Document ID: FAA-2020-0898-0001
Agency: faa
Document Type: Rule
Title: Airworthiness Directives: Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation Airplanes
Posted Date: 2020-11-09T05:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 217 (Monday, November 9, 2020)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 71232-71235]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-24808]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2020-0898; Project Identifier AD-2020-01284-T; 
Amendment 39-21320; AD 2020-23-04]
RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation 
Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for 
certain Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation (Gulfstream) Model GVII-G500 
and Model GVII-G600 airplanes. This AD requires revising your existing 
airplane flight manual (AFM) and airplane maintenance manual (AMM) to 
include information pertaining to the fuel boost pump. This AD was 
prompted by a report of misassembled impellers onto the shaft of the 
fuel boost pump during production. The FAA is issuing this AD to 
address the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective November 24, 2020.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of certain publications listed in this AD as of November 24, 
2020.
    The FAA must receive comments on this AD by December 24, 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-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590.
     Hand Delivery: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket 
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., 
Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
    For service information identified in this final rule, contact 
Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation, Technical Publications Dept., P.O. 
Box 2206, Savannah, GA 31402; phone: (800) 810-4853; email: 
pubs@gulfstream.com; website: https://www.gulfstream.com/en/customer-support/. You may view this service information at the FAA, 
Airworthiness Products Section, Operational Safety Branch, 901 Locust, 
Kansas City, Missouri 64106. For information on the availability of 
this material at the FAA, call (816) 329-4148. It is also available on 
the internet at https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and 
locating Docket No. FAA-2020-0898.

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-
0898; 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 final rule, 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: Jared Meyer, Aerospace Engineer, 
Atlanta ACO Branch, FAA, 1701 Columbia Avenue, College Park, Georgia 
30337; phone: (404) 474-5534; fax: (404) 474-5605; email: 
jared.meyer@faa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

    The FAA was notified by Gulfstream of the possibility of 
misassembled impellers onto the shaft of fuel boost pumps used in the 
production of GVII-G500 and GVII-G600 airplanes. The supplier of fuel 
boost pumps discovered two misassembled fuel boost pumps on two 
different make/models of non-Gulfstream aircraft. The Gulfstream GVII-
G500 and GVII-G600 fuel boost pumps are very similar in design and are 
manufactured in the same facility using the same manufacturing 
processes, so the same condition could exist on the Gulfstream fuel 
boost pumps.
    A misassembled fuel boost pump could result in a woodruff key 
becoming dislodged and causing friction between static and rotating 
components internal to the fuel boost pump. This friction could 
generate heat or sparks inside the fuel tank, which, if the pump were 
to run dry, could result in a fuel tank fire or fuel tank explosion.
    The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could result in a potential 
source of ignition in the fuel tank and may lead to fire or explosion.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    The FAA reviewed the following AFM supplements, which contain new 
warnings about operating the boost pumps with empty fuel tanks for the 
Abnormal Procedures and Emergency Procedures sections of the AFM. These 
documents are distinct because they pertain to different airplane 
models:
     Gulfstream Aerospace GVII-G500 Airplane Flight Manual 
Supplement No. GVII-G500 (Issue 1)-2020-05, dated September 8, 2020;
     Gulfstream Aerospace GVII-G500 Airplane Flight Manual 
Supplement No. GVII-G500-2020-06, dated September 8, 2020; and
     Gulfstream Corporation GVII-G600 Airplane Flight Manual 
Supplement No. GVII-G600-2020-06 dated September 8, 2020.
    The FAA also reviewed the following AMM documents, which contain 
revised maintenance procedures pertaining to the fuel boost pump. These 
documents are distinct since they apply to different airplane models. 
Although the documents have the watermarked words ``advance copy'' on 
each page of the document, these are not advance draft copies but final 
versions of temporary revisions to the AMM, pending incorporation into 
the AMM at the next revision.
     GVII-G500 Maintenance Manual 12-13-01 Defueling 
Procedure--Defuel, dated August 31, 2020;
     GVII-G500 Maintenance Manual 28-26-04 Fuel Boost Pump--
Prime, dated August 31, 2020;
     GVII-G600 Maintenance Manual 12-13-01 Defueling 
Procedure--Defuel, dated August 31, 2020;
     GVII-G600 Maintenance Manual 28-26-04 Fuel Boost Pump--
Prime, dated August 31, 2020;
     GVII-G600 Maintenance Manual 28-26-04 Fuel Boost Pump--
Removal/Installation, dated August 31, 2020; and
     GVII-G600 Maintenance Manual 28-26-05 Fuel Boost Pump 
Canister--Removal/Installation, dated August 31, 2020.

[[Page 71233]]

    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

    The FAA is issuing this AD because it evaluated all the relevant 
information and determined the unsafe condition described previously is 
likely to exist or develop in other products of this same type design.

AD Requirements

    This AD requires revising the existing AFM for your airplane by 
adding new warnings to the Abnormal Procedures and Emergency Procedures 
sections. Revising the existing AFM for your airplane is not considered 
a maintenance action and therefore may be performed by the owner/
operator (pilot) holding at least a private pilot certificate. The 
pilot must record compliance in the aircraft maintenance records in 
accordance with 14 CFR 43.9(a)(1) through (4) and 14 CFR 
91.417(a)(2)(v). The record must be maintained as required by 14 CFR 
91.417.
    This AD also requires revising the existing AMM for your airplane 
by replacing maintenance procedures pertaining to the fuel boost pump.

Interim Action

    The FAA considers this AD an interim action. The design approval 
holder is currently working on a modification that will address the 
unsafe condition identified in this AD. Once this modification action 
is developed, FAA-approved, and available, the FAA will consider 
additional rulemaking.

Justification For Immediate Adoption and Determination of the Effective 
Date

    Section 553(b)(3)(B) of the Administrative Procedure Act (APA) (5 
U.S.C. 551 et seq.) authorizes agencies to dispense with notice and 
comment procedures for rules when the agency, for ``good cause,'' finds 
that those procedures are ``impracticable, unnecessary, or contrary to 
the public interest.'' Under this section, an agency, upon finding good 
cause, may issue a final rule without providing notice and seeking 
comment prior to issuance. Further, section 553(d) of the APA 
authorizes agencies to make rules effective in less than thirty days, 
upon a finding of good cause.
    An unsafe condition exists that requires the immediate adoption of 
this AD without providing an opportunity for public comments prior to 
adoption. The FAA has found that the risk to the flying public 
justifies foregoing notice and comment prior to adoption of this rule 
because misassembled fuel boost pump components could generate heat or 
sparks leading to a potential fuel tank explosion. If an operator or 
maintenance personnel were to run fuel boost pump dry, it could result 
in fuel tank fire or explosion. The FAA determined that the actions 
necessary to correct this condition must be accomplished within 14 
days. Therefore, the FAA finds good cause that notice and opportunity 
for prior public comment are impracticable pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 
553(b)(3)(B).
    In addition, the FAA finds that good cause exists pursuant to 5 
U.S.C. 553(d) for making this amendment effective in less than 30 days, 
for the same reasons the FAA found good cause to forgo notice and 
comment.

Comments Invited

    This AD is a final rule that involves requirements affecting flight 
safety and was not preceded by notice and an opportunity for public 
comment. The FAA invites you to send any written relevant data, views, 
or arguments about this final rule. Send your comments to an address 
listed under ADDRESSES. Include Docket No. FAA-2020-0898 and Project 
Identifier AD-2020-01284-T at the beginning of your comments. The most 
helpful comments reference a specific portion of the final rule, 
explain the reason for any recommended change, and include supporting 
data. The FAA will consider all comments received by the closing date 
and may amend this final rule because of those comments.
    Except for Confidential Business Information (CBI) as described in 
the following paragraph, and other information as described in 14 CFR 
11.35, the FAA will post all comments received, without change, to 
https://www.regulations.gov, including any personal information you 
provide. The agency will also post a report summarizing each 
substantive verbal contact received about this final rule.

Confidential Business Information

    CBI is commercial or financial information that is both customarily 
and actually treated as private by its owner. Under the Freedom of 
Information Act (FOIA) (5 U.S.C. 552), CBI is exempt from public 
disclosure. If your comments responsive to this AD contain commercial 
or financial information that is customarily treated as private, that 
you actually treat as private, and that is relevant or responsive to 
this AD, it is important that you clearly designate the submitted 
comments as CBI. Please mark each page of your submission containing 
CBI as ``PROPIN.'' The FAA will treat such marked submissions as 
confidential under the FOIA, and they will not be placed in the public 
docket of this AD. Submissions containing CBI should be sent to Jared 
Meyer, Aerospace Engineer, Atlanta ACO Branch, FAA, 107 Charles W. 
Grant Pkwy, Atlanta, GA 30354. Any commentary that the FAA receives 
which is not specifically designated as CBI will be placed in the 
public docket for this rulemaking.

Costs of Compliance

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

                                                 Estimated Costs
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                                                                                     Cost per      Cost on U.S.
              Action                      Labor cost              Parts cost          product        operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Revise the AMM...................  1 work-hour x $85 per     Not applicable.....             $85          $6,800
                                    hour = $85.
Revise the AFM...................  1 work-hour x $85 per     Not applicable.....              85           6,800
                                    hour = $85.
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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

[[Page 71234]]

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 Flexibility Act

    The requirements of the Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA) do not 
apply when an agency finds good cause pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553 to adopt 
a rule without prior notice and comment. Because the FAA has determined 
that it has good cause to adopt this rule without notice and comment, 
RFA analysis is not required.

Regulatory Findings

    This AD will not have federalism implications under Executive Order 
13132. This AD will 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 this AD:
    (1) Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive 
Order 12866, and
    (2) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by 
reference, Safety.

Adoption of the Amendment

    Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the FAA amends 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:

2020-23-04 Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation: Amendment 39-21320; 
Docket No. FAA-2020-0898; Project Identifier AD-2020-01284-T.

(a) Effective Date

    This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective November 24, 
2020.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation Model GVII-
G500 airplanes, serial numbers 72001 through 72064, and Model GVII-
G600 airplanes, serial numbers 73001 through 73043, certificated in 
any category.

(d) Subject

    Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC)/Air Transport Association 
(ATA) of America Code 2822, Fuel Boost Pump.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by a report of misassembled impellers onto 
the shaft of the fuel boost pump during production. The FAA is 
issuing this AD to prevent the ignition of flammable vapors in the 
fuel tank as a result of frictional heating or sparks caused by a 
dislodged woodruff key inside the fuel boost pump. This unsafe 
condition, if not addressed, could result in a potential source of 
ignition in the fuel tank and consequent fire or explosion.

(f) Compliance

    You must comply with this AD within 14 days after the effective 
date of this AD, unless already done.

(g) Required Actions

    (1) Revise your existing airplane maintenance manual (AMM) by 
replacing the procedures listed in paragraphs (g)(1)(i) through (vi) 
of this AD, as applicable for your model airplane.
    (i) GVII-G500 Maintenance Manual 12-13-01 Defueling Procedure--
Defuel, dated August 31, 2020;
    (ii) GVII-G500 Maintenance Manual 28-26-04 Fuel Boost Pump--
Prime, dated August 31, 2020;
    (iii) GVII-G600 Maintenance Manual 12-13-01 Defueling 
Procedure--Defuel, dated August 31, 2020;
    (iv) GVII-G600 Maintenance Manual 28-26-04 Fuel Boost Pump--
Prime, dated August 31, 2020;
    (v) GVII-G600 Maintenance Manual 28-26-04 Fuel Boost Pump--
Removal/Installation, dated August 31, 2020; and
    (vi) GVII-G600 Maintenance Manual 28-26-05 Fuel Boost Pump 
Canister--Removal/Installation, dated August 31, 2020.
    (2) Revise your existing airplane flight manual (AFM) by 
including in the AFM the airplane flight manual supplement (AFMS) 
listed in paragraph (g)(2)(i), (ii) or (iii) of this AD that is 
applicable to your model airplane. Using a later AFM revision with 
information identical to that contained in the AFMS specified for 
your airplane is acceptable for compliance with the requirement of 
this paragraph.
    (i) Gulfstream Aerospace GVII-G500 Airplane Flight Manual 
Supplement No. GVII-G500 (Issue 1)-2020-05, dated September 8, 2020;
    (ii) Gulfstream Aerospace GVII-G500 Airplane Flight Manual 
Supplement No. GVII-G500-2020-06, dated September 8, 2020; or
    (iii) Gulfstream Aerospace GVII-G600 Airplane Flight Manual 
Supplement No. GVII-G600-2020-06, dated September 8, 2020.
    (3) The action required by paragraph (g)(2) of this AD may be 
performed by the owner/operator (pilot) holding at least a private 
pilot certificate and must be entered into the aircraft records 
showing compliance with this AD in accordance with 14 CFR 43.9(a)(1) 
through (4), and 14 CFR 91.417(a)(2)(v). The record must be 
maintained as required by 14 CFR 91.417, 121.380, or 135.439.

(h) 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 (i) 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.

(i) Related Information

    For more information about this AD, contact Jared Meyer, 
Aerospace Engineer, Atlanta ACO Branch, FAA, 1701 Columbia Avenue, 
College Park, Georgia 30337; phone: (404) 474-5534; fax: (404) 474-
5605; email: jared.meyer@faa.gov.

(j) Material Incorporated by Reference

    (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the 
incorporation by reference of the service information listed in this 
paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
    (2) You must use this service information as applicable to do 
the actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise.
    (i) Gulfstream Aerospace GVII-G500 Airplane Flight Manual 
Supplement No. GVII-G500 (Issue 1)-2020-05, dated September 8, 2020.
    (ii) Gulfstream Aerospace GVII-G500 Airplane Flight Manual 
Supplement No. GVII-G500-2020-06, dated September 8, 2020.
    (iii) Gulfstream Aerospace GVII-G600 Airplane Flight Manual 
Supplement No. GVII-G600-2020-06, dated September 8, 2020.
    (iv) GVII-G500 Maintenance Manual 12-13-01 Defueling Procedure--
Defuel, dated August 31, 2020.

    Note 1 to paragraph (j)(2)(iv): Although the documents in 
paragraphs (j)(2)(iv) through (ix) have the watermarked words 
``advance copy'' on each page of the document, these are not advance 
draft copies but final versions of temporary revisions to the AMM, 
pending incorporation into the AMM at the next revision.

    (v) GVII-G500 Maintenance Manual 28-26-04 Fuel Boost Pump--
Prime, dated August 31, 2020.
    (vi) GVII-G600 Maintenance Manual 12-13-01 Defueling Procedure--
Defuel, dated August 31, 2020.

[[Page 71235]]

    (vii) GVII-G600 Maintenance Manual 28-26-04 Fuel Boost Pump--
Prime, dated August 31, 2020.
    (viii) GVII-G600 Maintenance Manual 28-26-04 Fuel Boost Pump--
Removal/Installation dated August 31, 2020.
    (ix) GVII-G600 Maintenance Manual 28-26-05 Fuel Boost Pump 
Canister--Removal/Installation, dated August 31, 2020.
    (3) For Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation service information 
identified in this AD, contact Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation, 
Technical Publications Dept., P.O. Box 2206, Savannah, GA 31402; 
phone: (800) 810-4853; email: pubs@gulfstream.com; website: https://www.gulfstream.com/en/customer-support/.
    (4) You may view this service information at the FAA, 
Airworthiness Products Section, Operational Safety Branch, 901 
Locust, Kansas City, Missouri 64106. For information on the 
availability of this material at the FAA, call (816) 329-4148.
    (5) You may view this service information that is incorporated 
by reference at the National Archives and Records Administration 
(NARA). For information on the availability of this material at NARA 
go to: https://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.

    Issued on October 27, 2020.
Gaetano A. Sciortino,
Deputy Director for Strategic Initiatives, Compliance & Airworthiness 
Division, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2020-24808 Filed 11-6-20; 8:45 am]
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