Airworthiness Directive · Amendment 39-17114 · Flight controls
Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation Airplanes
This AD applies to the airplanes identified in paragraphs (c)(1) through (c)(4) of this AD, certificated in any category.
(1) Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation Model G-IV airplanes, serial numbers 1265, 1286, 1298, 1301, 1347, 1372, 1378, 1380, 1423, 1458, and 1497.
(2) Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation Model GIV-X airplanes, serial numbers 4064, 4151, 4192, 4194, 4199, and 4214.
(3) Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation Model GV airplanes, serial numbers 612, 630, and 691.
(4) Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation Model GV-SP airplanes, serial numbers 5038, 5079, 5223, 5227, 5237, 5240, 5245, 5246, 5252, 5258, 5261, 5265, 5267, 5283, 5290, 5293, 5294, 5302, 5307, 5311, 5318, and 5320.
We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation Model G-IV, GIV-X, GV, and GV-SP airplanes. This AD requires measuring to determine paint thickness on the flight control surfaces and corrective actions if necessary, and revising the Airplane Flight Manual (AFM). This AD was prompted by reports of failure to inspect or document the paint thickness on flight controls (ailerons, rudder, elevator), potentially having a negative impact on the flutter characteristics of the airplane. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct paint thickness on flight controls, which could result in loss of control of the airplane due to flutter.
Within 20 days after the effective date of this AD, revise the airplane flight manual (AFM) by incorporating the applicable airplane flight manual supplement (AFMS) specified in paragraphs (g)(1), (g)(2), (g)(3), and (g)(4) of this AD. After accomplishing the actions in paragraph (h) of this AD, and all applicable corrective actions required by paragraph (i) of this AD, the AFMS specified in paragraph (g) of this AD may be removed from the AFM.
(1) For Model G-IV airplanes: Gulfstream IV Customer Bulletin 223, including Part I and Part II Service Reply Cards, dated March 23, 2012, which includes Gulfstream GIV Airplane Flight Manual Supplement GIV-2012-01, dated March 13, 2012.
(2) For Model GV airplanes: Gulfstream V Customer Bulletin 196, including Part I and Part II Service Reply Cards, dated March 23, 2012, which includes Gulfstream GV Airplane Flight Manual Supplement GV-2012-01, dated March 13, 2012.
(3) For Model GIV-X airplanes: Gulfstream G450 Customer Bulletin 140, including Part I and Part II Service Reply Cards, dated March 23, 2012, which includes Gulfstream G450/G350 Airplane Flight Manual Supplement G450-2012-01, dated March 13, 2012.
(4) For Model GV-SP airplanes: Gulfstream G550 Customer Bulletin 121, including Part I and Part II Service Reply Cards, dated March 23, 2012, which includes Gulfstream G550 Airplane Flight Manual Supplement G550-2012-01, dated March 13, 2012; and Gulfstream G550 EASA Airplane Flight Manual Supplement EASA-G550-2012-01, dated March 14, 2012.
At the applicable compliance time specified in paragraph (h)(1) or (h)(2) of this AD, measure the paint thickness on both sides of the flight control surfaces, in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of the applicable customer bulletin identified in paragraph (g) of this AD. If average paint thickness is equal to or less than 5.0 mils; or if average paint thickness is greater than 5.0 mils, but equal to or less than the serial number specific allowances provided in table 4 of the applicable customer bulletin identified in paragraph (g) of this AD: The AFMS specified in paragraph (g) of this AD may be removed from the AFM.
(1) For Model GIV-X, GV, and GV-SP airplanes: Within 90 days after the effective date of this AD.
(2) For Model G-IV airplanes: Within 180 days after the effective date of this AD.
(1) If, during the measurement required by paragraph (h) of this AD, the average paint thickness is greater than the serial number specific allowances provided in table 4 of the applicable customer bulletin specified in paragraph (g) of this AD, and is equal to or greater than 13.0 mils: Before further flight, repair, in accordance with a method approved by the Manager, Atlanta Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), FAA. For a repair method to be approved by the Manager, Atlanta ACO, as required by this paragraph, the Manager's approval letter must specifically refer to this AD.
(2) If, during the measurement required by paragraph (h) of this AD, the average paint thickness is greater than the serial number specific allowances provided in table 4 of the applicable customer bulletin specified in paragraph (g) of this AD, but is less than 13 mils: Within 12 months after the effective date of this AD, do all applicable corrective actions, in accordance with the applicable customer bulletin specified in paragraph (g) of this AD, except as required by paragraph (j) of this AD. After accomplishing the applicable corrective actions, the AFMS specified in paragraph (g) of this AD may be removed from the AFM.
Where the customer bulletins identified in paragraph (g) of this AD specify to contact Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation for corrective actions, this AD requires doing corrective actions before further flight, in accordance with a method approved by the Manager, Atlanta ACO. For a repair method to be approved by the Manager, Atlanta ACO, as required by this paragraph, the Manager's approval letter must specifically refer to this AD.
(1) Submit a report of the measurements required by paragraph (h) of this AD, including the dimensions obtained from tables 1, 2, and 3, of the applicable customer bulletin specified in paragraph (g) of this AD. Submit the report using the Part I Service Reply Card in the applicable customer bulletin identified in paragraph (g) of this AD, to Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation, at the applicable time specified in paragraph (k)(1)(i) or (k)(1)(ii) of this AD. Under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.), the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has approved the information collection requirements contained in this AD and has assigned OMB Control Number 2120 0056.
(i) If the measurement was done on or after the effective date of this AD: Submit the report within 30 days after the measurement.
(ii) If the measurement was done before the effective date of this AD: Submit the report within 30 days after the effective date of this AD.
(2) Submit a report of compliance with the corrective actions required by paragraph (i) of this AD, using the Part II Service Reply Card in the applicable customer bulletin identified in paragraph (g) of this AD, to Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation, at the applicable time specified in paragraph (k)(2)(i) or (k)(2)(ii) of this AD.
(i) If the corrective action was done on or after the effective date of this AD: Submit the report within 30 days after accomplishing the corrective action.
(ii) If the corrective action was done before the effective date of this AD: Submit the report within 30 days after the effective date of this AD.
The aircraft, engines and makers this AD names, by the model designations in its text. A model listed here may still be outside the AD's serial ranges.
