[Federal Register Volume 90, Number 95 (Monday, May 19, 2025)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 21245-21247]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2025-08567]
[[Page 21245]]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2025-0757; Project Identifier AD-2025-00117-T]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation
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 Corporation Model GVI airplanes. This
proposed AD was prompted by a determination that new and more
restrictive airworthiness limitations are necessary. This AD requires
revising the existing maintenance or inspection program, as applicable,
to incorporate new and more restrictive airworthiness limitations. 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 July 3,
2025.
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 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-2025-0757; 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, any comments received, and other
information. The street address for Docket Operations is listed above.
Material Incorporated by Reference:
For Gulfstream material identified in this proposed AD,
contact Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation, Technical Publications Dept.,
P.O. Box 2206, Savannah, GA 31402-2206; telephone 800-810-4853; email
[email protected]; website gulfstream.com/en/customer-support.
You may view this material at the FAA, Airworthiness
Products Section, Operational Safety Branch, 2200 South 216th St., Des
Moines, WA.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jeffrey Johnson, Aviation Safety
Engineer, FAA, 1701 Columbia Avenue, College Park, GA 30337; phone:
404-474-5554; 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-2025-0757;
Project Identifier AD-2025-00117-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
Jeffrey Johnson, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 1701 Columbia Avenue,
College Park, GA 30337; phone: 404-474-5554; email: [email protected]. Any commentary that the FAA receives that is not
specifically designated as CBI will be placed in the public docket for
this rulemaking.
Background
The FAA has received a report indicating errors were identified in
previous revisions of the airworthiness limitations section (ALS) of
the aircraft maintenance manual (AMM) for Gulfstream Aerospace
Corporation Model G650 and G650ER airplanes. Gulfstream revised the ALS
to correct errors, expanded serial number effectivities for certain
principal structural elements (PSEs), and added safe life limit part
numbers. The FAA has determined these new and more restrictive
airworthiness limitations are necessary. The FAA is proposing this AD
to prevent failure of principal structural elements throughout the
service life of each part. This condition, if not addressed, could
compromise the structural integrity of the airplane.
FAA's Determination
The FAA is issuing this NPRM after determining that the unsafe
condition described previously is likely to exist or develop on other
products of the same type design.
Material Incorporated by Reference Under 1 CFR Part 51
The FAA reviewed Section 05-10-10 Airworthiness Limitations,
Chapter 05 Time Limits/Maintenance Checks, Gulfstream G650 Aircraft
Maintenance Manual, Revision 24, dated October 30, 2024; and Section
05-10-10 Airworthiness Limitations, Chapter 05 Time Limits/Maintenance
Checks, Gulfstream G650ER Aircraft Maintenance Manual, Revision 19,
dated October 30, 2024. This material specifies airworthiness
limitations, which include additional safe life limit part numbers and
the addition of airplane serial numbers to the effectivity of certain
PSEs. These documents are distinct because they apply to different
airplane models. 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.
Proposed AD Requirements in This NPRM
This proposed AD would require revising the existing maintenance or
inspection program, as applicable to incorporate new and more
restrictive airworthiness limitations.
This proposed AD would require revisions to certain operator
maintenance documents to include new actions (e.g., inspections).
Compliance
[[Page 21246]]
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 according to paragraph (j) of this
proposed AD.
Costs of Compliance
The FAA estimates that this AD, if adopted as proposed, would
affect 428 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 FAA 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 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 Corporation: Docket No. FAA-2025-0757; Project
Identifier AD-2025-00117-T.
(a) Comments Due Date
The FAA must receive comments on this airworthiness directive
(AD) by July 3, 2025.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to all Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation Model
GVI airplanes, certificated in any category.
(d) Subject
Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 57, Wings.
(e) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by a determination that new and more
restrictive airworthiness limitations are necessary. The FAA is
issuing this AD to prevent failure of principal structural elements
throughout the service life of each part. This condition, if not
addressed, could result in the compromise of the structural
integrity of the airplane.
(f) Compliance
Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified,
unless already done.
(g) Maintenance or Inspection Program Revision
Within 30 days after the effective date of this AD, revise the
existing maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to
incorporate the information specified in Section 05-10-10
Airworthiness Limitations, Chapter 05 Time Limits/Maintenance
Checks, Gulfstream G650 Aircraft Maintenance Manual, Revision 24,
dated October 30, 2024; and Section 05-10-10 Airworthiness
Limitations, Chapter 05 Time Limits/Maintenance Checks, Gulfstream
G650ER Aircraft Maintenance Manual, Revision 19, dated October 30,
2024; as applicable. The initial compliance time for doing the tasks
is at the time specified in Section 05-10-10 Airworthiness
Limitations, Chapter 05 Time Limits/Maintenance Checks, Gulfstream
G650 Aircraft Maintenance Manual, Revision 24, dated October 30,
2024; and Section 05-10-10 Airworthiness Limitations, Chapter 05
Time Limits/Maintenance Checks, Gulfstream G650ER Aircraft
Maintenance Manual, Revision 19, dated October 30, 2024; as
applicable, or within 30 days after the effective date of this AD,
whichever occurs later.
(h) No Alternative Actions or 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 may be used unless the
actions and intervals, are approved as an alternative method of
compliance (AMOC) in accordance with the procedures specified in
paragraph (j) of this AD.
(i) Special Flight Permit
Special flight permits, as described in 14 CFR 39.23, are not
allowed.
(j) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)
(1) The Manager, East Certification 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 East Certification Branch, send it to the
attention of the person identified in paragraph (k) of this AD.
Information may be emailed to: [email protected].
(2) Before using any approved AMOC, notify your appropriate
principal inspector, or lacking a principal inspector, the manager
of the responsible Flight Standards Office.
(k) Related Information
For more information about this AD, contact Jeffrey Johnson,
Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 1701 Columbia Avenue, College Park,
GA 30337; phone: 404-474-5554; 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.
[[Page 21247]]
(2) You must use this material as applicable to do the actions
required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise.
(i) Section 05-10-10 Airworthiness Limitations, Chapter 05 Time
Limits/Maintenance Checks, Gulfstream G650 Aircraft Maintenance
Manual, Revision 24, dated October 30, 2024.
(ii) Section 05-10-10 Airworthiness Limitations, Chapter 05 Time
Limits/Maintenance Checks, Gulfstream G650ER Aircraft Maintenance
Manual, Revision 19, dated October 30, 2024.
(3) For Gulfstream material identified in this AD, contact
Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation, Technical Publications Dept., P.O.
Box 2206, Savannah, GA 31402-2206; telephone 800-810-4853; email
[email protected]; website gulfstream.com/en/customer-support.
(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/ibr-locations or email [email protected].
Issued on May 9, 2025.
Steven W. Thompson,
Acting Deputy Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2025-08567 Filed 5-16-25; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P