AD 2020-26-12

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Gulfstream Aerospace LP Model Gulfstream G280 airplanes. This AD was prompted by a determination that new or more restrictive airworthiness limitations are necessary. This AD requires revising the existing maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to incorporate new or more restrictive airworthiness limitations, 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.

Adoption of 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\n2020-26-12 Gulfstream Aerospace LP: Amendment 39-21367; Docket No. FAA-2020-0796; Project Identifier MCAI-2020-00902-T. \n\n(a) Effective Date \n\n\n\tThis airworthiness directive (AD) is effective February 1, 2021. \n\n(b) Affected ADs \n\n\n\tNone. \n\n(c) Applicability \n\n\n\tThis AD applies to all Gulfstream Aerospace LP Model Gulfstream G280 airplanes, certificated in any category, with an original airworthiness certificate or original export certificate of airworthiness issued on or before September 15, 2019. \n\n(d) Subject \n\n\n\tAir Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 27, Flight controls. \n\n(e) Reason \n\n\n\tThis AD was prompted by a determination that new or more restrictive airworthiness limitations are necessary. The FAA is issuing this AD to address solder cracking of the flight control electronic control units (FCECUs), which, combined with latent failure of the horizontal stabilizer trim actuator (HSTA) ''no- back'' mechanism, could result in uncontrolled HSTA operation. \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, Civil Aviation Authority of Israel (CAAI) AD ISR-I- 04-2020-06-02, dated June 28, 2020 (CAAI AD ISR-I-04-2020-06-02). \n\n(h) Exceptions to CAAI AD ISR-I-04-2020-06-02 \n\n\n\t(1) Where CAAI AD ISR-I-04-2020-06-02 refers to its effective date, this AD requires using the effective date of this AD. \n\t(2) Where CAAI AD ISR-I-04-2020-06-02 refers to the date of its issuance, this AD requires using the effective date of this AD. \n\n(i) Provisions for Alternative Actions, Intervals, and Critical Design Configuration Control Limitations (CDCCLs) \n\n\n\tAfter the existing maintenance or inspection program has been revised as required by paragraph (g) of this AD, no alternative actions (e.g., inspections), intervals, and CDCCLs are allowed unless they are approved as specified in the provisions of CAAI AD ISR-I-04-2020-06-02. \n\n(j) Other FAA 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 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 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; phone 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 (IBR) of the service information listed in this paragraph 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-04- 2020-06-02, dated June 28, 2020. \n\t(ii) (Reserved) \n\t(3) For CAAI AD ISR-I-04-2020-06-02, contact the CAAI, P.O. Box 1101, Golan Street, Airport City, 70100, Israel; phone: 972-3- 9774665; fax: 972-3-9774592; email: aip@mot.gov.il. You may find this IBR material 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. This material may be found in the AD docket on the internet at https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2020-0796. \n\n((Page 84201)) \n\n\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 fedreg.legal@nara.gov, or go to: https://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html. \n\n\n\tIssued on December 10, 2020. Lance T. Gant, Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification Service. (FR Doc. 2020-28406 Filed 12-23-20; 8:45 am) BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

Discussion \n\n\n\tThe CAAI, which is the aviation authority for Israel, has issued CAAI AD ISR-I-04-2020-06-02, dated June 28, 2020 (CAAI AD ISR-I-04- 2020-06-02) (also referred to as the Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information, or the MCAI), to correct an unsafe condition for all Gulfstream Aerospace LP Model Gulfstream G280 airplanes. Airplanes with an original airworthiness certificate or original export certificate of airworthiness issued after September 15, 2019, must comply with the airworthiness limitations specified as part of the approved type design and referenced on the type certificate data sheet; this AD therefore does not include those airplanes in the applicability. \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 September 16, 2020 (85 FR57799). The NPRM was prompted by a determination that new or more restrictive airworthiness limitations are necessary. The NPRM proposed to require revising the existing maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to incorporate new or more restrictive airworthiness limitations, as specified in CAAI AD ISR-I-04-2020-06-02. \n\tThe FAA is issuing this AD to address solder cracking of the flight control electronic control units (FCECUs), which, combined with latent failure of the horizontal stabilizer trim actuator (HSTA) ''no-back'' mechanism, could result in uncontrolled HSTA operation. See the MCAI for additional background information. \n\nComments \n\n\n\tThe FAA gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing this final rule. The FAA received no comments on the NPRM or on the determination of the cost to the public. \n\nConclusion \n\n\n\tThe FAA reviewed the relevant data and determined that air safety and the public interest require adopting this final rule as proposed, except for minor editorial changes. The FAA has determined that these minor changes: \n\tAre consistent with the intent that was proposed in the NPRM for addressing the unsafe condition; and \n\tDo not add any additional burden upon the public than was already proposed in the NPRM. \n\nRelated Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51 \n\n\n\tCAAI AD ISR-I-04-2020-06-02 describes new or more restrictive airworthiness limitations for airplane structures and safe life limits. 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 160 airplanes of U.S. registry. The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this AD: \n\tThe FAA has determined that revising the existing maintenance or inspection program takes an average of 90 work-hours per operator, although the agency recognizes that this number may vary from operator to operator. In the past, the agency has estimated that this action \n\n((Page 84200)) \n\ntakes 1 work-hour per airplane. Since operators incorporate maintenance or inspection program changes for their affected fleet(s), the FAA has determined that a per-operator estimate is more accurate than a per- airplane estimate. Therefore, the agency estimates the average total cost per operator to be $7,650 (90 work-hours x $85 per work-hour). \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 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. \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.