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:

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
pubs@gulfstream.com; website gulfstream.com/en/customer-support.

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: 9-ASO-ATLACO-ADs@faa.gov.

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:
Borescope inspections for cracking and corrosion of the
interior walls of the grounding receptacle casing.

Measurement of the inner diameter of the grounding
receptacle if any Level 1 corrosion is found.

Repair including cleaning and application of chemical
conversion coating if any Level 1 corrosion within the specified
tolerance (inner diameter) is found.

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.

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

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

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

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: