82 FR 29368 - Airworthiness Directives; Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation Airplanes

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration

Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 124 (June 29, 2017)

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Model G-IV airplanes. This AD was prompted by a report indicating that the G-IV gust lock system allows more throttle travel than was intended and could allow the throttle to be advanced to reach take-off thrust. This AD requires modification of the gust lock system, and a revision of the maintenance or inspection program to incorporate functional tests. We are issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 124 (Thursday, June 29, 2017)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 29368-29371]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2017-13405]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2016-9437; Directorate Identifier 2016-NM-131-AD; 
Amendment 39-18941; AD 2017-13-11]
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 
Model G-IV airplanes. This AD was prompted by a report indicating that 
the G-IV gust lock system allows more throttle travel than was intended 
and could allow the throttle to be advanced to reach take-off thrust. 
This AD requires modification of the gust lock system, and a revision 
of the maintenance or inspection program to incorporate functional 
tests. We are issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these 
products.

DATES: This AD is effective August 3, 2017.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of certain publications listed in this AD as of August 3, 
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 [email protected]; 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-2016-9437.

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-
9437; 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: Gideon Jose, Aerospace Engineer, 
Systems and Equipment Branch, ACE-119A, FAA, Atlanta Aircraft 
Certification Office (ACO), 1701 Columbia Avenue, College Park, GA 
30337; phone: 404-474-5569; fax: 404-474-5606; email: 
[email protected].

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-IV airplanes. The NPRM published in the Federal 
Register on December 12, 2016 (81 FR 89397) (``the NPRM''). The NPRM 
was prompted by a report indicating that the G-IV gust lock system 
allows more throttle travel than was intended and could allow the 
throttle to be advanced to reach take-off thrust. The intended function 
of the gust lock system is to restrict throttle lever movement to a 
maximum of 6 degrees of forward travel, which provides an unmistakable 
warning to the pilot that the gust lock system is still engaged, 
prohibiting the use of the primary flight control surfaces. The NPRM 
proposed to require modification of the gust lock system, and a 
revision of the maintenance or inspection program to incorporate 
functional tests. We are issuing this AD to prevent the throttle lever 
movement from advancing more than 6 degrees of forward travel, which 
could result in the aircraft reaching near take-off thrust and high 
velocities without primary flight

[[Page 29369]]

controls (aileron, elevator, and rudder) and cause a failure to rotate 
during take-off and high speed runway overrun.

Comments

    We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing 
this AD. We have considered the comment received. The commenter, the 
National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), supported the NPRM.

New Service Information

    Since we issued the NPRM, we received the following customer 
bulletins that clarify the modification instructions, and we have 
revised paragraph (g) of this AD to refer to these bulletins:
     Gulfstream IV Customer Bulletin Number 236B, dated 
February 3, 2017;
     Gulfstream G300 Customer Bulletin Number 236B, dated 
February 3, 2017; and
     Gulfstream G400 Customer Bulletin Number 236B, dated 
February 3, 2017.
    We have also added the following customer bulletins to paragraph 
(k) of this AD to provide credit for the actions required by paragraph 
(g) of this AD if those actions were performed before the effective 
date of this AD:
     Gulfstream IV Customer Bulletin Number 236A, dated August 
8, 2016;
     Gulfstream G300 Customer Bulletin Number 236A, dated 
August 8, 2016; and
     Gulfstream G400 Customer Bulletin Number 236A, dated 
August 8, 2016.

Conclusion

    We reviewed the relevant data, considered the comment received, and 
determined that air safety and the public interest require adopting 
this AD with the changes described previously and 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.
    We also determined that these changes will not increase the 
economic burden on any operator or increase the scope of this AD.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    We reviewed the following customer bulletins:
     Gulfstream IV Customer Bulletin Number 236B, dated 
February 3, 2017;
     Gulfstream G300 Customer Bulletin Number 236B, dated 
February 3, 2017; and
     Gulfstream G400 Customer Bulletin Number 236B, dated 
February 3, 2017.
    The service information describes procedures for modifying the gust 
lock system by doing a retrofit of the gust lock throttle interlock. 
These documents are distinct since they apply to different airplane 
models in different configurations.
    We also reviewed the following temporary revisions (TRs):
     Gulfstream IV Maintenance Manual TR 27-3, dated April 29, 
2016;
     Gulfstream IV MSG-3 Maintenance Manual TR 27-3, dated 
April 29, 2016;
     Gulfstream G300 Maintenance Manual TR 27-3, dated April 
29, 2016; and
     Gulfstream G400 Maintenance Manual TR 27-3, dated April 
29, 2016.
    The service information describes procedures for a functional test 
of the throttle lever gust lock protection. These documents are 
distinct since they apply to different airplane models in different 
configurations.
    We also reviewed the following temporary revisions:
     Gulfstream IV Maintenance Manual TR 5-7, dated April 29, 
2016;
     Gulfstream IV MSG-3 Maintenance Manual TR 5-6, dated April 
29, 2016;
     Gulfstream G300 Maintenance Manual TR 5-3, dated April 29, 
2016; and
     Gulfstream G400 Maintenance Manual TR 5-3, dated April 29, 
2016.
    The service information describes an airworthiness limitation 
(certification maintenance requirement) task to do functional tests of 
the throttle lever gust lock protection. These documents are distinct 
since they apply to different airplane models in different 
configurations.
    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 425 airplanes of U.S. registry. We 
estimate the following costs to comply with this AD:

                                                 Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                     Cost per      Cost on U.S.
                Action                         Labor cost           Parts cost        product        operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Modification and Maintenance or         109 work-hours x $85 per          $9,080         $18,345      $7,796,625
 Inspection Program Revision.            hour = $9,265.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    According to the manufacturer, some of 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),

[[Page 29370]]

    (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

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):

2017-13-11 Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation: Amendment 39-18941; 
Docket No. FAA-2016-9437; Directorate Identifier 2016-NM-131-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This AD is effective August 3, 2017.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to all Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation Model G-
IV airplanes, certificated in any category.

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 27, Flight 
controls.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by a report indicating that the G-IV gust 
lock system allows more throttle travel than was intended and could 
allow the throttle to be advanced to reach take-off thrust. The 
intended function of the gust lock system is to restrict throttle 
lever movement to a maximum of 6 degrees of forward travel, which 
provides an unmistakable warning to the pilot that the gust lock 
system is still engaged, prohibiting the use of the primary flight 
control surfaces. We are issuing this AD to prevent the throttle 
lever movement from advancing more than 6 degrees of forward travel, 
which could result in the aircraft reaching near take-off thrust and 
high velocities without primary flight controls (aileron, elevator, 
and rudder) and cause a failure to rotate during take-off and high 
speed runway overrun.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Modification

    Within 36 months after the effective date of this AD, modify the 
gust lock system by doing a retrofit of the gust lock throttle 
interlock, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of the 
applicable service information specified in paragraph (g)(1), 
(g)(2), or (g)(3) of this AD.
    (1) Gulfstream IV Customer Bulletin Number 236B, dated February 
3, 2017.
    (2) Gulfstream G300 Customer Bulletin Number 236B, dated 
February 3, 2017.
    (3) Gulfstream G400 Customer Bulletin Number 236B, dated 
February 3, 2017.

(h) Maintenance or Inspection Program Revision To Include a Functional 
Test

    Within 90 days after the effective date of this AD, revise the 
maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to incorporate a 
functional test of the throttle lever gust lock protection specified 
in the applicable temporary revision (TR) identified in paragraphs 
(h)(1) through (h)(4) of this AD. The initial compliance time for 
the functional test is within the applicable time specified in 
paragraphs (h)(1) through (h)(4) of this AD, or within 90 days after 
the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs later. The 
functional test must be done in accordance with the applicable 
service information specified in paragraphs (i)(1) through (i)(4) of 
this AD.
    (1) For Gulfstream IV Maintenance Manual TR 5-7, dated April 29, 
2016: Within 12 months or 4,500 flight hours, whichever occurs first 
after accomplishing the modification required by paragraph (g) of 
this AD.
    (2) For Gulfstream IV MSG-3 Maintenance Manual TR 5-6, dated 
April 29, 2016: Before the next 1C maintenance check or within 4,500 
flight hours, whichever occurs first after accomplishing the 
modification required by paragraph (g) of this AD.
    (3) For Gulfstream G300 Maintenance Manual TR 5-3, dated April 
29, 2016: Before the next 1C maintenance check or within 4,500 
flight hours, whichever occurs first after accomplishing the 
modification required by paragraph (g) of this AD.
    (4) For Gulfstream G400 Maintenance Manual TR 5-3, dated April 
29, 2016: Before the next 1C maintenance check or within 4,500 
flight hours, whichever occurs first after accomplishing the 
modification required by paragraph (g) of this AD.

(i) Service Information for the Functional Test of the Throttle Lever 
Gust Lock Protection

    The functional test of the throttle lever gust lock protection 
specified in paragraph (h) of this AD must be done in accordance 
with the applicable service information specified in paragraphs 
(i)(1) through (i)(4) of this AD.
    (1) Gulfstream IV Maintenance Manual TR 27-3, dated April 29, 
2016.
    (2) Gulfstream IV MSG-3 Maintenance Manual TR 27-3, dated April 
29, 2016.
    (3) Gulfstream G300 Maintenance Manual TR 27-3, dated April 29, 
2016.
    (4) Gulfstream G400 Maintenance Manual TR 27-3, dated April 29, 
2016.

(j) No Alternative Actions and Intervals

    After the maintenance or inspection program has been revised as 
required by paragraph (h) of this AD, no alternative actions (e.g., 
inspections) or intervals may be used unless the actions or 
intervals are approved as an alternative method of compliance (AMOC) 
in accordance with the procedures specified in paragraph (m) of this 
AD.

(k) Credit for Previous Actions

    This paragraph provides credit for the actions required by 
paragraph (g) of this AD, if those actions were performed before the 
effective date of this AD using the applicable service information 
identified in paragraph (k)(1), (k)(2), or (k)(3) of this AD.
    (1) Gulfstream IV Customer Bulletin Number 236, dated June 1, 
2016; or 236A, dated August 8, 2016.
    (2) Gulfstream G300 Customer Bulletin Number 236, dated June 1, 
2016; or 236A, dated August 8, 2016.
    (3) Gulfstream G400 Customer Bulletin Number 236, dated June 1, 
2016; or 236A, dated August 8, 2016.

(l) Exception for Reporting and Return of Parts

    Although the service information identified in paragraph (g) of 
this AD specifies to submit certain information to the manufacturer 
and to return parts to the manufacturer, this AD does not include 
those requirements.

(m) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (1) The Manager, Atlanta Aircraft Certification Office (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 paragraph (n)(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 
(m)(3)(i) and (m)(3)(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,

[[Page 29371]]

including substeps and identified figures, can still be done as 
specified, and the airplane can be put back in an airworthy 
condition.

(n) Related Information

    (1) For more information about this AD, contact Gideon Jose, 
Aerospace Engineer, Systems and Equipment Branch, ACE-119A, FAA, 
Atlanta ACO, 1701 Columbia Avenue, College Park, GA 30337; phone: 
404-474-5569; fax: 404-474-5606; email: [email protected].
    (2) Service information identified in this AD that is not 
incorporated by reference is available at the addresses specified in 
paragraphs (o)(3) and (o)(4) of this AD.

(o) Material Incorporated by Reference

    (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the 
incorporation by reference (IBR) of the service information listed 
in this paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
    (2) You must use this service information as applicable to do 
the actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise.
    (i) Gulfstream G300 Customer Bulletin Number 236B, dated 
February 3, 2017.
    (ii) Gulfstream G300 Maintenance Manual Temporary Revision 27-3, 
dated April 29, 2016.
    (iii) Gulfstream G300 Maintenance Manual Temporary Revision 5-3, 
dated April 29, 2016.
    (iv) Gulfstream G400 Customer Bulletin Number 236B, dated 
February 3, 2017.
    (v) Gulfstream G400 Maintenance Manual Temporary Revision 27-3, 
dated April 29, 2016.
    (vi) Gulfstream G400 Maintenance Manual Temporary Revision 5-3, 
dated April 29, 2016.
    (vii) Gulfstream IV Customer Bulletin Number 236B, dated 
February 3, 2017.
    (viii) Gulfstream IV Maintenance Manual Temporary Revision 27-3, 
dated April 29, 2016.
    (ix) Gulfstream IV Maintenance Manual Temporary Revision 5-7, 
dated April 29, 2016.
    (x) Gulfstream IV MSG-3 Maintenance Manual Temporary Revision 
27-3, dated April 29, 2016.
    (xi) Gulfstream IV MSG-3 Maintenance Manual Temporary Revision 
5-6, dated April 29, 2016.
    (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 [email protected]; Internet http://www.gulfstream.com/product_support/technical_pubs/pubs/index.htm.
    (4) You may view this 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.
    (5) You may view this 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 16, 2017.
Michael Kaszycki,
Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2017-13405 Filed 6-28-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P