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[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 120 (Wednesday, June 22, 2011)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 36392-36395]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-15537]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2011-0572; Directorate Identifier 2011-NM-009-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation Model 
GV and GV-SP Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for the 
products listed above. This proposed AD would require inspecting to 
determine whether a third Halon fire extinguisher bottle is installed 
in the auxiliary power unit (APU) fragment impact zone, revising the 
limitations section of the airplane flight manual to add restrictions 
for APU usage for certain airplanes having a third fire extinguisher 
bottle, and removing the third fire extinguisher bottle from certain 
airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by notification from the 
airplane manufacturer that the third fire extinguisher bottle is 
mounted in a small-fragment impact zone. We are proposing this AD to 
prevent penetration of the bottle by fragments released due to a 
failure of the APU rotor system. The bottle could rupture and cause 
substantial damage to primary airframe structure and primary flight 
controls.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by August 8, 2011.

ADDRESSES: You may send comments by any of the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.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.
    For service information identified in this proposed AD, contact 
Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation, Technical Publications Dept., P.O. 
Box 2206, Savannah, Georgia 31402-2206; telephone 800-810-4853; fax 
912-965-3520; e-mail pubs@gulfstream.com; Internet http://www.gulfstream.com/product_support/technical_pubs/pubs/index.htm. You 
may review copies of the referenced service information at the FAA, 
Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, 
Washington. For information on the availability of this material at the 
FAA, call 425-227-1221.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov; or in person at the Docket Management Facility 
between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal 
holidays. The AD docket contains this proposed AD, the regulatory 
evaluation, any comments received, and other information. The street 
address for the Docket Office (phone: 800-647-5527) is in the ADDRESSES 
section. Comments will be available in the AD docket shortly after 
receipt.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Sanford Proveaux, Aerospace Engineer, 
Continued Operational Safety and Certificate Management Branch, ACE-
102A, FAA, Atlanta Aircraft Certification Office (ACO) 1701 Columbia 
Avenue, College Park, Georgia 30337; phone: 404-474-5566; fax: 404-474-
5606; e-mail: sanford.proveaux@faa.gov.

[[Page 36393]]

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

    We invite 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-2011-0572; 
Directorate Identifier 2011-NM-009-AD'' at the beginning of your 
comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this proposed AD. We 
will consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend 
this proposed AD because of those comments.
    We will post all comments we receive, without change, to http://www.regulations.gov, including any personal information you provide. We 
will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact we 
receive about this proposed AD.

Discussion

    We have received reports from Gulfstream that the third Halon 
bottle (third fire extinguisher bottle) is mounted in the auxiliary 
power unit (APU) small-fragment impact zone (rotor burst zone). Some 
operators might have installed this third fire extinguisher bottle in 
accordance with Supplemental Type Certificate ST01822AT-D; other 
operators might have installed the bottle under FAA approval means 
other than the supplemental type certificate. The bottle is mounted in 
a very confined area surrounded by primary airframe structure that 
carries the empennage loads. Primary flight controls for pitch and yaw 
are also routed through the area adjacent to the third fire 
extinguisher bottle. Failure of the APU rotor system could release 
fragments that could strike the bottle and cause explosive rupture of 
the high-pressure Halon bottle, and result in substantial damage to 
primary airframe structure and primary flight controls.

Related Rulemaking

    We previously issued AD 2009-17-01, Amendment 39-15991 (74 FR 
40061, August 11, 2009), for all Model GV airplanes and certain Model 
GV-SP airplanes (and other Gulfstream airplanes). That AD requires, for 
certain airplanes, an inspection for sealant applied to the exterior of 
the APU enclosure (firewall), and, for certain airplanes, a revision of 
the airplane flight manual to prohibit operation of the APU during 
certain ground and flight operations. That AD was issued to prevent the 
flammable sealant from igniting the exterior surfaces of the firewall 
under certain anomalous conditions such as an APU failure or APU 
compartment fire, which could result in propagation of an uncontained 
fire to other critical areas of the airplane.
    We are considering revising AD 2009-17-01 to provide an optional 
terminating action (modification of the APU enclosure), which would 
allow removal of the APU limitations after the requirements of this new 
AD have been met.

Relevant Service Information

    We reviewed Gulfstream V Alert Customer Bulletin 30A (for Model GV 
airplanes) Gulfstream G500 Alert Customer Bulletin 10A (for Model GV-SP 
airplanes); and Gulfstream G550 Alert Customer Bulletin 10A (for Model 
GV-SP airplanes), all dated December 20, 2010, all including Gulfstream 
GV/GV-SP Airplane Flight Manual (AFM) Supplement CE51 628M001, Revision 
A, dated December 20, 2010, to the Gulfstream GV and GV-SP AFMs. These 
customer bulletins describe procedures for inspecting to determine 
whether a third fire extinguisher bottle is installed for engines, and, 
if so, determining whether the third bottle is installed as a spare or 
in a dedicated configuration. These bulletins also describe procedures 
for removing the third bottles installed as spares on Model GV and GV-
SP airplanes. The Gulfstream GV/GV-SP AFM Supplement CE51 628M001, 
Revision A, dated December 20, 2010, adds restrictions for APU usage on 
Model GV and GV-SP airplanes having a third bottle in a dedicated or 
non-dedicated (spare) configuration.

FAA's Determination

    We are proposing this AD because we evaluated all the relevant 
information and determined the unsafe condition described previously is 
likely to exist or develop in other products of these same type 
designs.

Proposed AD Requirements

    This proposed AD requires accomplishing the actions specified in 
the service information described previously.
    Certain airplanes have a third Halon fire extinguisher bottle 
carried as a spare. These ``spare'' bottles are not connected to the 
aircraft fire suppression system electrical or plumbing provisions. In 
these cases, the bottle can be easily removed without affecting the 
aircraft fire suppression system. Operators can also leave the spare 
bottle installed, but must implement the revised APU operating 
limitations in this case. In some Model GV airplanes only, the third 
Halon fire extinguisher bottle is a functioning part of the aircraft 
fire suppression system. In these cases the bottle must remain 
installed in the airplane, and the revised APU operating limitations 
must be implemented.

Interim Action

    We consider this proposed AD interim action. The manufacturer is 
currently developing a modification that will address the unsafe 
condition identified in this proposed AD. Once this modification is 
developed, approved, and available, we might consider additional 
rulemaking.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD affects 1,000 airplanes of U.S. 
registry.
    We estimate the following costs to comply with this proposed AD:

                                                 Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                     Cost per      Cost on U.S.
            Action                         Labor cost               Parts cost        product        operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Inspection....................  1 work-hour x $85 per hour = $85              $0             $85         $85,000
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    We estimate the following costs to do any necessary actions that 
would be required based on the results of the proposed inspection.

[[Page 36394]]

                                               On-condition Costs
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             Action                         Labor cost              Parts cost         Cost per product
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AFM revision...................  1 work-hour x $85 per hour = $85           $0  $85 (about 70 GV/GV-SP
                                                                                 airplanes).
Bottle removal.................  1 work-hour x $85 per hour = $85           $0  $85 (about 30 GV[dash]SP
                                                                                 airplanes).
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    According to the manufacturer, some of the costs of this proposed 
AD may be covered under warranty, thereby reducing the cost impact on 
affected individuals. We do not control warranty coverage for affected 
individuals. As a result, we have included all costs in our cost 
estimate.

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.
    We are 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

    We 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) Is not a ``significant rule'' under the DOT Regulatory Policies 
and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979),
    (3) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and
    (4) 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 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

    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]

    2. The FAA amends Sec.  39.13 by adding the following new 
airworthiness directive (AD):

Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation: Docket No. FAA-2011-0572; 
Directorate Identifier 2011-NM-009-AD.

Comments Due Date

    (a) We must receive comments by August 8, 2011.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to the Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation 
airplanes, certificated in any category, identified in paragraphs 
(c)(1) and (c)(2) of this AD.
    (1) Model GV airplanes having serial numbers (S/Ns) 501 and 
subsequent.
    (2) Model GV-SP airplanes having S/Ns 5001 through 5308 
inclusive.

Subject

    (d) Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC)/Air Transport 
Association (ATA) of America Code 2621, Fire bottle-fixed.

Unsafe Condition

    (e) This AD was prompted by notification from the airplane 
manufacturer that the third fire extinguisher bottle is mounted in a 
small-fragment impact zone. We are issuing this AD to prevent 
penetration of the bottle by fragments released due to a failure of 
the auxiliary power unit (APU) rotor system. The bottle could 
rupture and cause substantial damage to primary airframe structure 
and primary flight controls.

Compliance

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

Inspection

    (g) For all airplanes: Within 21 days after the effective date 
of this AD, or before removing the APU flight restrictions required 
by AD 2009-17-01, Amendment 39-15991, whichever occurs first, 
inspect to determine whether a third Halon fire extinguisher bottle 
for engines is installed in the APU fragment impact zone (rotor 
fragment impact zone), in accordance with the Accomplishment 
Instructions of the applicable Gulfstream alert customer bulletin 
identified in table 1 of this AD.

                             Table 1--Applicable Gulfstream Alert Customer Bulletins
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
          For Model--                        Use--                   Which includes--              To the--
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
GV airplanes...................  Gulfstream V Alert Customer   Gulfstream GV/GV-SP Airplane  Gulfstream GV AFM.
                                  Bulletin 30A, dated           Flight Manual (AFM)
                                  December 20, 2010.            Supplement CE51 628M001,
                                                                Revision A, dated December
                                                                20, 2010.
GV-SP (G500) airplanes.........  Gulfstream G500 Alert         Gulfstream GV/GV-SP AFM       Gulfstream GV-SP
                                  Customer Bulletin 10A,        Supplement CE51 628M001,      AFM.
                                  dated December 20, 2010.      Revision A, dated December
                                                                20, 2010.
GV-SP (G550) airplanes.........  Gulfstream G550 Alert         Gulfstream GV/GV-SP AFM       Gulfstream GV-SP
                                  Customer Bulletin 10A,        Supplement CE51 628M001,      AFM.
                                  dated December 20, 2010.      Revision A, dated December
                                                                20, 2010.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[[Page 36395]]

     (1) If the third fire extinguisher bottle is not installed, no 
further work is required by this paragraph.
    (2) For Model GV airplanes in which the third fire extinguisher 
bottle is installed as a dedicated APU fire bottle configuration, as 
defined in Gulfstream V Alert Customer Bulletin 30A, dated December 
20, 2010 (as a functioning part of the aircraft fire suppression 
system): Before further flight, revise the Limitations section of 
the Gulfstream GV AFM to include the information in Gulfstream GV/
GV-SP AFM Supplement CE51 628M001, Revision A, dated December 20, 
2010 (which is included in Gulfstream V Alert Customer Bulletin 30A, 
dated December 20, 2010). This AFM supplement adds restrictions for 
APU usage. Operate the airplane thereafter according to the 
limitations in this AFM supplement.

    Note 1:  This may be done by inserting a copy of Gulfstream GV/
GV-SP AFM Supplement CE51 628M001, Revision A, dated December 20, 
2010, in the applicable AFM. When information in this AFM supplement 
has been included in general revisions of the applicable AFM, the 
general revisions may be inserted in the applicable AFM, provided 
the relevant information in the general revision is identical to 
that in Gulfstream GV/GV-SP AFM Supplement CE51 628M001, Revision A, 
dated December 20, 2010, and that AFM supplement may be removed.

    (3) For Model GV and GV-SP airplanes in which the third fire 
extinguisher bottle is installed as a spare fire bottle 
configuration (not connected to the airplane's electrical or fire 
suppression systems), as defined in the applicable Gulfstream alert 
customer bulletin identified in table 1 of this AD: Do the actions 
required by paragraph (g)(3)(i) or (g)(3)(ii) of this AD.
    (i) Before further flight, remove the bottle, in accordance with 
the Accomplishment Instructions of the applicable Gulfstream alert 
customer bulletin identified in table 1 of this AD.
    (ii) Before further flight, revise the limitations section of 
the applicable Gulfstream AFM specified in table 1 of this AD to 
include the information in Gulfstream GV/GV-SP AFM Supplement CE51 
628M001, Revision A, dated December 20, 2010. This AFM supplement 
adds restrictions for APU usage. Operate the airplane thereafter 
according to the limitations in that AFM supplement.

    Note 2:  This may be done by inserting a copy of Gulfstream GV/
GV-SP AFM Supplement CE51 628M001, Revision A, dated December 20, 
2010, in the applicable AFM. When information in this AFM supplement 
has been included in general revisions of the applicable AFM, the 
general revisions may be inserted in the applicable AFM, provided 
the relevant information in the general revision is identical to 
that in Gulfstream GV/GV-SP AFM Supplement CE51 628M001, Revision A, 
dated December 20, 2010, and that AFM supplement may be removed.

Credit for Actions Accomplished in Accordance With Previous Service 
Information

    (h) Actions accomplished before the effective date of this AD in 
accordance with Gulfstream V Alert Customer Bulletin 30 (for Model 
GV airplanes), dated December 6, 2010, including Gulfstream GV AFM 
Supplement CE51 628M001, dated November 18, 2010, to the Gulfstream 
GV AFM; or Gulfstream G550 (for Model GV-SP airplanes) or G500 (for 
Model GV-SP airplanes) Alert Customer Bulletin 10, both dated 
December 6, 2010; are acceptable for compliance with the 
corresponding actions required by paragraph (g) of this AD.

Parts Installation

    (i) As of the effective date of this AD, no person may install a 
third fire extinguisher bottle in the APU fragment impact zone 
(rotor fragment impact zone) of any airplane.

No Reporting

    (j) Although Gulfstream V Alert Customer Bulletin 30A (for Model 
GV airplanes), Gulfstream G500 Alert Customer Bulletin 10A (for 
Model GV-SP airplanes), and Gulfstream G550 Alert Customer Bulletin 
10A (for Model GV-SP airplanes); all dated December 20, 2010, all 
including Gulfstream GV/GV-SP AFM Supplement CE51 628M001, Revision 
A, dated December 20, 2010, to the Gulfstream GV, and GV-SP AFMs; 
specify to submit certain information to the manufacturer, this AD 
does not include that requirement.

Special Flight Permit

    (k) Special flight permits, as described in Section 21.197 and 
Section 21.199 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 21.197 
and 21.199), may be issued to operate the airplane to a location 
where the requirements of this AD can be accomplished, provided the 
following conditions are met:
    (1) If an airplane is grounded due to a single generator 
failure, the APU may be operated during a ferry flight, provided no 
passengers are carried.
    (2) Only the minimum required flight crew is allowed on any 
ferry flight.

Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (l)(1) The Manager, Atlanta Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), 
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 local 
Flight Standards District Office, as appropriate. If sending 
information directly to the manager of the ACO, send it to the 
attention of the person identified in the Related Information 
section of this AD.
    (2) Before using any approved AMOC, notify your appropriate 
principal inspector, or lacking a principal inspector, the manager 
of the local flight standards district office/certificate holding 
district office.

Related Information

    (m) For more information about this AD, contact Sanford 
Proveaux, Aerospace Engineer, Continued Operational Safety and 
Certificate Management Branch, ACE-102A, FAA, Atlanta Aircraft 
Certification Office (ACO) 1701 Columbia Avenue, College Park, 
Georgia 30337; telephone 404-474-5566; fax 404-474-5606; 
sanford.proveaux@faa.gov.
    (n) For service information identified in this AD, contact 
Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation, Technical Publications Dept., P.O. 
Box 2206, Savannah, Georgia 31402-2206; telephone 800-810-4853; fax 
912-965-3520; e-mail pubs@gulfstream.com; Internet http://www.gulfstream.com/product_support/technical_pubs/pubs/index.htm. 
You may review copies of the referenced service information at the 
FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, 
Washington. For information on the availability of this material at 
the FAA, call 425-227-1221.

    Issued in Renton, Washington on June 10, 2011.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2011-15537 Filed 6-21-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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