Document ID: FAA-2014-1123-0010
Agency: faa
Document Type: Rule
Title: Airworthiness Directives: GA 8 Airvan (Pty) Ltd Airplanes
Posted Date: 2015-10-29T04:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 209 (Thursday, October 29, 2015)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 66413-66415]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-27438]

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  Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 209 / Thursday, October 29, 2015 / 
Rules and Regulations  

[[Page 66413]]

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2014-1123; Directorate Identifier 2014-CE-037-AD; 
Amendment; 39-18308; AD 2015-06-02 R2]
RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; GA 8 Airvan (Pty) Ltd Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule; request for comments

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SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for GA 8 
Airvan (Pty) Ltd Model GA8-TC320 airplanes. This AD revises AD 2015-06-
02 R1, which required inspection to detect and correct the omission of 
steel washers at each isolator mount location. This AD retains the 
actions of AD 2014-06-02 R1 but corrects the AD number in the 
parenthetical of the compliance time in paragraph (f)(1) of the AD. 
This AD was prompted by reports of 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 require actions to address 
the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective December 3, 2015.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of April 24, 
2015 (80 FR 14810, March 20, 2015).
    We must receive comments on this AD by December 14, 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 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 
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. 
It is also available on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by 
searching for locating Docket No. FAA-2014-1123.

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 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:

Discussion

    On July 7, 2015, we issued AD 2015-06-02 R1, Amendment 39-18209 (80 
FR 42010; July 16, 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 the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), which is the 
aviation authority for Australia. The MCAI (AD No. AD/GA8/8, Amdt 1, 
dated March 26, 2015) 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-2011-0127.
    Since we issued AD 2015-06-02 R1, it was determined that the 
incorrect retained AD number was referenced in the parenthetical of the 
compliance time in paragraph (f)(1) of the AD. To avoid any confusion, 
this AD revises AD 2015-06-02 R1 to correct this reference.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    We reviewed GippsAero 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 AD.

FAA's Determination and Requirements of the 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

[[Page 66414]]

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 issuing this AD because we 
evaluated all information provided by the State of Design Authority and 
determined the unsafe condition exists and is likely to exist or 
develop on other products of the same type design.

FAA's Determination of the Effective Date

    An unsafe condition exists that allows for the immediate adoption 
of this AD. The FAA has found that the risk to the flying public 
justifies waiving notice and comment prior to adoption of this rule 
because the change does not affect compliance and the actions have 
already been proposed in prior rulemaking actions. Therefore, we 
determine that notice and opportunity for public comment before issuing 
this AD are impraticable.

Comments Invited

    This AD is a final rule that involves requirements affecting flight 
safety, and we did not precede it by notice and opportunity for public 
comment. We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or 
arguments about this 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 AD. We will consider all 
comments received by the closing date and may amend this AD because of 
those comments.
    We will post all comments we receive, without change, to http://www.regulations.gov, including any personal information you provide. We 
will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact we 
receive about this AD.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this 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 AD. The average labor rate 
is $85 per work-hour. Required parts would cost about $10 per product.

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 AD will not have federalism implications 
under Executive Order 13132. This AD will 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 that this AD:
    (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.

Adoption of the Amendment

    Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the FAA amends 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 airworthiness directive (AD) 
2015-06-02 R1 (80 FR 42010, July 16, 2015) and adding the following new 
AD:

2015-06-02 R2 GA 8 Airvan (Pty) Ltd: Amendment 39-18308; Docket No. 
FAA-2014-1123; Directorate Identifier 2014-CE-037-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective December 3, 
2015.

(b) Affected ADs

    This AD replaces AD 2015-06-02 R1, Amendment 39-18209 (80 FR 
42010, July 16, 2015) (``AD 2015-06-02 R1'').

(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

    AD 2015-06-02, Amendment 39-18120 (80 FR 14810, March 20, 2015) 
(``AD 2015-06-02'') 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 issued AD 
2015-06-02 R1, Amendment 39-18209 to retain the actions of AD 2015-
06-02 and to revise the applicable airplane serial numbers. We are 
issuing this AD to correct the AD number in the parenthetical of the 
compliance time in paragraph (f)(1) of the AD 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 April 24, 
2015 (the effective date retained from AD 2015-06-02 and AD 2015-06-
02 R1) or within the next 12 months after April 24, 2015 (the 
effective date retained from AD 2015-06-02 and AD 2015-06-02 R1), 
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

[[Page 66415]]

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.

(h) Related Information

    Refer to MCAI Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) AD No. AD/
GA8/8, Amdt 1, dated March 26, 2015. The MCAI can be found in the AD 
docket on the Internet at: http://www.regulations.gov/#!documentDetail;D=FAA-2014-1123-0007.

(i) Material Incorporated by Reference

    (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the 
incorporation by reference (IBR) of the service information listed 
in this paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
    (2) You must use this service information as applicable to do 
the actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise.
    (3) The following service information was approved for IBR on 
April 24, 2015 (80 FR 14810, March 20, 2015).
    (i) GippsAero Mandatory Service Bulletin SB-GA8-2014-115, Issue 
1, dated October 6, 2014.
    (ii) Reserved.
    (4) For GippsAero service information identified in 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.
    (5) You may view this 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. In addition, you can access this service information 
on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and 
locating Docket No. FAA-2014-1123.
    (6) You may view this service information that is incorporated 
by reference at the National Archives and Records Administration 
(NARA). For information on theavailability of this material at NARA, 
call 202-741-6030, or go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on October 22, 2015.
Melvin Johnson,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2015-27438 Filed 10-28-15; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P