DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2016-9385; Directorate Identifier 2016-NM-111-AD;
Amendment 39-18844; AD 2017-07-06]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for
all
Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation Model G-1159B airplanes. This AD was
prompted by a review of airplane maintenance records, which revealed
that incorrect rudder assemblies were installed on certain airplanes.
This AD requires certain inspections, and replacement or modification
of the rudder assembly if necessary. We are issuing this AD to address
the unsafe condition on these products.
DATES: This AD is effective May 15, 2017.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as May 15, 2017.
ADDRESSES: 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; fax
912-965-3520; email pubs@gulfstream.com; Internet http://www.gulfstream.com/product_support/technical_pubs/pubs/index.htm.
You
may view this 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. It
is also available on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by
searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2016-9385.
Examining the AD Docket
You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov
by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2016-
9385; 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 address for the Docket Office (phone: 800-647-
5527) is Docket Management Facility, 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: Krista Greer, Aerospace Engineer,
Airframe Branch, ACE-117A, FAA, Atlanta Aircraft Certification Office
(ACO), 1701 Columbia Avenue, College Park, GA 30337; phone: 404-474-
5544; fax: 404-474-5606; email: krista.greer@faa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Discussion
We issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR
part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to all Gulfstream Aerospace
Corporation Model G-1159B airplanes. The NPRM published in the Federal
Register on November 21, 2016 (81 FR 83180). The NPRM was prompted by
a
review of airplane maintenance records, which revealed that incorrect
rudder assemblies were installed on certain airplanes. The NPRM
proposed to require an inspection to determine the part number of the
rudder assembly installed, verification that the part number of the
rudder assembly matches what is recorded in the airplane maintenance
records, an inspection of the rudder hinges if necessary, and
replacement or modification of the rudder assembly if necessary. We are
issuing this AD to detect and correct the installation of incorrect
rudder assemblies, which could result in flutter and subsequent loss of
the rudder, and consequent loss of control of the airplane.
Comments
We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing
this AD. We have considered the comment received.
Support for the NPRM
An anonymous commenter stated that the NPRM was understandable and
that the FAA should retain its governmental authority.
We infer that the commenter supports the intent of the NPRM. We
have not made any changes to this final rule regarding this issue.
Conclusion
We reviewed the relevant data, considered the comment received, and
determined that air safety and the public interest require adopting
this AD as proposed, except for minor editorial changes. We have
determined that these minor changes:
Are consistent with the intent that was proposed in the
NPRM for correcting the unsafe condition; and
Do not add any additional burden upon the public than was
already proposed in the NPRM.
Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51
We reviewed Gulfstream GII/IIB Customer Bulletin Number 468, dated
February 17, 2016 (for Model G-1159 and Model G-1159B airplanes). The
service information describes procedures for inspecting the rudder
assembly to determine the part number, verifying that the part number
of the rudder assembly matches what is recorded in the airplane
maintenance records, inspecting the rudder hinges, and modifying the
rudder assembly. 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.
Costs of Compliance
We estimate that this AD affects 24 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
|
Inspection |
1 work-hour x $85 per hour =
$85 |
$0
|
$85
|
$2,040
|
We estimate the following costs to
do any necessary replacements or
modifications that will be required based on the results of the
inspection. We have no way of determining the number of aircraft that
might need these replacements or modifications:
On-Condition Costs
Action
|
Labor cost
|
Parts cost
|
Cost per
product
|
Replacement/modification |
3 work-hours x $85 per hour =
$255 |
$51,445
|
$51,700
|
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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