Freestream Aircraft

Friday, 3 July 2026

FAA finalises Gulfstream G700 and G800 engine-mount AD

The FAA adopted its emergency Gulfstream G700 and G800 engine-mount AD. Federal Register publication came on 2 July 2026. The rule takes effect on 17 July 2026.

The directive was prompted by a broken hollow pin cap on the right-side engine aft thrust strut mount interface of one aircraft. A missing sleeve bushing caused the failure. A subsequent audit found a second aircraft that failed a gap check at the right-side forward thrust strut mount interface. The FAA stated the condition could result in in-flight separation of the engine and loss of control.

The rule requires a visual inspection of the upper surface of the engine mount at the hollow pin head interface on both engines. Operators must also inspect the forward and aft thrust strut mount hardware to confirm proper installation of the sleeve bushing, nut, washers and cotter pins. Applicable corrective actions follow.

The AD covers Gulfstream G700 airframes with serial numbers 87002 through 87049, plus 87053 and 87076. It also covers G800 airframes with serial numbers 88002 through 88014. The applicability lists 50 G700 and 13 G800 airframes by serial number. The FAA had already issued the emergency AD 2026-13-51 to all known US owners and operators on 18 June 2026. The 2 July final rule formalises the same requirements.

Comments are open until 17 August 2026, but the requirements are already in force via the emergency issuance. Operators of affected aircraft should contact Gulfstream to schedule the inspection ahead of the 17 July effective date.

Source: FAA final rule AD 2026-13-51, Federal Register document 2026-13476, 2 July 2026.


Also today

DOT and FAA propose lifting overland civil supersonic ban

The DOT and FAA propose lifting the 53-year civil supersonic prohibition over land. Federal Register document 2026-13440 was published on 2 July 2026. The notice of proposed rulemaking would replace the outright ban with a certification threshold of 0.11 psf on ground overpressure. Comments close 17 August 2026. The current rule at 14 CFR 91.817 has barred civil supersonic flight over the United States since 1973. If finalised, the rule opens a certification path for supersonic overland civil flight. Any in-development supersonic platform seeking overland certification would need to meet the 0.11 psf threshold.

Source: FAA NPRM, Federal Register document 2026-13440, 2 July 2026.

Gulfstream G800 sets 8,303 nm business-jet distance record

Gulfstream flew a G800 from Melbourne to Moline in 16 hours 56 minutes. The 8,303 nautical mile flight is the fastest and farthest recorded by a business jet, according to Gulfstream. The company announced the record on 1 July 2026. A companion G800 flight from Reykjavik to Savannah marked Gulfstream's 800th city-pair speed record across all types. Fleet-wide, Gulfstream aircraft now hold 815 speed records. The G800 shares the airframe with the G700 and competes in the ultra-long-range segment with the Bombardier Global 7500 and Global 8000.

Source: Aviation International News, 2 July 2026.