Airworthiness Directives; Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 137 (Tuesday, July 17, 2012)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 41891-41895]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-16637]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2012-0677; Directorate Identifier 2012-NM-105-AD; 
Amendment 39-17114; AD 2012-13-12]
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: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain 
Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation Model G-IV, GIV-X, GV, and GV-SP 
airplanes. This AD requires measuring to determine paint thickness on 
the flight control surfaces and corrective actions if necessary, and 
revising the Airplane Flight Manual (AFM). This AD was prompted by 
reports of failure to inspect or document the paint thickness on flight 
controls (ailerons, rudder, elevator), potentially having a negative 
impact on the flutter characteristics of the airplane. We are issuing 
this AD to detect and correct paint thickness on flight controls, which 
could result in loss of control of the airplane due to flutter.

DATES: This AD is effective August 1, 2012.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of certain publications listed in the AD as of August 1, 
2012.
    We must receive comments on this AD by August 31, 2012.

ADDRESSES: You may send comments, using the procedures found in 14 CFR 
11.43 and 11.45, by any of the following methods:
    <bullet> Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
    <bullet> Fax: 202-493-2251.
    <bullet> 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.
    <bullet<ls-thn-eq> 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 AD, contact Gulfstream 
Aerospace Corporation, Technical Publications

[[Page 41892]]

Dept., P.O. Box 2206, Savannah, GA 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 review copies of the 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; 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 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: Michael Cann, Senior Aerospace 
Engineer, Airframe Branch, ACE-117A, FAA, Atlanta Aircraft 
Certification Office, 1701 Columbia Avenue, College Park, GA 30337; 
phone 404-474-5548; fax 404-474-5605; email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

    We received reports of failure to inspect or document the paint 
thickness on flight controls (ailerons, rudder, elevator), potentially 
having a negative impact on the flutter characteristics of the 
airplane. Excessive paint thickness will affect the balance moment of 
the flight control surface. This condition, if not corrected, could 
result in loss of control of the airplane due to flutter.

Relevant Service Information

    We reviewed the following service information, which describes 
procedures for measuring the paint thickness on both sides of each 
flight control surface (ailerons, rudder, and elevator) and corrective 
actions if necessary. The customer bulletins also describe procedures 
for revising the AFM to advise the flightcrew to not exceed a certain 
altitude until corrective actions have been accomplished. Corrective 
actions include removing the flight control surface and rebalancing, 
stripping, repainting with an average thickness less than 5.0 mils, and 
sanding/buffing down to 5.0 mils or less and re-measuring thicknesses 
(not recommended on surfaces with averages exceeding 7.0 mils).
    <bullet> For Model G-IV airplanes: Gulfstream IV Customer Bulletin 
223, including Part I and Part II Service Reply Cards, dated March 23, 
2012, which includes Gulfstream GIV Airplane Flight Manual Supplement 
GIV-2012-01, dated March 13, 2012.
    <bullet> For Model GV airplanes: Gulfstream V Customer Bulletin 
196, including Part I and Part II Service Reply Cards, dated March 23, 
2012, which includes Gulfstream GV Airplane Flight Manual Supplement 
GV-2012-01, dated March 13, 2012.
    <bullet> For Model GIV-X airplanes: Gulfstream G450 Customer 
Bulletin 140, including Part I and Part II Service Reply Cards, dated 
March 23, 2012, which includes Gulfstream G450/G350 Airplane Flight 
Manual Supplement G450-2012-01, dated March 13, 2012.
    <bullet> For Model GV-SP airplanes: Gulfstream G550 Customer 
Bulletin 121, including Part I and Part II Service Reply Cards, dated 
March 23, 2012, which includes Gulfstream G550 Airplane Flight Manual 
Supplement G550-2012-01, dated March 13, 2012; and Gulfstream G550 EASA 
Airplane Flight Manual Supplement EASA-G550-2012-01, dated March 14, 
2012.

FAA's Determination

    We are issuing 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 these same type 
designs.

AD Requirements

    This AD requires accomplishing the actions specified in the service 
information described previously, except as discussed under 
``Differences Between the AD and the Service Information.'' This AD 
also requires sending the measurement and corrective action results to 
Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation.

Differences Between the AD and the Service Information

    The customer bulletins specified in paragraph (g) of this AD 
incorporate the airplane flight manual supplement (AFMS) as an on-
condition action. This AD requires operators to incorporate the AFMS 
within 20 days after the effective date of this AD. We have determined 
that this action is necessary to address the identified unsafe 
condition.
    Although the customer bulletins specified in paragraph (g) of this 
AD specify that operators may contact the manufacturer for disposition 
of certain repair conditions, this AD requires operators to repair 
those conditions in accordance with a method approved by the FAA.

FAA's Justification and Determination of the Effective Date

    An unsafe condition exists that requires the immediate adoption of 
this AD. The FAA has found that the risk to the flying public justifies 
waiving notice and comment prior to adoption of this rule, because we 
received reports of failure to inspect or document the paint thickness 
on flight controls (ailerons, rudder, elevator), potentially having a 
negative impact on the flutter characteristics of the airplane. 
Excessive paint thickness will affect the balance moment of the flight 
control surface. This condition, if not corrected, could result in loss 
of control of the airplane due to flutter. Therefore, we find that 
notice and opportunity for prior public comment are impracticable and 
that good cause exists for making this amendment effective in less than 
30 days.

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. However, we invite you to send any written data, views, or 
arguments about this AD. Send your comments to an address listed under 
the ADDRESSES section. Include the docket number FAA-2012-0677 and 
Directorate Identifier 2012-NM-105-AD at the beginning of your 
comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this AD. We will 
consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend this 
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 AD.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD affects 33 airplanes of U.S. registry.
    We estimate the following costs to comply with this AD:

[[Page 41893]]



                                                 Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                       Cost per    Cost on U.S.
                  Action                            Labor cost           Parts cost    product       operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Measurement..............................  5 work-hours x $85 per hour           $0         $425         $14,025
                                            = $425.
Airplane flight manual revision..........  1 work-hour x $85 per hour             0           85           2,805
                                            = $85.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    We have received no definitive data that would enable us to provide 
a cost estimate for the on-condition actions specified in this AD.
    According to the manufacturer, the costs of this 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

    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 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.

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 (AD):

2012-13-12 Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation: Amendment 39-17114; 
Docket No. FAA-2012-0677; Directorate Identifier 2012-NM-105-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This AD is effective August 1, 2012.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to the airplanes identified in paragraphs (c)(1) 
through (c)(4) of this AD, certificated in any category.
    (1) Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation Model G-IV airplanes, 
serial numbers 1265, 1286, 1298, 1301, 1347, 1372, 1378, 1380, 1423, 
1458, and 1497.
    (2) Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation Model GIV-X airplanes, 
serial numbers 4064, 4151, 4192, 4194, 4199, and 4214.
    (3) Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation Model GV airplanes, serial 
numbers 612, 630, and 691.
    (4) Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation Model GV-SP airplanes, 
serial numbers 5038, 5079, 5223, 5227, 5237, 5240, 5245, 5246, 5252, 
5258, 5261, 5265, 5267, 5283, 5290, 5293, 5294, 5302, 5307, 5311, 
5318, and 5320.

(d) Subject

    Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC)/Air Transport Association 
(ATA) of America Code 27, Flight controls.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by reports of failure to inspect or 
document the paint thickness on flight controls (ailerons, rudder, 
elevator), potentially having a negative impact on the flutter 
characteristics of the airplane. We are issuing this AD to detect 
and correct paint thickness on flight controls, which could result 
in loss of control of the airplane due to flutter.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Airplane Flight Manual Revision

    Within 20 days after the effective date of this AD, revise the 
airplane flight manual (AFM) by incorporating the applicable 
airplane flight manual supplement (AFMS) specified in paragraphs 
(g)(1), (g)(2), (g)(3), and (g)(4) of this AD. After accomplishing 
the actions in paragraph (h) of this AD, and all applicable 
corrective actions required by paragraph (i) of this AD, the AFMS 
specified in paragraph (g) of this AD may be removed from the AFM.
    (1) For Model G-IV airplanes: Gulfstream IV Customer Bulletin 
223, including Part I and Part II Service Reply Cards, dated March 
23, 2012, which includes Gulfstream GIV Airplane Flight Manual 
Supplement GIV-2012-01, dated March 13, 2012.
    (2) For Model GV airplanes: Gulfstream V Customer Bulletin 196, 
including Part I and Part II Service Reply Cards, dated March 23, 
2012, which includes Gulfstream GV Airplane Flight Manual Supplement 
GV-2012-01, dated March 13, 2012.
    (3) For Model GIV-X airplanes: Gulfstream G450 Customer Bulletin 
140, including Part I and Part II Service Reply Cards, dated March 
23, 2012, which includes Gulfstream G450/G350 Airplane Flight Manual 
Supplement G450-2012-01, dated March 13, 2012.
    (4) For Model GV-SP airplanes: Gulfstream G550 Customer Bulletin 
121, including Part I and Part II Service Reply Cards, dated March 
23, 2012, which includes Gulfstream G550 Airplane Flight Manual 
Supplement G550-2012-01, dated March 13, 2012; and Gulfstream G550 
EASA Airplane Flight Manual Supplement EASA-G550-2012-01, dated 
March 14, 2012.

(h) Measurement

    At the applicable compliance time specified in paragraph (h)(1) 
or (h)(2) of this AD, measure the paint thickness on both sides of 
the flight control surfaces, in accordance with the Accomplishment 
Instructions of the applicable customer bulletin identified in 
paragraph (g) of this AD. If average paint thickness is equal to or 
less than 5.0 mils; or if average paint thickness is greater than 
5.0 mils, but equal to or less than the serial number specific 
allowances provided in table 4 of the

[[Page 41894]]

applicable customer bulletin identified in paragraph (g) of this AD: 
The AFMS specified in paragraph (g) of this AD may be removed from 
the AFM.
    (1) For Model GIV-X, GV, and GV-SP airplanes: Within 90 days 
after the effective date of this AD.
    (2) For Model G-IV airplanes: Within 180 days after the 
effective date of this AD.

(i) Corrective Actions

    (1) If, during the measurement required by paragraph (h) of this 
AD, the average paint thickness is greater than the serial number 
specific allowances provided in table 4 of the applicable customer 
bulletin specified in paragraph (g) of this AD, and is equal to or 
greater than 13.0 mils: Before further flight, repair, in accordance 
with a method approved by the Manager, Atlanta Aircraft 
Certification Office (ACO), FAA. For a repair method to be approved 
by the Manager, Atlanta ACO, as required by this paragraph, the 
Manager's approval letter must specifically refer to this AD.
    (2) If, during the measurement required by paragraph (h) of this 
AD, the average paint thickness is greater than the serial number 
specific allowances provided in table 4 of the applicable customer 
bulletin specified in paragraph (g) of this AD, but is less than 13 
mils: Within 12 months after the effective date of this AD, do all 
applicable corrective actions, in accordance with the applicable 
customer bulletin specified in paragraph (g) of this AD, except as 
required by paragraph (j) of this AD. After accomplishing the 
applicable corrective actions, the AFMS specified in paragraph (g) 
of this AD may be removed from the AFM.

(j) Exception

    Where the customer bulletins identified in paragraph (g) of this 
AD specify to contact Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation for 
corrective actions, this AD requires doing corrective actions before 
further flight, in accordance with a method approved by the Manager, 
Atlanta ACO. For a repair method to be approved by the Manager, 
Atlanta ACO, as required by this paragraph, the Manager's approval 
letter must specifically refer to this AD.

(k) Reporting

    (1) Submit a report of the measurements required by paragraph 
(h) of this AD, including the dimensions obtained from tables 1, 2, 
and 3, of the applicable customer bulletin specified in paragraph 
(g) of this AD. Submit the report using the Part I Service Reply 
Card in the applicable customer bulletin identified in paragraph (g) 
of this AD, to Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation, at the applicable 
time specified in paragraph (k)(1)(i) or (k)(1)(ii) of this AD. 
Under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. 3501 
et seq.), the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has approved the 
information collection requirements contained in this AD and has 
assigned OMB Control Number 2120 0056.
    (i) If the measurement was done on or after the effective date 
of this AD: Submit the report within 30 days after the measurement.
    (ii) If the measurement was done before the effective date of 
this AD: Submit the report within 30 days after the effective date 
of this AD.
    (2) Submit a report of compliance with the corrective actions 
required by paragraph (i) of this AD, using the Part II Service 
Reply Card in the applicable customer bulletin identified in 
paragraph (g) of this AD, to Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation, at 
the applicable time specified in paragraph (k)(2)(i) or (k)(2)(ii) 
of this AD.
    (i) If the corrective action was done on or after the effective 
date of this AD: Submit the report within 30 days after 
accomplishing the corrective action.
    (ii) If the corrective action was done before the effective date 
of this AD: Submit the report within 30 days after the effective 
date of this AD.

(l) Special Flight Permit

    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), may be issued to operate the airplane to a location 
where the requirements of this AD can be accomplished if the 
applicable AFM specified in paragraph (g) of this AD has been 
revised as required by paragraph (g) of this AD.

(m) Paperwork Reduction Act Burden Statement

    A federal agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not 
required to respond to, nor shall a person be subject to a penalty 
for failure to comply with a collection of information subject to 
the requirements of the Paperwork Reduction Act unless that 
collection of information displays a current valid OMB Control 
Number. The OMB Control Number for this information collection is 
2120-0056. Public reporting for this collection of information is 
estimated to be approximately 5 minutes per response, including the 
time for reviewing instructions, completing and reviewing the 
collection of information. All responses to this collection of 
information are mandatory. Comments concerning the accuracy of this 
burden and suggestions for reducing the burden should be directed to 
the FAA at: 800 Independence Ave. SW., Washington, DC 20591, Attn: 
Information Collection Clearance Officer, AES-200.

(n) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (1) The Manager, Atlanta 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 the 
Related Information section 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.

(o) Related Information

    For more information about this AD, contact Michael Cann, Senior 
Aerospace Engineer, Airframe Branch, ACE-117A, FAA, Atlanta ACO, 
1701 Columbia Avenue, College Park, GA 30337; phone 404-474-5548; 
fax 404-474-5605; email: [email protected].

(p) Material Incorporated by Reference

    (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the 
incorporation by reference (IBR) of the following service 
information under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
    (2) You must use the following service information to do the 
actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise.
    (i) Gulfstream IV Customer Bulletin 223, dated March 23, 2012, 
which includes the following attachments:
    (A) Part I Service Reply Card, dated March 23, 2012.
    (B) Part II Service Reply Card, dated March 23, 2012.
    (C) Gulfstream GIV Airplane Flight Manual Supplement GIV-2012-
01, dated March 13, 2012.
    (ii) Gulfstream V Customer Bulletin 196, dated March 23, 2012, 
which includes the following attachments:
    (A) Part I Service Reply Card, dated March 23, 2012.
    (B) Part II Service Reply Card, dated March 23, 2012.
    (C) Gulfstream GV Airplane Flight Manual Supplement GV-2012-01, 
dated March 13, 2012.
    (iii) Gulfstream G450 Customer Bulletin 140, dated March 23, 
2012, which includes the following attachments:
    (A) Part I Service Reply Card, dated March 23, 2012.
    (B) Part II Service Reply Card, dated March 23, 2012.
    (C) Gulfstream G450/G350 Airplane Flight Manual Supplement G450-
2012-01, dated March 13, 2012.
    (iv) Gulfstream G550 Customer Bulletin 121, dated March 23, 
2012, which includes the following attachments:
    (A) Part I Service Reply Card, dated March 23, 2012.
    (B) Part II Service Reply Card, dated March 23, 2012.
    (C) Gulfstream G550 Airplane Flight Manual Supplement G550-2012-
01, dated March 13, 2012.
    (D) Gulfstream G550 EASA Airplane Flight Manual Supplement EASA-
G550-2012-01, dated March 14, 2012.
    (3) 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 [email protected]; Internet http://www.gulfstream.com/product_support/technical_pubs/pubs/index.htm.
    (4) You may review copies of the service information at the FAA, 
1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA. For information on the 
availability of this material at the FAA, call 425-227-1221.
    (5) You may also review copies of the 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, call 202-741-6030, or go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr_locations.html.


[[Page 41895]]


    Issued in Renton, Washington, on June 28, 2012.
Kalene C. Yanamura,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2012-16637 Filed 7-16-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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