2011-54. Airworthiness Directives; Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation Model G-1159 Airplanes

AGENCY:

Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION:

Proposed rule; withdrawal.

SUMMARY:

This action withdraws a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) that proposed a new airworthiness directive (AD) to supersede an existing AD, applicable to certain Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation Model G-1159 airplanes. The existing AD requires an inspection to detect cracks or corrosion in the wing structure in the area of Fuselage Station (FS) 452 inboard clothespin attachment fitting, and repair if necessary. The proposed AD would have required repetitive inspections to detect corrosion or cracks in the forward and aft wing attach fittings at FS 345 and 452, respectively, and adjacent wing beam and wing plank areas, and repair if necessary; and the application of corrosion protection treatment. Since the issuance of the NPRM, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has received new data that indicate the aircraft maintenance manual has been revised to include additional inspections that address the unsafe condition detailed in the NPRM and that the full fleet is in compliance with the inspection and applicable repair required by the existing AD. Accordingly, the proposed rule is withdrawn.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Carey O'Kelley, Aerospace Engineer, Airframe Branch, ACE-117A, FAA, Atlanta Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), 1701 Columbia Avenue, College Park, Georgia 30337; telephone [phone]; fax [phone].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) to add a new airworthiness directive (AD), applicable to Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation Model G-1159 airplanes, was published in the Federal Register as a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) on January 2, 1991 (56 FR 33). The proposed rule would have superseded an existing airworthiness directive (AD 90-13-02, Amendment 39-6660 (55 FR 29008, July 17, 1990)), applicable to certain Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation Model G-1159 airplanes. The existing AD currently requires an inspection to detect cracks or corrosion in the wing structure in the area of Fuselage Station (FS) 452 inboard clothespin attachment fitting, and repair if necessary. The NPRM proposed to require additional repetitive inspections to detect corrosion or cracks in the forward and aft wing attach fittings at FS 345 and 452, respectively, and adjacent wing beam and wing plank areas, and repair if necessary; and the application of corrosion protection treatment. The NPRM resulted from a review of the inspection reports submitted in response to the existing AD. The proposed actions were intended to prevent significantly reduced structural integrity of the wing/fuselage attachment joint, and the inability to carry flight or ground loads.

Actions That Occurred Since the NPRM Was Issued

Since the issuance of that NPRM, Gulfstream has revised Chapter 5, inspection program (continued airworthiness), of the aircraft maintenance manual (AMM) to include additional inspections that address the unsafe condition detailed in the NPRM. We have also received data that shows full fleet compliance with the inspection and applicable repair required by AD 90-13-02.

FAA's Conclusions

Upon further consideration, the FAA has determined that the actions required by AD 90-13-02 adequately addressed the identified unsafe condition. Therefore, it is not necessary to mandate the repetitive inspections specified in the Gulfstream AMM. Accordingly, the proposed rule is hereby withdrawn.

Withdrawal of this NPRM constitutes only such action, and does not preclude the agency from issuing another action in the future, nor does it commit the agency to any course of action in the future.

Regulatory Impact

Since this action only withdraws a notice of proposed rulemaking, it is neither a proposed nor a final rule and therefore is not covered under Executive Order 12866, the Regulatory Flexibility Act, or DOT Regulatory Policies and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979).

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

• Air transportation
• Aircraft
• Aviation safety
• Safety

The Withdrawal

Accordingly, the notice of proposed rulemaking, Docket 90-NM-267-AD, published in the Federal Register on January 2, 1991 (56 FR 33), is withdrawn.

Issued in Renton, Washington, on December 27, 2010.

Jeffrey E. Duven,

Acting Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.