[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 74 (Friday, April 17, 2015)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 21193-21195]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-08720]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2014-1123; Directorate Identifier 2014-CE-037-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; GA 8 Airvan (Pty) Ltd Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of 
Transportation (DOT).

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for GA 
8 Airvan (Pty) Ltd Model GA8-TC320 airplanes that would revise AD 2015-
06-02. This proposed AD results from mandatory continuing airworthiness 
information (MCAI) originated by an aviation authority of another 
country to identify and correct an unsafe condition on an aviation 
product. The MCAI describes the unsafe condition as missing required 
engine mount fire seal washers, which could reduce the engine retention 
capability in the event of a fire. We are issuing this proposed AD to 
require actions to address the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by June 1, 2015.

ADDRESSES: You may send comments by any of the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
     Fax: (202) 493-2251.
     Mail: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket 
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590.
     Hand Delivery: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket 
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., 
Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
    For service information identified in this proposed AD, contact GA 
8 Airvan (Pty) Ltd, c/o GippsAero Pty Ltd, Attn: Technical Services, 
P.O. Box 881, Morwell Victoria 3840, Australia; telephone: + 61 03 5172 
1200; fax: +61 03 5172 1201; email: [email protected]; Internet: 
http://www.gippsaero.com/customer-support/technical-publications.aspx. 
You may view this referenced service information at the FAA, Small 
Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Kansas City, Missouri 64106. For 
information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call (816) 
329-4148.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2014-
1123; or in person at the Docket Management Facility between 9 a.m. and 
5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The AD docket 
contains this proposed AD, the regulatory evaluation, any comments 
received, and other information. The street address for the Docket 
Office (telephone (800) 647-5527) is in the ADDRESSES section. Comments 
will be available in the AD docket shortly after receipt.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Doug Rudolph, Aerospace Engineer, FAA, 
Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, Missouri 
64106; telephone: (816) 329-4059; fax: (816) 329-4090; email: 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Comments Invited

    We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or 
arguments about this proposed AD. Send your comments to an address 
listed under the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2014-1123; 
Directorate Identifier 2014-CE-037-AD'' at the beginning of your 
comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this proposed AD. We 
will consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend 
this proposed AD because of those comments.
    We will post all comments we receive, without change, to http://regulations.gov, including any personal information you provide. We 
will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact we 
receive about this proposed AD.

Discussion

    On March 12, 2015, we issued AD 2015-06-02, Amendment 39-18120 (80 
FR 14810; March 20, 2015). That AD required actions intended to address 
an unsafe condition on GA 8 Airvan (Pty) Ltd Model GA8-TC320 airplanes 
and was based on mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) 
originated by an aviation authority of another country.
    Since we issued AD 2015-06-02, a specific serial number range has 
been identified for applicability.
    The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), which is the aviation 
authority for Australia, has issued AD/GA8/8, Amdt 1, dated March 26, 
2015 (referred to after this as ``the MCAI''), to correct an unsafe 
condition for the specified products. The MCAI states:

    A recent review of the engine mount installation on the GA8-TC 
320 aircraft has highlighted the omission of engine mount fire seal 
washers during the assembly process.
    The current engine mount configuration does not meet the 
certification basis for the aircraft, specifically regulation 23.865 
of the Federal Aviation Regulations of the United States of America, 
where engine mounts located in designated fire zones are required to 
be suitably shielded so that they are capable of withstanding the 
effects of a fire.
    The Gippsland Aeronautics GA8-TC 320 aircraft require the 
installation of an approved steel washer at each of the engine mount 
locations to address a potential risk of reduced engine retention 
capability in the event of a fire.
    This AD, AD/GA8/8 Amdt 1, amends the applicability statement to 
be inclusive of the affected aircraft serial number range.

You may examine the MCAI on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov 
by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2014-1123.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR 51

    GippsAero has issued Mandatory Service Bulletin SB-GA8-2014-115, 
Issue 1, dated October 6, 2014. The service bulletin describes 
procedures for inspecting the orientation of the engine isolator mounts 
to verify proper installation, re-installing if necessary, and 
installing steel washers on the forward side of each side of the engine 
isolator mounts. This service information is reasonably available 
because the interested parties have access to it through their normal 
course of business or by the means identified in the ADDRESSES section 
of this NPRM.

[[Page 21194]]

FAA's Determination and Requirements of the Proposed AD

    This product has been approved by the aviation authority of another 
country, and is approved for operation in the United States. Pursuant 
to our bilateral agreement with this State of Design Authority, they 
have notified us of the unsafe condition described in the MCAI and 
service information referenced above. We are proposing this AD because 
we evaluated all information and determined the unsafe condition exists 
and is likely to exist or develop on other products of the same type 
design.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD will affect 13 products of U.S. 
registry. We also estimate that it would take about 5 work-hours per 
product to comply with the basic requirements of this proposed AD. The 
average labor rate is $85 per work-hour. Required parts would cost 
about $10 per product.
    Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of the proposed AD on 
U.S. operators to be $5,655, or $435 per product.
    According to the manufacturer, all of the costs of this proposed AD 
may be covered under warranty, thereby reducing the cost impact on 
affected individuals. We do not control warranty coverage for affected 
individuals. As a result, we have included all costs in our cost 
estimate.

Authority for This Rulemaking

    Title 49 of the United States Code specifies the FAA's authority to 
issue rules on aviation safety. Subtitle I, section 106, describes the 
authority of the FAA Administrator. ``Subtitle VII: Aviation 
Programs,'' describes in more detail the scope of the Agency's 
authority.
    We are issuing this rulemaking under the authority described in 
``Subtitle VII, Part A, Subpart III, Section 44701: General 
requirements.'' Under that section, Congress charges the FAA with 
promoting safe flight of civil aircraft in air commerce by prescribing 
regulations for practices, methods, and procedures the Administrator 
finds necessary for safety in air commerce. This regulation is within 
the scope of that authority because it addresses an unsafe condition 
that is likely to exist or develop on products identified in this 
rulemaking action.

Regulatory Findings

    We determined that this proposed AD would not have federalism 
implications under Executive Order 13132. This proposed AD would not 
have a substantial direct effect on the States, on the relationship 
between the national Government and the States, or on the distribution 
of power and responsibilities among the various levels of government.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify this proposed 
regulation:
    (1) Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive 
Order 12866,
    (2) Is not a ``significant rule'' under the DOT Regulatory Policies 
and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979),
    (3) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and
    (4) Will not have a significant economic impact, positive or 
negative, on a substantial number of small entities under the criteria 
of the Regulatory Flexibility Act.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by 
reference, Safety.

The Proposed Amendment

    Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the FAA proposes to amend 14 CFR part 39 as follows:

PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES

0
1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows:

    Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701.


Sec.  39.13  [Amended]

0
2. The FAA amends Sec.  39.13 by removing Amendment 39-18120 (80 FR 
14810, March 20, 2015), and adding the following new AD:

GA 8 Airvan (Pty) Ltd: Docket No. FAA-2014-1123; Directorate 
Identifier 2014-CE-037-AD.

(a) Comments Due Date

    We must receive comments by June 1, 2015.

(b) Affected ADs

    This AD revises AD 2015-06-02, Amendment 39-18120 (80 FR 14810; 
March 20, 2015).

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to GA 8 Airvan (Pty) Ltd GA8-TC320 airplanes, 
all serial numbers up to and including GA8-TC 320-14-205, 
certificated in any category.

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association of America (ATA) Code 71: Power Plant.

(e) Reason

    This AD was prompted by mandatory continuing airworthiness 
information (MCAI) originated by an aviation authority of another 
country to identify and correct an unsafe condition on an aviation 
product. The MCAI describes the unsafe condition as missing required 
engine mount fire seal washers, which could reduce the engine 
retention capability in the event of a fire. We are issuing this 
proposed AD to revise the applicable airplane serial numbers and to 
detect and correct the omission of steel washers at each isolator 
mount location, which, if not corrected, could result in reduced 
engine retention capability in the event of a fire.

(f) Actions and Compliance

    Unless already done, comply with this AD within the compliance 
times specified in paragraphs (f)(1) through (f)(3) of this AD:
    (1) Within the next 300 hours time-in-service after the 
effective date of this AD or within the next 12 months after the 
effective date of this AD, whichever occurs first, inspect the 
orientation of the engine isolator mounts to verify that the mounts 
have been installed properly following the Accomplishment 
Instructions in GippsAero Mandatory Service Bulletin SB-GA8-2014-
115, Issue 1, dated October 6, 2014.
    (2) Before reinstalling the engine isolator mounts following the 
inspection required in paragraph (f)(1) of this AD, before further 
flight, install a part number J-2218-61 steel washer on the forward 
side of each of the four engine isolator mounts, following the 
Accomplishment Instructions in GippsAero Mandatory Service Bulletin 
SB-GA8-2014-115, Issue 1, dated October 6, 2014.
    (3) If during the inspection required in paragraph (f)(1) of 
this AD, any of the engine isolator mounts are found to not comply 
with the specifications found in the Accomplishment Instructions of 
GippsAero Mandatory Service Bulletin SB-GA8-2014-115, Issue 1, dated 
October 6, 2014, before further flight, re-install the isolators to 
the correct orientation, or if damage is found, replace with 
airworthy parts.

 (g) Other FAA AD Provisions

    The following provisions also apply to this AD:
    (1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager, 
Standards Office, FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs for this 
AD, if requested using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. Send 
information to ATTN: Doug Rudolph, Aerospace Engineer, FAA, Small 
Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, Missouri 
64106; telephone: (816) 329-4059; fax: (816) 329-4090; email: 
[email protected]. Before using any approved AMOC on any airplane 
to which the AMOC applies, notify your appropriate principal 
inspector (PI) in the FAA Flight Standards District Office (FSDO), 
or lacking a PI, your local FSDO.
    (2) Airworthy Product: For any requirement in this AD to obtain 
corrective actions from a manufacturer or other source, use these 
actions if they are FAA-approved. Corrective actions are considered 
FAA-approved if they are approved by the State of Design Authority 
(or their delegated agent). You are required to assure the product 
is airworthy before it is returned to service.

[[Page 21195]]

 (h) Related Information

    Refer to MCAI Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) AD No. AD/
GA8/8, Amdt 1, dated March 26, 2015. You may examine the MCAI on the 
Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating 
Docket No. FAA-2014-1123. For service information related to this 
AD, contact GA 8 Airvan (Pty) Ltd, c/o GippsAero Pty Ltd, Attn: 
Technical Services, P.O. Box 881, Morwell Victoria 3840, Australia; 
telephone: + 61 03 5172 1200; fax: +61 03 5172 1201; email: 
[email protected]; Internet: http://www.gippsaero.com/customer-support/technical-publications.aspx. You may review this referenced 
service information at the FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 901 
Locust, Kansas City, Missouri 64106. For information on the 
availability of this material at the FAA, call (816) 329-4148.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on April 8, 2015.
Earl Lawrence,
Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2015-08720 Filed 4-16-15; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P