[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 139 (Friday, July 23, 2021)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 38949-38950]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-15533]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2020-0713; Product Identifier 2019-CE-061-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation 
Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Proposed rule; withdrawal.

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SUMMARY: The FAA is withdrawing a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) 
that proposed to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain 
Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation (Gulfstream) Model GVII-G500 
airplanes. The NPRM was prompted by a report of a fuel quantity 
disparity between the overhead panel touch screens and the touch screen 
controllers. The NPRM proposed to require incorporating operating 
limitations into the airplane flight manual (AFM) until the fuel 
quantity management system (FQMS) software is updated. Since issuance 
of the NPRM, the FAA has determined that there is not an unsafe 
condition because all affected airplanes have updated software. 
Accordingly, the NPRM is withdrawn.

DATES: As of July 23, 2021, the proposed rule, which published in the 
Federal Register on July 28, 2020 (85 FR 45345), is withdrawn.

ADDRESSES:

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket at https://www.regulations.gov by 
searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2020-0713; 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 AD action, any 
comments received, and other information. The street address for Docket 
Operations is 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: Jared Meyer, Aviation Safety Engineer, 
Atlanta ACO Branch, FAA, 1701 Columbia Avenue, College Park, GA 30337; 
phone: (404) 474-5534; fax: (404) 474-5605; email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    The FAA issued an NPRM that proposed to amend 14 CFR part 39 by 
adding an AD that would apply to certain serial-numbered Gulfstream 
Model GVII-G500 airplanes. The NPRM published in the Federal Register 
on July 28, 2020 (85 FR 45345). The NPRM was prompted by a report of 
the affected airplanes exhibiting a disparity between the fuel 
quantities displayed on the overhead panel touch screens and the fuel 
quantities displayed on the touch screen controllers. An investigation 
revealed two known failure conditions that the Model GVII-G500 FQMS 
does not properly detect and report to the crew. These failure 
conditions are fuel quantity probe drift and an FQMS over-current 
condition, which could result in erroneous and misleading fuel quantity 
indications and could also result in erroneous and misleading fuel 
imbalance indications. These conditions could cause a false 
annunciation of a fuel imbalance, a failure to annunciate an actual 
fuel imbalance, and a condition where the actual fuel quantity is less 
than or greater than the indicated fuel quantity. The FQMS software 
logic does not properly detect or compensate for these failure 
conditions. This condition, if not corrected, could result in fuel 
starvation during flight, performance impacts of the airplane having 
more fuel than indicated, and a roll moment due to a fuel imbalance.
    The NPRM proposed to require incorporating operating limitations 
into the AFM until the fuel quantity signal conditioner FQMS software 
is updated to version 10003-42130-01-19.03.

Actions Since the NPRM Was Issued

    After issuance of the NPRM, the FAA determined that all Gulfstream 
Model GVII-G500 airplanes are in compliance with the proposed software 
update, and the unsafe condition has been removed from the fleet. In 
addition, since Gulfstream controls the software, it is unlikely the 
unsafe condition will be re-introduced.
    Based on the above information, the FAA has determined that AD 
action is not warranted and the proposal should be withdrawn.

[[Page 38950]]

Comments

    The FAA received comments from Gulfstream and an individual 
commenter.

Requests

    Gulfstream requested that the FAA change the credit for previous 
actions. The individual commenter requested the FAA clarify the correct 
revision of the service information to reference.
    The FAA acknowledges these comments. However, because the NPRM is 
being withdrawn, the commenters' requests are no longer necessary.
    Withdrawal of the NPRM constitutes only such action and does not 
preclude the FAA from further rulemaking on this issue, nor does it 
commit the FAA to any course of action in the future.

Regulatory Findings

    Since this action only withdraws an NPRM, it is neither a proposed 
AD nor a final rule. This action, therefore, is not covered under 
Executive Order 12866 or the Regulatory Flexibility Act.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

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

The Withdrawal

0
Accordingly, the notice of proposed rulemaking, which published in the 
Federal Register on July 28, 2020 (85 FR 45345), is withdrawn.

    Issued on July 15, 2021.
Ross Landes,
Deputy Director for Regulatory Operations, Compliance & Airworthiness 
Division, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2021-15533 Filed 7-22-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P