[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 13 (Thursday, January 20, 2022)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 3028-3030]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-00972]
[[Page 3028]]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2021-0881; Project Identifier AD-2020-01062-T;
Amendment 39-21912; AD 2022-02-15]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation
Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: The FAA is superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2020-12-06
for all Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation (Gulfstream) Model G-IV
airplanes. AD 2020-12-06 required replacing the nose wheel steering
servo valve manifold, incorporating revised operating procedures into
the airplane flight manual (AFM), doing a records inspection for any
incidents of un-commanded nose wheel steering turns, and reporting the
results to the FAA. Since the FAA issued AD 2020-12-16, the FAA
determined that a typographical error was made in citing one of the AFM
documents. This AD retains the actions of AD 2020-12-06 and corrects
the citation to the AFM. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the
unsafe condition on these products.
DATES: This AD is effective February 24, 2022.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of certain publications listed in this AD as of July 20, 2020
(85 FR 36143, June 15, 2020).
ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this final rule,
contact Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation, P.O. Box 2206, Savannah, GA
31402; phone: (800) 810-4853; email: [email protected]; website:
https://www.gulfstream.com/en/customer-support/. You may view this
service information at the FAA, Airworthiness Products Section,
Operational Safety Branch, FAA, 901 Locust, Kansas City, MO 64106. For
information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call (817)
222-5110. It is also available at https://www.regulations.gov by
searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2021-0881.
Examining the AD Docket
You may examine the AD docket at https://www.regulations.gov by
searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2021-0881; 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, any
comments received, and other information. The 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: Samuel Belete, Aviation Safety
Engineer, Systems and Equipment Section, FAA, Atlanta ACO Branch, 1701
Columbia Avenue, College Park, GA 30337; phone: (404) 474-5580; fax:
(404) 474-5606; email: [email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
The FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14
CFR part 39 to supersede AD 2020-12-06, Amendment 39-21141 (85 FR
36143, June 15, 2020) (AD 2020-12-06). AD 2020-12-06 applied to all
Gulfstream Model G-IV airplanes and required replacing the nose wheel
steering servo valve manifold, incorporating revised operating
procedures into the AFM, doing a records inspection for any incidents
of un-commanded nose wheel steering turns, and reporting the results to
the FAA. The FAA issued AD 2020-12-06 to prevent moisture from entering
the nose steering wheel servo valve, which could freeze and cause an
un-commanded nose wheel steering position during touchdown.
The NPRM published in the Federal Register on October 26, 2021 (86
FR 59062). The NPRM was prompted by a determination that a
typographical error was made in citing the title of the AFM required by
paragraph (g)(3) of AD 2020-12-06. The paragraph incorrectly references
the document number as ``FAC-AC-G400-OPS-0001'' instead of ``GAC-AC-
G400-OPS-0001.'' In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to retain the actions of
AD 2020-12-06 and to correct the citation to the AFM. The FAA is
issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
Discussion of Final Airworthiness Directive
Comments
The FAA received no comments on the NPRM or on the determination of
the costs.
Conclusion
The FAA determined that air safety requires adoption of the AD as
proposed. Accordingly, the FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe
condition on these products. This AD is adopted as proposed in the
NPRM.
Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51
This AD requires Gulfstream IV Customer Bulletin Number 244, dated
March 12, 2018; Gulfstream G300 Customer Bulletin 244, dated March 12,
2018; Gulfstream G400 Customer Bulletin 244, dated March 12, 2018;
Gulfstream IV Airplane Flight Manual, Gulfstream Aerospace Document
Number GAC-AC-GIV-OPS-0001, Revision 52, dated October 30, 2017;
Gulfstream G300 Airplane Flight Manual, Gulfstream Aerospace Document
Number GAC-AC-G300-OPS-0001, Revision 20, dated October 30, 2017; and
Gulfstream G400 Airplane Flight Manual, Gulfstream Aerospace Document
Number GAC-AC-G400-OPS-0001, Revision 20, dated October 30, 2017; which
the Director of the Federal Register approved for incorporation by
reference as of July 20, 2020 (85 FR 36143, June 15, 2020). 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.
Differences Between This AD and the Service Information
The Gulfstream customer bulletins require reporting compliance with
the bulletins to Gulfstream. This AD does not contain that requirement;
however, this AD requires reporting any known occurrences of un-
commanded nose wheel steering turns to the FAA.
The Gulfstream customer bulletins include a compliance time of 48
months beginning on March 12, 2018. The compliance time for this AD is
36 months after July 20, 2020 (the effective date of AD 2020-12-06).
Costs of Compliance
The FAA estimates that this AD affects 425 airplanes of U.S.
registry.
The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this AD:
[[Page 3029]]
Estimated Costs
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Cost per Cost on U.S.
Action Labor cost Parts cost airplane operators
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Incorporate AFM revision.............. 1 work-hour x $85 per $0 $85 $36,125
hour = $85.
Replace nose wheel steering servo 7 work-hours x $85 per 63,624 64,219 27,293,075
valve. hour = $595.
Review records........................ 1 work-hour x $85 per 0 85 36,125
hour = $85.
Report results........................ 1 work hour x $85 per 0 85 36,125
hour = $85.
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The FAA has included all known costs in its cost estimate.
According to the manufacturer, however, some of the costs of this AD
may be covered under warranty, thereby reducing the cost impact on
affected operators.
Paperwork Reduction Act
A federal agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not
required to respond to, nor shall a person be subject to a penalty for
failure to comply with a collection of information subject to the
requirements of the Paperwork Reduction Act unless that collection of
information displays a currently valid OMB Control Number. The OMB
Control Number for this information collection is 2120-0056. Public
reporting for this collection of information is estimated to be
approximately 1 hour per response, including the time for reviewing
instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering and
maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing the
collection of information. All responses to this collection of
information are mandatory. Send comments regarding this burden estimate
or any other aspect of this collection of information, including
suggestions for reducing this burden to: Information Collection
Clearance Officer, Federal Aviation Administration, 10101 Hillwood
Parkway, Fort Worth, TX 76177-1524.
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.
Regulatory Findings
The FAA has determined that 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,
(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 Amendment
Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the
Administrator, 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:
0
a. Removing Airworthiness Directive 2020-12-06, Amendment 39-21141 (85
FR 36143, June 15, 2020); and
0
b. Adding the following new airworthiness directive:
2022-02-15 Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation: Amendment 39-21912;
Docket No. FAA-2021-0881; Project Identifier AD-2020-01062-T.
(a) Effective Date
This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective February 24,
2022.
(b) Affected ADs
This AD replaces AD 2020-12-06, Amendment 39-21141 (85 FR 36143,
June 15, 2020) (AD 2020-12-06).
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to all Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation Model G-
IV airplanes, certificated in any category.
(d) Subject
Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 3200, Landing Gear
System.
(e) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by reports of un-commanded nose wheel
steering turns. The FAA is issuing this AD to prevent moisture from
entering the nose steering wheel servo valve, which could freeze and
cause an un-commanded nose wheel steering position during touchdown.
The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could result in a lateral
runway departure.
(f) Compliance
Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified,
unless already done.
(g) Retained Airplane Flight Manual Revisions for Certain Airplanes
This paragraph restates the requirements of paragraphs (g)(1)
and (2) of AD 2020-12-06. Within 30 days after July 20, 2020 (the
effective date of AD 2020-12-06), revise your airplane flight manual
(AFM) by incorporating the revision applicable to your airplane
configuration as listed in paragraphs (g)(1) and (2) of this AD:
(1) Gulfstream IV Airplane Flight Manual, Gulfstream Aerospace
Document Number GAC-AC-GIV-OPS-0001, Revision 52, dated October 30,
2017; or
(2) Gulfstream G300 Airplane Flight Manual, Gulfstream Aerospace
Document Number GAC-AC-G300-OPS-0001, Revision 20, dated October 30,
2017.
(h) Correction to AFM Revision for Certain Airplanes
Within 30 days after the effective date of this AD, revise your
AFM by incorporating Gulfstream G400 Airplane Flight Manual,
Gulfstream Aerospace Document Number GAC-AC-G400-OPS-0001, Revision
20, dated October 30, 2017, if applicable to your airplane
configuration.
[[Page 3030]]
(i) Retained Replacement of Nose Wheel Steering Servo Valve Manifold
With No Changes
This paragraph restates the requirements of paragraph (h) of AD
2020-12-06 with no changes. Within 36 months after July 20, 2020
(the effective date of AD 2020-12-06), replace the nose wheel
steering servo valve manifold with nose wheel steering servo valve
manifold part number 5100-11 or 5105-5 in accordance with the
Accomplishment Instructions of the customer bulletin that applies to
your airplane configuration as listed in paragraphs (i)(1) through
(3) of this AD, except you are not required to comply with step H:
(1) Gulfstream IV Customer Bulletin Number 244, dated March 12,
2018;
(2) Gulfstream G300 Customer Bulletin 244, dated March 12, 2018;
or
(3) Gulfstream G400 Customer Bulletin 244, dated March 12, 2018.
(j) Retained Records Inspection and Report of Results With No Changes
This paragraph restates the requirements of paragraph (i) of AD
2020-12-06 with no changes.
(1) Between 12 months and 24 months after the replacement of the
nose wheel steering valve manifold assembly required in paragraph
(i) of this AD, inspect all aircraft records for entries of an un-
commanded nose wheel steering turn.
(2) Within 10 days after the records inspection required in
paragraph (j)(1) of this AD, report the results of the inspection,
regardless of whether the inspection found any entries, to the FAA
by either email: [email protected]; or by mail: Attn:
Continued Operational Safety, Atlanta ACO Branch, FAA, 1701 Columbia
Avenue, College Park, GA 30337. The report must include as much of
the information listed in paragraphs (j)(2)(i) through (vii) of this
AD as is known about the event:
(i) Date of records inspection;
(ii) Date and time of all un-commanded occurrences (if any);
(iii) Airplane serial number;
(iv) Weather and runway conditions at the time of each
occurrence;
(v) Copy of the pilot's report of the occurrence (if available);
(vi) Maintenance entry of the root cause of the un-commanded
deflection (if available); and
(vii) Any other information pertinent to the occurrence.
(k) 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 (l) 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.
(l) Related Information
For more information about this AD, contact Samuel Belete,
Aviation Safety Engineer, Systems and Equipment Section, FAA,
Atlanta ACO Branch, 1701 Columbia Avenue, College Park, GA 30337;
phone: (404) 474-5580; fax: (404) 474-5606; email:
[email protected].
(m) 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.
(3) The following service information was approved for IBR on
July 20, 2020 (85 FR 36143, June 15, 2020).
(i) Gulfstream IV Customer Bulletin Number 244, dated March 12,
2018.
(ii) Gulfstream G300 Customer Bulletin 244, dated March 12,
2018.
(iii) Gulfstream G400 Customer Bulletin 244, dated March 12,
2018.
(iv) Gulfstream IV Airplane Flight Manual, Gulfstream Aerospace
Document Number GAC-AC-GIV-OPS-0001, Revision 52, dated October 30,
2017.
(v) Gulfstream G300 Airplane Flight Manual, Gulfstream Aerospace
Document Number GAC-AC-G300-OPS-0001, Revision 20, dated October 30,
2017.
(vi) Gulfstream G400 Airplane Flight Manual, Gulfstream
Aerospace Document Number GAC-AC-G400-OPS-0001, Revision 20, dated
October 30, 2017.
(4) For service information identified in this AD, contact
Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation, P.O. Box 2206, Savannah, GA 31402;
phone: (800) 810-4853; email: [email protected]; website: https://www.gulfstream.com/en/customer-support/.
(5) You may view this service information at FAA, Airworthiness
Products Section, Operational Safety Branch, FAA, 901 Locust, Kansas
City, MO 64106. For information on the availability of this material
at the FAA, call (817) 222-5110.
(6) 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 13, 2022.
Lance T. Gant,
Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 2022-00972 Filed 1-19-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P