Document ID: FAA-2016-9191-0001
Agency: faa
Document Type: Proposed Rule
Title: Airworthiness Directives: Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation Airplanes
Posted Date: 2016-11-15T05:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 220 (Tuesday, November 15, 2016)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 80009-80011]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-25354]

[[Page 80009]]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2016-9191; Directorate Identifier 2016-NM-106-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 
certain Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation Model GVI airplanes. This 
proposed AD was prompted by a report indicating that there are design 
deficiencies in the software used for monitoring the disconnect for the 
flight control computer (FCC)-hosted flight controls actuation main ram 
linear variable differential transducer (LVDT). This proposed AD would 
require an update of the FCC software. We are proposing this AD to 
prevent the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by December 30, 
2016.

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-
9191; 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: Myles Jalalian, Aerospace Engineer, 
Systems and Equipment Branch, ACE-119A, FAA, Atlanta Aircraft 
Certification Office (ACO), 1701 Columbia Avenue, College Park, GA 
30337; phone: 404-474-5572; fax: 404-474-5606; email: 
Myles.Jalalian@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-2016-9191; 
Directorate Identifier 2016-NM-106-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 a report indicating that there are design 
deficiencies in the FCC software used for monitoring the disconnect for 
the FCC-hosted flight controls actuation main ram LVDT. When a failure 
occurs, if the actuator LVDT mechanical disconnect monitor and 
oscillatory monitor are not reliably triggered, there could be an 
undetected actuation of the main ram LVDT. This condition, if not 
corrected, could result in undetected actuation of the main ram LVDT. 
Undetected actuation of the main ram LVDT, if not corrected, could 
result in mechanical failure of the flight control surface actuator 
mechanism under force fight (the actuator is working against the 
intended load forces), causing primary surface hardover, spoiler 
hardover, and loss of control of the airplane.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    We reviewed Gulfstream G650 Aircraft Service Change Number 037, 
Revision A, dated June 28, 2016; and Gulfstream G650ER Aircraft Service 
Change Number 037, Revision A, dated June 28, 2016. The service 
information describes procedures for doing an update of the FCC 
software. These documents are distinct since they apply to different 
airplane models. 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.

Interim Action

    We consider this proposed AD interim action. The manufacturer is 
currently developing an additional software update that will complete 
the actions necessary to address the unsafe condition identified in 
this proposed AD. Once this additional software update is developed, 
approved, and available, we might consider additional rulemaking.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD affects 90 airplanes of U.S. 
registry. We estimate the following costs to comply with this proposed 
AD:

[[Page 80010]]

                                                 Estimated Costs
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                                                                                    Cost per       Cost on U.S.
               Action                        Labor cost           Parts cost        product         operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Software update.....................  57 work-hours x $85 per          $9,126          $13,971       $1,257,390
                                       hour = $4,845.
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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

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-2016-9191; 
Directorate Identifier 2016-NM-106-AD.

(a) Comments Due Date

    We must receive comments by December 30, 2016.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation Model GVI 
airplanes, certificated in any category, serial numbers 6001 through 
6164 inclusive.

    Note 1 to paragraph (c) of this AD: Model GVI airplanes are also 
referred to by marketing designations G650 and G650ER.

(d) Subject

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

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by a report indicating that there are 
design deficiencies in the software used for monitoring the 
disconnect for the flight control computer (FCC)-hosted flight 
controls actuation main ram linear variable differential transducer 
(LVDT). We are issuing this AD to prevent undetected actuation of 
the main ram LVDT. Undetected actuation of the main ram LVDT, if not 
corrected, could result in mechanical failure of the flight control 
surface actuator mechanism under force fight (the actuator is 
working against the intended load forces), causing primary surface 
hardover, spoiler hardover, and loss of control of the airplane.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Software Update for FCC

    Within 24 months after the effective date of this AD, do an FCC 
software update, in accordance with the Modification Instructions of 
Gulfstream G650 Aircraft Service Change Number 037, Revision A, 
dated June 28, 2016; or Gulfstream G650ER Aircraft Service Change 
Number 037, Revision A, dated June 28, 2016; as applicable.

(h) Reporting Not Required

    Although Gulfstream G650 Aircraft Service Change Number 037, 
Revision A, dated June 28, 2016; and Gulfstream G650ER Aircraft 
Service Change Number 037, Revision A, dated June 28, 2016; specify 
to submit certain information to the manufacturer, this AD does not 
require that action.

(i) 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 (j)(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.

(j) Related Information

    (1) For more information about this AD, contact Myles Jalalian, 
Aerospace Engineer, Systems and Equipment Branch, ACE-119A, FAA, 
Atlanta ACO, 1701 Columbia Avenue, College Park, GA 30337; phone: 
404-474-5572; fax: 404-474-5606; email: Myles.Jalalian@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.

[[Page 80011]]

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on October 12, 2016.
Michael Kaszycki,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2016-25354 Filed 11-14-16; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P