[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 15 (Tuesday, January 24, 2023)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 4080-4081]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-01164]


=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2022-1305; Project Identifier AD-2022-00913-T; 
Amendment 39-22309; AD 2023-02-02]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation 
Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all 
Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation (Gulfstream) Model GV and GV-SP 
airplanes. This AD was prompted by the omission of a life limit in the 
airworthiness limitations section (ALS) of the maintenance manual for a 
certain main landing gear (MLG) trunnion pin. This AD requires revising 
the ALS of the existing instructions for continued airworthiness (ICA) 
or inspection program for the airplane to establish a life limit for 
the affected MLG trunnion pin. The FAA is issuing this AD to address 
the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective February 28, 2023.

ADDRESSES: 
    AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at regulations.gov under 
Docket No. FAA-2022-1305; 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: Miral Patel, Aerospace Engineer, 
Systems and Equipment Section, FAA, Atlanta ACO Branch, 1701 Columbia 
Avenue, College Park, GA 30337; phone: 404-474-5590; email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Background

    The FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 
CFR part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to all Gulfstream Model GV 
and GV-SP airplanes. The NPRM published in the Federal Register on 
October 27, 2022 (87 FR 65018). The NPRM was prompted by a report 
indicating a life limit for replacing MLG trunnion pin part number (P/
N) 1159SCL566-17 had been omitted from the ALS of the maintenance 
manual for Model GV and GV-SP airplanes. Gulfstream revised the ALS for 
the applicable airplanes to establish a life limit of 20,000 flight 
cycles for the affected MLG trunnion pin. A trunnion pin remaining in 
service beyond its life limit could lead to fracture and failure of the 
trunnion pin. This condition, if not addressed, could result in MLG 
failure and could lead to a runway excursion.

Discussion of Final Airworthiness Directive

Comments

    The FAA received no comments on the NPRM or on the determination of 
the cost to the public.

Conclusion

    The FAA reviewed the relevant data and determined that air safety 
requires adopting this AD as proposed. Accordingly, the FAA is issuing 
this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products. Except for 
minor editorial changes, this AD is adopted as proposed in the NPRM. 
None of the changes will increase the economic burden on any operator.

Other Related Service Information

    The FAA reviewed Gulfstream GV Aircraft Maintenance Manual, 
Revision 55, dated March 15, 2022; Gulfstream G550 Aircraft Maintenance 
Manual, Revision 36, dated March 15, 2022; and Gulfstream G500-5000 
Aircraft Maintenance Manual, Revision 36, dated March 15, 2022. The 
service information adds a life limit for MLG trunnion pin P/N 
1159SCL566-17.

Costs of Compliance

    The FAA estimates that this AD affects 582 airplanes of U.S. 
registry. The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this AD:

                                                 Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                   Cost on U.S.
                Action                         Labor cost           Parts cost     Cost/airplane     operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Revise ALS............................  1 work-hour x $85 = $85.             N/A             $85         $49,470
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


[[Page 4081]]

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

    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 adding the following new airworthiness 
directive:

2023-02-02 Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation: Amendment 39-22309; 
Docket No. FAA-2022-1305; Project Identifier AD-2022-00913-T.

(a) Effective Date

    This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective February 28, 
2023.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation Model GV and 
GV-SP airplanes, all serial numbers, certificated in any category.
    Note 1 to paragraph (c): Model GV-SP airplanes are also referred 
to by the marketing designations G500, G550, and G500-5000.

(d) Subject

    Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 3200, Landing Gear 
System.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by the omission of a life limit in the 
airworthiness limitations section (ALS) for a certain main landing 
gear (MLG) trunnion pin. The FAA is issuing this AD to prevent a MLG 
trunnion pin from remaining in service beyond its life limit. This 
unsafe condition, if not addressed, could result in MLG failure and 
could lead to a runway excursion.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Incorporation of ALS Revisions

    Within 12 months after the effective date of this AD, revise the 
existing ALS of the instructions for continued airworthiness or 
aircraft inspection program for your airplane by establishing a life 
limit of 20,000 flight cycles for each MLG trunnion pin part number 
(P/N) 1159SCL566-17.
    Note 2 to paragraph (g): The life limit in paragraph (g) of this 
AD is contained in table 5 in Section 05-10-10 of the Gulfstream V 
Aircraft Maintenance Manual, Revision 55, dated March 15, 2022; 
table 4 in Section 05-10-10 of the Gulfstream G500-5000 Aircraft 
Maintenance Manual, Revision 36, dated March 15, 2022; and table 4 
in Section 05-10-10 of the Gulfstream G550 Aircraft Maintenance 
Manual, Revision 36, dated March 15, 2022.

(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 responsible Flight Standards 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 responsible Flight Standards Office.

(i) Related Information

    (1) For more information about this AD, contact Miral Patel, 
Aerospace Engineer, Systems and Equipment Section, FAA, Atlanta ACO 
Branch, 1701 Columbia Avenue, College Park, GA 30337; phone: 404-
474-5590; email: [email protected].
    (2) For service information identified in this AD that is not 
incorporated by reference, contact Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation, 
Technical Publications Dept., P.O. Box 2206, Savannah, GA 31402-
2206; phone: (800) 810-4853; email: [email protected]; website: 
gulfstream.com/en/customer-support/. You may view this service 
information at the FAA, Airworthiness Products Section, Operational 
Safety Branch, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA. For information 
on the availability of this material at the FAA, call 206-231-3195.

(j) Material Incorporated by Reference

    None.

    Issued on January 18, 2023.
Christina Underwood,
Acting Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2023-01164 Filed 1-23-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P