[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 30 (Thursday, February 13, 2020)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 8153-8155]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-02856]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2020-0116; Product Identifier 2019-CE-060-AD; Amendment 
39-21026; AD 2020-02-18]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation 
Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all 
Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation (Gulfstream) Models GVI, GVII-G500, 
and GVII-G600 airplanes. This AD requires revising the airplane flight 
manual (AFM) by attaching an airplane flight manual supplement (AFMS), 
which contains new or revised operating limitations, abnormal 
procedures, and emergency procedures. This AD was prompted by reports 
of continued flight after a flight control surface shutdown. If flight 
is continued after a flight control surface shutdown, the airplane is 
left without protection against flight control surface hard-over and 
force fight events on the remaining, operable flight control surfaces. 
The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these 
products.

DATES: This AD is effective February 13, 2020.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of certain publications listed in this AD as of February 13, 
2020.
    The FAA must receive comments on this AD by March 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: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket 
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., 
Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
    For service information identified in this final rule, 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. For information on the 
availability of this material at the FAA, call (816) 329-4148. It is 
also available on the internet at https://www.regulations.gov by 
searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2020-0116.

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-2020-
0116; 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 final rule, 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:

Discussion

    The FAA has received at least 30 reports of the flight control 
computer (FCC) commanding flight control surfaces into damped by-pass 
mode (surface shutdown). During the investigation of these events, it 
was discovered that the existing GVI and GVII airplane flight manuals, 
in most cases, allow continued flight after a surface shutdown, and the 
GVI airplane flight manual allows takeoff with an inboard spoiler 
shutdown.
    The FCC commanding of a surface into damped by-pass mode is the 
protection provided against flight control hydraulic force fights and 
flight control surface hard-over events. If the FCC detects a flight 
control anomaly, it commands the surface into damped by-pass mode. The 
FCC software will not command a second surface on an axis of control 
into damped by-pass mode. Any flight control surface shutdown results 
in the loss of FCC-provided protection against future flight control 
surface hard-over and force-fight events on the remaining, operable 
flight control surfaces on that axis of control. In addition, certain 
other system failures will result in the loss of FCC protection against 
flight control surface hard-overs and force-fights.
    Loss of flight control surface protection could lead to loss of 
structural integrity of the airplane and loss of control of the 
airplane. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on 
these products.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    The FAA reviewed Gulfstream Aerospace G650 Airplane Flight Manual 
Supplement No. G650-2019-04, dated December 16, 2019; Gulfstream 
Aerospace G650ER Airplane Flight Manual Supplement No. G650ER-2019-04, 
dated December 16, 2019; Gulfstream Aerospace GVII-G500 Airplane Flight 
Manual Supplement No. GVII-G500-2019-08, dated December 16, 2019; and 
Gulfstream Aerospace G600 Airplane Flight Manual Supplement No. GVII-
G600-2019-02, dated December 16, 2019. For the applicable airplane 
designation, each AFMS contains new or revised operating limitations, 
abnormal procedures, and emergency procedures. These limitations and 
procedures prohibit flight operations if a flight control or flight 
control computer failure is detected and require landing as soon as 
possible if the failure occurs in flight. This service information is 
reasonably available because the interested parties have access to it

[[Page 8154]]

through their normal course of business or by the means identified in 
the ADDRESSES section.

FAA's Determination

    The FAA is issuing this AD because the FAA 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.

AD Requirements

    This AD requires revising the AFM for your airplane by attaching 
the applicable AFMS, which contains new or revised operating 
limitations, abnormal procedures, and emergency procedures. This AD 
specifies that the owner/operator (pilot) may revise the AFM. Revising 
an AFM is not considered a maintenance action and may be done by a 
pilot holding at least a private pilot certificate. This action must be 
recorded in the aircraft maintenance records to show compliance with 
this AD.

Interim Action

    The FAA considers this AD, which addresses continued flight after 
loss of flight control surface protection, an interim action. 
Gulfstream is analyzing the airplane flight control system software and 
developing additional action that will address the unsafe condition 
identified in this AD. Once this action is developed, approved, and 
available, the FAA may consider additional rulemaking.

FAA's Justification and Determination of the Effective Date

    An unsafe condition exists that requires the immediate adoption of 
this AD without providing an opportunity for public comments prior to 
adoption. The FAA has found that the risk to the flying public 
justifies waiving notice and comment prior to adoption of this rule 
because continued flight after the loss of flight control surface 
protection leaves the airplane one failure away from a catastrophic 
event. Current AFM procedures allow continued flight after a system 
anomaly that would result in loss of flight control surface protection 
against force-fight and hard-over events, leaving the airplane at 
extremely high risk for loss of structural integrity of the airplane 
and loss of control of the airplane. Therefore, the FAA finds good 
cause that notice and opportunity for prior public comment are 
impracticable. In addition, for the reasons stated above, the FAA finds 
that good cause exists for making this amendment effective in less than 
30 days.

Comments Invited

    This AD is a final rule that involves requirements affecting flight 
safety and was not preceded by notice and an opportunity for public 
comment. However, the FAA invites you to send any written data, views, 
or arguments about this final rule. Send your comments to an address 
listed under the ADDRESSES section. Include Docket Number FAA-2020-0116 
and Product Identifier 2019-CE-060-AD at the beginning of your 
comments. The FAA specifically invites comments on the overall 
regulatory, economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this final 
rule. The FAA will consider all comments received by the closing date 
and may amend this final rule because of those comments.
    The FAA will post all comments it receives, 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 it receives about this final rule.

Costs of Compliance

    The FAA estimates that this AD affects 329 airplanes of U.S. 
registry.
    The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this AD:

                                                 Estimated Costs
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                                                                                     Cost per      Cost on U.S.
              Action                      Labor cost              Parts cost          product        operators
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Attach the applicable AFMS to      1 work-hour x $85 per     Not applicable.....             $85         $27,965
 your AFM.                          hour = $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.
    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 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 Flexibility Act

    The requirements of the Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA) do not 
apply when an agency finds good cause pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553 to adopt 
a rule without prior notice and comment. Because the FAA has determined 
that it has good cause to adopt this rule without notice and comment, 
RFA analysis is not required.

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, and
    (2) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska.

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,

[[Page 8155]]

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):

2020-02-18 Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation: Amendment 39-21026; 
Docket No. FAA-2020-0116; Product Identifier 2019-CE-060-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This AD is effective February 13, 2020.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation Models GVI, 
GVII-G500, and GVII-G600 airplanes, all serial numbers, certificated 
in any category.

(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 reports of continued flight after the 
flight control computer (FCC) has commanded flight control surfaces 
into a damped by-pass mode (surface shutdown). If flight is 
continued after a flight control surface shutdown, the airplane is 
left without protection against flight control surface hard-over and 
force fight events. The FAA is issuing this AD to provide operating 
limitations and flight crew procedures in the event of loss of 
protection against flight control surface hard-over and force fight 
events. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could result in loss 
of structural integrity and loss of control of the airplane.

(f) Actions and Compliance

    Comply with this AD within 15 days after February 13, 2020 (the 
effective date of this AD), unless already done.
    (1) Revise the airplane flight manual (AFM) for your airplane by 
attaching the applicable airplane flight manual supplement (AFMS) 
specified in paragraphs (f)(1)(i) through (iv) of this AD. When 
these flight manual changes have been included in a future revision 
of the AFM, you may insert the revisions in the limitations, 
abnormal procedures, and emergency procedures sections of the AFM, 
provided the information is identical to that in the AFMS, and then 
you may remove the AFMS.
    (i) Gulfstream Aerospace G650 Airplane Flight Manual Supplement 
No. G650-2019-04, dated December 16, 2019.
    (ii) Gulfstream Aerospace G650ER Airplane Flight Manual 
Supplement No. G650ER-2019-04, dated December 16, 2019.
    (iii) Gulfstream Aerospace GVII-G500 Airplane Flight Manual 
Supplement No. GVII-G500-2019-08, dated December 16, 2019.
    (iv) Gulfstream Aerospace G600 Airplane Flight Manual Supplement 
No. GVII-G600-2019-02, dated December 16, 2019.
    (2) The action required by paragraph (f)(1) of this AD may be 
performed by the owner/operator (pilot) holding at least a private 
pilot certificate and must be entered into the aircraft records 
showing compliance with this AD in accordance with 14 CFR 43.9(a)(1) 
through (4), and 14 CFR 91.417(a)(2)(v). The record must be 
maintained as required by 14 CFR 91.417, 121.380, or 135.439.

(g) Special Flight Permit

    Special flight permits are prohibited for this AD in accordance 
with 14 CFR 39.23.

(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 (j) 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.

(i) Related Information

    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].

(j) Material Incorporated by Reference

    (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the 
incorporation by reference (IBR) of the service information listed 
in this paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
    (2) You must use this service information as applicable to do 
the actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise.
    (i) Gulfstream Aerospace G650 Airplane Flight Manual Supplement 
No. G650-2019-04, dated December 16, 2019.
    (ii) Gulfstream Aerospace G650ER Airplane Flight Manual 
Supplement No. G650ER-2019-04, dated December 16, 2019.
    (iii) Gulfstream Aerospace GVII-G500 Airplane Flight Manual 
Supplement No. GVII-G500-2019-08, dated December 16, 2019.
    (iv) Gulfstream Aerospace G600 Airplane Flight Manual Supplement 
No. GVII-G600-2019-02, dated December 16, 2019.
    (3) 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.
    (4) You may view this service information at 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.
    (5) You may view this service information that is incorporated 
by reference at the National Archives and Records Administration 
(NARA). For information on the availability of this material at 
NARA, email: [email protected], or go to: https://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.

    Issued on January 27, 2020.
Patrick R. Mullen,
Aircraft Certification Service, Manager, Small Airplane Standards 
Branch, AIR-690.
[FR Doc. 2020-02856 Filed 2-12-20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P