Airworthiness Directives; Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 174 (Thursday, September 8, 2016)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 61987-61990]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-21155]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2016-9070; Directorate Identifier 2016-NM-118-AD; 
Amendment 39-18642; AD 2016-18-11]
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 all 
Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation Model G-1159, G-1159A, G-1159B, G-IV, 
and GV airplanes; and certain Model GIV-X and GV-SP airplanes. This AD 
requires a one-time replacement of the actuator end cap fitting of the 
main landing gear (MLG) door, and revision of the maintenance or 
inspection program to establish the life limit of the end cap fitting. 
This AD was prompted by a report of the failure of the right MLG to 
extend due to fatigue cracking of the end cap fitting. We are issuing 
this AD to prevent such cracking, which could result in depletion of 
the combined (left) and utility hydraulic system fluid and the nitrogen 
emergency blowdown system, failure of the combined (left) hydraulic 
system (all phases) to provide adequate hydraulic pressure, and failure 
of the MLG to extend when commanded.

DATES: This AD is effective September 23, 2016.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of certain publications listed in this AD as of September 23, 
2016.
    We must receive comments on this AD by October 24, 2016.

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> Hand Delivery: Deliver to Mail address above between 9 
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
    For service information identified in this final rule, 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. 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. It is also 
available on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching 
for and locating Docket No. FAA-2016-9070.

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-2016-
9070; 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

[[Page 61988]]

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: Gideon Jose, Aerospace Engineer, 
Systems and Equipment Branch, ACE-119A, FAA, Atlanta Aircraft 
Certification Office (ACO), 1701 Columbia Avenue, College Park, GA 
30337; phone: 404-474-5569; fax: 404-474-5606; email: 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

    We have received a report of an incident involving a Model G-1159A 
(G-III) airplane. During approach, the right MLG failed to extend 
during normal or alternative extension procedures. We have determined 
that the MLG door actuator end cap fitting is subject to fatigue 
cracking, allowing for the depletion of the combined (left) and utility 
hydraulic system fluid and the nitrogen emergency blowdown system. This 
condition, if not corrected, could result in failure of the combined 
(left) hydraulic system (all phrases) to provide adequate hydraulic 
pressure and failure of the MLG to extend when commanded. We are 
issuing this AD to correct the unsafe condition on these products.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    We reviewed the following temporary revisions (TRs), which provide 
procedures for replacing MLG door actuator end cap fittings, and 
establish life limits for the end cap fittings.
    <bullet> Gulfstream G300 Maintenance Manual, TR 32-2, dated April 
29, 2016.
    <bullet> Gulfstream G300 Maintenance Manual, TR 5-3, dated April 
29, 2016.
    <bullet> Gulfstream G350 Maintenance Manual TR 32-1, dated April 
22, 2016.
    <bullet> Gulfstream G350 Maintenance Manual TR 5-2, dated April 22, 
2016.
    <bullet> Gulfstream G400 Maintenance Manual TR 32-2, dated April 
29, 2016.
    <bullet> Gulfstream G400 Maintenance Manual TR 5-3, dated April 29, 
2016.
    <bullet> Gulfstream G450 Maintenance Manual TR 32-1, dated April 
22, 2016.
    <bullet> Gulfstream G450 Maintenance Manual TR 5-2, dated April 22, 
2016.
    <bullet> Gulfstream G500 Maintenance Manual TR 32-1, dated May 20, 
2016.
    <bullet> Gulfstream G500 Maintenance Manual TR 5-3, dated May 20, 
2016.
    <bullet> Gulfstream G550 Maintenance Manual TR 32-1, dated May 20, 
2016.
    <bullet> Gulfstream G550 Maintenance Manual TR 5-3, dated May 20, 
2016.
    <bullet> Gulfstream II Maintenance Manual TR 32-1, dated April 15, 
2016.
    <bullet> Gulfstream II Maintenance Manual TR 5-3, dated April 15, 
2016.
    <bullet> Gulfstream IIB Maintenance Manual TR 32-3, dated April 15, 
2016.
    <bullet> Gulfstream IIB Maintenance Manual TR 5-3, dated April 15, 
2016.
    <bullet> Gulfstream III Maintenance Manual TR 32-1, dated April 15, 
2016.
    <bullet> Gulfstream III Maintenance Manual TR 5-2, dated April 15, 
2016.
    <bullet> Gulfstream IV Maintenance Manual TR 32-2, dated April 29, 
2016.
    <bullet> Gulfstream IV Maintenance Manual TR 5-7, dated April 29, 
2016.
    <bullet> Gulfstream V Maintenance Manual TR 32-2, dated May 20, 
2016.
    <bullet> Gulfstream V Maintenance Manual TR 5-3, dated May 20, 
2016.
    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

    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 the same type design.

AD Requirements

    This AD requires repetitively replacing the MLG door actuator end 
cap fittings and revising the maintenance or inspection program, as 
applicable, to establish life limits for MLG door actuator end cap 
fittings.

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 
fatigue cracking of the MLG door actuator end cap fitting could result 
in depletion of the combined (left) and utility hydraulic system fluid 
and the nitrogen emergency blowdown system, failure of the combined 
(left) hydraulic system (all phrases) to provide adequate hydraulic 
pressure, and failure of the MLG to extend when commanded. 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-2016-9070 and 
Directorate Identifier 2016-NM-118-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 1,409 airplanes of U.S. registry. 
We estimate the following costs to comply with this AD:

                                                 Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                    Parts cost       Cost per      Cost on U.S.
                Action                         Labor cost               ($)        product  ($)   operators  ($)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Replacement...........................  37 work-hours x $85 per             $698          $3,843      $5,414,787
                                         hour = $3,145.
Maintenance/inspection program          1 work-hour x $85 per                  0              85         119,765
 revision.                               hour = $85.
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[[Page 61989]]

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):

2016-18-11 Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation: Amendment 39-18642; 
Docket No. FAA-2016-9070; Directorate Identifier 2016-NM-118-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This AD is effective September 23, 2016.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to the Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation 
airplanes, certificated in any category, identified in paragraphs 
(c)(1) through (c)(7) of this AD.
    (1) All Model G-1159 airplanes.
    (2) All Model G-1159A airplanes.
    (3) All Model G-1159B airplanes.
    (4) All Model G-IV airplanes.
    (5) All Model GV airplanes.
    (6) Model GIV-X airplanes, serial numbers 4001 through 4350 
inclusive.
    (7) Model GV-SP airplanes, serial numbers 5001 through 5542 
inclusive.

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 32, Landing 
gear.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by a report that the right main landing 
gear (MLG) failed to extend due to fatigue cracking of the end cap 
fitting. We are issuing this AD to prevent such cracking, which 
could result in depletion of the combined (left) and utility 
hydraulic system fluid and the nitrogen emergency blowdown system, 
failure of the combined (left) hydraulic system (all phrases) to 
provide adequate hydraulic pressure, and failure of the MLG to 
extend when commanded.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) MLG Actuator End Cap Fitting Replacement

    Before the accumulation of 9,500 total landings on the MLG 
actuator end cap fitting, or within 90 days after the effective date 
of this AD, whichever occurs later: Replace the end cap fitting, in 
accordance with the applicable temporary revision (TR) identified in 
paragraphs (g)(1) through (g)(11) of this AD. For airplanes on which 
the number of total accumulated landings since new cannot be 
determined, do the replacement within 90 days after the effective 
date of this AD.
    (1) Gulfstream IIB Maintenance Manual TR 32-3, dated April 15, 
2016.
    (2) Gulfstream IV Maintenance Manual TR 32-2, dated April 29, 
2016.
    (3) Gulfstream G300 Maintenance Manual TR 32-2, dated April 29, 
2016.
    (4) Gulfstream G400 Maintenance Manual TR 32-2, dated April 29, 
2016.
    (5) Gulfstream G350 Maintenance Manual TR 32-1, dated April 22, 
2016.
    (6) Gulfstream G450 Maintenance Manual TR 32-1, dated April 22, 
2016.
    (7) Gulfstream G500 Maintenance Manual TR 32-1, dated May 20, 
2016.
    (8) Gulfstream G550 Maintenance Manual TR 32-1, dated May 20, 
2016.
    (9) Gulfstream V Maintenance Manual TR 32-2, dated May 20, 2016.
    (10) Gulfstream II Maintenance Manual TR 32-1, dated April 15, 
2016.
    (11) Gulfstream III Maintenance Manual TR 32-1, dated April 15, 
2016.

(h) Revision of Maintenance/Inspection Program

    Within 90 days after the effective date of this AD, revise the 
maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to incorporate the 
information for the part number 1159HM20178 MLG actuator end cap 
fitting in the applicable TR identified in paragraphs (h)(1) through 
(h)(11) of this AD. The initial compliance time to replace the MLG 
actuator end cap fitting, as specified in the TR, is before the 
accumulation of 9,500 total landings on the end cap fitting, or 
within 90 days after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs 
later.
    (1) Gulfstream IIB Maintenance Manual TR 5-3, dated April 15, 
2016.
    (2) Gulfstream IV Maintenance Manual TR 5-7, dated April 29, 
2016.
    (3) Gulfstream G300 Maintenance Manual TR 5-3, dated April 29, 
2016.
    (4) Gulfstream G400 Maintenance Manual TR 5-3, dated April 29, 
2016.
    (5) Gulfstream G350 Maintenance Manual TR 5-2, dated April 22, 
2016.
    (6) Gulfstream G450 Maintenance Manual TR 5-2, dated April 22, 
2016.
    (7) Gulfstream G500 Maintenance Manual TR 5-3, dated May 20, 
2016.
    (8) Gulfstream G550 Maintenance Manual TR 5-3, dated May 20, 
2016.
    (9) Gulfstream V Maintenance Manual TR 5-3, dated May 20, 2016.
    (10) Gulfstream II Maintenance Manual TR 5-3, dated April 15, 
2016.
    (11) Gulfstream III Maintenance Manual TR 5-2, dated April 15, 
2016.

(i) No Alternative Actions and Intervals

    After the maintenance or inspection program has been revised as 
required by paragraph (h) 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 (AMOC) 
in accordance with the procedures specified in paragraph (k) of this 
AD.

(j) Special Flight Permit

    A special flight permit may be issued in accordance with 
sections 21.197 and 21.199 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 
CFR 21.197 and 21.199) to operate the airplane, for one flight only, 
to a location where the MLG actuator end cap fitting can be 
replaced, as required by paragraph (g) of this AD.

(k) 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

[[Page 61990]]

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 (l) 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.

(l) Related Information

    For more information about this AD, contact Gideon Jose, 
Aerospace Engineer, Systems and Equipment Branch, ACE-119A, FAA, 
Atlanta Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), 1701 Columbia Avenue, 
College Park, Georgia 30337; phone: 404-474-5569; fax: 404-474-5606; 
email: [email protected].

(m) 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 the AD specifies otherwise.
    (i) Gulfstream G300 Maintenance Manual Temporary Revision (TR) 
32-2, dated April 29, 2016.
    (ii) Gulfstream G300 Maintenance Manual TR 5-3, dated April 29, 
2016.
    (iii) Gulfstream G350 Maintenance Manual TR 32-1, dated April 
22, 2016.
    (iv) Gulfstream G350 Maintenance Manual TR 5-2, dated April 22, 
2016.
    (v) Gulfstream G400 Maintenance Manual TR 32-2, dated April 29, 
2016.
    (vi) Gulfstream G400 Maintenance Manual TR 5-3, dated April 29, 
2016.
    (vii) Gulfstream G450 Maintenance Manual TR 32-1, dated April 
22, 2016.
    (viii) Gulfstream G450 Maintenance Manual TR 5-2, dated April 
22, 2016.
    (ix) Gulfstream G500 Maintenance Manual TR 32-1, dated May 20, 
2016.
    (x) Gulfstream G500 Maintenance Manual TR 5-3, dated May 20, 
2016.
    (xi) Gulfstream G550 Maintenance Manual TR 32-1, dated May 20, 
2016.
    (xii) Gulfstream G550 Maintenance Manual TR 5-3, dated May 20, 
2016.
    (xiii) Gulfstream II Maintenance Manual TR 32-1, dated April 15, 
2016.
    (xiv) Gulfstream II Maintenance Manual TR 5-3, dated April 15, 
2016.
    (xv) Gulfstream IIB Maintenance Manual TR 32-3, dated April 15, 
2016.
    (xvi) Gulfstream IIB Maintenance Manual TR 5-3, dated April 15, 
2016.
    (xvii) Gulfstream III Maintenance Manual TR 32-1, dated April 
15, 2016.
    (xviii) Gulfstream III Maintenance Manual TR 5-2, dated April 
15, 2016.
    (xix) Gulfstream IV Maintenance Manual TR 32-2, dated April 29, 
2016.
    (xx) Gulfstream IV Maintenance Manual TR 5-7, dated April 29, 
2016.
    (xxi) Gulfstream V Maintenance Manual TR 32-2, dated May 20, 
2016.
    (xxii) Gulfstream V Maintenance Manual TR 5-3, dated May 20, 
2016.
    (3) For Gulfstream 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 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.
    (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, call 202-741-6030, or go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.

    Issued in Renton, Washington, on August 24, 2016.
John P. Piccola, Jr.,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2016-21155 Filed 9-7-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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