AD 2005-04-06 Airworthiness Directives; Gulfstream Model GV-SP Series Airplanes

Models named: GV-SP series. Read the applicability below — it usually turns on serial or part numbers too.

This AD applies to Gulfstream Model GV-SP series airplanes, certificated in any category; with serial numbers 5001 through 5062 inclusive.

You are responsible for having the actions required by this AD performed within the compliance times specified, unless the actions have already been done. Initial and Repetitive Inspections (f) Within 50 flight hours after the effective date of this AD, and thereafter at intervals not to exceed 60 days: Do an inspection of the ASCB for any noise interference indications in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of Gulfstream G500 Alert Customer Bulletin 2, dated October 27, 2004, including Appendix A; or Gulfstream G550 Alert Customer Bulletin 2, dated October 27, 2004, including Appendix A; as applicable. If any noise interference indication is found during any inspection required by this AD, before further flight, repair the ASCB according to a method approved by the Manager, Atlanta Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), FAA. Airplane Flight Manual (AFM) Revisions (g) Within 72 hours after the effective date of this AD, revise sections of the applicable AFM in accordance with the actions required in paragraphs (g)(1), (g)(2), (g)(3), and (g)(4) of this AD. Any further revisions to the AFM must contain the identical procedures in the applicable sections of the AFM revisions as required by this AD. Note 1: This may be accomplished by inserting a copy of Gulfstream G500 AFM GAC-AC-G500-OPS-0001, Revision 7, dated December 28, 2004; or Gulfstream G550 AFM GAC-AC-G550-OPS-0001, Revision 9, dated December 28, 2004; as applicable; into the applicable AFM. (1) Revise the Limitations section of the Gulfstream G500 AFM and the Gulfstream G550 AFM by inserting a copy of the procedures in Section 1-34-140, “3-in-1” Integrated Standby Instrument System (SFD), of Gulfstream G500 AFM GAC-AC-G500-OPS-0001, Revision 7, dated December 28, 2004; or Section 1-34-140, “3-in-1” Integrated Standby Instrument System (SFD), of Gulfstream G550 AFM GAC-AC-G550-OPS-0001, Revision 9, dated December 28, 2004; as applicable; in the applicable AFM. (2) Revise the Limitations section of the Gulfstream G500 AFM and the Gulfstream G550 AFM by inserting a copy of the procedures in Section 1-101-10, Checklist Compliance, of Gulfstream G500 AFM GAC-AC-G500-OPS-0001, Revision 7, dated December 28, 2004; or Section 1-101-10, Checklist Compliance, of Gulfstream G550 AFM GAC-AC-G550-OPS-0001, Revision 9, dated December 28, 2004; as applicable; in the applicable AFM. (3) Revise the Abnormal Procedures section of the Gulfstream G500 AFM and the Gulfstream G550 AFM by inserting a copy of the procedures in Section 3-16-150, Loss of All Display Units (DUs), of Gulfstream G500 AFM GAC-AC-G500-OPS-0001, Revision 7, dated December 28, 2004; or Section 3-16-150, Loss of All Display Units (DUs), of Gulfstream G550 AFM GAC-AC-G550-OPS-0001, Revision 9, dated December 28, 2004; as applicable; in the applicable AFM. (4) Revise the Normal Procedures section of the Gulfstream G500 AFM and the Gulfstream G550 AFM by inserting a copy of the procedures contained in the applicable “Section” listed in Table 1 of this AD. Table 1.—AFM Revisions Section Applicable gulfstream AFM Section 02-04-20, Taxi/Before Takeoff G500 AFM GAC-AC-G500-OPS-0001, as specified in Revision 7, dated December 28, 2004. Section 02-04-20, Taxi/Before Takeoff G550 AFM GAC-AC-G550-OPS-0001, as specified in Revision 9, dated December 28, 2004. Section 02-05-30, Descent G500 AFM GAC-AC-G500-OPS-0001, as specified in Revision 7, dated December 28, 2004. Section 02-05-30, Descent G550 AFM GAC-AC-G550-OPS-0001, as specified in Revision 9, dated December 28, 2004. Section 02-05-50, Before Landing G500 AFM GAC-AC-G500-OPS-0001, as specified in Revision 7, dated December 28, 2004. Section 02-05-50, Before Landing G550 AFM GAC-AC-G550-OPS-0001, as specified in Revision 9, dated December 28, 2004. Note 2: Instead of inserting the AFM procedures required by this AD into the AFM, use of the information contained in Gulfstream G550 AFM GAC-AC-JAA-550-OPS-0001, Revision 2, dated January 12, 2005, is considered acceptable for airplanes operated under/in accordance with Joint Aviation Authority/European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) regulations/supervision/oversight. Terminating Action (h) Within 90 days or 300 flight hours after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs first, do the actions required in paragraphs (h)(1) and (h)(2). Doing the actions in paragraphs (h)(1) and (h)(2) ends the requirements of paragraph (f) of this AD, and the AFM revisions required by paragraphs (g)(1), (g)(2), and (g)(4) of this AD may be removed from the AFMs. (1) Install an avionics software update for the Honeywell Primus Epic system in accordance with the Modification Instructions of Gulfstream G500 Aircraft Service Change 902, dated December 30, 2004; or Gulfstream G550 aircraft Service Change 902, dated December 30, 2004; as applicable. (2) Concurrent with the actions required in paragraph (h)(1) of this AD, install hardware upgrades for the Honeywell Primus Epic system in accordance with the Modification Instructions of Gulfstream G500 Aircraft Service Change 043, dated December 30, 2004; or Gulfstream G550 Aircraft Service Change 043, dated December 30, 2004; as applicable. No Reporting (i) Although the customer bulletins referenced in this AD specify to submit certain information to the manufacturer, this AD does not include that requirement. Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs) (j) The Manager, Atlanta ACO, FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested in accordance with the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. Material Incorporated by Reference (k) You must use the service information that is specified in Table 2 of this AD to perform the actions that are required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise. (The appendices to the Gulfstream alert customer bulletins are not dated.) The Director of the Federal Register approves the incorporation by reference of those documents in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. For copies of the service information, contact Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation, Technical Publications Dept., P.O. Box 2206, Savannah, Georgia 31402-2206. You can review copies at the Docket Management Facility, U.S. Department of Transportation, 400 Seventh Street SW., Room PL-401, Nassif Building, Washington, DC; or at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of this material at NARA, call (202) 741-6030, or go to http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html. Table 2.—Material Incorporated by Reference Gulfstream service information Pages Revision level Date G500 Airplane Flight Manual GAC-AC-G500-OPS-0001 List of Effective Pages; Pages A through H Revision 7 December 28, 2004. G500 Alert Customer Bulletin 2, including Appendix A 1-2; 1-4 (appendix) Original October 27, 2004. G500 Aircraft Service Change 043 1-8 Original December 30, 2004. G500 Aircraft Service Change 902 1-6 Original December 30, 2004. G550 Airplane Flight Manual GAC-AC-G550-OPS-0001 List of Effective Pages; Pages A through H Revision 9 December 28, 2004. G550 Alert Customer Bulletin 2, including Appendix A 1-2; 1-4 (appendix) Original October 27, 2004. G550 Aircraft Service Change 043 1-8 Original December 30, 2004. G550 Aircraft Service Change 902 1-6 Original December 30, 2004. Issued in Renton, Washington, on February 8, 2005. Ali Bahrami, Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. 05-2761 Filed 2-15-05; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

This AD was prompted by a report indicating that all four cockpit flight panel displays went blank simultaneously. There were also two reports of similar incidents occurring on the ground. The FAA is issuing this AD to prevent a software error from blanking the cockpit display units, which will result in a reduction of the flightcrew's situational awareness, and possible loss of control of the airplane. We are also issuing this AD to address noise interference in the avionics standard communication bus (ASCB), which can interfere with the display recovery after a blanking event and consequently extend the time that the displays remain blank. In addition, we are issuing this AD to ensure that the flightcrew is advised of the procedures necessary to address blank cockpit display units.