Airworthiness Directives; Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 13 (Thursday, January 20, 2022)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 3028-3030]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-00972]



[[Page 3028]]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2021-0881; Project Identifier AD-2020-01062-T; 
Amendment 39-21912; AD 2022-02-15]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation 
Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: The FAA is superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2020-12-06 
for all Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation (Gulfstream) Model G-IV 
airplanes. AD 2020-12-06 required replacing the nose wheel steering 
servo valve manifold, incorporating revised operating procedures into 
the airplane flight manual (AFM), doing a records inspection for any 
incidents of un-commanded nose wheel steering turns, and reporting the 
results to the FAA. Since the FAA issued AD 2020-12-16, the FAA 
determined that a typographical error was made in citing one of the AFM 
documents. This AD retains the actions of AD 2020-12-06 and corrects 
the citation to the AFM. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the 
unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective February 24, 2022.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of certain publications listed in this AD as of July 20, 2020 
(85 FR 36143, June 15, 2020).

ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this final rule, 
contact Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation, P.O. Box 2206, Savannah, GA 
31402; phone: (800) 810-4853; email: [email protected]; website: 
https://www.gulfstream.com/en/customer-support/. You may view this 
service information at the FAA, Airworthiness Products Section, 
Operational Safety Branch, FAA, 901 Locust, Kansas City, MO 64106. For 
information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call (817) 
222-5110. It is also available at https://www.regulations.gov by 
searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2021-0881.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket at https://www.regulations.gov by 
searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2021-0881; 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: Samuel Belete, Aviation Safety 
Engineer, Systems and Equipment Section, FAA, Atlanta ACO Branch, 1701 
Columbia Avenue, College Park, GA 30337; phone: (404) 474-5580; fax: 
(404) 474-5606; email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    The FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 
CFR part 39 to supersede AD 2020-12-06, Amendment 39-21141 (85 FR 
36143, June 15, 2020) (AD 2020-12-06). AD 2020-12-06 applied to all 
Gulfstream Model G-IV airplanes and required replacing the nose wheel 
steering servo valve manifold, incorporating revised operating 
procedures into the AFM, doing a records inspection for any incidents 
of un-commanded nose wheel steering turns, and reporting the results to 
the FAA. The FAA issued AD 2020-12-06 to prevent moisture from entering 
the nose steering wheel servo valve, which could freeze and cause an 
un-commanded nose wheel steering position during touchdown.
    The NPRM published in the Federal Register on October 26, 2021 (86 
FR 59062). The NPRM was prompted by a determination that a 
typographical error was made in citing the title of the AFM required by 
paragraph (g)(3) of AD 2020-12-06. The paragraph incorrectly references 
the document number as ``FAC-AC-G400-OPS-0001'' instead of ``GAC-AC-
G400-OPS-0001.'' In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to retain the actions of 
AD 2020-12-06 and to correct the citation to the AFM. The FAA is 
issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

Discussion of Final Airworthiness Directive

Comments

    The FAA received no comments on the NPRM or on the determination of 
the costs.

Conclusion

    The FAA determined that air safety requires adoption of the AD as 
proposed. Accordingly, the FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe 
condition on these products. This AD is adopted as proposed in the 
NPRM.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    This AD requires Gulfstream IV Customer Bulletin Number 244, dated 
March 12, 2018; Gulfstream G300 Customer Bulletin 244, dated March 12, 
2018; Gulfstream G400 Customer Bulletin 244, dated March 12, 2018; 
Gulfstream IV Airplane Flight Manual, Gulfstream Aerospace Document 
Number GAC-AC-GIV-OPS-0001, Revision 52, dated October 30, 2017; 
Gulfstream G300 Airplane Flight Manual, Gulfstream Aerospace Document 
Number GAC-AC-G300-OPS-0001, Revision 20, dated October 30, 2017; and 
Gulfstream G400 Airplane Flight Manual, Gulfstream Aerospace Document 
Number GAC-AC-G400-OPS-0001, Revision 20, dated October 30, 2017; which 
the Director of the Federal Register approved for incorporation by 
reference as of July 20, 2020 (85 FR 36143, June 15, 2020). 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.

Differences Between This AD and the Service Information

    The Gulfstream customer bulletins require reporting compliance with 
the bulletins to Gulfstream. This AD does not contain that requirement; 
however, this AD requires reporting any known occurrences of un-
commanded nose wheel steering turns to the FAA.
    The Gulfstream customer bulletins include a compliance time of 48 
months beginning on March 12, 2018. The compliance time for this AD is 
36 months after July 20, 2020 (the effective date of AD 2020-12-06).

Costs of Compliance

    The FAA estimates that this AD affects 425 airplanes of U.S. 
registry.
    The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this AD:

[[Page 3029]]



                                                 Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                     Cost per      Cost on U.S.
                Action                         Labor cost           Parts cost       airplane        operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Incorporate AFM revision..............  1 work-hour x $85 per                 $0             $85         $36,125
                                         hour = $85.
Replace nose wheel steering servo       7 work-hours x $85 per            63,624          64,219      27,293,075
 valve.                                  hour = $595.
Review records........................  1 work-hour x $85 per                  0              85          36,125
                                         hour = $85.
Report results........................  1 work hour x $85 per                  0              85          36,125
                                         hour = $85.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The FAA has included all known costs in its cost estimate. 
According to the manufacturer, however, some of the costs of this AD 
may be covered under warranty, thereby reducing the cost impact on 
affected operators.

Paperwork Reduction Act

    A federal agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not 
required to respond to, nor shall a person be subject to a penalty for 
failure to comply with a collection of information subject to the 
requirements of the Paperwork Reduction Act unless that collection of 
information displays a currently valid OMB Control Number. The OMB 
Control Number for this information collection is 2120-0056. Public 
reporting for this collection of information is estimated to be 
approximately 1 hour per response, including the time for reviewing 
instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering and 
maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing the 
collection of information. All responses to this collection of 
information are mandatory. Send comments regarding this burden estimate 
or any other aspect of this collection of information, including 
suggestions for reducing this burden to: Information Collection 
Clearance Officer, Federal Aviation Administration, 10101 Hillwood 
Parkway, Fort Worth, TX 76177-1524.

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

    The FAA has determined that 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:
0
a. Removing Airworthiness Directive 2020-12-06, Amendment 39-21141 (85 
FR 36143, June 15, 2020); and
0
b. Adding the following new airworthiness directive:

2022-02-15 Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation: Amendment 39-21912; 
Docket No. FAA-2021-0881; Project Identifier AD-2020-01062-T.

(a) Effective Date

    This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective February 24, 
2022.

(b) Affected ADs

    This AD replaces AD 2020-12-06, Amendment 39-21141 (85 FR 36143, 
June 15, 2020) (AD 2020-12-06).

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to all Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation Model G-
IV airplanes, certificated in any category.

(d) Subject

    Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 3200, Landing Gear 
System.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by reports of un-commanded nose wheel 
steering turns. The FAA is issuing this AD to prevent moisture from 
entering the nose steering wheel servo valve, which could freeze and 
cause an un-commanded nose wheel steering position during touchdown. 
The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could result in a lateral 
runway departure.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Retained Airplane Flight Manual Revisions for Certain Airplanes

    This paragraph restates the requirements of paragraphs (g)(1) 
and (2) of AD 2020-12-06. Within 30 days after July 20, 2020 (the 
effective date of AD 2020-12-06), revise your airplane flight manual 
(AFM) by incorporating the revision applicable to your airplane 
configuration as listed in paragraphs (g)(1) and (2) of this AD:
    (1) Gulfstream IV Airplane Flight Manual, Gulfstream Aerospace 
Document Number GAC-AC-GIV-OPS-0001, Revision 52, dated October 30, 
2017; or
    (2) Gulfstream G300 Airplane Flight Manual, Gulfstream Aerospace 
Document Number GAC-AC-G300-OPS-0001, Revision 20, dated October 30, 
2017.

(h) Correction to AFM Revision for Certain Airplanes

    Within 30 days after the effective date of this AD, revise your 
AFM by incorporating Gulfstream G400 Airplane Flight Manual, 
Gulfstream Aerospace Document Number GAC-AC-G400-OPS-0001, Revision 
20, dated October 30, 2017, if applicable to your airplane 
configuration.

[[Page 3030]]

(i) Retained Replacement of Nose Wheel Steering Servo Valve Manifold 
With No Changes

    This paragraph restates the requirements of paragraph (h) of AD 
2020-12-06 with no changes. Within 36 months after July 20, 2020 
(the effective date of AD 2020-12-06), replace the nose wheel 
steering servo valve manifold with nose wheel steering servo valve 
manifold part number 5100-11 or 5105-5 in accordance with the 
Accomplishment Instructions of the customer bulletin that applies to 
your airplane configuration as listed in paragraphs (i)(1) through 
(3) of this AD, except you are not required to comply with step H:
    (1) Gulfstream IV Customer Bulletin Number 244, dated March 12, 
2018;
    (2) Gulfstream G300 Customer Bulletin 244, dated March 12, 2018; 
or
    (3) Gulfstream G400 Customer Bulletin 244, dated March 12, 2018.

(j) Retained Records Inspection and Report of Results With No Changes

    This paragraph restates the requirements of paragraph (i) of AD 
2020-12-06 with no changes.
    (1) Between 12 months and 24 months after the replacement of the 
nose wheel steering valve manifold assembly required in paragraph 
(i) of this AD, inspect all aircraft records for entries of an un-
commanded nose wheel steering turn.
    (2) Within 10 days after the records inspection required in 
paragraph (j)(1) of this AD, report the results of the inspection, 
regardless of whether the inspection found any entries, to the FAA 
by either email: [email protected]; or by mail: Attn: 
Continued Operational Safety, Atlanta ACO Branch, FAA, 1701 Columbia 
Avenue, College Park, GA 30337. The report must include as much of 
the information listed in paragraphs (j)(2)(i) through (vii) of this 
AD as is known about the event:
    (i) Date of records inspection;
    (ii) Date and time of all un-commanded occurrences (if any);
    (iii) Airplane serial number;
    (iv) Weather and runway conditions at the time of each 
occurrence;
    (v) Copy of the pilot's report of the occurrence (if available);
    (vi) Maintenance entry of the root cause of the un-commanded 
deflection (if available); and
    (vii) Any other information pertinent to the occurrence.

(k) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (1) The Manager, Atlanta ACO 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 
manager of the certification office, 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 Samuel Belete, 
Aviation Safety Engineer, Systems and Equipment Section, FAA, 
Atlanta ACO Branch, 1701 Columbia Avenue, College Park, GA 30337; 
phone: (404) 474-5580; 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.
    (3) The following service information was approved for IBR on 
July 20, 2020 (85 FR 36143, June 15, 2020).
    (i) Gulfstream IV Customer Bulletin Number 244, dated March 12, 
2018.
    (ii) Gulfstream G300 Customer Bulletin 244, dated March 12, 
2018.
    (iii) Gulfstream G400 Customer Bulletin 244, dated March 12, 
2018.
    (iv) Gulfstream IV Airplane Flight Manual, Gulfstream Aerospace 
Document Number GAC-AC-GIV-OPS-0001, Revision 52, dated October 30, 
2017.
    (v) Gulfstream G300 Airplane Flight Manual, Gulfstream Aerospace 
Document Number GAC-AC-G300-OPS-0001, Revision 20, dated October 30, 
2017.
    (vi) Gulfstream G400 Airplane Flight Manual, Gulfstream 
Aerospace Document Number GAC-AC-G400-OPS-0001, Revision 20, dated 
October 30, 2017.
    (4) For service information identified in this AD, contact 
Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation, P.O. Box 2206, Savannah, GA 31402; 
phone: (800) 810-4853; email: [email protected]; website: https://www.gulfstream.com/en/customer-support/.
    (5) You may view this service information at FAA, Airworthiness 
Products Section, Operational Safety Branch, FAA, 901 Locust, Kansas 
City, MO 64106. For information on the availability of this material 
at the FAA, call (817) 222-5110.
    (6) 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, email: [email protected], or go to: https://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.

    Issued on January 13, 2022.
Lance T. Gant,
Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2022-00972 Filed 1-19-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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