2009-17-01 Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation: Amendment 39-15991. Docket No. FAA-2009-0683; Directorate Identifier 2009-NM-129-AD.
Effective Date
(a) This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective August 26, 2009.
Affected ADs
(b) None.
Applicability
(c) This AD applies to the Gulfstream airplanes identified in paragraphs (c)(1), (c)(2), (c)(3), and (c)(4) of this AD, certificated in any category.
(1) Model G-IV series airplanes, having serial numbers (S/Ns) 1000 and subsequent.
(2) Model GIV-X series airplanes, having S/Ns 4001 through 4146 inclusive, and S/Ns 4148 through 4150 inclusive.
(3) Model GV airplanes, having S/Ns 501 and subsequent.
(4) Model GV-SP series airplanes, having S/Ns 5001 through 5204 inclusive, S/Ns 5206 through 5217 inclusive, and S/N 5219.
Subject
(d) Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Codes 53: Fuselage, and 49: Airborne Auxiliary Power.
Unsafe Condition
(e) This AD results from notification from the airplane manufacturer that an improper, flammable sealant was used on the interior and exterior of the auxiliary power unit (APU) enclosure (firewall). The Federal Aviation Administration is issuing this AD to prevent this flammable sealant from igniting the exterior surfaces of the APU enclosure (firewall) under certain anomalous conditions such as an APU failure/APU compartment fire, which could result in propagation of an uncontained fire to other critical areas of the airplane.
Compliance
(f) You are responsible for having the actions required by this AD performed within the compliance times specified, unless the actions have already been done.
Inspection for Flammable Sealant
(g) For Model G-IV series airplanes identified in paragraph (c)(1) of this AD, and Model GV airplanes identified in paragraph (c)(3) of this AD: Within 21 days after the effective date of this AD, except as provided by paragraph (k) of this AD, perform a general visual inspection of the exterior of the APU enclosure (firewall) to detect overcoat application of sealant on rivets or fillet seals on panel joints, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of the applicable Gulfstream alert customer bulletin specified in Table 1 of this AD.
Table 1--Applicable Alert Customer Bulletins Including Airplane Flight Manual (AFM) Supplements, and AFMs
For Model -
Use -
Which includes -
To the -
G-IV (G300) series airplanes
Gulfstream G300 Alert Customer Bulletin 40A, dated June 30, 2009, including Service Reply Card, Parts I and II
Gulfstream G-IV/G300/G400 AFM Supplement G-IV-2009-02, Revision 1, dated June 25, 2009
Gulfstream G300 AFM
G-IV (G400) series airplanes
Gulfstream G400 Alert Customer Bulletin 40A, dated June 30, 2009, including Service Reply Card, Parts I and II
Gulfstream G-IV/G300/G400 AFM Supplement G-IV-2009-02, Revision 1, dated June 25, 2009
Gulfstream G400 AFM
G-IV series airplanes
Gulfstream IV Alert Customer Bulletin 40A, dated June 30, 2009, including Service Reply Card, Parts I and II
Gulfstream G-IV/G300/G400 AFM Supplement G-IV-2009-02, Revision 1, dated June 25, 2009
Gulfstream G-IV AFM
GIV-X (G350) series airplanes
Gulfstream G350 Alert Customer Bulletin 8A, dated June 30, 2009, including Service Reply Card
Gulfstream G450/G350 AFM Supplement G450-2009-03, Revision 1, dated June 25, 2009
Gulfstream G350 AFM
GIV-X (G450) series airplanes
Gulfstream G450 Alert Customer Bulletin 8A, dated June 30, 2009, including Service Reply Card
Gulfstream G450/G350 AFM Supplement G450-2009-03, Revision 1, dated June 25, 2009
Gulfstream G450 AFM
GV airplanes
Gulfstream V Alert Customer Bulletin 29A, dated June 30, 2009, including Service Reply Card, Parts I and II
Gulfstream GV AFM Supplement GV-2009-03, Revision 1, dated June 25, 2009
Gulfstream GV AFM
GV-SP (G500) series airplanes
Gulfstream G500 Alert Customer Bulletin 9A, dated June 30, 2009, including Service Reply Card
Gulfstream G550/G500 AFM Supplement G550-2009-03, Revision 1, dated June 25, 2009
Gulfstream G500 AFM
GV-SP (G550) series airplanes
Gulfstream G550 Alert Customer Bulletin 9A, dated June 30, 2009, including Service Reply Card
Gulfstream G550/G500 AFM Supplement G550-2009-03, Revision 1, dated June 25, 2009
Gulfstream G550 AFM
(1) If no exterior sealant is found applied during the inspection done in accordance with paragraph (g) of this AD: No further action is required by this paragraph.
(2) If exterior sealant is found applied during the inspection done in accordance with paragraph (g) of this AD: Do the actions specified in paragraph (h) of this AD.
Note 1: For the purposes of this AD, a general visual inspection is: "A visual examination of an interior or exterior area, installation, or assembly to detect obvious damage, failure, or irregularity. This level of inspection is made from within touching distance unless otherwise specified. A mirror may be necessary to ensure visual accessto all surfaces in the inspection area. This level of inspection is made under normally available lighting conditions such as daylight, hangar lighting, flashlight, or droplight and may require removal or opening of access panels or doors. Stands, ladders, or platforms may be required to gain proximity to the area being checked.''
Note 2: A statement in the Accomplishment Instructions of the applicable Gulfstream alert customer bulletins specified in Table 1 of this AD instructs operators to contact Gulfstream if technical assistance is needed in accomplishing the alert customer bulletin. However, any deviation from the instructions provided in the applicable alert customer bulletin must be approved as an alternative method of compliance under paragraph (l) of this AD.
Revision of the AFM
(h) For Model GIV-X series airplanes identified in paragraph (c)(2) of this AD, Model GV-SP series airplanes identified in paragraph (c)(4) of this AD, and Model G-IV series airplanes and Model GV airplanes with flammable sealant on the exterior of the APU enclosure (firewall) identified during the inspection required by paragraph (g) of this AD: At the applicable time specified in paragraph (h)(1) or (h)(2) of this AD, revise the Limitations Section of the applicable Gulfstream AFM specified in Table 1 of this AD to include the information in the applicable Gulfstream AFM supplement specified in Table 1 of this AD. These AFM supplements introduce limitations on the use of the APU during certain ground and flight operations.
Note 3: This AFM revision may be done by inserting a copy of the applicable AFM supplement into the applicable AFM specified in Table 1 of this AD. When the supplement has been included in the general revisions of the AFM, the general revisions may be inserted in the AFM, provided the relevant information in the general revision is identical to that in the applicable AFM supplement specified in Table 1 of this AD.
(1) For Model G-IV series airplanes and Model GV airplanes with flammable sealant on the exterior of the APU enclosure (firewall) identified during the inspection required by paragraph (g) of this AD: Prior to further flight following the inspection done in accordance with paragraph (g) of this AD.
(2) For Model GIV-X series airplanes identified in paragraph (c)(2) of this AD, and Model GV-SP series airplanes identified in paragraph (c)(4) of this AD: Within 21 days after the effective date of this AD.
Credit for Actions Done Using Previous Service Information
(i) Inspecting for flammable sealant and revising the AFM before the effective date of this AD using the applicable alert customer bulletin and AFM supplement specified in Table 2 of this AD are acceptable for compliance with the corresponding actions specified in this AD.
Table 2--Acceptable Alert Customer Bulletins Including AFM Supplements
For Model -
Use -
Which includes -
To the -
G-IV (G300) series airplanes
Gulfstream G300 Alert Customer Bulletin 40, dated May 21, 2009, including Service Reply Card, Parts I and II
Gulfstream G-IV/G300/G400 AFM Supplement G-IV-2009-02, dated May 19, 2009
Gulfstream G300 AFM
G-IV (G400) series airplanes
Gulfstream Alert Customer Bulletin 40, dated May 21, 2009, including Service Reply Card, Parts I and II
Gulfstream G-IV/G300/G400 AFM Supplement G-IV-2009-02, dated May 19, 2009
Gulfstream G400 AFM
G-IV series airplanes
Gulfstream Alert Customer Bulletin 40, dated May 21, 2009, including Service Reply Card, Parts I and II
Gulfstream G-IV/G300/G400 AFM Supplement G-IV-2009-02, dated May 19, 2009
Gulfstream G-IV AFM
GIV-X (G350) series airplanes
Gulfstream Alert Customer Bulletin 8, dated May 21, 2009, including Service Reply Card
Gulfstream G450/G350 AFM Supplement G450-2009-03, dated May 19, 2009
Gulfstream G350 AFM
GIV-X (G450) series airplanes
Gulfstream Alert Customer Bulletin 8, dated May 21, 2009, including Service Reply Card
Gulfstream G450/G350 AFM Supplement G450-2009-03, dated May 19, 2009
Gulfstream G450 AFM
GV airplanes
Gulfstream Alert Customer Bulletin 29, dated May 21, 2009, including Service Reply Card, Parts I and II
Gulfstream GV AFM Supplement GV-2009-03, dated May 19, 2009
Gulfstream GV AFM
GV-SP (G500) series airplanes
Gulfstream Alert Customer Bulletin 9, dated May 21, 2009, including Service Reply Card
Gulfstream G550/G500 AFM Supplement G550-2009-03, dated May 19, 2009
Gulfstream G500 AFM
GV-SP (G550) series airplanes
Gulfstream Alert Customer Bulletin 9, dated May 21, 2009, including Service Reply Card
Gulfstream G550/G500 AFM Supplement G550-2009-03, dated May 19, 2009
Gulfstream G550 AFM
No Reporting Required
(j) Although the Gulfstream alert customer bulletins specified in Table 1 of this AD specify to submit information to the manufacturer, this AD does not include this requirement.
Parts Installation
(k) As of the effective date of this AD, no person may install an APU enclosure (firewall) that contains flammable sealant (GMS 4107) in the construction, on any airplane.
Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)
(l)(1) The Manager, Atlanta Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. Send information to ATTN: Sanford Proveaux, Aerospace Engineer, Propulsion and Services Branch, ACE-118A, FAA, Atlanta Aircraft Certification Office, One Crown Center, 1895 Phoenix Boulevard, Suite 450, Atlanta, Georgia 30349; telephone (770) 703-6049; fax (770) 703-6097.
(2) To request a different method of compliance or a different compliance time for this AD, follow the procedures in 14 CFR 39.19. Before using any approved AMOC on any airplane to which the AMOC applies, notify your principal maintenance inspector (PMI) or principal avionics inspector (PAI), as appropriate, or lacking a principal inspector, your local Flight Standards District Office. The AMOC approval letter must specifically reference this AD.
Material Incorporated by Reference
(m) You must use the service information contained in Table 3 of this AD to do the actions required by this AD, as applicable, unless the AD specifies otherwise.
Table 3--Material Incorporated by Reference
Alert Customer Bulletin -
AFM Supplement -
AFM -
Gulfstream G300 Alert Customer Bulletin 40A, dated June 30, 2009, including Service Reply Card, Parts I and II
Gulfstream G-IV/G300/G400 AFM Supplement G-IV-2009-02, Revision 1, dated June 25, 2009
Gulfstream G300 AFM
Gulfstream G400 Alert Customer Bulletin 40A, dated June 30, 2009, including Service Reply Card, Parts I and II
Gulfstream G-IV/G300/G400 AFM Supplement G-IV-2009-02, Revision 1, dated June 25, 2009
Gulfstream G400 AFM
Gulfstream IV Alert Customer Bulletin 40A, dated June 30, 2009, including Service Reply Card, Parts I and II
Gulfstream G-IV/G300/G400 AFM Supplement G-IV-2009-02, Revision 1, dated June 25, 2009
Gulfstream G-IV AFM
Gulfstream G350 Alert Customer Bulletin 8A, dated June 30, 2009, including Service Reply Card
Gulfstream G450/G350 AFM Supplement G450-2009-03, Revision 1, dated June 25, 2009
Gulfstream G350 AFM
Gulfstream G450 Alert Customer Bulletin 8A, dated June 30, 2009, including Service Reply Card
Gulfstream G450/G350 AFM Supplement G450-2009-03, Revision 1, dated June 25, 2009
Gulfstream G450 AFM
Gulfstream V Alert Customer Bulletin 29A, dated June 30, 2009, including Service Reply Card, Parts I and II
Gulfstream GV AFM Supplement GV-2009-03, Revision 1, dated June 25, 2009
Gulfstream GV AFM
Gulfstream G500 Alert Customer Bulletin 9A, dated June 30, 2009, including Service Reply Card
Gulfstream G550/G500 AFM Supplement G550-2009-03, Revision 1, dated June 25, 2009
Gulfstream G500 AFM
Gulfstream G550 Alert Customer Bulletin 9A, dated June 30, 2009, including Service Reply Card
Gulfstream G550/G500 AFM Supplement G550-2009-03, Revision 1, dated June 25, 2009Gulfstream G550 AFM
(1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of this service information under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
(2) For service information identified in this AD, contact Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation, Technical Publications Dept., P.O. Box 2206, Savannah, Georgia 31402-2206; telephone 800-810-4853; fax 912-965-3520; e-mail pubs@gulfstream.com; Internet http:// www.gulfstream.com/product_support/technical_pubs/pubs/index.htm.
(3) You may review copies of the service information at the FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington. For information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call 425-227-1221 or 425-227-1152.
(4) You may also review copies of the 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/code_of_federal_regulations/ ibr_locations.html.