Airworthiness Directives; Gulfstream Aerospace LP Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 172 (Thursday, September 9, 2021)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 50451-50453]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-19389]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2021-0459; Project Identifier MCAI-2021-00129-T; 
Amendment 39-21697; AD 2021-17-14]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Gulfstream Aerospace LP Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), 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 that during full-scale fatigue testing, a 
crack was found in the area of the attachment of the wing rib 0 to the 
front spar. This AD requires non-destructive testing on the forward 
(front) spar vertical stiffener and rib 0 for any cracking, 
installation of a doubler to the forward (front) spar and rib 0 
attachment, and repair 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 October 14, 2021.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of October 14, 
2021.

ADDRESSES: For 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 CAAI website at 
https://www.caa.gov.il. 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. It is also available in the AD 
docket at https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating 
Docket No. FAA-2021-0459.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket at https://www.regulations.gov by 
searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2021-0459; 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 
mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI), 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:

Background

    The CAAI, which is the aviation authority for Israel, has issued 
CAAI AD I-57-2020-06-01, dated January 27, 2021 (CAAI AD I-57-2020-06-
01) (also referred to as 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 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 June 10, 2021 (86 FR 30819). The NPRM was prompted 
by a report that during full-scale fatigue testing, a crack was found 
in the area of the attachment of the wing rib 0 to the front spar. The 
NPRM proposed to require non-destructive testing on the forward (front) 
spar vertical stiffener and rib 0 for any cracking, installation of a 
doubler to the forward (front) spar and rib 0 attachment, and repair if 
necessary, as specified in CAAI AD I-57-2020-06-01.
    The FAA is issuing this AD to address any cracking at the area of 
the wing rib 0 to the front spar, which could affect the structural 
integrity of the wing. See the MCAI for additional background 
information.

Discussion of Final Airworthiness Directive Comments

    The FAA received no comments on the NPRM or on the determination of 
the cost to the public.

[[Page 50452]]

Conclusion

    The FAA reviewed the relevant data and determined that air safety 
requires adopting this AD as proposed. Except for minor editorial 
changes, this AD is adopted as proposed in the NPRM. None of the 
changes will increase the economic burden on any operator. Accordingly, 
the FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these 
products.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    CAAI AD I-57-2020-06-01 specifies procedures for non-destructive 
testing (high frequency, mid frequency, and bolt hole eddy current 
inspections; and a liquid (dye) penetrant inspection) for cracking on 
the forward (front) spar vertical stiffener and rib 0, installation of 
a doubler to the forward (front) spar and rib 0 attachment, and repair 
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 23 airplanes of U.S. 
registry. The FAA estimates 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
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
80 work-hours x $85 per hour = $6,800*.......................            $400         $7,200 *       $165,600 *
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* If the actions are accomplished during 4C Check.

    The FAA has received no definitive data on which to base the cost 
estimates for the repair specified in this AD.
    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 operators. The FAA does not control warranty coverage for 
affected operators. 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.

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:

2021-17-14 Gulfstream Aerospace LP: Amendment 39-21697; Docket No. 
FAA-2021-0459; Project Identifier MCAI-2021-00129-T.

(a) Effective Date

    This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective October 14, 2021.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Gulfstream Aerospace LP Model Gulfstream G280 
airplanes, certificated in any category, as identified in The Civil 
Aviation Authority of Israel (CAAI) AD I-57-2020-06-01, dated 
January 27, 2021 (CAAI AD I-57-2020-06-01).

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 57, Wings.

(e) Reason

    This AD was prompted by a report that during full-scale fatigue 
testing, a crack was found in the area of the attachment of the wing 
rib 0 to the front spar. The FAA is issuing this AD to address any 
cracking at the area of the wing rib 0 to the front spar, which 
could affect the structural integrity of the wing.

(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, CAAI AD I-57-2020-06-01.

(h) Exception to CAAI AD I-57-2020-06-01

    Where CAAI AD I-57-2020-06-01 requires compliance ``not later 
than 5,000 flight cycles,'' this AD requires compliance before the 
accumulation of 5,000 total flight cycles since the date of issuance 
of the original Israeli airworthiness certificate or the date of 
issuance of the original Israeli export certificate of 
airworthiness.

(i) No Reporting Requirement

    Although the service information referenced in CAAI AD I-57-
2020-06-01 specifies to submit certain information to the 
manufacturer, this AD does not include that requirement.

(j) Additional 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

[[Page 50453]]

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 responsible Flight Standards Office, as 
appropriate. If sending information directly to the Large Aircraft 
Section, International Validation Branch, send it to the attention 
of the person identified in paragraph (k) 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 responsible Flight 
Standards 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 CAAI; or CAAI's 
authorized Designee. If approved by the CAAI Designee, the approval 
must include the Designee's authorized signature.

(k) 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].

(l) Material Incorporated by Reference

    (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the 
incorporation by reference 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 I-57-2020-
06-01, dated January 27, 2021.
    (ii) [Reserved]
    (3) For CAAI AD I-57-2020-06-01, contact 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 CAAI AD 
on the CAAI website at https://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.
    (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 August 12, 2021.
Lance T. Gant,
Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2021-19389 Filed 9-8-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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