90 FR 95 pgs. 21245-21247 - Airworthiness Directives; Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation Airplanes
Type: PRORULEVolume: 90Number: 95Pages: 21245 - 21247
Pages: 21245, 21246, 21247Docket number: [Docket No. FAA-2025-0757; Project Identifier AD-2025-00117-T]
FR document: [FR Doc. 2025-08567 Filed 5-16-25; 8:45 am]
Agency: Transportation Department
Sub Agency: Federal Aviation Administration
Official PDF Version: PDF Version
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2025-0757; Project Identifier AD-2025-00117-T]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation Airplanes
AGENCY:
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION:
Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
SUMMARY:
The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation Model GVI airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by a determination that new and more restrictive airworthiness limitations are necessary. This AD requires revising the existing maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to incorporate new and more restrictive airworthiness limitations. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
DATES:
The FAA must receive comments on this proposed AD by July 3, 2025.
ADDRESSES:
You may send comments, using the procedures found in 14 CFR 11.43 and 11.45, by any of the following methods:
• Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
• Fax: 202-493-2251.
• Fax: 202-493-2251.
• Mail: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590.
• Hand Delivery: Deliver to Mail address above between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at regulations.gov under Docket No. FAA-2025-0757; or in person at Docket Operations between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The AD docket contains this NPRM, any comments received, and other information. The street address for Docket Operations is listed above.
Material Incorporated by Reference:
• For Gulfstream material identified in this proposed AD, contact Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation, Technical Publications Dept., P.O. Box 2206, Savannah, GA 31402-2206; telephone 800-810-4853; email pubs@gulfstream.com; website gulfstream.com/en/customer-support.
• You may view this material at the FAA, Airworthiness Products Section, Operational Safety Branch, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Jeffrey Johnson, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 1701 Columbia Avenue, College Park, GA 30337; phone: 404-474-5554; email: 9-ASO-ATLACO-ADs@faa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments Invited
The FAA invites you to send any written relevant data, views, or arguments about this proposal. Send your comments to an address listed under the ADDRESSES section. Include "Docket No. FAA-2025-0757; Project Identifier AD-2025-00117-T" at the beginning of your comments. The most helpful comments reference a specific portion of the proposal, explain the reason for any recommended change, and include supporting data. The FAA will consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend this proposal because of those comments.
Except for Confidential Business Information (CBI) as described in the following paragraph, and other information as described in 14 CFR 11.35, the FAA will post all comments received, without change, to regulations.gov, including any personal information you provide. The agency will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact received about this NPRM.
Confidential Business Information
CBI is commercial or financial information that is both customarily and actually treated as private by its owner. Under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) (5 U.S.C. 552), CBI is exempt from public disclosure. If your comments responsive to this NPRM contain commercial or financial information that is customarily treated as private, that you actually treat as private, and that is relevant or responsive to this NPRM, it is important that you clearly designate the submitted comments as CBI. Please mark each page of your submission containing CBI as "PROPIN." The FAA will treat such marked submissions as confidential under the FOIA, and they will not be placed in the public docket of this NPRM. Submissions containing CBI should be sent to Jeffrey Johnson, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 1701 Columbia Avenue, College Park, GA 30337; phone: 404-474-5554; email: 9-ASO-ATLACO-ADs@faa.gov. Any commentary that the FAA receives that is not specifically designated as CBI will be placed in the public docket for this rulemaking.
Background
The FAA has received a report indicating errors were identified in previous revisions of the airworthiness limitations section (ALS) of the aircraft maintenance manual (AMM) for Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation Model G650 and G650ER airplanes. Gulfstream revised the ALS to correct errors, expanded serial number effectivities for certain principal structural elements (PSEs), and added safe life limit part numbers. The FAA has determined these new and more restrictive airworthiness limitations are necessary. The FAA is proposing this AD to prevent failure of principal structural elements throughout the service life of each part. This condition, if not addressed, could compromise the structural integrity of the airplane.
FAA's Determination
The FAA is issuing this NPRM after determining that the unsafe condition described previously is likely to exist or develop on other products of the same type design.
Material Incorporated by Reference Under 1 CFR Part 51
The FAA reviewed Section 05-10-10 Airworthiness Limitations, Chapter 05 Time Limits/Maintenance Checks, Gulfstream G650 Aircraft Maintenance Manual, Revision 24, dated October 30, 2024; and Section 05-10-10 Airworthiness Limitations, Chapter 05 Time Limits/Maintenance Checks, Gulfstream G650ER Aircraft Maintenance Manual, Revision 19, dated October 30, 2024. This material specifies airworthiness limitations, which include additional safe life limit part numbers and the addition of airplane serial numbers to the effectivity of certain PSEs. These documents are distinct because they apply to different airplane models. 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.
Proposed AD Requirements in This NPRM
This proposed AD would require revising the existing maintenance or inspection program, as applicable to incorporate new and more restrictive airworthiness limitations.
[top] This proposed AD would require revisions to certain operator maintenance documents to include new actions ( e.g., inspections). Compliance
Costs of Compliance
The FAA estimates that this AD, if adopted as proposed, would affect 428 airplanes of U.S. registry. The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this proposed AD:
The 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. 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 FAA estimates the average total cost per operator to be $7,650 (90 work-hours × $85 per work-hour).
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.
The 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.
Regulatory Findings
The FAA determined that this proposed AD would not have federalism implications under Executive Order 13132. This proposed AD would 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 this proposed regulation:
(1) Is not a "significant regulatory action" under Executive Order 12866,
(2) Would not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and
(3) Would 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.
The Proposed Amendment
Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the Administrator, the FAA proposes to amend 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:
Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation: Docket No. FAA-2025-0757; Project Identifier AD-2025-00117-T.
(a) Comments Due Date
The FAA must receive comments on this airworthiness directive (AD) by July 3, 2025.
(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 57, Wings.
(e) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by a determination that new and more restrictive airworthiness limitations are necessary. The FAA is issuing this AD to prevent failure of principal structural elements throughout the service life of each part. This condition, if not addressed, could result in the compromise of the structural integrity of the airplane.
(f) Compliance
Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, unless already done.
(g) Maintenance or Inspection Program Revision
Within 30 days after the effective date of this AD, revise the existing maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to incorporate the information specified in Section 05-10-10 Airworthiness Limitations, Chapter 05 Time Limits/Maintenance Checks, Gulfstream G650 Aircraft Maintenance Manual, Revision 24, dated October 30, 2024; and Section 05-10-10 Airworthiness Limitations, Chapter 05 Time Limits/Maintenance Checks, Gulfstream G650ER Aircraft Maintenance Manual, Revision 19, dated October 30, 2024; as applicable. The initial compliance time for doing the tasks is at the time specified in Section 05-10-10 Airworthiness Limitations, Chapter 05 Time Limits/Maintenance Checks, Gulfstream G650 Aircraft Maintenance Manual, Revision 24, dated October 30, 2024; and Section 05-10-10 Airworthiness Limitations, Chapter 05 Time Limits/Maintenance Checks, Gulfstream G650ER Aircraft Maintenance Manual, Revision 19, dated October 30, 2024; as applicable, or within 30 days after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs later.
(h) No Alternative Actions or Intervals
After the existing maintenance or inspection program has been revised as required by paragraph (g) of this AD, no alternative actions ( e.g., inspections) or intervals may be used unless the actions and intervals, are approved as an alternative method of compliance (AMOC) in accordance with the procedures specified in paragraph (j) of this AD.
(i) Special Flight Permit
Special flight permits, as described in 14 CFR 39.23, are not allowed.
(j) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)
(1) The Manager, East Certification 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 manager of the East Certification Branch, send it to the attention of the person identified in paragraph (k) of this AD. Information may be emailed to: AMOC@faa.gov.
(2) Before using any approved AMOC, notify your appropriate principal inspector, or lacking a principal inspector, the manager of the responsible Flight Standards Office.
(k) Related Information
For more information about this AD, contact Jeffrey Johnson, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 1701 Columbia Avenue, College Park, GA 30337; phone: 404-474-5554; email: 9-ASO-ATLACO-ADs@faa.gov.
(l) Material Incorporated by Reference
[top] (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of the material listed in this paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
(2) You must use this material as applicable to do the actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise.
(i) Section 05-10-10 Airworthiness Limitations, Chapter 05 Time Limits/Maintenance Checks, Gulfstream G650 Aircraft Maintenance Manual, Revision 24, dated October 30, 2024.
(ii) Section 05-10-10 Airworthiness Limitations, Chapter 05 Time Limits/Maintenance Checks, Gulfstream G650ER Aircraft Maintenance Manual, Revision 19, dated October 30, 2024.
(3) For Gulfstream material identified in this AD, contact Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation, Technical Publications Dept., P.O. Box 2206, Savannah, GA 31402-2206; telephone 800-810-4853; email pubs@gulfstream.com; website gulfstream.com/en/customer-support.
(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.
(5) You may view this material at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of this material at NARA, visit www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations or email fr.inspection@nara.gov.
Issued on May 9, 2025.
Steven W. Thompson,
Acting Deputy Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2025-08567 Filed 5-16-25; 8:45 am]
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