[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 241 (Monday, December 16, 2019)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 68363-68365]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-26850]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2019-1024; Product Identifier 2019-CE-002-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: The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) 
for certain Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation (Gulfstream) Model GVI 
airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by a report that the primary 
flight control actuation system (PFCAS) linear variable displacement 
transducer (LVDT) mechanical disconnect monitor may not trigger the 
disconnect of the affected control surfaces as required in the event of 
a control surface failure. This proposed AD would require updating the 
software of each PFCAS remote electronics unit (REU), which includes an 
improvement to the LVDT. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the 
unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: The FAA must receive comments on this proposed AD by January 30, 
2020.

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 https://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: https://www.gulfstream.com/customer-support. You may view this service information at the FAA, 
Policy and Innovation Division, 901 Locust, Kansas City, Missouri 
64106. For information on the availability of this material at the FAA, 
call (816) 329-4148.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the internet at https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2019-
1024; or in person at Docket Operations 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 Docket Operations is listed 
above. Comments will be available in the AD docket shortly after 
receipt.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Myles Jalalian, Aerospace Engineer, 
Atlanta ACO Branch, FAA, 1701 Columbia Avenue, College Park, Georgia 
30337; phone: (404) 474-5572; fax: (404) 474-5606; email: 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

    The FAA invites 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-2019-1024; 
Product Identifier 2019-CE-002-AD'' at the beginning of your comments. 
The FAA specifically invites comments on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this NPRM. The FAA will 
consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend this 
NPRM because of those comments.
    The FAA will post all comments received, without change, to https://www.regulations.gov, including any personal information you provide. 
The FAA will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal 
contact received about this NPRM.

Discussion

    The FAA received a report from Gulfstream that the PFCAS LVDT 
mechanical disconnect monitor may not trigger the disconnect of the 
affected control surfaces as required in the event of a control surface 
failure. The Model GVI flight control computer actuator LVDT disconnect 
monitor should disable the control surface for ailerons, elevators, and 
rudder in the event that one of those control surfaces fails. 
Gulfstream developed an REU software update that provides improvements 
to the LVDT of the PFCAS, which addresses the LVDT disconnect monitor 
problem. This condition, if not addressed, could lead to spoiler hard-
over or loss of structural integrity due to excessive surface 
deflection and result in loss of control of the airplane.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    The FAA reviewed Gulfstream G650 Customer Bulletin Number 201, 
dated September 28, 2017, and Gulfstream G650ER Customer Bulletin 
Number 201, dated September 28, 2017; which specify incorporating 
Gulfstream G650 Aircraft Service Change 069, dated September 28, 2017, 
or Gulfstream G650ER Aircraft Service Change 069, dated September 28, 
2017. This service information differs because each document applies to 
a different airplane designation.
    The FAA also reviewed Gulfstream G650 Aircraft Service Change 069, 
dated

[[Page 68364]]

September 28, 2017, and Gulfstream G650ER Aircraft Service Change 069, 
dated September 28, 2017, which provide and reference procedures for 
preparing the REU for a software update.
    The FAA reviewed Parker Service Bulletin 469000-27-003, Revision 1, 
dated October 11, 2017, which contains procedures for updating the 
software of the REU from Label 34 to Label 35. This update includes 
improved LVDT disconnect and oscillatory monitoring, force fight 
mitigation, troubleshooting, and rectification of other reported 
problems.
    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

    The FAA is proposing this AD because it 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 D Requirements

    This proposed AD would require accomplishing the actions specified 
in the service information described previously.

Costs of Compliance

    The FAA estimates that this proposed AD would affect 161 airplanes 
of U.S. registry.
    The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this proposed 
AD:

                                                 Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                    Cost per       Cost on U.S.
              Action                     Labor cost            Parts cost           product         operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Update REU software...............  386 work-hours x $85  None................         $32,810       $5,282,410
                                     per hour = $32,810.
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    According to the manufacturer, some of the costs of this proposed 
AD may be covered under warranty, thereby reducing the cost impact on 
affected individuals. The FAA does not control warranty coverage for 
affected individuals. As a result, the FAA has included all costs in 
this 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.
    The FAA is 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.
    This proposed AD is issued in accordance with authority delegated 
by the Executive Director, Aircraft Certification Service, as 
authorized by FAA Order 8000.51C. In accordance with that order, 
issuance of ADs is normally a function of the Compliance and 
Airworthiness Division, but during this transition period, the 
Executive Director has delegated the authority to issue ADs applicable 
to small airplanes, gliders, balloons, airships, domestic business jet 
transport airplanes, and associated appliances to the Director of the 
Policy and Innovation Division.

Regulatory Findings

    The FAA 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) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, 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.

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-2019-1024; Product 
Identifier 2019-CE-002-AD.

(a) Comments Due Date

    The FAA must receive comments by January 30, 2020.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation Model GVI 
airplanes, certificated in any category, serial numbers 6001 through 
6111, 6113 through 6133, and 6135 through 6274.
    Note 1 to paragraph (c) of this AD: Model GVI airplanes are also 
referred to by the marketing designations G650 and G650ER.

(d) Subject

    Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC)/Air Transport Association 
(ATA) of America Code 27, Flight Controls.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by a report that the primary flight control 
actuation system (PFCAS) linear variable displacement transducer 
(LVDT) mechanical disconnect monitor may not trigger the disconnect 
of the affected control surfaces as required in the event of a 
control surface failure. This condition, if not addressed, could 
lead to spoiler hard-over or loss of structural integrity due to 
excessive surface deflection and result in loss of control of the 
airplane.

(f) Compliance

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

[[Page 68365]]

(g) Software Upgrade

    Within the next 24 months after the effective date of this AD, 
update the software for each PFCAS remote electronics unit (REU) 
from Label 34 to Label 35 by following the Accomplishment 
Instructions in Gulfstream G650 Customer Bulletin Number 201, dated 
September 28, 2017, or Gulfstream G650ER Customer Bulletin Number 
201, dated September 28, 2017; the Modification Instructions, 
sections A through C, in Gulfstream G650 Aircraft Service Change No. 
069, dated September 28, 2017, or Gulfstream G650ER Aircraft Service 
Change No. 069, dated September 28, 2017; and the Accomplishment 
Instructions in Parker Service Bulletin 469000-27-003, Revision 1, 
dated October 11, 2017; except you are not required to submit 
information to the manufacturer.

(h) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (1) The Manager, Atlanta ACO Branch, 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 certification office, send it to the attention of the 
person identified in paragraph (i)(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.
    (3) For service information that contains steps that are labeled 
as Required for Compliance (RC), the provisions of paragraphs 
(h)(3)(i) and (ii) of this AD apply.
    (i) The steps labeled as RC, including substeps under an RC step 
and any figures identified in an RC step, must be done to comply 
with the AD. An AMOC is required for any deviations to RC steps, 
including substeps and identified figures.
    (ii) Steps not labeled as RC may be deviated from using accepted 
methods in accordance with the operator's maintenance or inspection 
program without obtaining approval of an AMOC, provided the RC 
steps, including substeps and identified figures, can still be done 
as specified, and the airplane can be put back in an airworthy 
condition.

(i) Related Information

    (1) For more information about this AD, contact Myles Jalalian, 
Aerospace Engineer, Atlanta ACO Branch, FAA, 1701 Columbia Avenue, 
College Park, Georgia 30337; phone: (404) 474-5572; 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: https://www.gulfstream.com/customer-support. You may obtain Parker-Hannifin 
service information using the contact information for Gulfstream 
Aerospace Corporation. You may view this referenced service 
information at the FAA, Policy and Innovation Division, 901 Locust, 
Kansas City, Missouri 64106. For information on the availability of 
this material at the FAA, call (816) 329-4148.

    Issued on December 2, 2019.
Patrick R. Mullen,
Aircraft Certification Service, Manager, Small Airplane Standards 
Branch, AIR-690.
[FR Doc. 2019-26850 Filed 12-13-19; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P