
(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.
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
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):
Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation: Docket No. FAA-2016-4223;
Directorate Identifier 2015-NM-108-AD.
(a) Comments Due Date
We must receive comments by April 28, 2016.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation Model GV
airplanes, serial numbers 501 through 693 inclusive and serial
number 699; and Model GV-SP airplanes, serial numbers 5001 through
5433 inclusive; certificated in any category.
(d) Subject
Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 32, Landing
Gear; 53, Fuselage; 54, Nacelles/Pylons; 55, Stabilizers; and 57,
Wings.
(e) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by a new revision to the airworthiness
limitations of the maintenance planning document based on fatigue
and damage tolerance testing, and updated analysis. We are issuing
this AD to ensure fatigue cracking of principal structural elements
(PSEs) is detected and corrected; such fatigue cracking could result
in reduced structural integrity of the PSEs and critical components.
(f) Compliance
Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified,
unless already done.
(g) Revise Maintenance or Inspection Program
Within 12 months after the effective date of this AD, revise the
maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to incorporate the
airworthiness limitations specified in Gulfstream Document GV-GER-
9973, Summary of Changes to the GV Series Airworthiness Limitations,
Revision C, dated January 8, 2015. The initial compliance times for
the tasks identified in Gulfstream Document GV-GER-9973, Summary of
Changes to the GV Series Airworthiness Limitations, Revision C,
dated January 8, 2015, are at the applicable times specified in
Gulfstream Document GV-GER-9973, Summary of Changes to the GV Series
Airworthiness Limitations, Revision C, dated January 8, 2015, or
within twelve months after the effective date of this AD, whichever
occurs later.
Note 1 to paragraph (g) of this AD: For Model GV airplanes, the
airplane maintenance manual (AMM) is currently at Revision 43, dated
February 15, 2015. For Model GV-SP airplanes, the G500 AMM is
currently at Revision 24, dated February 15, 2015, and the G550 AMM
is currently at Revision 24, dated February 15, 2015.
(h) No Alternative Actions or Intervals
After the maintenance or inspection program has been revised as
required by paragraph (g) of this AD, no alternative actions (e.g.,
inspections) or intervals may be used unless the actions or
intervals are approved as an alternative method of compliance (AMOC)
in accordance with the procedures specified in paragraph (i) of this
AD.
(i) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)
(1) The Manager, Atlanta 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
[[Page 13303]]
appropriate. If sending information directly to the manager of the
ACO, send it to the attention of the person identified in paragraph
(j)(1) 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.
(j) Related Information
(1) For more information about this AD, contact Ronald Wissing,
Aerospace Engineer, Airframe Branch, ACE-117A, FAA, Atlanta ACO,
1701 Columbia Avenue, College Park, GA 30337; phone: 404-474-5552;
fax: 404-474-5606; email: [email protected].
(2) For service information identified in this AD, contact
Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation, Technical Publications Dept., P.O.
Box 2206, Savannah, GA 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 view this referenced service information at the FAA,
Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA
98057-3356. For information on the availability of this material at
the FAA, call 425-227-1221.
Issued in Renton, WA, on March 3, 2016.
Michael Kaszycki,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 2016-05606 Filed 3-11-16; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P