2022-24910. Airworthiness Directives; Gulfstream Aerospace LP (Type Certificate Previously Held by Israel Aircraft Industries, Ltd.) Airplanes

AGENCY:

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION:

Final rule.

SUMMARY:

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Gulfstream Aerospace LP Model Gulfstream G150 airplanes. This AD was prompted by reports that wing flap fairing debonding and corrosion were discovered at certain areas of the lower skin on both wings. This AD requires an inspection for corrosion in certain areas of the wing skin fairings, additional inspections if necessary, resealing the fairings with new fillet seal, and applicable corrective actions, as specified in a Civil Aviation Authority of Israel (CAAI) AD, which is incorporated by reference. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES:

This AD is effective December 21, 2022.

The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of December 21, 2022.

ADDRESSES:

 

AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at regulations.gov under Docket No. FAA-2022-0887; 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, the mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI), 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 material incorporated by reference (IBR) in this AD, contact Civil Aviation Authority of Israel (CAAI), P.O. Box 1101, Golan Street, Airport City, 70100, Israel; telephone [phone]; fax [phone]; email [e-mail]. You may find this material on the CAAI website at caa.gov.il.

• 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 in the AD docket at regulations.gov under Docket No. FAA-2022-0887.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Dan Rodina, Aerospace Engineer, Large Aircraft Section, International Validation Branch, FAA, 2200 South 216th Street, Des Moines, WA 98198; telephone [phone]; email [e-mail].

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 LP Model Gulfstream G150 airplanes. The NPRM published in the Federal Register on July 21, 2022 (87 FR 43459). The NPRM was prompted by AD ISR I-57-2021-12-3, dated January 1, 2022, issued by CAAI, which is the aviation authority for Israel (referred to after this as the MCAI). There were reports that wing flap fairing debonding and corrosion were discovered at the lower skin of rib 3 and rib 11 on both wings. The MCAI states that the reason for the AD is to prevent the possibility of flap fairing debonding, moisture intrusion and wing lower skin corrosion at rib 3 and rib 11.

In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to require an inspection for corrosion in certain areas of the wing skin fairings, additional inspections if corrosion is found and a measurement of the thickness of the remaining wing skin if necessary, resealing the fairings with new fillet seal, and applicable corrective actions. The FAA is issuing this AD to address flap fairing debonding and moisture intrusion that might lead to lower wing skin corrosion and cracking on both wings, and reduced structural integrity of the wings.

You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket at regulations.gov under Docket No. FAA-2022-0887.

Discussion of Final Airworthiness Directive

Comments

The FAA received no comments on the NPRM or on the determination of the cost to the public.

Conclusion

This product has been approved by the aviation authority of another country and is approved for operation in the United States. Pursuant to the FAA's bilateral agreement with this State of Design Authority, it has notified the FAA of the unsafe condition described in the MCAI referenced above. The FAA reviewed the relevant data, and determined that air safety requires adopting this AD as proposed. Accordingly, the FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on this product. 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.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

CAAI AD ISR I-57-2021-12-3, dated January 1, 2022, specifies procedures for an inspection for corrosion in the area of the wing skin (or doubler if installed) under the rib 3 and rib 11 fairings, a penetration or eddy current inspection for cracks if corrosion was found, a measurement of the thickness of remaining wing skin (or doubler) if no cracks were found, resealing of rib 3 and rib 11 fairings with new fillet seal, and applicable corrective actions. Corrective actions include cleaning and removing corrosion, crack repair, and repair of fairing installation locations with a certain thickness reduction.

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 87 airplanes of U.S. registry. The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this AD:

Estimated Costs for Required Actions

Labor cost	Parts cost	Cost per product	Cost on U.S. operators
29 work-hours × $85 per hour = $2,465	Minimal	$2,465	$214,455

The FAA estimates the following costs to do any necessary on-condition action that would be required based on the results of any required actions. The FAA has no way of determining the number of aircraft that might need these on-condition actions:

Estimated Costs of On-condition Actions *

Labor cost	Parts cost	Cost per product
Up to 10 work-hours × $85 per hour = $850	$0	Up to $850.
* The FAA has received no definitive data on which to base the cost estimates for the on-condition repairs specified in this AD.

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.

§ 39.13

[Amended]

2. The FAA amends § 39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness directive:

2022-21-16 Gulfstream Aerospace LP (Type Certificate Previously Held by Israel Aircraft Industries, Ltd.): Amendment 39-22215; Docket No. FAA-2022-0887; Project Identifier MCAI-2022-00051-T.

(a) Effective Date

This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective December 21, 2022.

(b) Affected ADs

None.

(c) Applicability

This AD applies to Gulfstream Aerospace LP Model Gulfstream G150 airplanes, certificated in any category, as identified in The Civil Aviation Authority of Israel (CAAI) AD ISR I-57-2021-12-3, dated January 1, 2022 (CAAI AD ISR I-57-2021-12-3).

(d) Subject

Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 57, Wings.

(e) Unsafe Condition

This AD was prompted by reports that wing flap fairing debonding and corrosion were discovered at lower skin of rib 3 and rib 11 on both wings. The FAA is issuing this AD to address flap fairing debonding and moisture intrusion that might lead to lower wing skin corrosion and cracking on both wings, and reduced structural integrity of the wings.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Required Actions

Except as specified in paragraph (h) of this AD: Comply with all required actions and compliance times specified in, and in accordance with, CAAI AD ISR I-57-2021-12-3.

(h) Exceptions to Service Information Specifications

(1) Where CAAI AD ISR I-57-2021-12-3 refers to its effective date, this AD requires using the effective date of this AD.

(2) Where the Compliance paragraph of CAAI AD ISR I-57-2021-12-3 requires compliance at a certain time, replace the text “at the next suitable planned maintenance inspection within the next 24 months from the effective date of this AD” with “within 24 months after the effective date of this AD.”

(3) Where the Action paragraph of CAAI AD ISR I-57-2021-12-3 refers to certain service information, replace the text “Gulfstream Service Bulletin No.150-57-197, dated January 01, 2022, or later approved revision,” with “Gulfstream Service Bulletin No. 150-57-197, Revision 1, dated June 16, 2022, or later approved revision.”

(4) Where the service information specified in CAAI AD ISR I-57-2021-12-3 specifies to report to Gulfstream if “cracks were discovered” and “for any fairing installation location with one or more grid squares with thickness reduction of greater than 10%,” for this AD, cracks and fairing installation locations with one or more grid squares with thickness reduction of greater than 10% must be repaired before further flight using a method approved by the Manager, Large Aircraft Section, International Validation Branch, FAA; or CAAI; or CAAI's authorized Designee. If approved by the authorized Designee, the approval must include the Designee's authorized signature.

(i) No Reporting Requirement

Although the service information referenced in CAAI AD ISR I-57-2021-12-3 specifies to submit certain information to the manufacturer, this AD does not include that requirement.

(j) Other FAA AD Provisions

The following provisions also apply to this AD:

(1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager, International Validation 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 responsible Flight Standards Office, as appropriate. If sending information directly to the International Validation Branch, send it to the attention of the person identified in paragraph (k) of this AD. Information may be emailed to: [e-mail]. Before using any approved AMOC, notify your appropriate principal inspector, or lacking a principal inspector, the manager of the responsible Flight Standards Office.

(2) Contacting the Manufacturer: For any requirement in this AD to obtain instructions from a manufacturer, the instructions must be accomplished using a method approved by the Manager, International Validation Branch, FAA; or the Civil Aviation Authority of Israel (CAAI); or the CAAI's authorized Designee. If approved by the CAAI Designee, the approval must include the Designee's authorized signature.

(k) Additional Information

For more information about this AD, contact Dan Rodina, Aerospace Engineer, Large Aircraft Section, International Validation Branch, FAA, 2200 South 216th Street, Des Moines, WA 98198; telephone [phone]; email [e-mail].

(l) Material Incorporated by Reference

(1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference 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 this AD specifies otherwise.

(i) Civil Aviation Authority of Israel (CAAI) AD ISR I-57-2021-12-3, dated January 1, 2022.

(ii) [Reserved]

(3) For CAAI AD ISR I-57-2021-12-3, contact Civil Aviation Authority of Israel (CAAI), P.O. Box 1101, Golan Street, Airport City, 70100, Israel; telephone [phone]; fax [phone]; email [e-mail]. You may find this CAAI AD on the CAAI website at caa.gov.il.

(4) 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.

(5) You may view this material that is incorporated by reference at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of this material at NARA, email [e-mail], or go to: www.archives.gov/​federal-register/​cfr/​ibr-locations.html.

Issued on October 7, 2022.

Christina Underwood,

Acting Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification Service.