[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 173 (Thursday, September 8, 2022)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 54925-54927]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-19265]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2022-1055; Project Identifier AD-2022-00573-T]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation 
Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) 
for certain Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation Model GVII-G500 and GVII-
G600 airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by reports of two landing 
incidents in which the alpha limiter engaged in the landing flare in 
unstable air, resulting in high rate of descent landings and damage to 
the airplanes. This proposed AD would require updating the flight 
control computer (FCC) software. 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 October 24, 
2022.

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.
     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.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket at regulations.gov by searching for 
and locating Docket No. FAA-2022-1055; 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.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Myles Jalalian, Aerospace Engineer, 
Systems and Equipment Section, FAA, Atlanta ACO Branch, 1701 Columbia 
Avenue, College Park, GA 30337; phone: 404-474-5572; email: [email protected].

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 ADDRESSES. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2022-1055; Project Identifier 
AD-2022-00573-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 Myles 
Jalalian, Aerospace Engineer, Systems and Equipment Section, FAA, 
Atlanta ACO Branch, 1701 Columbia Avenue, College Park, GA 30337; 
phone: 404-474-5572; email: [email protected]. 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 two landing incidents in 
which the alpha limiter engaged in the landing flare in unstable air, 
resulting in high rate of descent landings and damage to the airplanes. 
These incidents occurred on Model GVII-G500 airplanes on February 6, 
2020 and April 4, 2022. In both events, the angle of attack (AOA) 
protection function (alpha limiter) of the FCC engaged and overrode the 
pilot pitch control inputs which the flight control law erroneously 
predicted would exceed the stall AOA. This resulted in a high rate of 
descent landing on the runway. Additionally, the pilots in both events 
had full aft-stick input when the aircraft contacted the runway, and 
the full-up pitch control did not arrest the high rate of descent 
landing.
    Based on analyses and investigations performed by the FAA and 
Gulfstream, the root cause of the incidents was determined to be that 
the flight control laws did not account for the types of

[[Page 54926]]

control inputs experienced on the February 6, 2020 and April 4, 2022 
flights. The FCC incorrectly determined the airplane was about to 
exceed the critical AOA, and therefore, the FCC limited the pilot's 
ability to input sufficient pitch control to prevent a high rate of 
descent landing. This condition, if not addressed, could limit pilot 
pitch authority during a critical phase of flight near the ground, and 
result in a high rate of descent landing with possible consequent loss 
of control of the airplane.
    The FAA issued AD 2022-10-05, Amendment 39-22043 (87 FR 27494, May 
9, 2022) (AD 2022-10-05), for all Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation 
Model GVII-G500 and GVII-G600 airplanes. AD 2022-10-05 retains certain 
airplane flight manual (AFM) revision requirements, and also adds and 
replaces certain AFM sections with more restrictive limitations and 
procedures. The agency issued AD 2022-10-05 to address inappropriate 
alpha limiter engagement during the landing flare, which can limit 
pilot pitch authority during a critical phase of flight near the 
ground, and result in a high rate of descent landing with possible 
consequent loss of control of the airplane on landing. The FAA 
considered the requirements in AD 2022-10-05 an interim action to 
address the unsafe condition identified after the two incidents. The 
FAA has since determined that an update to the FCC software is also 
needed to address the unsafe condition.

Relationship Between This Proposed AD and AD 2022-10-05

    This NPRM would not supersede AD 2022-10-05. Rather, the FAA has 
determined that a stand-alone AD would be more appropriate to address 
the changes in the FCC software. This NPRM would require updating the 
FCC software. Accomplishment of the proposed action would then 
terminate all of the requirements of AD 2022-10-05 for that airplane 
only.

Explanation of the Compliance Time and the Applicability

    This proposed AD includes a compliance time that specifies a 
calendar date. In determining this compliance time, the FAA conducted a 
risk assessment, which indicated that all corrective actions must be 
implemented in the affected fleet no later than April 30, 2023 in order 
to remain within acceptable risk guidelines.
    Additionally, this proposed AD includes an applicability of 
Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation Model GVII-G500 and GVII-G600 
airplanes with certain FCC software installed. Only airplanes with this 
affected FCC software need to apply the update. All in-service 
airplanes currently have this affected FCC software. The affected 
software part numbers are identified by the Gulfstream Aerospace 
Corporation part numbers.

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.

Proposed AD Requirements in This NPRM

    This proposed AD would require updating the FCC software. This 
proposed AD would also terminate all of the requirements of AD 2022-10-
05 for that airplane only.

Costs of Compliance

    The FAA estimates that this AD, if adopted as proposed, would 
affect 120 airplanes of U.S. registry. The FAA estimates the following 
costs to comply with this proposed AD:

                                                 Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                     Cost per      Cost on U.S.
                Action                         Labor cost           Parts cost        product        operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Software update.......................  6 work-hours x $85 per                $0            $510         $61,200
                                         hour = $510.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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

0
1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows:

    Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701.


Sec.  39.13  [Amended]

0
2. The FAA amends Sec.  39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness 
directive:

Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation: Docket No. FAA-2022-1055; Project 
Identifier AD-2022-00573-T.

[[Page 54927]]

(a) Comments Due Date

    The FAA must receive comments on this airworthiness directive 
(AD) by October 24, 2022.

(b) Affected ADs

    This AD affects AD 2022-10-05, Amendment 39-22043 (87 FR 27494, 
May 9, 2022).

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation Model GVII-
G500 and GVII-G600 airplanes, certificated in any category, with 
flight control computer (FCC) software revisions installed as 
specified in figure 1 to paragraph (c) of this AD.
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TP08SE22.011

    Note 1 to paragraph (c): The FCC software label, which 
identifies the software revision installed, can be found on the face 
of the FCC module. The FCC modules are installed within the left and 
right electronic equipment racks. The labels may be viewed by 
opening the rack doors and removing 4 screws per FCC (8 screws total 
per airplane) from the FCC cover.

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 27, Flight 
controls.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by reports of two landing incidents where 
the alpha limiter engaged in the landing flare in unstable air while 
on the approach and caused high rate of descent landings and damage 
to the airplane. The FAA is issuing this AD to address inappropriate 
alpha limiter engagement during the landing flare, which can limit 
pilot pitch authority during a critical phase of flight near the 
ground, and result in a high rate of descent landing with possible 
consequent loss of control of the airplane.

(f) Compliance

    Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, 
unless already done.

(g) Software Update

    No later than April 30, 2023, update the FCC software in 
accordance with a method approved by the Manager, Atlanta ACO 
Branch, FAA.

(h) Terminating Action for AD 2022-10-05

    Accomplishing the software update required by paragraph (g) of 
this AD on an airplane terminates all requirements of AD 2022-10-05, 
for that airplane only.

(i) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (1) The Manager, Atlanta ACO 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 certification office, send it to the attention of the person 
identified in paragraph (j) of this AD.
    (2) Before using any approved AMOC, notify your appropriate 
principal inspector, or lacking a principal inspector, the manager 
of the responsible Flight Standards Office.

(j) Related Information

    For more information about this AD, contact Myles Jalalian, 
Aerospace Engineer, Systems and Equipment Section, FAA, Atlanta ACO 
Branch, 1701 Columbia Avenue, College Park, GA 30337; phone: 404-
474-5572; email: [email protected].

    Issued on August 15, 2022.
Gaetano A. Sciortino,
Deputy Director for Strategic Initiatives, Compliance & Airworthiness 
Division, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2022-19265 Filed 9-7-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P


