EASA AD US-2018-20-04
Flight Controls - Normal and Abnormal Procedures Sections of the Airplane Flight Manual - Revisions
Summary
The Federal Aviation Administration's Airworthiness Directive 2018-20-04 addresses all Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation Model GVI airplanes. This final rule mandates revisions to the Normal and Abnormal Procedures sections of the airplane flight manual to mitigate risks associated with potential failure of the bi-directional data bus that communicates critical signals between the flight control computer and flight control surfaces.
What Changed
This new airworthiness directive requires operators to update the airplane flight manual with specific instructions and warnings for pilots when a cyan “FCS MAINTENANCE REQUIRED” advisory message appears. It introduces procedures to handle potential failures in the BD429 communication bus that could impair flight control surface monitoring and damping functions.
Why It Matters
This directive is crucial for aviation professionals because failure of the BD429 data bus could prevent the flight control computer from properly managing flight control surfaces, increasing the risk of loss of control. Operators and maintenance teams must be aware of the updated procedures to ensure safe dispatch and in-flight handling of affected aircraft, maintaining compliance and flight safety.
What To Do
Affected operators must revise the Normal and Abnormal Procedures sections of the Gulfstream GVI airplane flight manual by October 15, 2018, incorporating the new instructions for handling the “FCS MAINTENANCE REQUIRED” advisory message. They should also monitor for further updates as Gulfstream develops a terminating action to address the underlying issue.
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