Document ID: FAA-2014-0003-0003
Agency: faa
Document Type: Rule
Title: Airworthiness Directives: Gulfstream Aerospace LP (Type Certificate Previously Held by Israel Aircraft Industries, Ltd.) Airplanes
Posted Date: 2014-09-09T04:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 174 (Tuesday, September 9, 2014)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 53285-53288]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-18311]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2014-0003; Directorate Identifier 2013-NM-103-AD; 
Amendment 39-17922; AD 2014-15-19]
RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; Gulfstream Aerospace LP (Type 
Certificate Previously Held by Israel Aircraft Industries, Ltd.) 
Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of 
Transportation (DOT).

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: We are superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2013-03-23 for 
all Gulfstream Aerospace LP (Type Certificate previously held by Israel 
Aircraft Industries, Ltd.) Model Gulfstream G150 airplanes. AD 2013-03-
23 required revising the airplane flight manual (AFM) to include 
procedures to advise the flightcrew of certain runway slope and anti-
ice corrections and takeoff distance values. This new AD requires 
revising the Performance section of the AFM, which includes the revised 
procedures. This AD was prompted by the issuance of a revision to the 
AFM, which modifies runway slope and anti-ice corrections to both 
V1 and takeoff distance values. We are issuing this AD to 
prevent the use of published, non-conservative data, which could result 
in the inability to meet the required takeoff performance, with a 
consequent hazard to safe operation during performance-limited takeoff 
operations.

DATES: This AD becomes effective October 14, 2014.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of October 14, 
2014.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain other publications listed in this AD as of March 
26, 2013 (78 FR 11567, February 19, 2013).

ADDRESSES: You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=FAA-2014-0003; or in person at the 
Docket Management Facility, U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket 
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC.
    For service information identified in this AD, contact Gulfstream 
Aerospace Corporation, P.O. Box 2206, Mail Station D-25, 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.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tom Stafford, Aerospace Engineer, 
International Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA, 
1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA 98057-3356; telephone 425-227-1622; 
fax 425-227-1149.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

    We issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR 
part 39 to supersede AD 2013-03-23, Amendment 39-17357 (78 FR 11567, 
February 19, 2013). AD 2013-03-23 applied to all Gulfstream Aerospace 
LP (Type Certificate previously held by Israel Aircraft Industries, 
Ltd.) Model Gulfstream G150 airplanes. The NPRM published in the 
Federal Register on January 21, 2014 (79 FR 3339). The NPRM was 
prompted by the issuance of a revision to the AFM, which modifies 
runway slope and anti-ice corrections to both V1 and takeoff 
distance values. The NPRM proposed to continue to require revising the 
AFM to include procedures to advise the flightcrew of certain runway 
slope and anti-ice corrections and takeoff distance values. The NPRM 
also proposed to require revising the Performance section of the AFM, 
which includes the revised procedures. We are issuing this AD to 
prevent the use of published, non-conservative data, which could result 
in the inability to meet the required takeoff performance, with a 
consequent hazard to safe operation during performance-limited takeoff 
operations.
    The Civil Aviation Authority of Israel (CAAI), which is the 
aviation authority for Israel, has issued Israeli Airworthiness 
Directive 01-12-02-02R1, April 23, 2013 (referred to after this as the 
Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information, or ``the MCAI''), to 
correct an unsafe condition for the specified products. The MCAI 
states:

    This [CAAI] AD mandates revised limitations in the G150 AFM, 
pertaining to the Performance Section. Each operator must 
incorporate Rev.17 to the G150 AFM and remove previous AFM TR 3 
dated December 14, 2012.

    You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov/#!documentDetail;D=FAA-2014-0003-0002.

Comments

    We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing 
this AD. We received no comments on the NPRM (79 FR 3339, January 21, 
2014) or on the determination of the cost to the public.

``Contacting the Manufacturer'' Paragraph in This AD

    Since late 2006, we have included a standard paragraph titled 
``Airworthy Product'' in all MCAI ADs in which the FAA develops an AD 
based on a foreign authority's AD.
    The MCAI or referenced service information in an FAA AD often 
directs the owner/operator to contact the manufacturer for corrective 
actions, such as a repair. Briefly, the Airworthy Product paragraph 
allowed owners/operators to use corrective actions provided by the 
manufacturer if those actions were FAA-approved. In addition, the 
paragraph stated that any actions approved by the State of Design 
Authority (or its delegated agent) are considered to be FAA-approved.
    In the NPRM (79 FR 3339, January 21, 2014), we proposed to prevent 
the use of repairs that were not specifically developed to correct the 
unsafe condition, by requiring that the repair approval provided by the 
State of Design Authority or its delegated agent specifically refer to 
this FAA AD. This change was intended to clarify the method of 
compliance and to provide operators with better visibility of repairs 
that are specifically developed and approved to correct the unsafe 
condition. In addition, we proposed to change the phrase ``its 
delegated agent'' to include a design approval holder (DAH) with State 
of Design Authority design organization approval (DOA), as applicable, 
to refer to a DAH authorized to approve required repairs for the 
proposed AD.
    No comments were provided to the NPRM (79 FR 3339, January 21, 
2014) about these proposed changes. However, a comment was provided for 
a similar NPRM, Directorate Identifier 2012-NM-101-AD (78 FR 78285, 
December 26, 2013). The commenter stated the

[[Page 53286]]

following: ``The proposed wording, being specific to repairs, 
eliminates the interpretation that Airbus messages are acceptable for 
approving minor deviations (corrective actions) needed during 
accomplishment of an AD mandated Airbus service bulletin.''
    This comment has made the FAA aware that some operators have 
misunderstood or misinterpreted the Airworthy Product paragraph to 
allow the owner/operator to use messages provided by the manufacturer 
as approval of deviations during the accomplishment of an AD-mandated 
action. The Airworthy Product paragraph does not approve messages or 
other information provided by the manufacturer for deviations to the 
requirements of the AD-mandated actions. The Airworthy Product 
paragraph only addresses the requirement to contact the manufacturer 
for corrective actions for the identified unsafe condition and does not 
cover deviations from other AD requirements. However, deviations to AD-
required actions are addressed in 14 CFR 39.17, and anyone may request 
the approval for an alternative method of compliance to the AD-required 
actions using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19.
    To address this misunderstanding and misinterpretation of the 
Airworthy Product paragraph, we have changed that paragraph and 
retitled it ``Contacting the Manufacturer.'' This paragraph now 
clarifies that for any requirement in this AD to obtain corrective 
actions from a manufacturer, the action must be accomplished using a 
method approved by the FAA, the CAAI, or the CAAI's authorized 
Designee. It also clarifies that if approved by the CAAI Designee, the 
approval must include the Designee's authorized signature. Where 
necessary throughout this AD, we also replaced any reference to 
approvals of corrective actions with a reference to the Contacting the 
Manufacturer paragraph.
    The Contacting the Manufacturer paragraph also clarifies that, if 
approved by the CAAI Designee, the approval must include the Designee's 
authorized signature. The Designee signature indicates that the data 
and information contained in the document are CAAI-approved, which is 
also FAA-approved. Messages and other information provided by the 
manufacturer that do not contain the Designee's authorized signature 
approval are not CAAI-approved, unless the CAAI directly approves the 
manufacturer's message or other information.
    This clarification does not remove flexibility previously afforded 
by the Airworthy Product paragraph. Consistent with long-standing FAA 
policy, such flexibility was never intended for required actions. This 
is also consistent with the recommendation of the Airworthiness 
Directive Implementation Aviation Rulemaking Committee to increase 
flexibility in complying with ADs by identifying those actions in 
manufacturers' service instructions that are ``Required for 
Compliance'' with ADs. We continue to work with manufacturers to 
implement this recommendation. But once we determine that an action is 
required, any deviation from the requirement must be approved as an 
alternative method of compliance.
    Other commenters to the NPRM discussed previously, Directorate 
Identifier 2012-NM-101-AD (78 FR 78285, December 26, 2013), pointed out 
that in many cases the foreign manufacturer's service bulletin and the 
foreign authority's MCAI might have been issued some time before the 
FAA AD. Therefore, the DOA might have provided U.S. operators with an 
approved repair, developed with full awareness of the unsafe condition, 
before the FAA AD is issued. Under these circumstances, to comply with 
the FAA AD, the operator would be required to go back to the 
manufacturer's DOA and obtain a new approval document, adding time and 
expense to the compliance process with no safety benefit.
    Based on these comments, we removed the requirement that the DAH-
provided repair specifically refer to this AD. Before adopting such a 
requirement, the FAA will coordinate with affected DAHs and verify they 
are prepared to implement means to ensure that their repair approvals 
consider the unsafe condition addressed in this AD. Any such 
requirements will be adopted through the normal AD rulemaking process, 
including notice-and-comment procedures, when appropriate. We also have 
decided not to include a generic reference to either the ``delegated 
agent'' or ``DAH with State of Design Authority design organization 
approval,'' but instead we have provided the specific delegation 
approval granted by the State of Design Authority for the DAH in the 
Contacting the Manufacturer paragraph of this AD.

Conclusion

    We reviewed the relevant data and determined that air safety and 
the public interest require adopting this AD with the changes described 
previously and minor editorial changes. We have determined that these 
minor changes:
     Are consistent with the intent that was proposed in the 
NPRM (79 FR 3339, January 21, 2014) for correcting the unsafe 
condition; and
     Do not add any additional burden upon the public than was 
already proposed in the NPRM (79 FR 3339, January 21, 2014).

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD affects 67 airplanes of U.S. registry.
    We estimate that it will take about 1 work-hour per product to 
comply with the new basic requirements of this AD. The average labor 
rate is $85 per work-hour. Required parts will cost about $0 per 
product. Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of this AD on 
U.S. operators to be $5,695, or $85 per product.

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 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;
    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

[[Page 53287]]

under the criteria of the Regulatory Flexibility Act.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=FAA-2014-0003; 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 AD, the 
regulatory evaluation, any comments received, and other information. 
The street address for the Docket Operations office (telephone 800-647-
5527) is in the ADDRESSES section.

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 removing Airworthiness Directive (AD) 
2013-03-23, Amendment 39-17357 (78 FR 11567, February 19, 2013), and 
adding the following new AD:

2014-15-19 Gulfstream Aerospace LP (Type Certificate Previously Held 
by Israel Aircraft Industries, Ltd.): Amendment 39-17922. Docket No. 
FAA-2014-0003; Directorate Identifier 2013-NM-103-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective October 14, 
2014.

(b) Affected ADs

    This AD replaces AD 2013-03-23, Amendment 39-17357 (78 FR 11567, 
February 19, 2013).

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Gulfstream Aerospace LP (Type Certificate 
previously held by Israel Aircraft Industries, Ltd.) Model 
Gulfstream G150 airplanes, certificated in any category, all serial 
numbers.

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 01, Operations 
information.

(e) Reason

    This AD was prompted by the issuance of a revision to the 
airplane flight manual (AFM), which modifies runway slope and anti-
ice corrections to both V1 and takeoff distance values. 
We are issuing this AD to prevent the use of published, non-
conservative data, which could result in the inability to meet the 
required takeoff performance, with a consequent hazard to safe 
operation during performance-limited takeoff operations.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Retained AFM Revision

    This paragraph restates the actions required by paragraph (g) of 
AD 2013-03-23, Amendment 39-17357 (78 FR 11567, February 19, 2013). 
Within 60 days after March 26, 2013 (the effective date of AD 2013-
03-23), revise Section V, Performance, of the Gulfstream G150 AFM to 
include the information in Gulfstream G150 Temporary Revision (TR) 
3, dated December 14, 2011. This TR introduces corrections for 
runway slope. Operate the airplane according to the procedures in 
this TR.

    Note 1 to paragraph (g) of this AD: The AFM revision required by 
paragraph (g) of this AD may be done by inserting copies of 
Gulfstream G150 TR 3, dated December 14, 2011, into the AFM. When 
this TR has been included in general revisions of the AFM, the 
general revisions may be inserted in the AFM, provided the relevant 
information in the general revision is identical to that in 
Gulfstream G150 TR 3, dated December 14, 2011, and the TR may be 
removed.

(h) New AFM Revision

    Within 60 days after the effective date of this AD, revise the 
Gulfstream G150 AFM to incorporate the information in Section V, 
Performance, of the Gulfstream G150 AFM G150-1001-1, Revision 17, 
dated April 17, 2013. Revision 17 of this AFM contains revisions of 
runway slope and anti-ice corrections to the V1 and 
takeoff distance values. Before further flight, after accomplishing 
the revision, remove Gulfstream G150 TR 3, dated December 14, 2011, 
or the information contained in Gulfstream G150 TR 3, dated December 
14, 2011, from the AFM. Operate the airplane according to the 
procedures in Section V, Performance, of Gulfstream G150 AFM G150-
1001-1, Revision 17, dated April 17, 2013. Revising the AFM to 
Gulfstream G150 AFM G150-1001-1, Revision 17, dated April 17, 2013, 
terminates the action required by paragraph (g) of this AD.

(i) Other FAA AD Provisions

    The following provisions also apply to this AD:
    (1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager, 
International Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate, 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 Branch, send it to ATTN: Tom Stafford, 
Aerospace Engineer, International Branch, ANM-116, Transport 
Airplane Directorate, FAA, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA 98057-
3356; telephone 425-227-1622; fax 425-227-1149. 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. The 
AMOC approval letter must specifically reference this AD.
    (2) Contacting the Manufacturer: For any requirement in this AD 
to obtain corrective actions from a manufacturer, the action must be 
accomplished using a method approved by the Manager, International 
Branch, ANM-116, Transport Airplane Directorate, FAA; or the Civil 
Aviation Authority of Israel (CAAI); or the CAAI's authorized 
Designee. If approved by the CAAI Designee, the approval must 
include the Designee's authorized signature.

(j) Special Flight Permits

    Special flight permits, as described in Section 21.197 and 
Section 21.199 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 21.197 
and 21.199), are not allowed.

(k) Related Information

    Refer to Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information (MCAI) 
Israel Airworthiness Directive 01-12-02-02-R1, dated April 23, 2013, 
for related information. You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket 
on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov/#!documentDetail;D=FAA-2014-0003-0002.

(l) Material Incorporated by Reference

    (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the 
incorporation by reference (IBR) 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 this AD specifies otherwise.
    (i) Gulfstream G150 AFM G150-1001-1, Revision 17, dated April 
17, 2013.
    (ii) Reserved.
    (3) The following service information was approved for IBR on 
March 26, 2013 (78 FR 11567, February 19, 2013).
    (i) Gulfstream G150 Temporary Revision 3, dated December 14, 
2011, to Section V, Performance, of the Gulfstream G150 AFM.
    (ii) Reserved.
    (4) For service information identified in this AD, contact 
Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation, P.O. Box 2206, Mail Station D-25, 
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.
    (5) You may view this 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.
    (6) You may view this service information that is incorporated 
by reference at the National Archives and Records

[[Page 53288]]

Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of this 
material at NARA, call 202-741-6030, or go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on July 14, 2014.
Michael Kaszycki,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2014-18311 Filed 9-8-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P