[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
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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