(a) EFFECTIVE DATE
This AD is effective August 1, 2012.
(b) AFFECTED ADS
None.
(c) APPLICABILITY
This AD applies to the airplanes identified in paragraphs (c)(1)
through (c)(4) of this AD, certificated in any category.
(1) Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation Model G-IV airplanes, serial numbers
1265, 1286, 1298, 1301, 1347, 1372, 1378, 1380, 1423, 1458, and 1497.
(2) Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation Model GIV-X airplanes, serial numbers
4064, 4151, 4192, 4194, 4199, and 4214.
(3) Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation Model GV airplanes, serial numbers
612, 630, and 691.
(4) Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation Model GV-SP airplanes, serial numbers
5038, 5079, 5223, 5227, 5237, 5240, 5245, 5246, 5252, 5258, 5261,
5265, 5267, 5283, 5290, 5293, 5294, 5302, 5307, 5311, 5318, and 5320.
(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 reports of failure to inspect or document the
paint thickness on flight controls (ailerons, rudder, elevator),
potentially having a negative impact on the flutter characteristics of
the airplane. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct paint
thickness on flight controls, which could result in loss of control of
the airplane due to flutter.
(f) COMPLIANCE
Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, unless
already done.
(g) AIRPLANE FLIGHT MANUAL REVISION
Within 20 days after the effective date of this AD, revise the
airplane flight manual (AFM) by incorporating the applicable airplane
flight manual supplement (AFMS) specified in paragraphs (g)(1),
(g)(2), (g)(3), and (g)(4) of this AD. After accomplishing the actions
in paragraph (h) of this AD, and all applicable corrective actions
required by paragraph (i) of this AD, the AFMS specified in paragraph
(g) of this AD may be removed from the AFM.
(1) For Model G-IV airplanes: Gulfstream IV Customer Bulletin 223,
including Part I and Part II Service Reply Cards, dated March 23,
2012, which includes Gulfstream GIV Airplane Flight Manual Supplement
GIV-2012-01, dated March 13, 2012.
(2) For Model GV airplanes: Gulfstream V Customer Bulletin 196, including
Part I and Part II Service Reply Cards, dated March 23, 2012, which
includes Gulfstream GV Airplane Flight Manual Supplement GV-2012-01,
dated March 13, 2012.
(3) For Model GIV-X airplanes: Gulfstream G450 Customer Bulletin 140,
including Part I and Part II Service Reply Cards, dated March 23,
2012, which includes Gulfstream G450/G350 Airplane Flight Manual
Supplement G450-2012-01, dated March 13, 2012.
(4) For Model GV-SP airplanes: Gulfstream G550 Customer Bulletin 121,
including Part I and Part II Service Reply Cards, dated March 23,
2012, which includes Gulfstream G550 Airplane Flight Manual Supplement
G550-2012-01, dated March 13, 2012; and Gulfstream G550 EASA Airplane
Flight Manual Supplement EASA-G550-2012-01, dated March 14, 2012.
(h) MEASUREMENT
At the applicable compliance time specified in paragraph (h)(1) or
(h)(2) of this AD, measure the paint thickness on both sides of the
flight control surfaces, in accordance with the Accomplishment
Instructions of the applicable customer bulletin identified in
paragraph (g) of this AD. If average paint thickness is equal to or
less than 5.0 mils; or if average paint thickness is greater than 5.0
mils, but equal to or less than the serial number specific allowances
provided in table 4 of the applicable customer bulletin identified in
paragraph (g) of this AD: The AFMS specified in paragraph (g) of this
AD may be removed from the AFM.
(1) For Model GIV-X, GV, and GV-SP airplanes: Within 90 days after the
effective date of this AD.
(2) For Model G-IV airplanes: Within 180 days after the effective date of
this AD.
(i) CORRECTIVE ACTIONS
(1) If, during the measurement required by paragraph (h) of this AD, the
average paint thickness is greater than the serial number specific
allowances provided in table 4 of the applicable customer bulletin
specified in paragraph (g) of this AD, and is equal to or greater than
13.0 mils: Before further flight, repair, in accordance with a method
approved by the Manager, Atlanta Aircraft Certification Office (ACO),
FAA. For a repair method to be approved by the Manager, Atlanta ACO,
as required by this paragraph, the Manager's approval letter must
specifically refer to this AD.
(2) If, during the measurement required by paragraph (h) of this AD, the
average paint thickness is greater than the serial number specific
allowances provided in table 4 of the applicable customer bulletin
specified in paragraph (g) of this AD, but is less than 13 mils:
Within 12 months after the effective date of this AD, do all
applicable corrective actions, in accordance with the applicable
customer bulletin specified in paragraph (g) of this AD, except as
required by paragraph (j) of this AD. After accomplishing the
applicable corrective actions, the AFMS specified in paragraph (g) of
this AD may be removed from the AFM.
(j) EXCEPTION
Where the customer bulletins identified in paragraph (g) of this AD
specify to contact Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation for corrective
actions, this AD requires doing corrective actions before further
flight, in accordance with a method approved by the Manager, Atlanta
ACO. For a repair method to be approved by the Manager, Atlanta ACO,
as required by this paragraph, the Manager's approval letter must
specifically refer to this AD.
(k) REPORTING
(1) Submit a report of the measurements required by paragraph (h) of this
AD, including the dimensions obtained from tables 1, 2, and 3, of the
applicable customer bulletin specified in paragraph (g) of this AD.
Submit the report using the Part I Service Reply Card in the
applicable customer bulletin identified in paragraph (g) of this AD,
to Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation, at the applicable time specified
in paragraph (k)(1)(i) or (k)(1)(ii) of this AD. Under the provisions
of the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.), the Office of
Management and Budget (OMB) has approved the information collection
requirements contained in this AD and has assigned OMB Control Number
2120 0056.
(i) If the measurement was done on or after the effective date of this AD:
Submit the report within 30 days after the measurement.
(ii) If the measurement was done before the effective date of this AD:
Submit the report within 30 days after the effective date of this AD.
(2) Submit a report of compliance with the corrective actions required by
paragraph (i) of this AD, using the Part II Service Reply Card in the
applicable customer bulletin identified in paragraph (g) of this AD,
to Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation, at the applicable time specified
in paragraph (k)(2)(i) or (k)(2)(ii) of this AD.
(i) If the corrective action was done on or after the effective date of
this AD: Submit the report within 30 days after accomplishing the
corrective action.
(ii) If the corrective action was done before the effective date of this
AD: Submit the report within 30 days after the effective date of this
AD.
(l) SPECIAL FLIGHT PERMIT
Special flight permits, as described in Section 21.197 and Section
21.199 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 21.197 and 21.199),
may be issued to operate the airplane to a location where the
requirements of this AD can be accomplished if the applicable AFM
specified in paragraph (g) of this AD has been revised as required by
paragraph (g) of this AD.
(m) PAPERWORK REDUCTION ACT BURDEN STATEMENT
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 current 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 5 minutes per response, including the time for reviewing
instructions, completing and reviewing the collection of information.
All responses to this collection of information are mandatory.
Comments concerning the accuracy of this burden and suggestions for
reducing the burden should be directed to the FAA at: 800 Independence
Ave. SW., Washington, DC 20591, Attn: Information Collection Clearance
Officer, AES-200.
(n) ALTERNATIVE METHODS OF COMPLIANCE (AMOCS)
(1) The Manager, Atlanta ACO, 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 ACO, send it to
the attention of the person identified in the Related Information
section 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.
(o) RELATED INFORMATION
For more information about this AD, contact Michael Cann, Senior
Aerospace Engineer, Airframe Branch, ACE-117A, FAA, Atlanta ACO, 1701
Columbia Avenue, College Park, GA 30337; phone 404-474-5548; fax 404
-474-5605; email: michael.cann@faa.gov.
(p) MATERIAL INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
(1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference (IBR) of the following service information under 5 U.S.C.
552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
(2) You must use the following service information to do the actions
required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise.
(i) Gulfstream IV Customer Bulletin 223, dated March 23, 2012, which
includes the following attachments:
(A) Part I Service Reply Card, dated March 23, 2012.
(B) Part II Service Reply Card, dated March 23, 2012.
(C) Gulfstream GIV Airplane Flight Manual Supplement GIV-2012-01, dated
March 13, 2012.
(ii) Gulfstream V Customer Bulletin 196, dated March 23, 2012, which
includes the following attachments:
(A) Part I Service Reply Card, dated March 23, 2012.
(B) Part II Service Reply Card, dated March 23, 2012.
(C) Gulfstream GV Airplane Flight Manual Supplement GV-2012-01 dated March
13, 2012.
(iii) Gulfstream G450 Customer Bulletin 140, dated March 23, 2012, which
includes the following attachments:
(A) Part I Service Reply Card, dated March 23, 2012.
(B) Part II Service Reply Card, dated March 23, 2012.
(C) Gulfstream G450/G350 Airplane Flight Manual Supplement G450-2012-01,
dated March 13, 2012.
(iv) Gulfstream G550 Customer Bulletin 121, dated March 23, 2012, which
includes the following attachments:
(A) Part I Service Reply Card, dated March 23, 2012.
(B) Part II Service Reply Card, dated March 23, 2012.
(C) Gulfstream G550 Airplane Flight Manual Supplement G550-2012-01, dated
March 13, 2012.
(D) Gulfstream G550 EASA Airplane Flight Manual Supplement EASA-G550-2012-
01, dated March 14, 2012.
(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; fax 912-965-3520;
email pubs@gulfstream.com; Internet http://www.gulfstream.com/product_
support/technical_pubs/pubs/index.htm.
(4) You may review copies of the service information at the FAA, 1601 Lind
Avenue SW., Renton, WA. For information on the availability of this
material at the FAA, call 425-227-1221.
(5) You may also review copies of the 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, call 202-741-6030, or go to:
http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr_locations.html.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on June 28, 2012. Kalene C. Yanamura, Acting
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Michael Cann, Senior Aerospace Engineer,
Airframe Branch, ACE-117A, FAA, Atlanta Aircraft Certification Office,
1701 Columbia Avenue, College Park, GA 30337; phone 404-474-5548; fax 404
-474-5605; email: michael.cann@faa.gov.
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AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration
(FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.
SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for
certain
Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation Model G-IV, GIV-X, GV, and GV-SP
airplanes. This AD requires measuring to determine paint thickness on
the flight control surfaces and corrective actions if necessary, and
revising the Airplane Flight Manual (AFM). This AD was prompted by
reports of failure to inspect or document the paint thickness on flight
controls (ailerons, rudder, elevator), potentially having a negative
impact on the flutter characteristics of the airplane. We are issuing
this AD to detect and correct paint thickness on flight controls, which
could result in loss of control of the airplane due to flutter.
DATES: This AD is effective August 1, 2012.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of certain publications listed in the AD as of August 1,
2012.
We must receive comments on this AD by August 31, 2012.
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 http://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: U.S. Department of
Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor,
Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590, between
9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
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 pubs@gulfstream.com; Internet http://www.gulfstream.com/product_support/technical_pubs/pubs/index.htm.
You
may review copies of the referenced service information at the FAA,
Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., Renton, WA. For
information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call 425-
227-1221.
Examining the AD Docket
You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov;
or in person at the Docket Management Facility
between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal
holidays. The AD docket contains this AD, the regulatory evaluation,
any comments received, and other information. The street address for
the Docket Office (phone: 800-647-5527) is in the ADDRESSES section.
Comments will be available in the AD docket shortly after receipt.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Michael Cann, Senior Aerospace
Engineer, Airframe Branch, ACE-117A, FAA, Atlanta Aircraft
Certification Office, 1701 Columbia Avenue, College Park, GA 30337;
phone 404-474-5548; fax 404-474-5605; email: michael.cann@faa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Discussion
We received reports of failure to inspect or document the paint
thickness on flight controls (ailerons, rudder, elevator), potentially
having a negative impact on the flutter characteristics of the
airplane. Excessive paint thickness will affect the balance moment of
the flight control surface. This condition, if not corrected, could
result in loss of control of the airplane due to flutter.
Relevant Service Information
We reviewed the following service information, which describes
procedures for measuring the paint thickness on both sides of each
flight control surface (ailerons, rudder, and elevator) and corrective
actions if necessary. The customer bulletins also describe procedures
for revising the AFM to advise the flightcrew to not exceed a certain
altitude until corrective actions have been accomplished. Corrective
actions include removing the flight control surface and rebalancing,
stripping, repainting with an average thickness less than 5.0 mils, and
sanding/buffing down to 5.0 mils or less and re-measuring thicknesses
(not recommended on surfaces with averages exceeding 7.0 mils).
For Model G-IV airplanes: Gulfstream IV Customer Bulletin
223, including Part I and Part II Service Reply Cards, dated March 23,
2012, which includes Gulfstream GIV Airplane Flight Manual Supplement
GIV-2012-01, dated March 13, 2012.
For Model GV airplanes: Gulfstream V Customer Bulletin
196, including Part I and Part II Service Reply Cards, dated March 23,
2012, which includes Gulfstream GV Airplane Flight Manual Supplement
GV-2012-01, dated March 13, 2012.
For Model GIV-X airplanes: Gulfstream G450 Customer
Bulletin 140, including Part I and Part II Service Reply Cards, dated
March 23, 2012, which includes Gulfstream G450/G350 Airplane Flight
Manual Supplement G450-2012-01, dated March 13, 2012.
For Model GV-SP airplanes: Gulfstream G550 Customer
Bulletin 121, including Part I and Part II Service Reply Cards, dated
March 23, 2012, which includes Gulfstream G550 Airplane Flight Manual
Supplement G550-2012-01, dated March 13, 2012; and Gulfstream G550 EASA
Airplane Flight Manual Supplement EASA-G550-2012-01, dated March 14,
2012.
FAA's Determination
We are issuing this AD because we evaluated all the relevant
information and determined the unsafe condition described previously is
likely to exist or develop in other products of these same type
designs.
AD Requirements
This AD requires accomplishing the actions specified in the service
information described previously, except as discussed under
``Differences Between the AD and the Service Information.'' This AD
also requires sending the measurement and corrective action results to
Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation.
Differences Between the AD and the Service Information
The customer bulletins specified in paragraph (g) of this AD
incorporate the airplane flight manual supplement (AFMS) as an on-
condition action. This AD requires operators to incorporate the AFMS
within 20 days after the effective date of this AD. We have determined
that this action is necessary to address the identified unsafe
condition.
Although the customer bulletins specified in paragraph (g) of this
AD specify that operators may contact the manufacturer for disposition
of certain repair conditions, this AD requires operators to repair
those conditions in accordance with a method approved by the FAA.
FAA's Justification and Determination of the Effective Date
An unsafe condition exists that requires the immediate adoption of
this AD. The FAA has found that the risk to the flying public justifies
waiving notice and comment prior to adoption of this rule, because we
received reports of failure to inspect or document the paint thickness
on flight controls (ailerons, rudder, elevator), potentially having a
negative impact on the flutter characteristics of the airplane.
Excessive paint thickness will affect the balance moment of the flight
control surface. This condition, if not corrected, could result in loss
of control of the airplane due to flutter. Therefore, we find that
notice and opportunity for prior public comment are impracticable and
that good cause exists for making this amendment effective in less than
30 days.
Comments Invited
This AD is a final rule that involves requirements affecting flight
safety and was not preceded by notice and an opportunity for public
comment. However, we invite you to send any written data, views, or
arguments about this AD. Send your comments to an address listed under
the ADDRESSES section. Include the docket number FAA-2012-0677 and
Directorate Identifier 2012-NM-105-AD at the beginning of your
comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory,
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this AD. We will
consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend this
AD because of those comments.
We will post all comments we receive, without change, to http://www.regulations.gov,
including any personal information you provide. We
will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact we
receive about this AD.
Costs of Compliance
We estimate that this AD affects 33 airplanes of U.S. registry.
We estimate the following costs to comply with this AD:
Estimated Costs
|
Action
|
Labor cost
|
Parts cost
|
Cost per
product
|
Cost on
U.S.
operators
|
| Measurement |
5 work-hours x $85 per hour =
$425. |
$0
|
$425
|
$14,025
|
| Airplane flight manual revision |
1 work-hour x $85 per hour =
$85. |
0
|
85
|
2,805
|
We have received no definitive data
that would enable us to provide
a cost estimate for the on-condition actions specified in this AD.
According to the manufacturer, the costs of this AD may be covered
under warranty, thereby reducing the cost impact on affected
individuals. We do not control warranty coverage for affected
individuals. As a result, we have included all costs in our 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.
We are 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) Is not a ``significant rule'' under DOT Regulatory Policies and
Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979),
(3) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and
(4) 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.
Adoption of 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
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]
2. The FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness
directive (AD):
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