Document ID: FAA-2020-0334-0001
Agency: faa
Document Type: Proposed Rule
Title: Airworthiness Directives: Gulfstream Aerospace LP Airplanes
Posted Date: 2020-04-27T04:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 81 (Monday, April 27, 2020)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 23259-23261]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-08751]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2020-0334; Product Identifier 2020-NM-014-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; Gulfstream Aerospace LP 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 certain Gulfstream Aerospace LP Model Gulfstream G280 airplanes. 
This proposed AD was prompted by a report of inadequate clearance 
between the fuel probes and forward fuel tank structure. This proposed 
AD would require measuring the clearance between certain fuel probes 
and the forward fuel tank structure, and reinstalling the probes if 
necessary, as specified in a Civil Aviation Authority of Israel (CAAI) 
AD, which will be incorporated by reference. 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 June 11, 
2020.

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 https://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
     Fax: 202-493-2251.
     Mail: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket 
Operations, M-

[[Page 23260]]

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 the material identified in this proposed AD that will be 
incorporated by reference (IBR), contact the CAAI, Mr. Vladimir 
Novicov, Engineering Branch, CAAI--P.O. Box 1101, 3 Golan Street, 
Airport City, Israel, 70151; telephone 972-3-9774529; fax 972-3-
9774592; email novicovv@mot.gov.il. You may find this IBR material on 
the CAAI website at www.caa.gov.il. You may view this IBR 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. It is also 
available in the AD docket on the internet at https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2020-
0334.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the internet at https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2020-
0334; 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, the regulatory evaluation, any comments received, and other 
information. The street address for Docket Operations is listed above. 
Comments will be available in the AD docket shortly after receipt.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tom Rodriguez, Aerospace Engineer, 
Large Aircraft Section, International Validation Branch, FAA, 2200 
South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; telephone and fax 206-231-3226; 
email tom.rodriguez@faa.gov.

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-2020-0334; 
Product Identifier 2020-NM-014-AD'' at the beginning of your comments. 
The FAA specifically invites comments on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this NPRM. The FAA will 
consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend this 
NPRM based on those comments.
    The FAA will post all comments received, without change, to https://www.regulations.gov, including any personal information you provide. 
The FAA will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal 
contact received about this NPRM.

Discussion

    The CAAI, which is the aviation authority for Israel, has issued 
Israeli AD ISR-I-53-19-10-5, dated October 10, 2019 (``Israeli AD ISR-
I-53-19-10-5'') (also referred to as the Mandatory Continuing 
Airworthiness Information, or ``the MCAI''), to correct an unsafe 
condition for certain Gulfstream Aerospace LP Model Gulfstream G280 
airplanes.
    This proposed AD was prompted by a report of inadequate clearance 
between certain fuel probes (probe No.1 and probe No.3) and the forward 
fuel tank structure. The FAA is proposing this AD to address such 
inadequate clearance, which could result in a potential source of 
ignition in a fuel tank, possible fire, and consequent reduced 
structural integrity of the airplane. See the MCAI for additional 
background information.

Related IBR Material Under 1 CFR Part 51

    Israeli AD ISR-I-53-19-10-5 requires checking the clearance between 
forward fuel probes No. 1 and aft probe No. 3 and the forward fuel tank 
structure, by measuring each probe's distance to the adjacent skin, and 
adjusting the clearance, including reinstallation of the probes at the 
correct distance if necessary. 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.

FAA's Determination and Requirements of This Proposed AD

    This product has been approved by the aviation authority of another 
country, and is approved for operation in the United States. Pursuant 
to a bilateral agreement with the State of Design Authority, the FAA 
has been notified of the unsafe condition described in the MCAI 
referenced above. The FAA is 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 Israeli AD ISR-I-53-19-10-5 described previously, as incorporated by 
reference.

Explanation of Required Compliance Information

    In the FAA's ongoing efforts to improve the efficiency of the AD 
process, the FAA initially worked with Airbus and the European Union 
Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) to develop a process to use certain EASA 
ADs as the primary source of information for compliance with 
requirements for corresponding FAA ADs. The FAA has since coordinated 
with other manufacturers and civil aviation authorities to use this 
process. As a result, Israeli AD ISR-I-53-19-10-5 will be incorporated 
by reference in the FAA final rule. This proposed AD would, therefore, 
require compliance with Israeli AD ISR-I-53-19-10-5 in its entirety, 
through that incorporation, except for any differences identified as 
exceptions in the regulatory text of this proposed AD. Service 
information specified in Israeli AD ISR-I-53-19-10-5 that is required 
for compliance with Israeli AD ISR-I-53-19-10-5 will be available on 
the internet at https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and 
locating Docket No. FAA-2020-0334 after the FAA final rule is 
published.

Costs of Compliance

    The FAA estimates that this proposed AD affects 80 airplanes of 
U.S. registry. The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with 
this proposed AD:

                                      Estimated Costs for Required Actions
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               Labor cost                   Parts cost         Cost per product         Cost on U.S. operators
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Up to 20 work-hours x $85 per hour =                  $0  Up to $1,700..............  Up to $136,000.
 $1,700.
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[[Page 23261]]

    According to the manufacturer, some or all of the costs of this 
proposed AD may be covered under warranty, thereby reducing the cost 
impact on affected individuals. The FAA does not control warranty 
coverage for affected individuals. As a result, the FAA has included 
all known costs in the 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.
    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 has 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) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and
    (3) 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 LP: Docket No. FAA-2020-0334; Product 
Identifier 2020-NM-014-AD.

(a) Comments Due Date

    The FAA must receive comments by June 11, 2020.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to certain Gulfstream Aerospace LP Model 
Gulfstream G280 airplanes, certificated in any category, as 
identified in Civil Aviation Authority of Israel (CAAI) AD ISR-I-53-
19-10-5, dated October 10, 2019 (``Israeli AD ISR-I-53-19-10-5'').

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 53, Fuselage.

(e) Reason

    This AD was prompted by a report of inadequate clearance between 
the fuel probes and forward fuel tank structure. The FAA is issuing 
this AD to address such inadequate clearance, which could result in 
a potential source of ignition in a fuel tank, possible fire, and 
consequent reduced structural integrity of the airplane.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Requirements

    Except as specified in paragraph (h) of this AD: Comply with all 
required actions and compliance times specified in, and in 
accordance with, Israeli AD ISR-I-53-19-10-5.

(h) Exceptions and Clarifications of Israeli AD ISR-I-53-19-10-5

    (1) Where Israeli AD ISR-I-53-19-10-5 refers to its effective 
date, this AD requires using the effective date of this AD.
    (2) Where Israeli AD ISR-I-53-19-10-5 requires operators to 
``check . . . clearance between fuel probes and forward fuel tank 
structure,'' this AD requires measuring the specified probes' 
distance to the adjacent skin.
    (3) Where Israeli AD ISR-I-53-19-10-5 requires operators to 
``adjust clearance'' for the corrective action, this AD requires 
reinstallation of the probe at the correct distance.
    (4) Israeli AD ISR-I-53-19-10-5 requires compliance ``at the 
next suitable planned maintenance inspection within the next 36 
months.'' This AD requires compliance within 36 months after the 
effective date of this AD.
    (5) The rework (reinstallation of the fuel probes at the correct 
distance) required for inadequate clearance must be done before 
further flight after the measurement.

(i) Other FAA AD Provisions

    The following provisions also apply to this AD:
    (1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager, 
Large Aircraft Section, International Validation 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 local Flight 
Standards District Office, as appropriate. If sending information 
directly to the International Section, send it to the attention of 
the person identified in paragraph (j)(2) of this AD. Information 
may be emailed to: 9-ANM-116-AMOC-REQUESTS@faa.gov. 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.
    (2) Contacting the Manufacturer: For any requirement in this AD 
to obtain instructions from a manufacturer, the instructions must be 
accomplished using a method approved by the Manager, Large Aircraft 
Section, International Validation Branch, FAA; or the CAAI; or 
CAAI's authorized Designee. If approved by the CAAI Designee, the 
approval must include the Designee's authorized signature.

(j) Related Information

    (1) For information about Israeli AD ISR-I-53-19-10-5, contact 
the CAAI, Mr. Vladimir Novicov, Engineering Branch, CAAI--P.O. Box 
1101, 3 Golan Street, Airport City, Israel, 70151, telephone 972-3-
9774529, fax 972-3-9774592; email novicovv@mot.gov.il. You may find 
this incorporated by reference (IBR) material on the CAAI website at 
www.caa.gov.il. 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. This material may be found in the AD 
docket on the internet at https://www.regulations.gov by searching 
for and locating Docket No. FAA-2020-0334.
    (2) For more information about this AD, contact Tom Rodriguez, 
Aerospace Engineer, Large Aircraft Section, International Validation 
Branch, FAA, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; telephone 
and fax 206-231-3226; email tom.rodriguez@faa.gov.

    Issued on April 16, 2020.
Gaetano A. Sciortino,
Deputy Director for Strategic Initiatives, Compliance & Airworthiness 
Division, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2020-08751 Filed 4-24-20; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P