Document ID: FAA-2014-0651-0001
Agency: faa
Document Type: Proposed Rule
Title: Airworthiness Directives: Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation Airplanes
Posted Date: 2014-10-01T04:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 190 (Wednesday, October 1, 2014)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 59162-59166]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-23374]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2014-0651; Directorate Identifier 2014-NM-043-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 supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2013-22-
19, which applies to all Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation Model GV and 
GV-SP airplanes. AD 2013-22-19 currently requires inspecting to 
determine if fuel boost pumps having a certain part number are 
installed,

[[Page 59163]]

replacing the fuel boost pumps having a certain part number, and 
revising the airplane maintenance program to include revised 
instructions for continued airworthiness. Since we issued AD 2013-22-
19, we have determined that the maintenance or inspection program, as 
applicable, must be revised to include new service information. This 
proposed AD would continue to require revising the airplane maintenance 
program to include a fuel leak check of the fuel boost pumps, using new 
service information. We are proposing this AD to prevent fuel leakage 
in combination with a capacitor clearance issue, which could result in 
an uncontrolled fire in the wheel well.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by November 17, 
2014.

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 Gulfstream, Triumph Aerostructures, and General Electric (GE) 
Aviation service information identified in this proposed 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/
productsupport/technicalpubs/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-2014-
0651; 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: Darby Mirocha, Continued Operational 
Safety and Certificate Management, 102A, FAA, Atlanta Aircraft 
Certification Office, 1701 Columbia Avenue, College Park, GA 30337; 
phone: 404-474-5573; fax: 404-474-5606; email: darby.mirocha@faa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

    We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or 
arguments about this proposed AD. Send your comments to an address 
listed under the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2014-0651; 
Directorate Identifier 2014-NM-043-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

    On October 25, 2013, we issued AD 2013-22-19, Amendment 39-17651 
(78 FR 72554, December 3, 2013), for all Gulfstream Aerospace 
Corporation Model GV and GV-SP airplanes. AD 2013-22-19 requires 
inspecting to determine if fuel boost pumps having a certain part 
number are installed, replacing the fuel boost pumps having a certain 
part number, and revising the airplane maintenance program to include 
revised instructions for continued airworthiness. AD 2013-22-19 
resulted from reports of two independent types of failure of the fuel 
boost pump with overheat damage found on the internal components and 
external housing on one of the failure types, and fuel leakage on the 
other. We issued AD 2013-22-19 to prevent fuel leakage in combination 
with a capacitor clearance issue, which could result in an uncontrolled 
fire in the wheel well.

Actions Since AD 2013-22-19, Amendment 39-17651 (78 FR 72554, December 
3, 2013), Was Issued

    Since we issued AD 2013-22-19, Amendment 39-17651 (78 FR 72554, 
December 3, 2013), we have determined that the maintenance or 
inspection program, as applicable, must be revised to include new 
service information. We became aware that the service information 
specified in paragraph (i) of AD 2013-22-19 cannot be used by operators 
and does not appropriately address the unsafe condition.

Relevant Service Information

    We have reviewed the following Gulfstream Customer Bulletins, which 
describe procedures for inspecting and replacing the fuel boost pumps:
     Gulfstream V Customer Bulletin 197, dated April 11, 2012 
(for Model GV airplanes);
     Gulfstream G500 Customer Bulletin 122, dated April 11, 
2012 (for Model GV-SP airplanes designated as G500); and
     Gulfstream G550 Customer Bulletin 122, dated April 11, 
2012 (for Model GV-SP airplanes designated as G500 or G550).
    We also reviewed the following service information, which describes 
procedures for revising the airplane maintenance or inspection program, 
as applicable, to include a fuel leak check of the fuel boost pumps, 
and the inspection intervals:
     Table 18, ``500 Flight Hours Scheduled Inspection Table,'' 
in section 05-20-00, of chapter 5, Time Limits/Maintenance Checks, of 
the Gulfstream V Maintenance Manual, Revision 23, dated June 20, 2013;
     Task 28-26-01, Fuel Boost Pumps--Fuel Leak Check, of 
chapter 28, Fuel, of the Gulfstream V Maintenance Manual, Revision 23, 
dated June 20, 2013;
     Table 20, ``500 Flight Hours Scheduled Inspection Table,'' 
in section 05-20-00, of chapter 5, Time Limits/Maintenance Checks, of 
the Gulfstream G500 Maintenance Manual, Revision 23, dated June 20, 
2013;
     Task 28-26-01, Fuel Boost Pumps--Fuel Leak Check, of 
section 26, Fuel Boost Pumps, of chapter 28, Fuel, of the Gulfstream 
G500 Maintenance Manual, Revision 23, dated June 20, 2013;
     Table 20, ``500 Flight Hours Scheduled Inspection Table,'' 
in section 05-20-00, of chapter 5, Time Limits/Maintenance Checks, of 
the Gulfstream G550 Maintenance Manual, Revision 23, dated June 20, 
2013; and
     Task 28-26-01, Fuel Boost Pumps--Fuel Leak Check, of 
section 26,

[[Page 59164]]

Fuel Boost Pumps, of chapter 28, Fuel, of the Gulfstream G550 
Maintenance Manual, Revision 23, dated June 20, 2013.

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 retain all requirements of AD 2013-22-19, 
Amendment 39-17651 (78 FR 72554, December 3, 2013). This proposed AD 
also includes new service information for Model GV-SP airplanes 
designated as Model G500 for the actions required by paragraphs (g) and 
(h) of this proposed AD.

Explanation of ``RC'' Steps in Service Information

    The FAA worked in conjunction with industry, under the 
Airworthiness Directives Implementation Aviation Rulemaking Committee, 
to enhance the AD system. One enhancement was a new process for 
annotating which steps in the service information are required for 
compliance with an AD. Differentiating these steps from other tasks in 
the service information is expected to improve an owner's/operator's 
understanding of crucial AD requirements and help provide consistent 
judgment in AD compliance. The actions specified in the service 
information described previously include steps that are labeled as RC 
(required for compliance) because these steps have a direct effect on 
detecting, preventing, resolving, or eliminating an identified unsafe 
condition. As noted in the specified service information, steps labeled 
as RC must be done to comply with the proposed AD. However, steps that 
are not labeled as RC are recommended. Those steps that are not labeled 
as RC may be deviated from, done as part of other actions, or done 
using accepted methods different from those identified in the service 
information without obtaining approval of an alternative method of 
compliance (AMOC), provided the steps labeled as RC can be done and the 
airplane can be put back in a serviceable condition. Any substitutions 
or changes to steps labeled as RC will require approval of an AMOC.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD affects 357 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 to determine if a certain    1 work-hour x $85 per                 $0             $85         $30,345
 part number is installed [retained      hour = $85.
 actions from AD 2013-22-19, Amendment
 39-17651 (78 FR 72554, December 3,
 2013)].
Maintenance program revision [retained  1 work-hour x $85 per                  0              85          30,345
 actions from AD 2013-22-19, Amendment   hour = $85.
 39-17651 (78 FR 72554, December 3,
 2013)].
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    We estimate the following costs to do any necessary replacements 
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:

                                                On-Condition Cost
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                     Cost per
                    Action                                Labor cost               Parts cost        product
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Replacement..................................  24 work-hours x $85 per hour =           $7,600           $9,640
                                                $2,040.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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 have 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 that the 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:

[[Page 59165]]

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 removing Airworthiness Directive (AD) 
2013-22-19, Amendment 39-17651 (78 FR 72554, December 3, 2013), and 
adding the following new AD:

Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation: Docket No. FAA-2014-0651; 
Directorate Identifier 2014-NM-043-AD.

(a) Comments Due Date

    The FAA must receive comments on this AD action by November 17, 
2014.

(b) Affected ADs

    This AD replaces AD 2013-22-19, Amendment 39-17651 (78 FR 72554, 
December 3, 2013).

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to all Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation Model GV 
and GV-SP airplanes, certificated in any category.

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 28, Fuel.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by reports of two independent types of 
failure of the fuel boost pump with overheat damage found on the 
internal components and external housing on one of the failure 
types, and fuel leakage on the other. We are issuing this AD to 
prevent fuel leakage in combination with a capacitor clearance 
issue, which could result in an uncontrolled fire in the wheel well.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Retained Inspection To Determine the Part Number With Revised 
Service Information

    This paragraph restates the actions required by paragraph (g) of 
AD 2013-22-19, Amendment 39-17651 (78 FR 72554, December 3, 2013), 
with revised service information. Within 36 months after January 7, 
2014 (the effective date of AD 2013-22-19), inspect the fuel boost 
pumps to determine whether Gulfstream part number (P/N) 1159SCP500-5 
is installed, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of 
the applicable service information identified in paragraphs (g)(1), 
(g)(2), and (g)(3) of this AD; including Triumph Aerostructures 
Service Bulletin SB-TAGV/GVSP-28-JG0162, dated August 30, 2011; and 
GE Service Bulletin 31760-28-100, dated February 15, 2011. A review 
of airplane maintenance records is acceptable in lieu of this 
inspection if the part number of the fuel boost pumps can be 
conclusively determined from that review.
    (1) For Model GV airplanes: Gulfstream V Customer Bulletin 197, 
dated April 11, 2012.
    (2) For Model GV-SP airplanes designated as G500: Gulfstream 
G500 Customer Bulletin 122, dated April 11, 2012; or Gulfstream G550 
Customer Bulletin 122, dated April 11, 2012.
    (3) For Model GV-SP airplanes designated as G550: Gulfstream 
G550 Customer Bulletin 122, dated April 11, 2012.

(h) Retained Replacement With Revised Service Information

    This paragraph restates the actions required by paragraph (h) of 
AD 2013-22-19, Amendment 39-17651 (78 FR 72554, December 3, 2013), 
with revised service information. If the inspection required by 
paragraph (g) of this AD reveals a fuel boost pump with Gulfstream 
P/N 1159SCP500-5: Within 36 months after January 7, 2014 (the 
effective date of AD 2013-22-19), replace the fuel boost pump with a 
serviceable pump having Gulfstream P/N 1159SCP500-7, in accordance 
with the applicable service information identified in paragraphs 
(h)(1), (h)(2), and (h)(3) of this AD; including Triumph 
Aerostructures Service Bulletin SB-TAGV/GVSP-28-JG0162, dated August 
30, 2011; and GE Service Bulletin 31760-28-100, dated February 15, 
2011.
    (1) For Model GV airplanes: Gulfstream V Customer Bulletin 197, 
dated April 11, 2012.
    (2) For Model GV-SP airplanes designated as G500: Gulfstream 
G500 Customer Bulletin 122, dated April 11, 2012; or Gulfstream G550 
Customer Bulletin 122, dated April 11, 2012.
    (3) For Model GV-SP airplanes designated as G550: Gulfstream 
G550 Customer Bulletin 122, dated April 11, 2012.

(i) New Revision of the Maintenance or Inspection Program

    Within 500 flight hours after the effective date of this AD, 
revise the airplane maintenance or inspection program, as 
applicable, to include the fuel leak check inspection of the fuel 
boost pumps specified in the applicable task identified in paragraph 
(j) of this AD.
    (1) For airplanes on which fuel boost pump Gulfstream P/N 
1159SCP500-5 has been replaced in accordance with paragraph (h) of 
this AD: The initial compliance time for the leak check inspection 
specified in the applicable task identified in paragraph (j) of this 
AD, is within 500 flight hours after doing the replacement specified 
in paragraph (h) of this AD.
    (2) For airplanes on which the inspection required by paragraph 
(g) of this AD reveals that a fuel boost pump with Gulfstream P/N 
1159SCP500-7 has been installed: After revising the airplane 
maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, as required by 
paragraph (i) of this AD, the initial compliance time for the leak 
check inspection specified in the applicable task identified in 
paragraph (j) of this AD, is within 500 flight hours after doing the 
inspection required by paragraph (g) of this AD.

(j) Service Information for Maintenance Program Revision

    Use the applicable service information specified in paragraph 
(j)(1), (j)(2), or (j)(3) of this AD to revise the airplane 
maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, as required by 
paragraph (i) of this AD.
    (1) For Model GV airplanes: Use table 18, ``500 Flight Hours 
Scheduled Inspection Table,'' in section 05-20-00, of chapter 5, 
Time Limits/Maintenance Checks; and task 28-26-01, Fuel Boost 
Pumps--Fuel Leak Check, of chapter 28, Fuel; of the Gulfstream V 
Maintenance Manual, Revision 42, dated June 20, 2013.
    (2) For Model GV-SP airplanes designated as G500: Use task 28-
26-01, Fuel Boost Pumps--Fuel Leak Checks, in table 20, ``500 Flight 
Hours Scheduled Inspection Table,'' in section 05-20-00, of chapter 
5, Time Limits/Maintenance Checks; and task 28-26-01, Fuel Boost 
Pumps--Fuel Leak Check, of section 26, Fuel Boost Pumps, of chapter 
28, Fuel; of the Gulfstream G500 Maintenance Manual, Revision 23, 
dated June 20, 2013.
    (3) For Model GV-SP airplanes designated as G550: Use task 28-
26-01, Fuel Boost Pumps--Fuel Leak Check, in table 20, ``500 Flight 
Hours Scheduled Inspection Table,'' in section 05-20-00, of chapter 
5, Time Limits/Maintenance Checks; and task 28-26-01, Fuel Boost 
Pumps--Fuel Leak Check, of section 26, Fuel Boost Pumps, of chapter 
28, Fuel; of the Gulfstream G550 Maintenance Manual, Revision 23, 
dated June 20, 2013.

(k) No Alternative Actions or Intervals

    After accomplishing the revision required by paragraph (i) of 
this AD, no alternative actions (e.g., inspections) or intervals may 
be used unless the actions or intervals are approved as an 
alternative method of compliance in accordance with the procedures 
specified in paragraph (m) of this AD.

(l) Parts Installation Prohibition

    As of January 7, 2014 (the effective date of AD 2013-22-19, 
Amendment 39-17651 (78 FR 72554, December 3, 2013)), no person may 
install a fuel boost pump having Gulfstream P/N 1159SCP500-5 on any 
airplane.

(m) 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 (n)(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) AMOCs approved for AD 2013-22-19, Amendment 39-17651 (78 FR 
72554, December 3, 2013), are approved as AMOCs for the 
corresponding provisions of this AD.

[[Page 59166]]

    (4) If the service information contains steps that are labeled 
as RC (Required for Compliance), those steps must be done to comply 
with this AD; any steps that are not labeled as RC are recommended. 
Those steps that are not labeled as RC may be deviated from, done as 
part of other actions, or done using accepted methods different from 
those identified in the specified service information without 
obtaining approval of an AMOC, provided the steps labeled as RC can 
be done and the airplane can be put back in a serviceable condition. 
Any substitutions or changes to steps labeled as RC require approval 
of an AMOC.

(n) Related Information

    (1) For more information about this AD, contact Darby Mirocha, 
Continued Operational Safety and Certificate Management, 102A, FAA, 
Atlanta Aircraft Certification Office, 1701 Columbia Avenue, College 
Park, GA 30337; phone: 404-474-5573; fax: 404-474-5606; email: 
darby.mirocha@faa.gov.
    (2) For Gulfstream, Triumph Aerostructures, and General Electric 
(GE) Aviation 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/productsupport/technicalpubs/
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 September 20, 2014.
Michael Kaszycki,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2014-23374 Filed 9-30-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P