Airworthiness Directives; Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 113 (Tuesday, June 13, 2023)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 38387-38391]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-12442]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2022-1055; Project Identifier AD-2022-00573-T; 
Amendment 39-22455; AD 2023-11-09]
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 adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for 
certain Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation Model GVII-G500 and GVII-G600 
airplanes. This AD was prompted by reports of two landing incidents in 
which the alpha limiter engaged in the landing flare in unstable air, 
resulting in high rate of descent landings and damage to the airplanes. 
This AD requires updating the flight control computer (FCC) software. 
The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these 
products.

DATES: This AD is effective July 18, 2023.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of certain publications listed in this AD as of July 18, 
2023.

ADDRESSES: 
    AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at regulations.gov under 
Docket No. FAA-2022-1055; 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

[[Page 38388]]

New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590.
    Material Incorporated by Reference:
    <bullet> 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; email 
[email protected]; website gulfstream.com/en/customer-support.
    <bullet> You may view this service information 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 at 
regulations.gov under Docket No. FAA-2022-1055.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Myles Jalalian, Aviation Safety 
Engineer, FAA, 1701 Columbia Avenue, College Park, GA 30337; phone: 
404-474-5572; email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    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 Corporation Model GVII-G500 and GVII-G600 airplanes. The NPRM 
published in the Federal Register on September 8, 2022 (87 FR 54925). 
The NPRM was prompted by reports of two landing incidents in which the 
alpha limiter engaged in the landing flare in unstable air, resulting 
in high rate of descent landings and damage to the airplane. In the 
NPRM, the FAA proposed to require updating the FCC software. The FAA is 
issuing this AD to address inappropriate alpha limiter engagement 
during the landing flare, which can limit pilot pitch authority during 
a critical phase of flight near the ground, and result in a high rate 
of descent landing with possible consequent loss of control of the 
airplane.

Discussion of Final Airworthiness Directive

Comments

    The FAA received comments from two commenters, Disney Aviation 
Group (Disney) and Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation (Gulfstream). The 
following presents the comments received on the NPRM and the FAA's 
response to each comment.

Request To Add Service Information

    Disney noted that the proposed AD does not reference Gulfstream 
Technical Bulletins Aircraft Service Change (ASC) No. 039A (for GVII-
G500) or ASC No. 029A (for GVII-G600). Disney suggested referring to 
those documents, rather than requiring using a method approved by the 
FAA, would be logical and easy. Gulfstream added that these ASCs 
provide corrective actions to address the unsafe condition and should 
be incorporated by reference in the proposed AD. Gulfstream added that 
including the ASCs would provide a less ambiguous path to AD compliance 
and alleviate the need for operators to obtain an alternative method of 
compliance (AMOC).
    The FAA agrees. Gulfstream GVII-G500 ASC No. 039, Revision A, dated 
September 13, 2022, including Thales Service Bulletin C13204J-27-002, 
Revision 01, dated September 13, 2022, and Thales Service Bulletin 
C13212J-27-002, Revision 01, dated September 13, 2022; and Gulfstream 
GVII-G600 ASC No. 029, Revision A, dated September 12, 2022, including 
Thales Service Bulletin C13204K-27-002, Revision 01, dated September 
13, 2022, and Thales Service Bulletin C13212K-27-002, Revision 01, 
dated September 13, 2022; which provide procedures for updating the FCC 
software, were not available when the NPRM was issued. However, the FAA 
has now reviewed this service information and determined that it 
addresses the unsafe condition. The FAA has revised paragraph (g) of 
this AD to include updating the FCC software in accordance with the 
service information as an optional method of compliance. The FAA has 
also revised this AD to add paragraph (i) of this AD to specify that 
this AD does not require reporting, added paragraph (j) of this AD to 
provide credit for certain previous versions of the service 
information, and redesignated subsequent paragraphs accordingly.

Request To Terminate Additional AD

    Disney stated that paragraph (h) of the proposed AD, which states 
that accomplishing the software update terminates all requirements of 
AD 2022-10-05, Amendment 39-22043 (87 FR 27494, May 9, 2022) (AD 2022-
10-05), is not true. The commenter suggested that the software update 
would terminate the requirements of both AD 2020-02-18, Amendment 39-
21026 (85 FR 8153, February 13, 2020) (AD 2020-02-18) and AD 2022-10-
05.
    The FAA agrees. Accomplishing the software update required by 
paragraph (g) of this AD on an airplane terminates all requirements of 
AD 2020-02-18 and AD 2022-10-05, for that airplane only. The FAA has 
revised the terminating action language in paragraph (h) of this AD to 
also refer to AD 2020-02-18. The FAA also revised paragraph (b) of this 
AD to refer to AD 2020-02-18 as an affected AD. The FAA notes that this 
AD does not supersede AD 2020-02-18 and AD 2022-10-05 because airplanes 
that are operated without the FCC software update required by this AD 
will continue to be subject to the operating restrictions in AD 2020-
02-18 and AD 2022-10-05.

Request Change to Applicability

    Gulfstream commented that FCC software version 9.5 or equivalent 
will be installed in production on GVII-G500 aircraft with serial 
numbers (S/Ns) 72112 and subsequent, and GVII-G600 aircraft with S/Ns 
73107 and subsequent. The commenter requested that the FAA revise 
paragraph (c) to specify that this AD ``applies to Gulfstream Aerospace 
Corporation Model GVII-G500 airplanes, certificated in any category, 
serial numbers 72001-72111 and GVII-G600 airplanes, certificated in any 
category, serial numbers 73001-73106.''
    Gulfstream also commented that airplanes on which the software has 
already been updated to the version required by the proposed AD should 
be excluded from the applicability of proposed AD.
    The FAA partially agrees. The FAA has revised paragraph (c) of this 
AD to include terminating serial numbers to exclude production 
airplanes that have FCC software version 9.5 or equivalent. Regarding 
the request to exclude airplanes on which the software has already been 
updated, the FAA notes that this change is unnecessary. Paragraph (f) 
of this AD mandates compliance with the required actions, unless 
already done. Therefore, if the actions required by this AD have 
already been accomplished on an airplane, that airplane is already in 
compliance with this AD.

Request To Correct Software Revision Level and Part Number

    Both Disney and Gulfstream noted a typographical error in the FCC 
software level identified in figure 1 to paragraph (c) of the proposed 
AD. They requested the FAA revise the FCC software level for the GVII-
G600 Module B identified in figure 1 to paragraph (c) of the proposed 
AD from ``72P2700001Z200-SW6.3,'' to ``72P2700001Z200-SW8.1.''
    Disney also stated the part number changes referenced in Gulfstream 
ASC No. 039A and ASC No. 029A, paragraph D, Re-identified Parts, are 
different from the part numbers referenced in figure 1 to paragraph (c) 
of the proposed AD.

[[Page 38389]]

    The FAA agrees to correct the typographical error and has revised 
figure 1 to paragraph (c) of this AD as requested. Regarding the 
different part numbers, the FAA notes that the part numbers referenced 
in figure 1 to paragraph (c) of this AD are the existing part numbers 
that need to be revised.

Request To Withdraw the NPRM

    Disney stated that there is 100 percent U.S. fleet participation in 
FCC software version 9.5, and they suggested that all of the 
requirements have been satisfied via FAA AMOCs. The commenter did not 
believe that this AD action is necessary, and the FAA infers the 
commenter is requesting that the FAA withdraw the NPRM.
    The FAA disagrees. The worldwide fleet does not have 100 percent 
compliance with the proposed AD; there are still airplanes that have 
not been updated to FCC software version 9.5. The FAA, as the State of 
Design civil aviation authority, has an obligation under international 
bilateral agreements to issue an AD if an unsafe condition exists. 
Further, under 14 CFR 39.7 and 39.9, there is a continuing obligation 
by operators to not reintroduce the unsafe condition mandated by an AD. 
Therefore, the FAA has determined this AD is necessary to address the 
unsafe condition.

Request To Clarify Action in a Note

    Disney stated that note 1 to paragraph (c) of the proposed AD 
suggests that removing the covers of the FCC module is necessary to 
verify the software label. The commenter questioned why the software 
update cannot be verified by referring to the log entry for the ASC 
update.
    The FAA agrees to clarify. Note 1 to paragraph (c) of this AD is 
informational in nature and does not require verification of the 
software update using any particular method. Operators may use other 
means to determine which software revision they have, provided they can 
conclusively determine the software revision. The FAA has not changed 
this AD regarding this issue.

Additional Changes Made to This Final Rule

    Since the NPRM published, the FAA evaluated the compliance time and 
determined that extending the compliance time from ``no later than 
April 30, 2023,'' to ``within 90 days after the effective date of this 
AD,'' will not adversely affect safety. The FAA has revised the 
compliance time in paragraph (g) of this AD accordingly.

Conclusion

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

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    The FAA reviewed Gulfstream GVII-G500 ASC No. 039, Revision A, 
dated September 13, 2022, including Thales Service Bulletin C13204J-27-
002, Revision 01, dated September 13, 2022, and Thales Service Bulletin 
C13212J-27-002, Revision 01, dated September 13, 2022; and Gulfstream 
GVII-G600 ASC No. 029, Revision A, dated September 13, 2022, including 
Thales Service Bulletin C13204K-27-002, Revision 01, dated September 
13, 2022, and Thales Service Bulletin C13212K-27-002, Revision 01, 
dated September 13, 2022. This service information specifies procedures 
for updating the FCC software (which includes loading new software to 
the FCC modules, re-identifying each module with a new part number, and 
conducting return-to-service functional checks post-modification). 
These documents are distinct since they apply to different airplane 
models. 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 ADDRESSES.

Costs of Compliance

    The FAA estimates that this AD affects 120 airplanes of U.S. 
registry. The FAA estimates 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.....................  6 work-hours x $85 per               $0             $510          $61,200
                                       hour = $510.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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:

[[Page 38390]]

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:

2023-11-09 Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation: Amendment 39-22455; 
Docket No. FAA-2022-1055; Project Identifier AD-2022-00573-T.

(a) Effective Date

    This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective July 18, 2023.

(b) Affected ADs

    This AD affects AD 2020-02-18, Amendment 39-21026 (85 FR 8153, 
February 13, 2020) (AD 2020-02-18); and AD 2022-10-05, Amendment 39-
22043 (87 FR 27494, May 9, 2022) (AD 2022-10-05).

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation Model GVII-
G500 airplanes having serial numbers (S/Ns) 72001 through 72111 
inclusive; and GVII-G600 airplanes having S/Ns 73001 through 73106 
inclusive; certificated in any category, with flight control 
computer (FCC) software revisions installed as specified in figure 1 
to paragraph (c) of this AD.

                      Figure 1 to Paragraph (c) of This AD--FCC Software Revision Installed
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                              Gulfstream Aerospace
               Model                      Nomenclature        Corporation part No.            Thales P/N
                                                                      (P/N)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
GVII-G500 airplanes................  FCC COM-MON Module A..  72P2700001Z100-SW6.3..  C13204JB01
                                     FCC COM-MON Module B..  72P2700001Z200-SW6.3..  C13212JB01
GVII-G600 airplanes................  FCC COM-MON Module A..  72P2700001Z100-SW8.1..  C13204KB01
                                     FCC COM-MON Module B..  72P2700001Z200-SW8.1..  C13212KB01
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Note 1 to paragraph (c): The FCC software label, which 
identifies the software revision installed, can be found on the face 
of the FCC module. The FCC modules are installed within the left and 
right electronic equipment racks. The labels may be viewed by 
opening the rack doors and removing 4 screws per FCC (8 screws total 
per airplane) from the FCC cover.

(d) Subject

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

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by reports of two landing incidents where 
the alpha limiter engaged in the landing flare in unstable air while 
on the approach and caused high rate of descent landings and damage 
to the airplane. The FAA is issuing this AD to address inappropriate 
alpha limiter engagement during the landing flare, which can limit 
pilot pitch authority during a critical phase of flight near the 
ground, and result in a high rate of descent landing with possible 
consequent loss of control of the airplane.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Software Update

    Within 90 days after the effective date of this AD, update the 
FCC software in accordance with either:
    (1) Gulfstream GVII-G500 Aircraft Service Change No. 039, 
Revision A, dated September 13, 2022, including Thales Service 
Bulletin C13204J-27-002, Revision 01, dated September 13, 2022, and 
Thales Service Bulletin C13212J-27-002, Revision 01, dated September 
13, 2022; or Gulfstream GVII-G600 Aircraft Service Change No. 029, 
Revision A, dated September 13, 2022, including Thales Service 
Bulletin C13204K-27-002, Revision 01, dated September 13, 2022, and 
Thales Service Bulletin C13212K-27-002, Revision 01, dated September 
13, 2022; as applicable; or
    (2) A method approved by the Manager, East Certification Branch, 
FAA.

(h) Terminating Action for AD 2020-02-18 and AD 2022-10-05

    Accomplishing the software update required by paragraph (g) of 
this AD on an airplane terminates all requirements of AD 2020-02-18 
and AD 2022-10-05, for that airplane only.

(i) No Reporting Requirement

    Although Gulfstream GVII-G500 Aircraft Service Change No. 039, 
Revision A, dated September 13, 2022, including Thales Service 
Bulletin C13204J-27-002, Revision 01, dated September 13, 2022, and 
Thales Service Bulletin C13212J-27-002, Revision 01, dated September 
13, 2022; and Gulfstream GVII-G600 Aircraft Service Change No. 029, 
Revision A, dated September 13, 2022, including Thales Service 
Bulletin C13204K-27-002, Revision 01, dated September 13, 2022, and 
Thales Service Bulletin C13212K-27-002, Revision 01, dated September 
13, 2022; specify to submit certain information to the manufacturer, 
this AD does not include that requirement.

(j) Credit for Previous Actions

    (1) This paragraph provides credit for the actions specified in 
paragraph (g)(1) of this AD, if those actions were performed before 
the effective date of this AD using Gulfstream GVII-G500 Aircraft 
Service Change No. 039, dated September 12, 2022, including Thales 
Service Bulletin C13204J-27-002, dated September 9, 2022, and Thales 
Service Bulletin C13212J-27-002, dated September 9, 2022.
    (2) This paragraph provides credit for the actions specified in 
paragraph (g)(1) of this AD, if those actions were performed before 
the effective date of this AD using Gulfstream GVII-G600 Aircraft 
Service Change No. 029, dated September 12, 2022, including Thales 
Service Bulletin C13204K-27-002, dated September 9, 2022, and Thales 
Service Bulletin C13212K-27-002, dated September 9, 2022.

(k) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (1) The Manager, East Certification 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 responsible Flight 
Standards 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)(1) of this AD.
    (2) Before using any approved AMOC, notify your appropriate 
principal inspector, or lacking a principal inspector, the manager 
of the responsible Flight Standards Office.

(l) Related Information

    (1) For more information about this AD, contact Myles Jalalian, 
Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 1701 Columbia Avenue, College Park, 
GA 30337; phone: 404-474-5572; email: [email protected].
    (2) Service information identified in this AD that is not 
incorporated by reference is available at the addresses specified in 
paragraphs (m)(3) and (4) of this AD.

(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.
    (i) Gulfstream GVII-G500 Aircraft Service Change No. 039, 
Revision A, dated September 13, 2022, including Thales Service 
Bulletin C13204J-27-002, Revision 01, dated September 13, 2022, and 
Thales Service Bulletin C13212J-27-002, Revision 01, dated September 
13, 2022.

[[Page 38391]]

    (ii) Gulfstream GVII-G600 Aircraft Service Change No. 029, 
Revision A, dated September 13, 2022, including Thales Service 
Bulletin C13204K-27-002, Revision 01, dated September 13, 2022, and 
Thales Service Bulletin C13212K-27-002, Revision 01, dated September 
13, 2022.
    (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; email 
[email protected]; website gulfstream.com/en/customer-support.
    (4) You may view this service information 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 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 protected], or go to: www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.

    Issued on June 2, 2023.
Michael Linegang,
Acting Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2023-12442 Filed 6-12-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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