AD 2021-17-14

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Gulfstream Aerospace LP Model Gulfstream G280 airplanes. This AD was prompted by a report that during full-scale fatigue testing, a crack was found in the area of the attachment of the wing rib 0 to the front spar. This AD requires non-destructive testing on the forward (front) spar vertical stiffener and rib 0 for any cracking, installation of a doubler to the forward (front) spar and rib 0 attachment, and repair if necessary, 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.

Final rule.

The Amendment \n\n\n\tAccordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the Administrator, the FAA amends 14 CFR part 39 as follows: \n\nPART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES \n\n0 1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows: \n\n\n\tAuthority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701. \n\n\n\nSec. 39.13 (Amended) \n\n0 2. The FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness directive: \n\n2021-17-14 Gulfstream Aerospace LP: Amendment 39-21697; Docket No. FAA-2021-0459; Project Identifier MCAI-2021-00129-T. \n\n(a) Effective Date \n\n\n\tThis airworthiness directive (AD) is effective October 14, 2021. \n\n(b) Affected ADs \n\n\n\tNone. \n\n(c) Applicability \n\n\n\tThis AD applies to Gulfstream Aerospace LP Model Gulfstream G280 airplanes, certificated in any category, as identified in The Civil Aviation Authority of Israel (CAAI) AD ISR-I-57-2020-06-01, dated January 27, 2021 (CAAI AD ISR-I-57-2020-06-01). \n\n(d) Subject \n\n\n\tAir Transport Association (ATA)of America Code 57, Wings. \n\n(e) Reason \n\n\n\tThis AD was prompted by a report that during full-scale fatigue testing, a crack was found in the area of the attachment of the wing rib 0 to the front spar. The FAA is issuing this AD to address any cracking at the area of the wing rib 0 to the front spar, which could affect the structural integrity of the wing. \n\n(f) Compliance \n\n\n\tComply with this AD within the compliance times specified, unless already done. \n\n(g) Requirements \n\n\n\tExcept 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-57-2020-06-01. \n\n(h) Exception to CAAI AD ISR-I-57-2020-06-01 \n\n\n\tWhere CAAI AD ISR-I-57-2020-06-01 requires compliance ''not later than 5,000 flight cycles,'' this AD requires compliance before the accumulation of 5,000 total flight cycles since the date of issuance of the original Israeli airworthiness certificate or the date of issuanceof the original Israeli export certificate of airworthiness. \n\n(i) No Reporting Requirement \n\n\n\tAlthough the service information referenced in CAAI AD ISR-I-57- 2020-06-01 specifies to submit certain information to the manufacturer, this AD does not include that requirement. \n\n(j) Additional AD Provisions \n\n\n\tThe following provisions also apply to this AD: \n\t(1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager, Large Aircraft Section, International Validation Branch, FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs \n\n((Page 50453)) \n\nfor 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 Large Aircraft Section, International Validation Branch, send it to the attention of the person identified in paragraph (k) of this AD. Information may be emailed to: 9-AVS-AIR-730-AMOC@faa.gov. Before using any approved AMOC, notify your appropriate principal inspector, or lacking a principal inspector, the manager of the responsible Flight Standards Office. \n\t(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, Large Aircraft Section, International Validation Branch, FAA; or CAAI; or CAAI's authorized Designee. If approved by the CAAI Designee, the approval must include the Designee's authorized signature. \n\n(k) Related Information \n\n\n\tFor more information about this AD, contact Tom Rodriguez, Aerospace Engineer, Large Aircraft Section, International Validation Branch, FAA, 2200 South 216th St. Des Moines, WA 98198; telephone and fax 206-231-3226; email Tom.Rodriguez@faa.gov. \n\n(l) Material Incorporated by Reference \n\n\n\t(1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of the service information listed in thisparagraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. \n\t(2) You must use this service information as applicable to do the actions required by this AD, unless this AD specifies otherwise. \n\t(i) The Civil Aviation Authority of Israel (CAAI) AD ISR-I-57-2020- 06-01, dated January 27, 2021. \n\t(ii) (Reserved) \n\t(3) For CAAI AD ISR-I-57-2020-06-01, contact CAAI, P.O. Box 1101, Golan Street, Airport City, 70100, Israel; telephone 972-3-9774665; fax 972-3-9774592; email aip@mot.gov.il. You may find this CAAI AD on the CAAI website at https://www.caa.gov.il. \n\t(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. \n\t(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 fr.inspection@nara.gov, or go to: https://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html. \n\n\n\tIssued on August 12, 2021. Lance T. Gant, Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification Service. (FR Doc. 2021-19389 Filed 9-8-21; 8:45 am) BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

Background \n\n\n\tThe CAAI, which is the aviation authority for Israel, has issued CAAI AD ISR-I-57-2020-06-01, dated January 27, 2021 (CAAI AD ISR-I-57-2020-06- 01) (also referred to as the MCAI), to correct an unsafe condition for certain Gulfstream Aerospace LP Model Gulfstream G280 airplanes. \n\tThe 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 G280 airplanes. The NPRM published in the Federal Register on June 10, 2021 (86 FR 30819). The NPRM was prompted by a report that during full-scale fatigue testing, a crack was found in the area of the attachment of the wing rib 0 to the front spar. The NPRM proposed to require non-destructive testing on the forward (front) spar vertical stiffener and rib 0 for any cracking, installation of a doubler to the forward (front) spar and rib 0 attachment, and repair if necessary, as specified in CAAI AD ISR-I-57-2020-06-01. \n\tThe FAA is issuing this AD to address any cracking at the area of the wing rib 0 to the front spar, which could affect the structural integrity of the wing. See the MCAI for additional background information. \n\nDiscussion of Final Airworthiness Directive Comments \n\n\n\tThe FAA received no comments on the NPRM or on the determination of the cost to the public. \n\n((Page 50452)) \n\nConclusion \n\n\n\tThe FAA reviewed the relevant data and determined that air safety requires adopting this AD as proposed. 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. Accordingly, the FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products. \n\nRelated Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51 \n\n\n\tCAAI AD ISR-I-57-2020-06-01 specifies procedures for non-destructive testing (high frequency, mid frequency, and bolt hole eddy current inspections; and a liquid (dye) penetrant inspection) for cracking on the forward (front) spar vertical stiffener and rib 0, installation of a doubler to the forward (front) spar and rib 0 attachment, and repair if necessary. 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. \n\nCosts of Compliance \n\n\n\tThe FAA estimates that this AD affects 23 airplanes of U.S. registry. The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this AD: \n\n\n\tEstimated Costs for Required Actions ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- \n\tCost per Cost on U.S. \n\tLabor cost Parts cost product operators ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 80 work-hours x $85 per hour = $6,800*.......................$400 $7,200 * $165,600 * ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- \n* If the actions are accomplished during 4C Check.\n\n\n\n\tThe FAA has received no definitive data on which to base the cost estimates for the repair specified in this AD. \n\tAccording to the manufacturer, some or all of the costs of this AD may be covered under warranty, thereby reducing the cost impact on affected operators. The FAA does not control warranty coverage for affected operators. As a result, the FAA has included all known costs in the cost estimate. \n\nAuthority for This Rulemaking \n\n\n\tTitle 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. \n\tThe FAA is issuing this rulemaking under the authority describedin 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. \n\nRegulatory Findings \n\n\n\tThis 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. \n\tFor the reasons discussed above, I certify that this AD: \n\t(1) Is not a ''significant regulatory action'' under Executive Order 12866, \n\t(2) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and \n\t(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. \n\nList of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39 \n\n\n\tAir transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by reference, Safety.