[Federal Register Volume 90, Number 123 (Monday, June 30, 2025)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 27824-27826]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2025-12034]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2025-1349; Project Identifier AD-2025-00310-T]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation
Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
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SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD)
for all Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation Model GVII-G500 and GVII-G600
airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by a determination that new
and more restrictive airworthiness limitations are necessary. This AD
requires revising the 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 August 14,
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-2025-1349; 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 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 using a method listed
under the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2025-1349;
Project Identifier AD-2025-00310-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
[[Page 27825]]
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 that the airworthiness limitations
section (ALS) of the aircraft maintenance manual (AMM) for Gulfstream
Aerospace Corporation Model GVII-G500 and GVII-G600 airplanes has been
revised to correct errors in the part numbers for certain principal
structural elements (PSEs) and include new safe life limit part
numbers. The FAA has determined these new and more restrictive
airworthiness limitations are necessary. The FAA is issuing this
proposed 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 Gulfstream GVII-G500 Maintenance Manual,
Airworthiness Limitations, Section 05-10-10, Revision 18, dated March
29, 2024; and Gulfstream GVII-G600 Maintenance Manual, Airworthiness
Limitations, Section 05-10-10, Revision 14, dated March 29, 2024. This
material specifies more restrictive airworthiness limitations and
includes new safe life limit part numbers. 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.
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 according to paragraph
(j) of this proposed AD.
Costs of Compliance
The FAA estimates that this AD, if adopted as proposed, would
affect 278 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-2025-1349; Project
Identifier AD-2025-00310-T.
(a) Comments Due Date
The FAA must receive comments on this airworthiness directive
(AD) by August 14, 2025.
[[Page 27826]]
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to all Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation Model
GVII-G500 and GVII-G600 airplanes, certificated in any category.
(d) Subject
Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 32, Main Landing
Gear.
(e) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by a determination that new and more
restrictive airworthiness limitations are necessary. The FAA is
issuing this proposed 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.
(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 Gulfstream GVII-G500
Maintenance Manual, Airworthiness Limitations, Section 05-10-10,
Revision 18, dated March 29, 2024; and Gulfstream GVII-G600
Maintenance Manual, Airworthiness Limitations, Section 05-10-10,
Revision 14, dated March 29, 2024; The initial compliance time for
doing the tasks is at the time specified in Gulfstream GVII-G500
Maintenance Manual, Airworthiness Limitations, Section 05-10-10,
Revision 18, dated March 29, 2024; and Gulfstream GVII-G600
Maintenance Manual, Airworthiness Limitations, Section 05-10-10,
Revision 14, dated March 29, 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 Permits
Special flight permits, as described in 14 CFR 21.197 and
21.199, 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 certification office, 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.
(2) You must use this material as applicable to do the actions
required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise.
(i) Gulfstream GVII-G500 Maintenance Manual, Airworthiness
Limitations, Section 05-10-10, Revision 18, dated March 29, 2024.
(ii) Gulfstream GVII-G600 Maintenance Manual, Airworthiness
Limitations, Section 05-10-10, Revision 14, dated March 29, 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/[email protected]">www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/[email protected].
Issued on June 25, 2025.
Steven W. Thompson,
Acting Deputy Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2025-12034 Filed 6-27-25; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P