Agency Has Received At Least 20 Reports Of Windshield Failures Since 2013

The FAA has released a Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin (SAIB) following reports of multiple windshield failures on  Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation G-1159A (G-III), G-IV, GIV-X, GV, GV-SP, and GVI airplanes.  It also provides information on a new windshield design that should be used if replacement of an existing windshield becomes necessary.

According to the SAIB, since 2013, the FAA and Gulfstream are aware of at least 20 incidents involving windshield failures.

The failures resulted in one or more of the following: arcing, cracking, smoke, and/or small fires. In some cases, this has resulted in diversions or emergency landings.

Gulfstream has designed and now manufactures a new windshield with an improved heater terminal block. Since the same windshields are common to multiple models of Gulfstream airplanes, in most cases these new windshields may be used as replacements.

For Pilots: The FAA recommends that because of potential difficulty determining which windshield ply is affected, if you experience a windshield cracking event, assume that a structural windshield ply is affected, and follow the appropriate airplane flight manual emergency procedure (G-1159A (G-III) and G-IV), or abnormal procedure (GIV-X, GV, GV-SP, and GVI), which includes pulling the associated windshield heat circuit breaker.

For Maintenance Personnel: The FAA recommends that when being replaced, use the new design windshields. These windshields have upgraded/redesigned terminal block part numbers:

• Windshield (Left), 1159SCB5102-13
• Windshield (Right), 1159SCB5102-15

(Image from file)

FMI: SAIB