Gulfstream G-73 Mallard

Airworthiness Directives; Frakes Aviation (Gulfstream American) Model G-73 (Mallard) Series Airplanes and Model G-73 Airplanes That Have Been Converted To Have Turbine Engines

This document publishes in the Federal Register an amendment adopting airworthiness directive (AD) 2006-01-51 that was sent previously by individual notices to all known U.S. owners and operators of Frakes Aviation (Gulfstream American) Model G-73 (Mallard) series airplanes and Model G-73 airplanes that have been converted to have turbine engines. This AD requires an inspection to detect repairs, cracking, or corrosion of the wings from wing station (WS) 77L to WS 77R, front spar to rear (main) spar; removal of repairs, if found; removal of sealant from the interior of the wet bays; and repair of any crack or corrosion. This AD results from a report indicating that the right wing of a Frakes Aviation (Gulfstream American) Model G-73 (Mallard) airplane separated from the fuselage on takeoff, which resulted in the airplane impacting the water near Miami Beach, Florida. We are issuing this AD to prevent structural failure of the wing and loss of control of the airplane.

Airworthiness Directives; Gulfstream American (Frakes Aviation) Model G-73 (Mallard) and G-73T Series Airplanes

This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD), applicable to certain Gulfstream American (Frakes Aviation) Model G-73 (Mallard) and G-73T series airplanes, that requires revising the Airplane Flight Manual (AFM) to include requirements for activation of the airframe pneumatic deicing boots. This amendment is prompted by reports of inflight incidents and an accident that occurred in icing conditions where the airframe pneumatic deicing boots were not activated. The actions specified by this AD are intended to ensure that flightcrews activate the pneumatic wing and tail deicing boots at the first signs of ice accumulation. This action will prevent reduced controllability of the aircraft due to adverse aerodynamic effects of ice adhering to the airplane prior to the first deicing cycle.

Airworthiness Directives; Gulfstream American (Frakes Aviation) Model G-73 (Mallard) and G-73T Series Airplanes

This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD), applicable to all Gulfstream American (Frakes Aviation) Model G-73 (Mallard) and G-73T series airplanes, that requires revising the Airplane Flight Manual (AFM) to specify procedures that would prohibit flight in severe icing conditions (as determined by certain visual cues), limit or prohibit the use of various flight control devices while in severe icing conditions, and provide the flight crew with recognition cues for, and procedures for exiting from, severe icing conditions. This amendment is prompted by results of a review of the requirements for certification of the airplane in icing conditions, new information on the icing environment, and icing data provided currently to the flight crews. The actions specified by this AD are intended to minimize the potential hazards associated with operating the airplane in severe icing conditions by providing more clearly defined procedures and limitations associated with such conditions.

Airworthiness Directives; Gulfstream American (Frakes Aviation) Model G-73 (Mallard) Series Airplanes Modified in Accordance With Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) SA2323WE

This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD), applicable to certain Gulfstream American (Frakes Aviation) Model G-73 (Mallard) series airplanes, that requires revising the Airplane Flight Manual (AFM) to prohibit positioning the power levers below the flight idle stop, and to provide a statement of consequences of positioning the power levers below the flight idle stop. This amendment is prompted by incidents and accidents involving airplanes equipped with turboprop engines in which the propeller beta was used improperly during flight. The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent loss of airplane controllability, or engine overspeed and consequent loss of engine power caused by the power levers being positioned below the flight idle stop while the airplane is in flight.