2015-25495. Airworthiness Directives; Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation Airplanes

AGENCY:

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION:

Final rule.

SUMMARY:

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation Model GVI airplanes. This AD was prompted by reports of corrosion on in-service air non-return valves. This AD requires a revision to the Emergency Procedures section of the airplane flight manual (AFM). This AD also requires a revision to the maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to incorporate airworthiness limitations for the high pressure (HP) Stage 5 air non-return valves. We are issuing this AD to ensure the flightcrew is provided with procedures to mitigate the risks associated with failure of the HP Stage 5 air non-return valve. Failure of the HP Stage 5 air non-return valve in the open position could result in engine instability and uncommanded in-flight shutdown.

DATES:

This AD is effective November 13, 2015.

The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in this AD as of November 13, 2015.

ADDRESSES:

For service information identified in this AD, contact Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation, Technical Publications Dept., P.O. Box 2206, Savannah, GA 31402-2206; telephone [phone]; fax [phone]; email [e-mail]; Internet http://www.gulfstream.com/​product_​support/​technical_​pubs/​pubs/​index.htm. 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. It is also available on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2015-0677.

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-2015-0677; 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: [phone]) 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:

Darby Mirocha, Continued Operational Safety and Certificate Management, ACE-102A, FAA, Atlanta Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), 1701 Columbia Avenue, College Park, GA 30337; phone: [phone]; fax: [phone]; email: [e-mail].

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 GVI airplanes. The NPRM published in the Federal Register on March 31, 2015 (80 FR 17005). The NPRM was prompted by reports of corrosion on in-service air non-return valves. Failure of the HP Stage 5 air non-return valve in the open position could result in engine instability and uncommanded in-flight shutdown. The NPRM proposed to require a revision to the Emergency Procedures section of the AFM and a revision to the maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to incorporate airworthiness limitations for the HP Stage 5 air non-return valves. We are issuing this AD to ensure the flightcrew is provided with procedures to mitigate the risks associated with failure of the HP Stage 5 air non-return valve.

Comments

We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing this AD. We received no comments on the NPRM (80 FR 17005, March 31, 2015) or on the determination of the cost to the public.

Conclusion

We reviewed the relevant data 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 (80 FR 17005, March 31, 2015) for correcting the unsafe condition; and
• Do not add any additional burden upon the public than was already proposed in the (NPRM 80 FR 17005, March 31, 2015).

Interim Action

We consider this AD interim action. The manufacturer is currently developing a modification that will positively address the unsafe condition identified in this AD. Once this modification is developed, approved, and available, we might consider additional rulemaking.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

We reviewed Section 04-08-20, Normal Airstart—Automatic; Section 04-08-30, Manual Airstart—Starter Assist; and Section 04-08-40, Manual Airstart—Windmilling; of Chapter 04, Emergency Procedures, of the Gulfstream GVI (G650) AFM, Document Number GAC-AC-G650-OPS-0001, Revision 5, dated August 12, 2013. This service information describes revised procedures for in-flight engine restart and operating procedures.

In addition, we reviewed Section 05-10-10, Airworthiness Limitations, of Chapter 05, Time Limits/Maintenance Checks, of the Gulfstream GVI (G650) Maintenance Manual (MM), Revision 4, dated September 30, 2013. This service information adds an airworthiness limitation for the HP Stage 5 air non-return valve.

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 of this AD.

Costs of Compliance

We estimate that this AD affects 52 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
AFM revision	1 work-hour × $85 per hour = $85	$0	$85	$4,420
MM revision	1 work-hour × $85 per hour = $85	0	85	4,420

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.

§ 39.13

[Amended]

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

2015-20-10 Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation: Amendment 39-18289; Docket No. FAA-2015-0677; Directorate Identifier 2013-NM-244-AD.

(a) Effective Date

This AD is effective November 13, 2015.

(b) Affected ADs

None.

(c) Applicability

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

(d) Subject

Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 36, Pneumatic.

(e) Unsafe Condition

This AD was prompted by reports of corrosion on in-service air non-return valves. We are issuing this AD to ensure the flightcrew is provided with procedures to mitigate the risks associated with failure of the high pressure (HP) Stage 5 air non-return valve. Failure of the HP Stage 5 air non-return valve in the open position could result in engine instability and uncommanded in-flight shutdown.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Revision of the Airplane Flight Manual (AFM)

Within 30 days after the effective date of this AD: Revise the Emergency Procedures section of the AFM by inserting Section 04-08-20, Normal Airstart—Automatic; Section 04-08-30, Manual Airstart—Starter Assist; and Section 04-08-40, Manual Airstart—Windmilling; of Chapter 04, Emergency Procedures; of the Gulfstream GVI (G650) AFM, Document Number GAC-AC-G650-OPS-0001, Revision 5, dated August 12, 2013.

(h) Revision of Maintenance or Inspection Program

Within 30 days after the effective date of this AD: Revise the airplane maintenance manual or inspection program, as applicable, by incorporating the requirement for the HP Stage 5 air non-return valve from Section 05-10-10, Airworthiness Limitations, of Chapter 05, Time Limits/Maintenance Checks, of the Gulfstream GVI (G650) Maintenance Manual (MM), Revision 4, dated September 30, 2013. The initial compliance time for replacement of the HP Stage 5 air non-return valve is at the applicable time specified in Section 05-10-10, Airworthiness Limitations, of Chapter 05, Time Limits/Maintenance Checks, of the Gulfstream GVI (G650) MM, Revision 4, dated September 30, 2013, or within 30 days after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs later.

(i) No Alternative Actions or 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 in accordance with the procedures specified in paragraph (j) of this AD.

(j) 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 (k) 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.

(k) Related Information

For more information about this AD, contact Darby Mirocha, Continued Operational Safety and Certificate Management, ACE-102A, FAA, Atlanta Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), 1701 Columbia Avenue, College Park, GA 30337; phone: [phone]; fax: [phone]; email: [e-mail].

(l) 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) Section 04-08-20, Normal Airstart—Automatic, of Chapter 04, Emergency Procedures, of the Gulfstream GVI (G650) Airplane Flight Manual, Document Number GAC-AC-G650-OPS-0001, Revision 5, dated August 12, 2013.

(ii) Section 04-08-30, Manual Airstart—Starter Assist, of Chapter 04, Emergency Procedures, of the Gulfstream GVI (G650) Airplane Flight Manual, Document Number GAC-AC-G650-OPS-0001, Revision 5, dated August 12, 2013.

(iii) Section 04-08-40, Manual Airstart—Windmilling, of Chapter 04, Emergency Procedures, of the Gulfstream GVI (G650) Airplane Flight Manual, Document Number GAC-AC-G650-OPS-0001, Revision 5, dated August 12, 2013.

(iv) Section 05-10-10, Airworthiness Limitations, of Chapter 05, Time Limits/Maintenance Checks, of the Gulfstream GVI (G650) Maintenance Manual, Revision 4, dated September 30, 2013.

(3) For service information identified in this AD, contact Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation, Technical Publications Dept., P.O. Box 2206, Savannah, GA 31402-2206; telephone [phone]; fax [phone]; email [e-mail]; Internet http://www.gulfstream.com/​product_​support/​technical_​pubs/​pubs/​index.htm.

(4) You may view this service information at 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 September 30, 2015.

Jeffrey E. Duven,

Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.