Document ID: FAA-2016-9385-0001
Agency: faa
Document Type: Proposed Rule
Title: Airworthiness Directives: Gulfstream Aerospace Corp. Airplanes
Posted Date: 2016-11-21T05:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 224 (Monday, November 21, 2016)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 83180-83182]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-27309]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2016-9385; Directorate Identifier 2016-NM-111-AD]
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: We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all 
Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation Model G-1159B airplanes. This proposed 
AD was prompted by a review of airplane maintenance records, which 
revealed that incorrect rudder assemblies were installed on certain 
airplanes. This proposed AD would require certain inspections, and 
replacement or modification of the rudder assembly if necessary. We are 
proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by January 5, 2017.

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 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 NPRM, contact Gulfstream 
Aerospace Corporation, Technical Publications Dept., P.O. Box 2206, 
Savannah, GA 31402-2206; telephone 800-810-4853; fax 912-965-3520; 
email pubs@gulfstream.com; Internet http://www.gulfstream.com/product_support/technical_pubs/pubs/index.htm. You may view this 
referenced service information at the FAA, Transport Airplane 
Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA. 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 by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2016-
9385; 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: Krista Greer, Aerospace Engineer, 
Airframe Branch, ACE-117A, FAA, Atlanta Aircraft Certification Office 
(ACO), 1701 Columbia Avenue, College Park, GA 30337; phone: 404-474-
5544; fax: 404-474-5606; email: krista.greer@faa.gov.

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-2016-9385; 
Directorate Identifier 2016-NM-111-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 reviewed Gulfstream airplane maintenance records which revealed 
that incorrect rudder assemblies were installed on certain Gulfstream 
Model G-1159B airplanes (also referred to by marketing designation 
GIIB). Investigation revealed that the Gulfstream GII/GIIB Illustrated 
Parts Catalog (IPC) did not clearly specify that the rudder assemblies 
for Model G-1159 airplanes (also referred to by marketing designation 
GII) have part number (P/N) 1159CS20004-3, and the rudder assemblies 
for Model G-1159B airplanes have P/N 1159CS25000-3/-9. Installation of 
rudders for Model G-1159 airplanes on Model G-1159B airplanes does not 
comply with the design fail-safe requirements for Model G-1159B 
airplanes. Although the rudder assembly designs are similar, the upper 
hinge configuration for Model G-1159B airplanes includes a dual load 
path to prevent control surface flutter in the event of middle or upper 
hinge failure. Installation of an incorrect rudder assembly could 
result in flutter and subsequent loss of the rudder, which could result 
in loss of control of the airplane.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    We reviewed Gulfstream GII/IIB Customer Bulletin 468, dated 
February 17, 2016 (for Model G-1159 and Model G-1159B airplanes). The 
service information describes procedures for inspecting the rudder 
assembly to determine the part number, verifying that the part number 
of the rudder assembly matches what is recorded in the airplane 
maintenance records, inspecting the rudder hinges, and modifying the 
rudder assembly. This service information 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

    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 the same type design.

Proposed AD Requirements

    This proposed AD would require accomplishing the actions specified 
in the service information described previously.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD affects 24 airplanes of U.S. 
registry. We estimate the following costs to comply with this proposed 
AD:

[[Page 83181]]

                                                 Estimated Costs
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                                                                                     Cost per      Cost on U.S.
               Action                         Labor cost            Parts cost        product        operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Inspection.........................  1 work-hour x $85 per hour               $0             $85          $2,040
                                      = $85.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    We estimate the following costs to do any necessary replacements or 
modifications that would be required based on the results of the 
proposed inspection. We have no way of determining the number of 
aircraft that might need these replacements or modifications:

                                               On-Condition Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                     Cost per
                    Action                                 Labor cost               Parts cost        product
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Replacement/modification......................  3 work-hours x $85 per hour =            $51,445         $51,700
                                                 $255.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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

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 (AD):

Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation: Docket No. FAA-2016-9385; 
Directorate Identifier 2016-NM-111-AD.

(a) Comments Due Date

    We must receive comments by January 5, 2017.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to all Gulfstream Model G-1159B airplanes, 
certificated in any category.

    Note 1 to paragraph (c) of this AD:  Model G-1159B airplanes are 
also referred to by marketing designation GIIB.

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 27; Flight 
Controls.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by a review of airplane maintenance 
records, which revealed that incorrect rudder assemblies were 
installed on certain airplanes. We are issuing this AD to detect and 
correct the installation of incorrect rudder assemblies, which could 
result in flutter and subsequent loss of the rudder, and consequent 
loss of control of the airplane.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Inspection To Determine Rudder Assembly Part Number and 
Verification of Maintenance Records

    Within 12 months after the effective date of this AD, do an 
inspection to determine the part number of the rudder assembly, in 
accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Gulfstream GII/
IIB Customer Bulletin Number 468, dated February 17, 2016, except as 
provided by paragraph (i)(1) of this AD. If the rudder assembly does 
not have part number (P/N) 1159CS20004-3, within 12 months after the 
effective date of this AD, verify that the rudder assembly part 
number recorded in the aircraft maintenance records matches the part 
number of the rudder assembly installed on the airplane and if the 
rudder assembly part number does not match, correct the aircraft 
maintenance records accordingly.

(h) Additional Inspection and Corrective Action

    If, during the inspection required by paragraph (g) of this AD, 
a rudder assembly having P/N 1159CS20004-3 is found, before further 
flight, do a general visual inspection of the middle and upper 
rudder hinges to determine if a one-piece or two-piece hinge is 
installed, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of 
Gulfstream GII/IIB Customer Bulletin Number 468, dated February 17, 
2016, and do the applicable action specified in paragraph (h)(1) or 
(h)(2) of this AD, except as required by paragraph (i)(2) of this 
AD.
    (1) For airplanes with a one-piece hinge installed: Do the 
actions specified in paragraph (h)(1)(i) or (h)(1)(ii) of this AD.
    (i) Modify the rudder assembly, in accordance with the 
Accomplishment Instructions of Gulfstream GII/IIB Customer

[[Page 83182]]

Bulletin Number 468, dated February 17, 2016.

    Note 1 to paragraph (h)(1)(i) of this AD:  Gulfstream GII/IIB 
Customer Bulletin Number 468, dated February 17, 2016, refers to 
Gulfstream GII Aircraft Service Change Number 300, Amendment 1, 
dated May 21, 1984, as an additional source of guidance for 
accomplishment of the rudder modification.

    (ii) Replace the rudder assembly with a rudder assembly that has 
been modified as specified in Gulfstream GII Aircraft Service Change 
Number 300. Do the replacement using a method approved in accordance 
with the procedures specified in paragraph (k)(1) of this AD.
    (2) For airplanes with a two-piece hinge installed: Re-identify 
the rudder assembly as having incorporated the actions in Gulfstream 
GII Aircraft Service Change Number 300, in accordance with the 
Accomplishment Instructions of Gulfstream GII/IIB Customer Bulletin 
Number 468, dated February 17, 2016.

(i) Exceptions to Service Bulletin Specifications

    (1) Where Gulfstream GII/IIB Customer Bulletin Number 468, dated 
February 17, 2016, specifies to record the rudder part number and 
serial number on the service reply card, that action is not required 
by this AD.
    (2) Where Gulfstream GII/IIB Customer Bulletin Number 468, dated 
February 17, 2016, specifies to contact Gulfstream for instructions 
on modifying the rudder assembly, this AD requires modifying the 
rudder assembly before further flight using a method approved in 
accordance with the procedures specified in paragraph (k)(1) of this 
AD.

(j) Special Flight Permit

    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), are not allowed.

(k) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (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 paragraph (l)(1) 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.
    (3) Except as required by paragraph (i) of this AD: For service 
information that contains steps that are labeled as Required for 
Compliance (RC), the provisions of paragraphs (k)(3)(i) and 
(k)(3)(ii) of this AD apply.
    (i) The steps labeled as RC, including substeps under an RC step 
and any figures identified in an RC step, must be done to comply 
with the AD. An AMOC is required for any deviations to RC steps, 
including substeps and identified figures.
    (ii) Steps not labeled as RC may be deviated from using accepted 
methods in accordance with the operator's maintenance or inspection 
program without obtaining approval of an AMOC, provided the RC 
steps, including substeps and identified figures, can still be done 
as specified, and the airplane can be put back in an airworthy 
condition.

(l) Related Information

    (1) For more information about this AD, contact Krista Greer, 
Aerospace Engineer, Airframe Branch, ACE-117A, FAA, Atlanta Aircraft 
Certification Office (ACO), 1701 Columbia Avenue, College Park, GA 
30337; phone: 404-474-5544; fax: 404-474-5606; email: 
krista.greer@faa.gov.
    (2) For service information identified in this AD, contact 
Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation, Technical Publications Dept., P.O. 
Box 2206, Savannah, GA 31402-2206; telephone 800-810-4853; fax 912-
965-3520; email pubs@gulfstream.com; Internet http://www.gulfstream.com/product_support/technical_pubs/pubs/index.htm. 
You may view this referenced service information at the FAA, 
Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA. 
For information on the availability of this material at the FAA, 
call 425-227-1221.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on November 2, 2016.
Michael Kaszycki,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2016-27309 Filed 11-18-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P