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[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 3 (Tuesday, January 6, 2015)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 419-421]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-30910]

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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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[[Page 420]]

SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for GA 
8 Airvan (Pty) Ltd Model GA8-TC320 airplanes. 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 February 20, 
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: techpubs@gippsaero.com; 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.

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: 
doug.rudolph@faa.gov.

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

    The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), which is the aviation 
authority for Australia, has issued AD No. AD/GA8/8, dated November 24, 
2014 (referred to after this as ``the MCAI''), to correct an unsafe 
condition for GA 8 Airvan (Pty) Ltd Model GA8-TC320 airplanes and was 
based on mandatory continuing airworthiness information originated by 
an aviation authority of another country. 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.

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

Relevant Service Information

    GippsAero has issued Mandatory Service Bulletin SB-GA8-2014-115, 
Issue 1, dated October 6, 2014. The actions described in this service 
information are intended to correct the unsafe condition identified in 
the MCAI. The service information 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.

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:

[[Page 421]]

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. Amend Sec.  39.13 by 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 February 20, 2015.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to GA8 Airvan (Pty) Ltd GA8-TC320 airplanes, all 
serial numbers affected, 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 AD 
to inspect the engine mounts to verify they have been installed with 
the correct orientation and install steel washers at each isolator 
mount location, which, if not done, could result in reduced engine 
retention capability in the event of a fire.

 (f) Actions and Compliance

    Unless already done, do the following actions in paragraphs 
(f)(1) through (f)(4) 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 after 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: 
doug.rudolph@faa.gov. 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.
    (3) Reporting Requirements: For any reporting requirement in 
this AD, a federal agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person 
is not required to respond to, nor shall a person be subject to a 
penalty for failure to comply with a collection of information 
subject to the requirements of the Paperwork Reduction Act unless 
that collection of information displays a current valid OMB Control 
Number. The OMB Control Number for this information collection is 
2120-0056. Public reporting for this collection of information is 
estimated to be approximately 5 minutes per response, including the 
time for reviewing instructions, completing and reviewing the 
collection of information. All responses to this collection of 
information are mandatory. Comments concerning the accuracy of this 
burden and suggestions for reducing the burden should be directed to 
the FAA at: 800 Independence Ave. SW., Washington, DC 20591, Attn: 
Information Collection Clearance Officer, AES-200.

(h) Related Information

    Refer to MCAI Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) AD No. AD/
GA8/8, dated November 24, 2014. 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: 
techpubs@gippsaero.com; 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 December 29, 2014.
Robert Busto,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2014-30910 Filed 1-5-15; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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