89 FR 113 pgs. 49091-49094 - Airworthiness Directives; GA8 Airvan (Pty) Ltd Airplanes
Type: RULEVolume: 89Number: 113Pages: 49091 - 49094
Pages: 49091, 49092, 49093, 49094Docket number: [Docket No. FAA-2024-0234; Project Identifier MCAI-2023-01215-A; Amendment 39-22742; AD 2024-08-09]
FR document: [FR Doc. 2024-12588 Filed 6-10-24; 8:45 am]
Agency: Transportation Department
Sub Agency: Federal Aviation Administration
Official PDF Version: PDF Version
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2024-0234; Project Identifier MCAI-2023-01215-A; Amendment 39-22742; AD 2024-08-09]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; GA8 Airvan (Pty) Ltd Airplanes
AGENCY:
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
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ACTION:
Final rule.
SUMMARY:
The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain GA8 Airvan (Pty) Ltd Model GA8 and GA8-TC320 airplanes. This AD is prompted by reports of insufficient electrical bonding of the solenoid (relay) box assembly that could result in degraded performance, errors, or intermittent failures of equipment connected to electrical Bus 1, Bus 2, associated electrical control, and protective devices fitted within or attached to the solenoid box. This AD requires inspecting for an existing wire connecting the relay box earth point to the ground power socket, and if one is not present, installing a mechanical connection. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
DATES:
This AD is effective July 16, 2024.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of July 16, 2024.
ADDRESSES:
AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at regulations.gov under Docket No. FAA-2024-0234; or in person at Docket Operations between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The AD docket contains this final rule, the mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI), any comments received, and other information. The address for Docket Operations is U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590.
Material Incorporated by Reference:
• For service information, contact GA8 Airvan (Pty) Ltd, GippsAero Technical Services, P.O. Box 881, Morwell, Victoria 3840, Australia; phone: +61 (0)3 5172 1200; email: TECHPUBS@gippsaero.com.au; website: gippsaero.com.au.
• You may view this service information at the FAA, Airworthiness Products Section, Operational Safety Branch, 901 Locust, Kansas City, MO 64106. For information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call (817) 222-5110. It is also available at regulations.gov under Docket No. FAA-2024-0234.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Doug Rudolph, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; phone: (816) 329-4059; email: doug.rudolph@faa.gov .
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
The FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to certain GA8 Airvan (Pty) Ltd Model GA8 and GA8-TC320 airplanes. The NPRM published in the Federal Register on February 23, 2024 (89 FR 13620). The NPRM was prompted by AD GA8/11, dated November 21, 2023 (also referred to as the MCAI), issued by Civil Aviation Safety Authority, which is the aviation authority for Australia. The MCAI states that operators made two reports and a few anecdotal reports of intermittent system discrepancies attributed to insufficient electrical bonding of the solenoid (relay) box assembly. Without a dedicated solenoid box electrical bonding connection, these airplanes may suffer degraded performance, errors, or intermittent failures of equipment connected to electrical Bus 1, Bus 2, associated electrical control, and protective devices fitted within or attached to the solenoid box. The majority of Model GA8 and GA8-TC320 airplanes were produced with the relay box electrically bonded to the airframe via the relay box lid and the hardware (screws) holding it in place. The relay box did not have a dedicated bonding point or mechanical connection.
The MCAI requires doing the actions specified in GippsAero Service Bulletin SB-GA8-2023-216, Issue 1, dated February 24, 2023 (GippsAero SB-GA8-2023-216, Issue 1). These actions include inspecting for an existing wire connecting the relay box earth point to the ground power socket, and if one is not present, installing a mechanical connection.
In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to require inspecting for an existing wire connecting the relay box earth point to the ground power socket, and if one is not present, installing a mechanical connection. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket at regulations.gov under Docket No. FAA-2024-0234.
Discussion of Final Airworthiness Directive
Comments
The FAA received no comments on the NPRM or on the determination of the costs.
Conclusion
These products have been approved by the aviation authority of another country and are approved for operation in the United States. Pursuant to the FAA's bilateral agreement with this State of Design Authority, it has notified the FAA of the unsafe condition described in the MCAI referenced above. The FAA reviewed the relevant data and determined that air safety requires adopting this AD as proposed. Accordingly, the FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products. This AD is adopted as proposed in the NPRM.
Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51
The FAA reviewed GippsAero SB-GA8-2023-216, Issue 1. This service information specifies procedures for inspecting for an existing wire connecting the relay box earth point to the ground power socket, and if one is not present, installing a mechanical connection.
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 ADDRESSES .
Differences Between This AD and the MCAI
The MCAI applicability is Gippsland Aeronautics Model GA8 Series airplanes. The applicability in this AD are GA8 Airvan (Pty) Ltd Model GA8 and GA8-TC320 airplanes because that is what is on the FAA type certificate.
Part A, step 4. of the Accomplishment Instructions in GippsAero SB-GA8-2023-216, Issue 1, specifies to proceed to the Documentation section to update the airplane logbook, but that action is not specifically required by this AD as current FAA regulations already require a logbook entry for compliance with AD actions.
Costs of Compliance
The FAA estimates that this AD affects 62 airplanes of U.S. registry.
[top] The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this AD:
| Action | Labor cost | Parts cost | Cost per product | Cost on U.S. operators |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Inspect for mechanical connection | 1 work-hour × $85 per hour = $85 | $0 | $85 | $5,270 |
The FAA estimates the following costs to do any necessary actions that would be required based on the results of the inspection. The agency has no way of determining the number of airplanes that might need these actions:
| Action | Labor cost | Parts cost | Cost per product |
|---|---|---|---|
| Install mechanical connection | 1 work-hour × $85 per hour = $85 | $170 | $255 |
The FAA has included all known costs in its cost estimate. According to the manufacturer, however, some of the costs of this AD may be covered under warranty, thereby reducing the cost impact on affected operators.
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.
The FAA is 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
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) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and
(3) 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 Amendment
Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the Administrator, the FAA amends 14 CFR part 39 as follows:
PART 39-AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows:
Authority:
49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701.
§?39.13 [Amended]
2. The FAA amends §?39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness directive:
2024-08-09 GA 8 Airvan (Pty) Ltd: Amendment 39-22742; Docket No. FAA-2024-0234; Project Identifier MCAI-2023-01215-A.
(a) Effective Date
This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective July 16, 2024.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to GA8 Airvan (Pty) Ltd Model GA8 airplanes, all serial numbers up to and including GA8-20-262; and Model GA8-TC320 airplanes, all serial numbers up to and including GA8-TC 320-20-261; certificated in any category.
(d) Subject
Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 2497, Electrical Power System Wiring.
(e) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by reports of insufficient electrical bonding of the solenoid (relay) box assembly. The FAA is issuing this AD to address possible missing mechanical connections. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could result in degraded electrical equipment performance, errors, or intermittent failures of equipment connected to electrical Bus 1, Bus 2, associated electrical control and protective devices fitted within or attached to the solenoid box, which could lead to loss of equipment essential for safe flight.
(f) Compliance
Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, unless already done.
(g) Required Actions
(1) Within 100 hours time-in-service (TIS) after the effective date of this AD, inspect for a mechanical connection between the relay box earth point to the ground power socket in accordance with Part A, steps 1. through 4. of the Accomplishment Instructions in GippsAero Service Bulletin SB-GA8-2023-216, Issue 1, dated February 24, 2023 (GippsAero SB-GA8-2023-216, Issue 1), except where step 4. specifies to proceed to the Documentation section to update the airplane logbook, that action is not specifically required by this AD.
(2) If no mechanical connection between the relay box earth point to the ground power socket is found during the inspection required by paragraph (g)(1) of this AD, before further flight, install a mechanical connection in accordance with Part B, steps 1. through 3. of the Accomplishment Instructions in GippsAero SB-GA8-2023-216, Issue 1.
(h) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)
[top] The Manager, International Validation Branch, FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. In accordance with 14 CFR 39.19, send your request to your principal inspector or local Flight Standards District Office, as appropriate. If sending information directly to the manager of the International Validation Branch, mail it to the address identified in paragraph (i) of this AD or email to: 9-AVS-AIR-730-AMOC@faa.gov. If mailing information, also submit information by email. Before using any approved AMOC, notify your appropriate principal inspector,
(i) Additional Information
For more information about this AD, contact Doug Rudolph, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; phone: (816) 329-4059; email: doug.rudolph@faa.gov .
(j) Material Incorporated by Reference
(1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference 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.
(i) GippsAero Service Bulletin SB-GA8-2023-216, Issue 1, dated February 24, 2023.
Note 1 to paragraph (j)(2)(i): The date on the first page of this document is February 24, 2023, and the date on the subsequent pages is February 25, 2023.
(ii) [Reserved]
(3) For service information identified in this AD, contact GA8 Airvan (Pty) Ltd, GippsAero Technical Services, P.O. Box 881, Morwell, Victoria 3840, Australia; phone: +61 (0)3 5172 1200; email: TECHPUBS@gippsaero.com.au; website: gippsaero.com.au.
(4) You may view this service information at the FAA, Airworthiness Products Section, Operational Safety Branch, 901 Locust, Kansas City, MO 64106. For information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call (817) 222-5110.
(5) You may view this material at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of this material at NARA, isit www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations or email fr.inspection@nara.gov.
Issued on May 22, 2024.
James D. Foltz,
Deputy Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2024-12588 Filed 6-10-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P