Airworthiness Directives; Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 33 (Tuesday, February 21, 2017)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 11146-11148]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-03026]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2016-9191; Directorate Identifier 2016-NM-106-AD; 
Amendment 39-18796; AD 2017-04-01]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation 
Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain 
Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation Model GVI airplanes. This AD was 
prompted by a report indicating that there are design deficiencies in 
the software used for monitoring the disconnect for the flight control 
computer (FCC)-hosted flight controls actuation main ram linear 
variable differential transducer (LVDT). This AD requires an update of 
the FCC software. We are issuing this AD to address the unsafe 
condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective March 28, 2017.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of certain publications listed in this AD as of March 28, 
2017.

ADDRESSES: 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-2016-9191.

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-
9191; 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 address for the Docket Office (phone: 800-647-
5527) is 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 20590.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Myles Jalalian, Aerospace Engineer, 
Systems and Equipment Branch, ACE-119A, FAA, Atlanta Aircraft 
Certification Office (ACO), 1701 Columbia Avenue, College Park, GA 
30337; phone: 404-474-5572; fax: 404-474-5606; email: 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Discussion

    We issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR 
part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to certain Gulfstream 
Aerospace Corporation Model GVI airplanes. The NPRM published in the 
Federal Register on November 15, 2016 (81 FR 80009). The NPRM was 
prompted by a report indicating that there are design deficiencies in 
the software used for monitoring the disconnect for the FCC-hosted 
flight controls actuation main ram LVDT. The NPRM proposed to require 
an update of the FCC software. We are issuing this AD to prevent 
undetected actuation of the main ram LVDT. Undetected actuation of the 
main ram LVDT, if not corrected, could result in mechanical failure of 
the flight control surface actuator mechanism under force fight (the 
actuator is working against the intended load forces), causing primary 
surface hardover, spoiler hardover, and loss of control of the 
airplane.

Comments

    We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing 
this AD. We received no comments on the NPRM or on the determination of 
the cost to the public.

Conclusion

    We reviewed the relevant data and determined that air safety and 
the public interest require adopting this AD as proposed, except for 
minor editorial changes. We have determined that these minor changes:
    <bullet> Are consistent with the intent that was proposed in the 
NPRM for correcting the unsafe condition; and
    <bullet> Do not add any additional burden upon the public than was 
already proposed in the NPRM.

[[Page 11147]]

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    We reviewed Gulfstream G650 Aircraft Service Change Number 037, 
Revision A, dated June 28, 2016; and Gulfstream G650ER Aircraft Service 
Change Number 037, Revision A, dated June 28, 2016. The service 
information describes procedures for doing an update of the FCC 
software. This service information is distinct because it applies to 
different airplanes. 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.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD affects 90 airplanes of U.S. registry. We 
estimate the following costs to comply with this AD:

                                                 Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                    Cost per       Cost on U.S.
              Action                        Labor cost            Parts cost        product         operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Software update...................  57 work-hours x $85 per            $9,126          $13,971       $1,257,390
                                     hour = $4,845.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    According to the manufacturer, some of 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):

2017-04-01 Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation: Amendment 39-18796; 
Docket No. FAA-2016-9191; Directorate Identifier 2016-NM-106-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This AD is effective March 28, 2017.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation Model GVI 
airplanes, certificated in any category, serial numbers 6001 through 
6164 inclusive.
    Note 1 to paragraph (c) of this AD: Model GVI airplanes are also 
referred to by marketing designations G650 and G650ER.

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 27; Flight 
controls.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by a report indicating that there are 
design deficiencies in the software used for monitoring the 
disconnect for the flight control computer (FCC)-hosted flight 
controls actuation main ram linear variable differential transducer 
(LVDT). We are issuing this AD to prevent undetected actuation of 
the main ram LVDT. Undetected actuation of the main ram LVDT, if not 
corrected, could result in mechanical failure of the flight control 
surface actuator mechanism under force fight (the actuator is 
working against the intended load forces), causing primary surface 
hardover, spoiler hardover, and loss of control of the airplane.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Software Update for FCC

    Within 24 months after the effective date of this AD, do an FCC 
software update, in accordance with the Modification Instructions of 
Gulfstream G650 Aircraft Service Change 037, Revision A, dated June 
28, 2016; or Gulfstream G650ER Aircraft Service Change 037, Revision 
A, dated June 28, 2016; as applicable.

(h) Reporting not Required

    Although Gulfstream G650 Aircraft Service Change 037, Revision 
A, dated June 28, 2016; and Gulfstream G650ER Aircraft Service 
Change 037, Revision A, dated June 28, 2016; specify to submit 
certain information to the manufacturer, this AD does not require 
that action.

(i) 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 (j) of this AD.
    (2) Before using any approved AMOC, notify your appropriate 
principal inspector, or lacking a principal inspector, the manager

[[Page 11148]]

of the local flight standards district office/certificate holding 
district office

(j) Related Information

    For more information about this AD, contact Myles Jalalian, 
Aerospace Engineer, Systems and Equipment Branch, ACE-119A, FAA, 
Atlanta ACO, 1701 Columbia Avenue, College Park, GA 30337; phone: 
404-474-5572; fax: 404-474-5606; email: [email protected].

(k) 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 G650 Aircraft Service Change 037, Revision A, 
dated June 28, 2016.
    (ii) Gulfstream G650ER Aircraft Service Change 037, Revision A, 
dated June 28, 2016.
    (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 view this service information at 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 February 2, 2017.
Michael Kaszycki,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2017-03026 Filed 2-17-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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