Airworthiness Directives; Gulfstream Aerospace LP Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 142 (Thursday, July 23, 2020)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 44462-44464]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-15819]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2020-0334; Product Identifier 2020-NM-014-AD; Amendment 
39-21165; AD 2020-15-02]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Gulfstream Aerospace LP Airplanes

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

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for 
certain Gulfstream Aerospace LP Model Gulfstream G280 airplanes. This 
AD was prompted by a report of inadequate clearance between the fuel 
probes and forward fuel tank structure. This AD requires measuring the 
clearance between certain fuel probes and the forward fuel tank 
structure, and reinstalling the probes if necessary, as specified in a 
Civil Aviation Authority of Israel (CAAI) AD, which is incorporated by 
reference. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition 
on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective August 27, 2020.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of August 27, 
2020.

ADDRESSES: For the material incorporated by reference (IBR) in this AD, 
contact the CAAI, P.O. Box 1101, Golan Street, Airport City, 70100, 
Israel; telephone 972-3-9774665; fax 972-3-9774592; email 
[email protected]. You may find this IBR material on the CAA website at 
www.caa.gov.il. You may view this IBR material at the FAA, 
Airworthiness Products Section, Operational Safety 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 in the AD 
docket on the internet at https://www.regulations.gov by searching for 
and locating Docket No. FAA-2020-0334.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the internet at https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2020-
0334; 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, any comments received, and other information. The 
address for Docket Operations 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, 
Large Aircraft Section, International Validation Branch, FAA, 2200 
South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; telephone and fax 206-231-3226; 
email [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

    The CAAI, which is the aviation authority for Israel, has issued 
Israeli AD ISR-I-53-19-10-5, dated October 10, 2019 (``Israeli AD ISR-
I-53-19-10-5'') (also referred to as the Mandatory Continuing 
Airworthiness Information, or ``the MCAI''), to correct an unsafe 
condition for certain Gulfstream Aerospace LP Model Gulfstream G280 
airplanes.
    The FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 
CFR

[[Page 44463]]

part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to certain Gulfstream 
Aerospace LP Model Gulfstream G280 airplanes. The NPRM published in the 
Federal Register on April 27, 2020 (85 FR 23259). The NPRM was prompted 
by a report of inadequate clearance between the fuel probes and forward 
fuel tank structure. The NPRM proposed to require measuring the 
clearance between certain fuel probes and the forward fuel tank 
structure, and reinstalling the probes if necessary, as specified in a 
CAAI AD.
    The FAA is issuing this AD to address inadequate clearance between 
the fuel probes and forward fuel tank structure, which could result in 
a potential source of ignition in a fuel tank, possible fire, and 
consequent reduced structural integrity of the airplane. See the MCAI 
for additional background information.

Comments

    The FAA gave the public the opportunity to participate in 
developing this final rule. The FAA received no comments on the NPRM or 
on the determination of the cost to the public.

Conclusion

    The FAA 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. The FAA has 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 IBR Material Under 1 CFR Part 51

    Israeli AD ISR-I-53-19-10-5 describes procedures for checking the 
clearance between forward fuel probe No. 1 and aft fuel probe No. 3 and 
the forward fuel tank structure, by measuring each fuel probe's 
distance to the adjacent skin, and adjusting the clearance, including 
reinstallation of the fuel probes at the correct distance if necessary. 
This material 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

    The FAA estimates that this AD affects 80 airplanes of U.S. 
registry. The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this AD:

                                      Estimated Costs for Required Actions
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Labor cost                   Parts cost         Cost per product         Cost on U.S.  operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Up to 20 work-hours x $85 per hour = Up               $0  Up to $1,700..............  Up to $136,000.
 to $1,700.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    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. The FAA does not control warranty coverage for 
affected individuals. As a result, the FAA has included all known costs 
in the 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.
    The FAA is 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) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and
    (3) 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):

2020-15-02 Gulfstream Aerospace LP: Amendment 39-21165; Docket No. 
FAA-2020-0334; Product Identifier 2020-NM-014-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This AD is effective August 27, 2020.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to certain Gulfstream Aerospace LP Model 
Gulfstream G280 airplanes, certificated in any category, as 
identified in Civil Aviation Authority of Israel (CAAI) AD ISR-I-53-
19-10-5, dated October 10, 2019 (``Israeli AD ISR-I-53-19-10-5'').

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 53, Fuselage.

(e) Reason

    This AD was prompted by a report of inadequate clearance between 
the fuel probes and forward fuel tank structure. The FAA is issuing 
this AD to address such inadequate clearance, which could result in 
a potential source of ignition in a fuel tank, possible fire, and 
consequent reduced structural integrity of the airplane.

[[Page 44464]]

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Requirements

    Except as specified in paragraph (h) of this AD: Comply with all 
required actions and compliance times specified in, and in 
accordance with, Israeli AD ISR-I-53-19-10-5.

(h) Exceptions and Clarifications to Israeli AD ISR-I-53-19-10-5

    (1) Where Israeli AD ISR-I-53-19-10-5 refers to its effective 
date, this AD requires using the effective date of this AD.
    (2) Where Israeli AD ISR-I-53-19-10-5 requires operators to 
``check . . . clearance between fuel probes and forward fuel tank 
structure,'' this AD requires measuring the specified probes' 
distance to the adjacent skin.
    (3) Where Israeli AD ISR-I-53-19-10-5 requires operators to 
``adjust clearance'' for the corrective action, this AD requires 
reinstallation of the probe at the correct distance.
    (4) Israeli AD ISR-I-53-19-10-5 requires compliance ``at the 
next suitable planned maintenance inspection within the next 36 
months.'' This AD requires compliance within 36 months after the 
effective date of this AD.
    (5) The rework (reinstallation of the fuel probes at the correct 
distance) required for inadequate clearance must be done before 
further flight after the measurement.

(i) Other FAA AD Provisions

    The following provisions also apply to this AD:
    (1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager, 
Large Aircraft Section, International Validation 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 (j) 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 instructions from a manufacturer, the instructions must be 
accomplished using a method approved by the Manager, Large Aircraft 
Section, International Validation Branch, FAA; or the CAAI; or 
CAAI's authorized Designee. If approved by the CAAI Designee, the 
approval must include the Designee's authorized signature.

(j) Related Information

    For more information about this AD, contact Tom Rodriguez, 
Aerospace Engineer, Large Aircraft Section, International Validation 
Branch, FAA, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; telephone 
and fax 206-231-3226; 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 this AD specifies otherwise.
    (i) The Civil Aviation Authority of Israel (CAAI) AD ISR-I-53-
19-10-5, dated October 10, 2019.
    (ii) [Reserved]
    (3) For information about Israeli AD ISR-I-53-19-10-5, contact 
the CAAI, P.O. Box 1101, Golan Street, Airport City, 70100, Israel; 
telephone 972-3-9774665; fax 972-3-9774592; email [email protected]. 
You may find this IBR material on the CAAI website at 
www.caa.gov.il.
    (4) You may view this material at the FAA, Airworthiness 
Products Section, Operational Safety Branch, 2200 South 216th St., 
Des Moines, WA. For information on the availability of this material 
at the FAA, call 206-231-3195. This material may be found in the AD 
docket on the internet at https://www.regulations.gov by searching 
for and locating Docket No. FAA-2020-0334.
    (5) You may view this material that is incorporated by reference 
at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For 
information on the availability of this material at NARA, email 
[email protected], or go to: https://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.

    Issued on July 7, 2020.
Lance T. Gant,
Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2020-15819 Filed 7-22-20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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