[Federal Register Volume 90, Number 92 (Wednesday, May 14, 2025)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 20408-20411]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2025-08502]
=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2025-0756; Project Identifier MCAI-2024-00595-T]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Gulfstream Aerospace LP (Type
Certificate Previously Held by Israel Aircraft Industries, Ltd.)
Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD)
for all Gulfstream Aerospace LP Model Gulfstream G150 airplanes. This
proposed AD was prompted by a determination that a new airworthiness
limitation is necessary. This proposed AD would require revising the
existing maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to
incorporate a new airworthiness limitation, as specified in a Civil
Aviation Authority of Israel (CAAI) AD, which is proposed for
incorporation by reference (IBR). 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 June 30,
2025.
ADDRESSES: You may send comments, using the procedures found in 14 CFR
11.43 and 11.45, by any of the following methods:
[[Page 20409]]
Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to 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.
AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at regulations.gov under
Docket No. FAA-2025-0756; 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 NPRM, the mandatory continuing airworthiness
information (MCAI), any comments received, and other information. The
street address for Docket Operations is listed above.
Material Incorporated by Reference:
For CAAI material identified in this proposed AD, contact
CAAI, P.O. Box 1101, Golan Street, Airport City, 70100, Israel;
telephone 972-3-9774665; fax 972-3-9774592; email [email protected]. You
may find this material on the CAAI website at gov.il/en/departments/
general/israeli-airworthiness-directives. It is also available at
regulations.gov under Docket No. FAA-2025-0756.
You may view this material 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.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Fatin Saumik, Aviation Safety
Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590;
telephone 516-228-7350; 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-2025-0756;
Project Identifier MCAI-2024-00595-T'' at the beginning of your
comments. The most helpful comments reference a specific portion of the
proposal, explain the reason for any recommended change, and include
supporting data. The FAA will consider all comments received by the
closing date and may amend this proposal because of those comments.
Except for Confidential Business Information (CBI) as described in
the following paragraph, and other information as described in 14 CFR
11.35, the FAA will post all comments received, without change, to
regulations.gov, including any personal information you provide. The
agency will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal
contact received about this NPRM.
Confidential Business Information
CBI is commercial or financial information that is both customarily
and actually treated as private by its owner. Under the Freedom of
Information Act (FOIA) (5 U.S.C. 552), CBI is exempt from public
disclosure. If your comments responsive to this NPRM contain commercial
or financial information that is customarily treated as private, that
you actually treat as private, and that is relevant or responsive to
this NPRM, it is important that you clearly designate the submitted
comments as CBI. Please mark each page of your submission containing
CBI as ``PROPIN.'' The FAA will treat such marked submissions as
confidential under the FOIA, and they will not be placed in the public
docket of this NPRM. Submissions containing CBI should be sent to Fatin
Saumik, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410,
Westbury, NY 11590; telephone 516-228-7350; email
[email protected]. Any commentary that the FAA receives which is
not specifically designated as CBI will be placed in the public docket
for this rulemaking.
Background
The CAAI, which is the aviation authority for Israel, has issued
CAAI AD ISR I-32-24-10-01R1, dated October 15, 2024 (CAAI AD ISR I-32-
24-10-01R1) (also referred to as the MCAI), to correct an unsafe
condition for all Gulfstream Aerospace LP Model Gulfstream G150
airplanes. The MCAI states that a new airworthiness limitation has been
developed.
The FAA is proposing this AD to prevent failure of the nose landing
gear (NLG) actuator-to-strut attachment pin. The unsafe condition, if
not addressed, could result in failure of the NLG to retract and lock
after takeoff or extend and lock before landing. You may examine the
MCAI in the AD docket at regulations.gov under Docket No. FAA-2025-
0756.
Material Incorporated by Reference Under 1 CFR Part 51
The FAA reviewed CAAI AD ISR I-32-24-10-01R1, which specifies a new
airworthiness limitation for the safe life limit of the NLG actuator-
to-strut attachment pin. This material 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
This product has been approved by the aviation authority of another
country and is approved for operation in the United States. Pursuant to
the FAA's bilateral agreement with this State of Design Authority, it
has notified the FAA of the unsafe condition described in the MCAI
referenced above. The FAA is issuing this NPRM after determining that
the unsafe condition described previously is likely to exist or develop
in other products of the same type design.
Proposed AD Requirements in This NPRM
This proposed AD would require revising the existing maintenance or
inspection program, as applicable, to incorporate a new airworthiness
limitation, which is specified in CAAI AD ISR I-32-24-10-01R1 described
previously, as incorporated by reference. Any differences with CAAI AD
ISR I-32-24-10-01R1 are identified as exceptions in the regulatory text
of this proposed AD.
This proposed AD would require revisions to certain operator
maintenance documents to include new actions (e.g., inspections).
Compliance with these actions is required by 14 CFR 91.403(c). For
airplanes that have been previously modified, altered, or repaired in
the areas addressed by this proposed AD, the operator may not be able
to accomplish the actions described in the revisions. In this
situation, to comply with 14 CFR 91.403(c), the operator must request
approval for an alternative method of compliance (AMOC) according to
paragraph (j)(1) of this proposed AD.
Explanation of Required Compliance Information
In the FAA's ongoing efforts to improve the efficiency of the AD
process, the FAA developed a process to use some civil aviation
authority (CAA) ADs as the primary source of information for compliance
with requirements for corresponding FAA ADs. The FAA has been
coordinating this process with manufacturers and CAAs. As a result, the
FAA proposes to incorporate CAAI AD ISR I-32-24-10-01R1 by reference in
the FAA final rule. This proposed AD would, therefore, require
compliance with CAAI AD ISR I-32-24-10-01R1 through that incorporation,
except for any differences identified as exceptions in the
[[Page 20410]]
regulatory text of this proposed AD. Material required by CAAI AD ISR
I-32-24-10-01R1 for compliance will be available at regulations.gov by
searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2025-0756 after the FAA final
rule is published.
Airworthiness Limitation ADs Using the New Process
The FAA's process of incorporating by reference MCAI ADs as the
primary source of information for compliance with corresponding FAA ADs
has been limited to certain MCAI ADs (primarily those with service
bulletins as the primary source of information for accomplishing the
actions required by the FAA AD). However, the FAA is now expanding the
process to include MCAI ADs that require a change to airworthiness
limitation documents, such as airworthiness limitation sections.
For these ADs that incorporate by reference an MCAI AD that changes
airworthiness limitations, the FAA requirements are unchanged.
Operators must revise the existing maintenance or inspection program,
as applicable, to incorporate the information specified in the new
airworthiness limitation document. The airworthiness limitations must
be followed according to 14 CFR 91.403(c) and 91.409(e).
The previous format of the airworthiness limitation ADs included a
paragraph that specified that no alternative actions (e.g.,
inspections) or intervals may be used unless the actions or intervals
are approved as an AMOC in accordance with the procedures specified in
the AMOC paragraph under ``Additional AD Provisions.'' This new format
includes a ``Provisions for Alternative Actions and Intervals''
paragraph that does not specifically refer to AMOCs, but operators may
still request an AMOC to use an alternative action or interval.
Costs of Compliance
The FAA estimates that this AD, if adopted as proposed, would
affect 85 airplanes of U.S. registry. The FAA estimates the following
costs to comply with this proposed AD:
The FAA has determined that revising the existing maintenance or
inspection program takes an average of 90 work-hours per operator,
although the agency recognizes that this number may vary from operator
to operator. Since operators incorporate maintenance or inspection
program changes for their affected fleet(s), the FAA has determined
that a per-operator estimate is more accurate than a per-airplane
estimate. Therefore, the agency estimates the average total cost per
operator to be $7,650 (90 work-hours x $85 per work-hour).
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 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) Would not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and
(3) Would 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:
Gulfstream Aerospace LP (Type Certificate Previously Held by Israel
Aircraft Industries, Ltd.): Docket No. FAA-2025-0756; Project
Identifier MCAI-2024-00595-T.
(a) Comments Due Date
The FAA must receive comments on this airworthiness directive
(AD) by June 30, 2025.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to all Gulfstream Aerospace LP (Type Certificate
previously held by Israel Aircraft Industries, Ltd.) Model
Gulfstream G150 airplanes, certificated in any category.
(d) Subject
Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 05, Time Limits/
Maintenance Checks; 32, Landing Gear.
(e) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by a determination that a new airworthiness
limitation is necessary. The FAA is issuing this AD to prevent
failure of the nose landing gear (NLG) actuator-to-strut attachment
pin. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could result in failure
of the NLG to retract and lock after take-off or extend and lock
before landing.
(f) Compliance
Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified,
unless already done.
(g) Requirements
Except as specified in paragraph (h) of this AD: Comply with all
required actions and compliance times specified in, and in
accordance with, Civil Aviation Authority of Israel (CAAI) AD ISR I-
32-24-10-01R1, dated October 15, 2024 (CAAI AD ISR I-32-24-10-01R1).
(h) Exceptions to CAAI AD ISR I-32-24-10-01R1
(1) Where CAAI AD ISR I-32-24-10-01R1 refers to its effective
date, this AD requires using the effective date of this AD.
(2) The initial compliance time for doing the task specified in
the Action paragraph of CAAI AD ISR I-32-24-10-01R1 is at the
applicable ``discard'' interval as specified in the material
referenced in the Action paragraph of CAAI AD ISR I-32-24-10-01R1,
or within 3 months after the effective date of this AD, whichever
occurs later.
(3) Where the Action paragraph of CAAI AD ISR I-32-24-10-01R1
specifies to ``incorporate AMM Revision 29,'' this AD requires
replacing that text with ``revise the existing maintenance or
inspection program, as applicable, by incorporating the Nose Landing
Gear Actuator to Nose Landing Gear Strut Attachment Pin task
identified in AMM Revision 29.''
[[Page 20411]]
(i) Provisions for Alternative Actions and Intervals
After the existing maintenance or inspection program has been
revised as required by paragraph (g) of this AD, no alternative
actions (e.g., inspections) or intervals are allowed unless they are
approved as specified in the provisions of paragraph (j)(1) of this
AD.
(j) Additional AD Provisions
The following provisions also apply to this AD:
(1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager,
International Validation 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
International Validation Branch, send it to the attention of the
person identified in paragraph (k) of this AD and email to:
[email protected]. Before using any approved AMOC, notify your
appropriate principal inspector, or lacking a principal inspector,
the manager of the responsible Flight Standards Office.
(2) Contacting the Manufacturer: For any requirement in this AD
to obtain instructions from a manufacturer, the instructions must be
accomplished using a method approved by the Manager, International
Validation Branch, FAA; or CAAI; or CAAI's authorized Designee. If
approved by the CAAI Designee, the approval must include the
Designee's authorized signature.
(k) Additional Information
For more information about this AD, contact Fatin Saumik,
Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410,
Westbury, NY 11590; telephone 516-228-7350; email
[email protected].
(l) Material Incorporated by Reference
(1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the
incorporation by reference of the material listed in this paragraph
under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
(2) You must use this material as applicable to do the actions
required by this AD, unless this AD specifies otherwise.
(i) Civil Aviation Authority of Israel (CAAI) AD ISR I-32-24-10-
01R1, dated October 15, 2024.
(ii) [Reserved]
(3) For CAAI material identified in this AD, contact CAAI, P.O.
Box 1101, Golan Street, Airport City, 70100, Israel; telephone 972-
3-9774665; fax 972-3-9774592; email [email protected]. You may find
this material on the CAAI website at gov.il/en/departments/general/
israeli-airworthiness-directives.
(4) You may view this material 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.
(5) You may view this material at the National Archives and
Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability
of this material at NARA, visit www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/[email protected]">www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/[email protected].
Issued on May 8, 2025.
Steven W. Thompson,
Acting Deputy Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2025-08502 Filed 5-13-25; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P