Document ID: FAA-2018-0689-0001
Agency: faa
Document Type: Proposed Rule
Title: Airworthiness Directives: Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation Airplanes
Posted Date: 2018-07-27T04:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 145 (Friday, July 27, 2018)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 35568-35570]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-15964]

 ========================================================================
 Proposed Rules
                                                 Federal Register
 ________________________________________________________________________
 
 This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains notices to the public of 
 the proposed issuance of rules and regulations. The purpose of these 
 notices is to give interested persons an opportunity to participate in 
 the rule making prior to the adoption of the final rules.
 
 ========================================================================
 

  Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 145 / Friday, July 27, 2018 / 
Proposed Rules  

[[Page 35568]]

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2018-0689; Product Identifier 2018-CE-016-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation 
Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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

SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for 
certain Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation (Gulfstream) Models G-IV and 
GIV-X airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by reports of disbonding 
and surface cracking of the composite aft pressure bulkhead. This 
proposed AD would require inspections of the forward and aft surfaces 
of the pressure bulkhead composite panels for damage and repair of any 
damage found. We are proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition 
on these products.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by September 10, 
2018.

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, P.O. Box 2206, Savannah, Georgia 31402-2206; 
telephone: (800) 810-4853; fax 912-965-3520; email: 
[email protected]; internet: http://www.gulfstream.com/product_support/technical_pubs/pubs/index.htm. You may view this 
service information at the FAA, Policy and Innovation Division, 901 
Locust, Kansas City, Missouri 64106. For information on the 
availability of this material at the FAA, call (816) 329-4148.

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-2018-
0689; 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 (phone: 800-647-
5527) is listed above. Comments will be available in the AD docket 
shortly after receipt.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: William O. Herderich, Aerospace 
Engineer, Atlanta ACO Branch, FAA, 1701 Columbia Avenue, College Park, 
Georgia 30337; phone: (404) 474-5547; fax: (404) 474-5605; email: 
[email protected].

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-2018-0689; 
Product Identifier 2018-CE-016-AD'' at the beginning of your comments. 
We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, economic, 
environmental, and energy aspects of this NPRM. We will consider all 
comments received by the closing date and may amend this NPRM 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 NPRM.

Discussion

    We received reports of disbonding and accompanying surface cracking 
of the composite aft pressure bulkhead on Gulfstream Model G-IV 
airplanes. Gulfstream Model GIV-X airplanes have the same type design. 
During scheduled maintenance, areas with disbonding and accompanying 
surface cracks were found. Operational pressure loads by-passing the 
disbonded facesheet caused wrinkling or compression failure and led to 
the surface cracking. This condition, if not addressed, could result in 
structural failure of the bulkhead and loss of cabin pressure.
    Airplanes maintained under Gulfstream's Maintenance Steering Group 
(MSG-3) maintenance program do not have a scheduled tap test inspection 
of the aft pressure bulkhead. Model G-IV airplanes with a serial number 
(S/N) 1400 through 1535, and Model GIV-X airplanes with a S/N 4001 
through 4004 adopted the MSG-3 maintenance program in production. 
Airplanes produced earlier may change to the MSG-3 program by following 
the instructions in Aircraft Service Change (ASC) No. 416A, dated 
September 29, 2000.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    We reviewed Gulfstream G300 Customer Bulletin Number 243; 
Gulfstream G350 Customer Bulletin Number 198; Gulfstream G400 Customer 
Bulletin Number 243; Gulfstream G450 Customer Bulletin Number 198; and 
Gulfstream IV Customer Bulletin Number 243; all dated January 25, 2018. 
For the applicable airplanes, the service information describes 
procedures for inspecting the composite panels of the forward and aft 
pressure bulkhead for damage and repairing any damage found. 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.

Other Related Service Information

    We also reviewed ASC No. 416A, dated September 29, 2000, which 
contains instructions for changing the maintenance program for Model G-
IV airplanes from the airplane's existing program to the MSG-3 
maintenance program.

[[Page 35569]]

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 709 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........................  18 work-hours x $85    Not applicable.......          $1,530      $1,084,770
                                     per hour = $1,530.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The extent of damage found during the proposed inspection may vary 
from airplane to airplane. We have no way of determining the number of 
airplanes that might need repairs or the cost of such repairs for each 
airplane.

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.
    This AD is issued in accordance with authority delegated by the 
Executive Director, Aircraft Certification Service, as authorized by 
FAA Order 8000.51C. In accordance with that order, issuance of ADs is 
normally a function of the Compliance and Airworthiness Division, but 
during this transition period, the Executive Director has delegated the 
authority to issue ADs applicable to small airplanes, gliders, 
balloons, airships, domestic business jet transport airplanes, and 
associated appliances to the Director of the Policy and Innovation 
Division.

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-2018-0689; Product 
Identifier 2018-CE-016-AD.

(a) Comments Due Date

    We must receive comments by September 10, 2018.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to the following Gulfstream Aerospace 
Corporation airplanes, certificated in any category:
    (1) Model G-IV: Serial numbers (S/Ns) 1000 through 1399 that are 
maintained in accordance with the Maintenance Steering Group (MSG-3) 
maintenance program by complying with Aircraft Service Change (ASC) 
416A; and S/Ns 1400 through 1535.
    (2) Model GIV-X: S/Ns 4001 through 4004.

    Note 1 to paragraph (c) of this AD: Model G-IV airplanes are 
also referred to by the marketing designations G300 and G400. Model 
GIV-X airplanes are also referred to by the marketing designations 
G350 and G450.

(d) Subject

    Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC)/Air Transport Association 
(ATA) of America Code 53; fuselage.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by reports of disbonding and surface 
cracking of the composite aft pressure bulkhead. We are issuing this 
AD to detect and address damage of the composite forward and aft 
pressure bulkhead. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could 
result in structural failure of the bulkhead and loss of cabin 
pressure.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Inspection

    Within 12 months after the effective date of this AD, visually 
and tap inspect the forward and aft surfaces of the pressure 
bulkhead composite panels following the Accomplishment Instructions 
of the service information listed in paragraphs (g)(1) through (5) 
of this AD, as applicable to your model airplane.
    (1) Gulfstream G300 Customer Bulletin Number 243, dated January 
25, 2018;
    (2) Gulfstream G350 Customer Bulletin Number 198, dated January 
25, 2018;
    (3) Gulfstream G400 Customer Bulletin Number 243, dated January 
25, 2018;
    (4) Gulfstream G450 Customer Bulletin Number 198, dated January 
25, 2018;
    (5) Gulfstream IV Customer Bulletin Number 243, dated January 
25, 2018.

[[Page 35570]]

(h) Repairs

    If any damage is found during the inspections required by this 
AD, before further flight, replace or repair the pressure bulkhead 
composite panels in accordance with FAA-approved procedures.

(i) Special Flight Permit

    A special flight permit may be issued per 14 CFR 21.197 and 
21.199 to operate the airplane to a facility to perform the 
inspection required by paragraph (g) of this AD. If damage is found 
during the inspection required by paragraph (g) of this AD, a 
special flight permit may be issued per 14 CFR 21.197 and 21.199 to 
operate the airplane to a location for repair, provided the aircraft 
is unpressurized.

(j) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (1) The Manager, Atlanta ACO 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 
manager of the certification office, send it to the attention of the 
person identified in paragraph (k)(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) For service information that contains steps that are labeled 
as Required for Compliance (RC), the provisions of paragraphs 
(j)(3)(i) and (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.

(k) Related Information

    (1) For more information about this AD, contact William O. 
Herderich, Aerospace Engineer, Atlanta ACO Branch, FAA, 1701 
Columbia Avenue, College Park, Georgia 30337; phone: (404) 474-5547; 
fax: (404) 474-5605; email: [email protected].
    (2) For service information identified in this AD, contact 
Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation, P.O. Box 2206, Savannah, Georgia 
31402-2206; telephone: (800) 810-4853; fax 912-965-3520; email: 
[email protected]stream.com; internet: http://www.gulfstream.com/product_support/technical_pubs/pubs/index.htm. You may view this 
service information at the FAA, Policy and Innovation Division, 901 
Locust, Kansas City, Missouri 64106. For information on the 
availability of this material at the FAA, call (816) 329-4148.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on July 20, 2018.
Pat Mullen,
Aircraft Certification Service, Acting Deputy Director, Policy & 
Innovation Division, AIR-601.
[FR Doc. 2018-15964 Filed 7-26-18; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P