Airworthiness Directives; Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation Airplanes
| Published date | 16 December 2019 |
| Citation | 84 FR 68363 |
| Record Number | 2019-26850 |
| Section | Proposed rules |
| Court | Federal Aviation Administration |
Federal Register, Volume 84 Issue 241 (Monday, December 16, 2019)
[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 241 (Monday, December 16, 2019)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 68363-68365]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-26850]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2019-1024; Product Identifier 2019-CE-002-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation
Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
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SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD)
for certain Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation (Gulfstream) Model GVI
airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by a report that the primary
flight control actuation system (PFCAS) linear variable displacement
transducer (LVDT) mechanical disconnect monitor may not trigger the
disconnect of the affected control surfaces as required in the event of
a control surface failure. This proposed AD would require updating the
software of each PFCAS remote electronics unit (REU), which includes an
improvement to the LVDT. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the
unsafe condition on these products.
DATES: The FAA must receive comments on this proposed AD by January 30,
2020.
ADDRESSES: You may send comments, using the procedures found in 14 CFR
11.43 and 11.45, by any of the following methods:
Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to https://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
Fax: 202-493-2251.
Mail: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New
Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590.
Hand Delivery: Deliver to Mail address above between 9
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
For service information identified in this NPRM, contact Gulfstream
Aerospace Corporation, Technical Publications Dept., P.O Box 2206,
Savannah, GA 31402-2206; telephone: (800) 810-4853; fax: (912) 965-
3520; email: [email protected]; internet: https://www.gulfstream.com/customer-support. You may view this service information at the FAA,
Policy and Innovation Division, 901 Locust, Kansas City, Missouri
64106. For information on the availability of this material at the FAA,
call (816) 329-4148.
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-2019-
1024; 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 proposed AD, the regulatory evaluation, any comments received, and
other information. The street address for Docket Operations is listed
above. Comments will be available in the AD docket shortly after
receipt.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Myles Jalalian, Aerospace Engineer,
Atlanta ACO Branch, FAA, 1701 Columbia Avenue, College Park, Georgia
30337; phone: (404) 474-5572; fax: (404) 474-5606; email:
[email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments Invited
The FAA invites you to send any written relevant data, views, or
arguments about this proposal. Send your comments to an address listed
under the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2019-1024;
Product Identifier 2019-CE-002-AD'' at the beginning of your comments.
The FAA specifically invites comments on the overall regulatory,
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this NPRM. The FAA will
consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend this
NPRM because of those comments.
The FAA will post all comments received, without change, to https://www.regulations.gov, including any personal information you provide.
The FAA will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal
contact received about this NPRM.
Discussion
The FAA received a report from Gulfstream that the PFCAS LVDT
mechanical disconnect monitor may not trigger the disconnect of the
affected control surfaces as required in the event of a control surface
failure. The Model GVI flight control computer actuator LVDT disconnect
monitor should disable the control surface for ailerons, elevators, and
rudder in the event that one of those control surfaces fails.
Gulfstream developed an REU software update that provides improvements
to the LVDT of the PFCAS, which addresses the LVDT disconnect monitor
problem. This condition, if not addressed, could lead to spoiler hard-
over or loss of structural integrity due to excessive surface
deflection and result in loss of control of the airplane.
Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51
The FAA reviewed Gulfstream G650 Customer Bulletin Number 201,
dated September 28, 2017, and Gulfstream G650ER Customer Bulletin
Number 201, dated September 28, 2017; which specify incorporating
Gulfstream G650 Aircraft Service Change 069, dated September 28, 2017,
or Gulfstream G650ER Aircraft Service Change 069, dated September 28,
2017. This service information differs because each document applies to
a different airplane designation.
The FAA also reviewed Gulfstream G650 Aircraft Service Change 069,
dated
[[Page 68364]]
September 28, 2017, and Gulfstream G650ER Aircraft Service Change 069,
dated September 28, 2017, which provide and reference procedures for
preparing the REU for a software update.
The FAA reviewed Parker Service Bulletin 469000-27-003, Revision 1,
dated October 11, 2017, which contains procedures for updating the
software of the REU from Label 34 to Label 35. This update includes
improved LVDT disconnect and oscillatory monitoring, force fight
mitigation, troubleshooting, and rectification of other reported
problems.
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.
FAA's Determination
The FAA is proposing this AD because it evaluated all the relevant
information and determined the unsafe condition described previously is
likely to exist or develop in other products of the same type design.
Proposed D Requirements
This proposed AD would require accomplishing the actions specified
in the service information described previously.
Costs of Compliance
The FAA estimates that this proposed AD would affect 161 airplanes
of U.S. registry.
The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this proposed
AD:
Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cost per Cost on U.S.
Action Labor cost Parts cost product operators
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Update REU software............... 386 work-hours x $85 None................ $32,810 $5,282,410
per hour = $32,810.
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According to the manufacturer, some of the costs of this proposed
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 costs in
this 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.
This proposed AD is issued in accordance with authority delegated
by the Executive Director, Aircraft Certification Service, as
authorized by FAA Order 8000.51C. In accordance with that order,
issuance of ADs is normally a function of the Compliance and
Airworthiness Division, but during this transition period, the
Executive Director has delegated the authority to issue ADs applicable
to small airplanes, gliders, balloons, airships, domestic business jet
transport airplanes, and associated appliances to the Director of the
Policy and Innovation Division.
Regulatory Findings
The FAA determined that this proposed AD would not have federalism
implications under Executive Order 13132. This proposed AD would 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 this proposed
regulation:
(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 Proposed Amendment
Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the
Administrator, the FAA proposes to amend 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):
Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation: Docket No. FAA-2019-1024; Product
Identifier 2019-CE-002-AD.
(a) Comments Due Date
The FAA must receive comments by January 30, 2020.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation Model GVI
airplanes, certificated in any category, serial numbers 6001 through
6111, 6113 through 6133, and 6135 through 6274.
Note 1 to paragraph (c) of this AD: Model GVI airplanes are also
referred to by the marketing designations G650 and G650ER.
(d) Subject
Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC)/Air Transport Association
(ATA) of America Code 27, Flight Controls.
(e) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by a report that the primary flight control
actuation system (PFCAS) linear variable displacement transducer
(LVDT) mechanical disconnect monitor may not trigger the disconnect
of the affected control surfaces as required in the event of a
control surface failure. This condition, if not addressed, could
lead to spoiler hard-over or loss of structural integrity due to
excessive surface deflection and result in loss of control of the
airplane.
(f) Compliance
Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified,
unless already done.
[[Page 68365]]
(g) Software Upgrade
Within the next 24 months after the effective date of this AD,
update the software for each PFCAS remote electronics unit (REU)
from Label 34 to Label 35 by following the Accomplishment
Instructions in Gulfstream G650 Customer Bulletin Number 201, dated
September 28, 2017, or Gulfstream G650ER Customer Bulletin Number
201, dated September 28, 2017; the Modification Instructions,
sections A through C, in Gulfstream G650 Aircraft Service Change No.
069, dated September 28, 2017, or Gulfstream G650ER Aircraft Service
Change No. 069, dated September 28, 2017; and the Accomplishment
Instructions in Parker Service Bulletin 469000-27-003, Revision 1,
dated October 11, 2017; except you are not required to submit
information to the manufacturer.
(h) 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 (i)(1) 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.
(3) For service information 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. 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
(1) For more information about this AD, contact Myles Jalalian,
Aerospace Engineer, Atlanta ACO Branch, FAA, 1701 Columbia Avenue,
College Park, Georgia 30337; phone: (404) 474-5572; fax: (404) 474-
5606; email: [email protected].
(2) 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; fax:
(912) 965-3520; email: [email protected]; internet: https://www.gulfstream.com/customer-support. You may obtain Parker-Hannifin
service information using the contact information for Gulfstream
Aerospace Corporation. You may view this referenced service
information at the FAA, Policy and Innovation Division, 901 Locust,
Kansas City, Missouri 64106. For information on the availability of
this material at the FAA, call (816) 329-4148.
Issued on December 2, 2019.
Patrick R. Mullen,
Aircraft Certification Service, Manager, Small Airplane Standards
Branch, AIR-690.
[FR Doc. 2019-26850 Filed 12-13-19; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
