2023-11-09: Flight controls

1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows: Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701. 2. The FAA amends § 39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness directive: 2023-11-09 Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation: Amendment 39-22455; Docket No. FAA-2022-1055; Project Identifier AD-2022-00573-T. (a) Effective Date This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective July 18, 2023. (b) Affected ADs This AD affects AD 2020-02-18, Amendment 39-21026 (85 FR 8153, February 13, 2020) (AD 2020-02-18); and AD 2022-10-05, Amendment 39-22043 (87 FR 27494, May 9, 2022) (AD 2022-10-05). (c) Applicability This AD applies to Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation Model GVII-G500 airplanes having serial numbers (S/Ns) 72001 through 72111 inclusive; and GVII-G600 airplanes having S/Ns 73001 through 73106 inclusive; certificated in any category, with flight control computer (FCC) software revisions installed as specified in figure 1 to paragraph (c) of this AD. Figure 1 to Paragraph ( c ) of This AD-FCC Software Revision Installed Model Nomenclature Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation part No. (P/N) Thales P/N GVII-G500 airplanes FCC COM-MON Module A FCC COM-MON Module B 72P2700001Z100-SW6.3 72P2700001Z200-SW6.3 C13204JB01 C13212JB01 GVII-G600 airplanes FCC COM-MON Module A FCC COM-MON Module B 72P2700001Z100-SW8.1 72P2700001Z200-SW8.1 C13204KB01 C13212KB01 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 Within 90 days after the effective date of this AD, update the FCC software in accordance with either: (1) Gulfstream GVII-G500 Aircraft Service Change No. 039, Revision A, dated September 13, 2022, including Thales Service Bulletin C13204J-27-002, Revision 01, dated September 13, 2022, and Thales Service Bulletin C13212J-27-002, Revision 01, dated September 13, 2022; or Gulfstream GVII-G600 Aircraft Service Change No. 029, Revision A, dated September 13, 2022, including Thales Service Bulletin C13204K-27-002, Revision 01, dated September 13, 2022, and Thales Service Bulletin C13212K-27-002, Revision 01, dated September 13, 2022; as applicable; or (2) A method approved by the Manager, East Certification Branch, FAA. (h) Terminating Action for AD 2020-02-18 and AD 2022-10-05 Accomplishing the software update required by paragraph (g) of this AD on an airplane terminates all requirements of AD 2020-02-18 and AD 2022-10-05, for that airplane only. (i) No Reporting Requirement Although Gulfstream GVII-G500 Aircraft Service Change No. 039, Revision A, dated September 13, 2022, including Thales Service Bulletin C13204J-27-002, Revision 01, dated September 13, 2022, and Thales Service Bulletin C13212J-27-002, Revision 01, dated September 13, 2022; and Gulfstream GVII-G600 Aircraft Service Change No. 029, Revision A, dated September 13, 2022, including Thales Service Bulletin C13204K-27-002, Revision 01, dated September 13, 2022, and Thales Service Bulletin C13212K-27-002, Revision 01, dated September 13, 2022; specify to submit certain information to the manufacturer, this AD does not include that requirement. (j) Credit for Previous Actions (1) This paragraph provides credit for the actions specified in paragraph (g)(1) of this AD, if those actions were performed before the effective date of this AD using Gulfstream GVII-G500 Aircraft Service Change No. 039, dated September 12, 2022, including Thales Service Bulletin C13204J-27-002, dated September 9, 2022, and Thales Service Bulletin C13212J-27-002, dated September 9, 2022. (2) This paragraph provides credit for the actions specified in paragraph (g)(1) of this AD, if those actions were performed before the effective date of this AD using Gulfstream GVII-G600 Aircraft Service Change No. 029, dated September 12, 2022, including Thales Service Bulletin C13204K-27-002, dated September 9, 2022, and Thales Service Bulletin C13212K-27-002, dated September 9, 2022. (k) 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 certification office, send it to the attention of the person identified in paragraph (l)(1) 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. (l) Related Information (1) For more information about this AD, contact Myles Jalalian, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 1701 Columbia Avenue, College Park, GA 30337; phone: 404-474-5572; email: 9-ASO-ATLACO-ADs@faa.gov. (2) Service information identified in this AD that is not incorporated by reference is available at the addresses specified in paragraphs (m)(3) and (4) of this AD. (m) Material Incorporated by Reference (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference (IBR) of the service information listed in this paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. (2) You must use this service information as applicable to do the actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise. (i) Gulfstream GVII-G500 Aircraft Service Change No. 039, Revision A, dated September 13, 2022, including Thales Service Bulletin C13204J-27-002, Revision 01, dated September 13, 2022, and Thales Service Bulletin C13212J-27-002, Revision 01, dated September 13, 2022. (ii) Gulfstream GVII-G600 Aircraft Service Change No. 029, Revision A, dated September 13, 2022, including Thales Service Bulletin C13204K-27-002, Revision 01, dated September 13, 2022, and Thales Service Bulletin C13212K-27-002, Revision 01, dated September 13, 2022. (3) For service information 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 service information 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 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, fr.inspection@nara.gov, or go to: www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html. Issued on June 2, 2023. Michael Linegang, Acting Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. 2023-12442 Filed 6-12-23; 8:45 am]BILLING CODE 4910-13-P