Airworthiness Directives; Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 90, Number 5 (Wednesday, January 8, 2025)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 1357-1359]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2025-00138]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2024-2021; Project Identifier AD-2023-01077-T; 
Amendment 39-22905; AD 2024-25-03]
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 a report of cracking in the 
electrical grounding receptacles located on the left and right wings. 
This AD requires inspecting the electrical grounding receptacles for 
cracks and corrosion, performing applicable on-condition actions, and 
sealing over the grounding receptacles on the top of the wings to 
permanently disable the receptacle. The FAA is issuing this AD to 
address the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective February 12, 2025.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of certain publications listed in this AD as of February 12, 
2025.

ADDRESSES: 
    AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at regulations.gov under 
Docket No. FAA-2024-2021; 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.
    Material Incorporated by Reference:
    <bullet> For Gulfstream material 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.
    <bullet> 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 at regulations.gov under 
Docket No. FAA-2024-2021.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Brandon Ellis, Aviation Safety 
Engineer, FAA, 1701 Columbia Avenue, College Park, GA 30337; phone: 
404-474-5535; 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 August 22, 2024 (89 FR 67913). The 
NPRM was prompted by a report of cracking in the electrical grounding 
receptacles located on the left and right wings. In the NPRM, the FAA 
proposed to require inspecting the electrical grounding receptacles for 
cracks and corrosion, performing applicable on-condition actions, and 
sealing over the grounding receptacles on the top of the wings to 
permanently disable the receptacle. The FAA is issuing this AD to 
address cracks and corrosion of the electrical grounding receptacles. 
The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could result in fuel leaking 
from the electrical grounding receptacles.

Discussion of Final Airworthiness Directive

Comments

    The FAA received comments from an individual and three anonymous 
commenters who supported the NPRM without change.

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, this 
AD is adopted as proposed in the NPRM. None of the changes will 
increase the economic burden on any operator.

Material Incorporated by Reference Under 1 CFR Part 51

    The FAA reviewed Gulfstream GVII-G500 Customer Bulletin No. 089, 
dated November 28, 2023; and Gulfstream GVII-G600 Customer Bulletin No. 
058, dated November 28, 2023. This material specifies procedures for 
the following actions:
    <bullet> Borescope inspections for cracking and corrosion of the 
interior walls of the grounding receptacle casing.

[[Page 1358]]

    <bullet> Measurement of the inner diameter of the grounding 
receptacle if any Level 1 corrosion is found.
    <bullet> Repair including cleaning and application of chemical 
conversion coating if any Level 1 corrosion within the specified 
tolerance (inner diameter) is found.
    <bullet> Replacement of the grounding receptacle assembly if any 
crack, any Level 2 or Level 3 corrosion, or any Level 1 corrosion 
outside of the specified tolerance is found.
    <bullet> Removal of the ``GROUND HERE'' decal/stencil from the 
grounding receptacles, and application of epoxy over the ground 
receptacle area to permanently disable the receptacles.
    These documents are distinct since they apply to different airplane 
models.
    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 236 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
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Inspecting and disabling grounding         64 work-hours x $85 per              $83       $5,523      $1,303,428
 receptacles.                               hour = $5,440.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The FAA estimates the following costs to do any necessary 
corrective actions that would be required based on the results of the 
inspections. The agency has no way of determining the number of 
aircraft that might need these actions:

                                               On-Condition Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                       Cost per
                    Action                                    Labor cost                 Parts cost    product
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Repair........................................  12 work-hours x $85 per hour = $1,020.          $83       $1,103
Replacement...................................  35 work-hours x $85 per hour = $2,975.          926        3,901
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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

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:

2024-25-03 Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation: Amendment 39-22905; 
Docket No. FAA-2024-2021; Project Identifier AD-2023-01077-T.

(a) Effective Date

    This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective February 12, 
2025.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to the Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation 
airplanes, certificated in any category, identified in paragraphs 
(c)(1) and (2) of this AD.
    (1) Model GVII-G500 airplanes, having serial numbers (S/Ns) 
72001 through 72139 inclusive.
    (2) Model GVII-G600 airplanes, having S/Ns 73001 through 73144 
inclusive.

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 28, Fuel.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by a report of cracking in the electrical 
receptacles located on left and right wings of certain Gulfstream 
Aerospace Corporation Model GVII airplanes. The FAA is issuing this 
AD to address cracks and corrosion of the electrical grounding 
receptacles. The unsafe condition, if not

[[Page 1359]]

addressed, could result in fuel leaking from the electrical 
grounding receptacles.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Required Actions

    Within 36 months after the effective date of this AD, do the 
actions specified in paragraphs (g)(1) and (2) of this AD, in 
accordance with Gulfstream GVII-G500 Customer Bulletin No. 089 or 
Gulfstream GVII-G600 Customer Bulletin No. 058, both dated November 
28, 2023, as applicable.
    (1) Do borescope inspections for cracking and corrosion of the 
interior walls of the grounding receptacle casing and do all 
applicable corrective actions before further flight.
    (2) Remove the ``GROUND HERE'' decal/stencil from the grounding 
receptacles and apply epoxy over the ground receptacle area to 
permanently disable the grounding receptacles.

(h) 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 (i) 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.
    (3) For material that contains steps that are labeled as 
Required for Compliance (RC), the provisions of paragraphs (h)(3)(i) 
and (ii) of this AD apply.
    (i) The steps labeled as RC, including substeps under an RC step 
and any figures identified in an RC step, must be done to comply 
with the AD. If a step or substep is labeled ``RC Exempt,'' then the 
RC requirement is removed from that step or substep. An AMOC is 
required for any deviations to RC steps, including substeps and 
identified figures.
    (ii) Steps not labeled as RC may be deviated from using accepted 
methods in accordance with the operator's maintenance or inspection 
program without obtaining approval of an AMOC, provided the RC 
steps, including substeps and identified figures, can still be done 
as specified, and the airplane can be put back in an airworthy 
condition.

(i) Related Information

    For more information about this AD, contact Brandon Ellis, 
Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 1701 Columbia Avenue, College Park, 
GA 30337; phone: 404-474-5535; email: [email protected].

(j) Material Incorporated by Reference

    (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the 
incorporation by reference of the material listed in this paragraph 
under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
    (2) You must use this material as applicable to do the actions 
required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise.
    (i) Gulfstream GVII-G500 Customer Bulletin No. 089, dated 
November 28, 2023.
    (ii) Gulfstream GVII-G600 Customer Bulletin No. 058, dated 
November 28, 2023.
    (3) For Gulfstream material 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 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 at the National Archives and 
Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability 
of this material at NARA, visit www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/[email protected]">www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/[email protected].

    Issued on December 4, 2024.
Victor Wicklund,
Deputy Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2025-00138 Filed 1-7-25; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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