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

[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 42 (Monday, March 4, 2019)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 7272-7274]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-03406]



[[Page 7272]]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2018-1006; Product Identifier 2018-NM-142-AD; Amendment 
39-19565; AD 2019-03-13]
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 adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain 
Gulfstream Aerospace LP Model Gulfstream G150 airplanes. This AD was 
prompted by reports of corrosion in the solder joints of the upper and 
lower front relay box connectors to the printed circuit board. This AD 
requires replacement of the existing relay boxes with modified boxes. 
We are issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these 
products.

DATES: This AD is effective April 8, 2019.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of April 8, 
2019.

ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this final rule, 
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 [email protected]; internet http://www.gulfstream.com/product_support/technical_pubs/pubs/index.htm. You may view this 
service information at the FAA, Transport Standards Branch, 2200 South 
216th St., Des Moines, WA. For information on the availability of this 
material at the FAA, call 206-231-3195. It is also available on the 
internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating 
Docket No. FAA-2018-1006.

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-2018-
1006; 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, the regulatory evaluation, any comments received, and 
other information. The address for Docket Operations (phone: 800-647-
5527) is 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: Tom Rodriguez, Aerospace Engineer, 
International Section, Transport Standards Branch, FAA, 2200 South 
216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; telephone and fax 206-231-3226.

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 LP Model Gulfstream G150 airplanes. The NPRM published in the 
Federal Register on December 11, 2018 (83 FR 63596). The NPRM was 
prompted by reports of corrosion in the solder joints of the upper and 
lower front relay box connectors to the printed circuit board. The NPRM 
proposed to require replacement of the existing relay boxes with 
modified boxes.
    We are issuing this AD to address corrosion in the front relay box 
connector solder joints. If not addressed, this condition could cause 
false crew alerting system (CAS) messages, such as slats unbalance, 
auto slats fail, and Mach trim fail, which could interfere with 
continued safe operation of the airplane.
    The Civil Aviation Authority of Israel (CAAI), which is the 
aviation authority for Israel, has issued Israeli Airworthiness 
Directive ISR-I-24-2018-09-7, dated October 1, 2018 (referred to after 
this as the Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information, or ``the 
MCAI''), to correct an unsafe condition for certain Gulfstream 
Aerospace LP Model Gulfstream G150 airplanes. The MCAI states:

    The existing Upper and Lower Front Relay Box might be prone to 
corrosion in the relay box connector's solder joint to the printed 
circuit board. As a result various CAS [crew alerting system] 
messages such as slats unbalance and auto slats fail, Mach trim 
fail, etc . . . might be reported [and could interfere with 
continued safe operation of the airplane]. To prevent this 
condition, replacement of existing relay boxes with modified boxes 
featuring an added acrylic conformal coating should be performed.
    Five occurrences on G150 model in last 3 years had been 
reported.

    You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket on the internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2018-
1006.

Comments

    We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing 
this final rule. 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 final rule 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 addressing the unsafe condition; and
    <bullet> Do not add any additional burden upon the public than was 
already proposed in the NPRM.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    Gulfstream has issued Service Bulletin 150-24-193, dated March 30, 
2018. This service information describes procedures for removing and 
replacing the upper and lower front relay boxes. 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 81 airplanes of U.S. registry. We 
estimate the following costs to comply with this AD:

                                      Estimated Costs for Required Actions
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                    Cost per       Cost on U.S.
                          Labor cost                              Parts cost        product         operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
220 work-hours x $85 per hour = $18,700......................         $20,083          $38,783       $3,141,423
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


[[Page 7273]]

    According to the manufacturer, some or all 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 known 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.
    This AD is issued in accordance with authority delegated by the 
Executive Director, Aircraft Certification Service, as authorized by 
FAA Order 8000.51C. In accordance with that order, issuance of ADs is 
normally a function of the Compliance and Airworthiness Division, but 
during this transition period, the Executive Director has delegated the 
authority to issue ADs applicable to transport category airplanes and 
associated appliances to the Director of the System Oversight Division.

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 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 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):

2019-03-13 Gulfstream Aerospace LP (Type Certificate Previously Held 
by Israel Aircraft Industries, Ltd.): Amendment 39-19565; Docket No. 
FAA-2018-1006; Product Identifier 2018-NM-142-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This AD is effective April 8, 2019.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(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, serial 
numbers 201 through 326 inclusive.

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 24, Electrical 
power.

(e) Reason

    This AD was prompted by reports of corrosion in the solder 
joints of the upper and lower front relay box connectors to the 
printed circuit board. We are issuing this AD to address corrosion 
in the front relay box connector solder joints. If not addressed, 
this condition could cause false crew alerting system (CAS) 
messages, such as slats unbalance, auto slats fail, and Mach trim 
fail, which could interfere with continued safe operation of the 
airplane.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Replacement

    Within 36 months after the effective date of this AD, remove the 
upper front relay box, Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) part number 
(P/N) 25G8130301-510/-512/-514/-516, and replace with IAI P/N 
25G8130301-516, upgraded to MOD A, and remove the lower front relay 
box, IAI P/N 25G8130300-512/-516/-518/-520, and replace with an 
improved lower front relay box, IAI P/N 25G8130300-520, upgraded to 
MOD A, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of 
Gulfstream Service Bulletin 150-24-193, dated March 30, 2018.

(h) Parts Installation Prohibition

    As of the applicable compliance time specified in paragraph 
(h)(1) or (h)(2) of this AD, do not install relay box IAI P/N 
25G8130301-510/-512/-514/-516 or IAI P/N 25G8130300-512/-516/-518/-
520 on any airplane, except relay box IAI P/N 25G8130301-516 or IAI 
P/N 25G8130300-520 that has been upgraded to MOD A as specified in 
paragraph (g) of this AD may be installed.
    (1) For airplanes that have IAI P/N 25G8130301-510/-512/-514/-
516 or IAI P/N 25G8130300-512/-516/-518/-520 installed as of the 
effective date of this AD: After modification of the airplane as 
required by this AD.
    (2) For airplanes that do not have IAI P/N 25G8130301-510/-512/-
514/-516 or IAI P/N 25G8130300-512/-516/-518/-520 installed as of 
the effective date of this AD: As of the effective date of this AD.

(i) No Parts Return or Reporting Requirement

    (1) Although Gulfstream Service Bulletin 150-24-193, dated March 
30, 2018, specifies to return parts to the manufacturer, this AD 
does not include that requirement.
    (2) Although Gulfstream Service Bulletin 150-24-193, dated March 
30, 2018, specifies to submit certain information to the 
manufacturer, this AD does not include that requirement.

(j) Other FAA AD Provisions

    The following provisions also apply to this AD:
    (1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager, 
International Section, Transport Standards 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 International Section, send it to the attention of 
the person identified in paragraph (k)(2) of this AD. Information 
may be emailed to: [email protected]. 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.
    (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 
Section, Transport Standards Branch, FAA; or the Civil Aviation 
Authority of Israel (CAAI); or the CAAI's authorized Designee. If 
approved

[[Page 7274]]

by the CAAI Designee, the approval must include the Designee's 
authorized signature.

(k) Related Information

    (1) Refer to Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information 
(MCAI) Israeli Airworthiness Directive ISR-I-24-2018-09-7, dated 
October 1, 2018, for related information. This MCAI may be found in 
the AD docket on the internet at http://www.regulations.gov by 
searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2018-1006.
    (2) For more information about this AD, contact Tom Rodriguez, 
Aerospace Engineer, International Section, Transport Standards 
Branch, FAA, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; telephone 
and fax 206-231-3226.

(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 Service Bulletin 150-24-193, dated March 30, 
2018.
    (ii) [Reserved]
    (3) 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 [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 
Standards Branch, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA. For 
information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call 
206-231-3195.
    (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 Des Moines, Washington, on February 14, 2019.
Michael Kaszycki,
Acting Director, System Oversight Division, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2019-03406 Filed 3-1-19; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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