AD 2023-06-09

This AD is effective May 18, 2023.

The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of May 18, 2023.

AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at regulations.gov under Docket No. FAA-2022-0994; 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 final rule, the mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI), any comments received, and other information. The address for Docket Operations is U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590.

Material Incorporated by Reference:

• For material incorporated by reference in this AD, contact 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 material on the CAAI website at caa.gov.il.

• 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. It is also available in the AD docket at regulations.gov under Docket No. FAA-2022-0994.

Dan Rodina, Aerospace Engineer, Large Aircraft Section, FAA, International Validation Branch, FAA, 2200 South 216th Street, Des Moines, WA 98198; telephone 206-231-3225; email dan.rodina@faa.gov.

The 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 G200 airplanes. The NPRM published in the Federal Register on August 17, 2022 (87 FR 50588). The NPRM was prompted by AD ISR I-57-2021-12-4, dated January 1, 2022 (CAAI AD ISR I-57-2021-12-4) (also referred to as the MCAI), issued by CAAI, which is the aviation authority for Israel. There were reports that wing flap fairing debonding and corrosion were discovered at the lower skin of rib 3 and rib 11 on both wings. The MCAI states that the reason for the AD is to prevent the possibility of flap fairing debonding, moisture intrusion and wing lower skin corrosion at rib 3 and rib 11.

In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to require an inspection for corrosion in certain areas of the wing skin fairings, additional inspections if necessary, resealing the fairings with new fillet seal, and applicable corrective actions, as specified in CAAI AD ISR I-57-2021-12-4.

You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket at regulations.gov under Docket No. FAA-2022-0994.

The FAA issued a supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking (SNPRM) to amend 14 CFR part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to certain Gulfstream Aerospace LP Model Galaxy airplanes and Model Gulfstream 200 airplanes. The SNPRM published in the Federal Register on December 13, 2022 (87 FR 76148). The SNPRM was prompted a determination that Model Galaxy airplanes must be added to the applicability. In the SNPRM, the FAA proposed to require an inspection for corrosion in certain areas of the wing skin fairings, additional inspections if necessary, resealing the fairings with new fillet seal, and applicable corrective actions. The FAA is issuing this AD to address flap fairing debonding and moisture intrusion that might lead to lower wing skin corrosion and cracking on both wings, and reduced structural integrity of the wings.

The FAA received no comments on the SNPRM or on the determination of the cost to the public.

This product has been approved by the aviation authority of another country and is approved for operation in the United States. Pursuant to the FAA's bilateral agreement with this State of Design Authority, it has notified the FAA of the unsafe condition described in the MCAI referenced above. The FAA reviewed the relevant data and determined that air safety requires adopting this AD as proposed. Accordingly, the FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on this product. Except for minor editorial changes, this AD is adopted as proposed in the SNPRM. None of the changes will increase the economic burden on any operator.

CAAI AD ISR I-57-2021-12-4, dated January 1, 2022, describes procedures for an inspection for corrosion in the area of the wing skin (or doubler if installed) under the rib 3 and rib 11 fairings, a penetration or eddy current inspection for cracks if corrosion was found, a measurement of the thickness of remaining wing skin (or doubler) if no cracks were found, resealing of rib 3 and rib 11 fairings with new fillet seal, and applicable corrective actions. Corrective actions include cleaning and removing corrosion, crack repair, and repair of fairing installation locations with a certain thickness reduction.

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.

The FAA estimates that this AD affects 168 airplanes of U.S. registry. The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this AD:

The FAA estimates the following costs to do any necessary on-condition action that would be required based on the results of any required actions. The FAA has no way of determining the number of aircraft that might need these on-condition actions:

The FAA has included all known costs in its cost estimate. According to the manufacturer, however, some or all of the costs of this AD may be covered under warranty, thereby reducing the cost impact on affected operators.

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.

This 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.

For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this AD:

(1) Is not a “significant regulatory action” under Executive Order 12866,

(2) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and

(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.

Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the Administrator, the FAA amends 14 CFR part 39 as follows:

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

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