AD 2022-16-04 Requires Inspecting The Horizontal Stabilizer Lower Skin...

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation (Gulfstream) Model GV and GV-SP airplanes.

This AD was prompted by corrosion of the horizontal stabilizer lower bonded skin assemblies. This AD requires inspecting the horizontal stabilizer lower skin and associated bonded doublers and bonded stringers, repairing any area with corrosion beyond allowable damage limits, and incorporating revisions to the airworthiness limitations section (ALS) in the existing aircraft maintenance manual (AMM) or progressive maintenance program. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.  This AD is effective September 7, 2022.  The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in this AD as of September 7, 2022.

Supplementary Information: The FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to all Gulfstream Model GV and GV-SP airplanes. The NPRM published in the Federal Register on November 5, 2021 (86 FR 61088). The NPRM was prompted by bond line corrosion on Model GV and GV-SP airplanes, which causes disbonding between the horizontal stabilizer lower skin and associated bonded doublers and bonded stringers. Gulfstream determined that the existing visual inspection in the AMM did not reliably detect bond line corrosion and added a repetitive non-destructive testing (NDT) inspection to detect the damage. In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to require inspecting the horizontal stabilizer lower skin and associated bonded doublers and bonded stringers, repairing any area with corrosion beyond allowable damage limits, and incorporating revisions to the ALS in the existing AMM. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

FMI: www.regulations.gov