AD 2020-15-02

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 of inadequate clearance between the fuel probes and forward fuel tank structure. This AD requires measuring the clearance between certain fuel probes and the forward fuel tank structure, and reinstalling the probes 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.

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 (AD): \n\n2020-15-02 Gulfstream Aerospace LP: Amendment 39-21165; Docket No. FAA-2020-0334; Product Identifier 2020-NM-014-AD. \n\n(a) Effective Date \n\n\n\tThis AD is effective August 27, 2020. \n\n(b) Affected ADs \n\n\n\tNone. \n\n(c) Applicability \n\n\n\tThis AD applies to certain Gulfstream Aerospace LP Model Gulfstream G280 airplanes, certificated in any category, as identified in Civil Aviation Authority of Israel (CAAI) AD ISR-I-53- 19-10-5, dated October 10, 2019 (''Israeli AD ISR-I-53-19-10-5''). \n\n(d) Subject \n\n\n\tAir Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 53, Fuselage. \n\n(e) Reason \n\n\n\tThis AD was prompted by a report of inadequate clearance between the fuel probes and forward fuel tank structure. The FAA is issuing this AD to address such inadequate clearance, which could result in a potential source of ignition in a fuel tank, possible fire, and consequent reduced structural integrity of the airplane. \n\n((Page 44464)) \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, Israeli AD ISR-I-53-19-10-5. \n\n(h) Exceptions and Clarifications to Israeli AD ISR-I-53-19-10-5 \n\n\n\t(1) Where Israeli AD ISR-I-53-19-10-5 refers to its effective date, this AD requires using the effective date of this AD. \n\t(2) Where Israeli AD ISR-I-53-19-10-5 requires operators to ''check . . . clearance between fuel probes andforward fuel tank structure,'' this AD requires measuring the specified probes' distance to the adjacent skin. \n\t(3) Where Israeli AD ISR-I-53-19-10-5 requires operators to ''adjust clearance'' for the corrective action, this AD requires reinstallation of the probe at the correct distance. \n\t(4) Israeli AD ISR-I-53-19-10-5 requires compliance ''at the next suitable planned maintenance inspection within the next 36 months.'' This AD requires compliance within 36 months after the effective date of this AD. \n\t(5) The rework (reinstallation of the fuel probes at the correct distance) required for inadequate clearance must be done before further flight after the measurement. \n\n(i) 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 local Flight Standards District Office, as appropriate. If sending information directly to the International Section, send it to the attention of the person identified in paragraph (j) of this AD. Information may be emailed to: 9-ANM-116-AMOC-REQUESTS@faa.gov. 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. \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 the CAAI; or CAAI's authorized Designee. If approved by the CAAI Designee, the approval must include the Designee's authorized signature. \n\n(j) 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(k) 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-53- 19-10-5, dated October 10, 2019. \n\t(ii) (Reserved) \n\t(3) For information about Israeli AD ISR-I-53-19-10-5, contact the 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 IBR material on the CAAI website at 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-2020-0334. \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 July 7, 2020. Lance T. Gant, Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification Service. (FR Doc. 2020-15819 Filed 7-22-20; 8:45 am) BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

Discussion \n\n\n\tThe CAAI, which is the aviation authority for Israel, has issued Israeli AD ISR-I-53-19-10-5, dated October 10, 2019 (''Israeli AD ISR- I-53-19-10-5'') (also referred to as the Mandatory Continuing Airworthiness Information, or ''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 \n\n((Page 44463)) \n\npart 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 April 27, 2020 (85 FR 23259). The NPRM was prompted by a report of inadequate clearance between the fuel probes and forward fuel tank structure. The NPRM proposed to require measuring the clearance between certain fuel probes and the forward fuel tank structure, and reinstalling the probes if necessary, as specified in a CAAI AD. \n\tThe FAA is issuing this AD to address inadequate clearance between the fuel probes and forward fuel tank structure, which could result in a potential source of ignition in a fuel tank, possible fire, and consequent reduced structural integrity of the airplane. 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 IBR Material Under 1 CFR Part 51 \n\n\n\tIsraeli AD ISR-I-53-19-10-5 describes procedures for checking the clearance between forward fuel probe No. 1 and aft fuel probe No. 3 and the forward fuel tank structure, by measuring each fuel probe's distance to the adjacent skin, and adjusting the clearance, including reinstallation of the fuel probes at the correct distance 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 80 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\tLabor cost Parts cost Cost per product Cost on U.S. operators ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Up to 20 work-hours x $85 per hour = Up $0 Up to $1,700.............. Up to $136,000. \n\tto $1,700. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- \n\n\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 individuals. The FAA does not control warranty coverage for affected individuals. 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 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.