[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 4 (Thursday, January 6, 2011)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 721]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-54]


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

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket 90-NM-267-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation Model 
G-1159 Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Proposed rule; withdrawal.

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

SUMMARY: This action withdraws a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) 
that proposed a new airworthiness directive (AD) to supersede an 
existing AD, applicable to certain Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation 
Model G-1159 airplanes. The existing AD requires an inspection to 
detect cracks or corrosion in the wing structure in the area of 
Fuselage Station (FS) 452 inboard clothespin attachment fitting, and 
repair if necessary. The proposed AD would have required repetitive 
inspections to detect corrosion or cracks in the forward and aft wing 
attach fittings at FS 345 and 452, respectively, and adjacent wing beam 
and wing plank areas, and repair if necessary; and the application of 
corrosion protection treatment. Since the issuance of the NPRM, the 
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has received new data that 
indicate the aircraft maintenance manual has been revised to include 
additional inspections that address the unsafe condition detailed in 
the NPRM and that the full fleet is in compliance with the inspection 
and applicable repair required by the existing AD. Accordingly, the 
proposed rule is withdrawn.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Carey O'Kelley, Aerospace Engineer, 
Airframe Branch, ACE-117A, FAA, Atlanta Aircraft Certification Office 
(ACO), 1701 Columbia Avenue, College Park, Georgia 30337; telephone 
(404) 474-5543; fax (404) 474-5606.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal 
Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) to add a new airworthiness 
directive (AD), applicable to Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation Model G-
1159 airplanes, was published in the Federal Register as a Notice of 
Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) on January 2, 1991 (56 FR 33). The proposed 
rule would have superseded an existing airworthiness directive (AD 90-
13-02, Amendment 39-6660 (55 FR 29008, July 17, 1990)), applicable to 
certain Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation Model G-1159 airplanes. The 
existing AD currently requires an inspection to detect cracks or 
corrosion in the wing structure in the area of Fuselage Station (FS) 
452 inboard clothespin attachment fitting, and repair if necessary. The 
NPRM proposed to require additional repetitive inspections to detect 
corrosion or cracks in the forward and aft wing attach fittings at FS 
345 and 452, respectively, and adjacent wing beam and wing plank areas, 
and repair if necessary; and the application of corrosion protection 
treatment. The NPRM resulted from a review of the inspection reports 
submitted in response to the existing AD. The proposed actions were 
intended to prevent significantly reduced structural integrity of the 
wing/fuselage attachment joint, and the inability to carry flight or 
ground loads.

Actions That Occurred Since the NPRM Was Issued

    Since the issuance of that NPRM, Gulfstream has revised Chapter 5, 
inspection program (continued airworthiness), of the aircraft 
maintenance manual (AMM) to include additional inspections that address 
the unsafe condition detailed in the NPRM. We have also received data 
that shows full fleet compliance with the inspection and applicable 
repair required by AD 90-13-02.

FAA's Conclusions

    Upon further consideration, the FAA has determined that the actions 
required by AD 90-13-02 adequately addressed the identified unsafe 
condition. Therefore, it is not necessary to mandate the repetitive 
inspections specified in the Gulfstream AMM. Accordingly, the proposed 
rule is hereby withdrawn.
    Withdrawal of this NPRM constitutes only such action, and does not 
preclude the agency from issuing another action in the future, nor does 
it commit the agency to any course of action in the future.

Regulatory Impact

    Since this action only withdraws a notice of proposed rulemaking, 
it is neither a proposed nor a final rule and therefore is not covered 
under Executive Order 12866, the Regulatory Flexibility Act, or DOT 
Regulatory Policies and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979).

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Safety.

The Withdrawal

    Accordingly, the notice of proposed rulemaking, Docket 90-NM-267-
AD, published in the Federal Register on January 2, 1991 (56 FR 33), is 
withdrawn.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on December 27, 2010.
Jeffrey E. Duven,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2011-54 Filed 1-5-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P