Airworthiness Directives; GA 8 Airvan (Pty) Ltd Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 83 (Monday, April 29, 2024)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 33220-33224]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-09087]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2024-0035; Project Identifier MCAI-2023-00986-A; 
Amendment 39-22728; AD 2024-07-07]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; GA 8 Airvan (Pty) Ltd Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: The FAA is superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2010-18-
06, which applied to all GA8 Airvan (Pty) Ltd Model GA8 and GA8-TC320 
airplanes. AD 2010-18-06 required inspections and a minor design change 
to the forward slide of the cargo door with corrective action as 
necessary. Since the FAA issued AD 2010-18-06, the Civil Aviation 
Safety Authority (CASA), which is the aviation authority for Australia, 
superseded the previous CASA Australia AD to incorporate more detailed 
inspections and additional modifications as specified in updated

[[Page 33221]]

service information published by the manufacturer. This AD was prompted 
by reports of in-flight cargo door separation. This AD requires 
inspections and rework (modifications) of the cargo door with 
corrective action as necessary. The FAA is issuing this AD to address 
the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective June 3, 2024.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of June 3, 
2024.

ADDRESSES: 
    AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at regulations.gov under 
Docket No. FAA-2024-0035; 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:
    <bullet> For service information contact GA8 Airvan (Pty) Ltd, PO 
Box 881, Morwell, Victoria 3840, Australia; phone: +61 03 5172 1200; 
website: gippsaero.com.au; email: gippsaero.com.au">TECHPUBS@gippsaero.com.au.
    <bullet> 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-2024-0035.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Doug Rudolph, Aviation Safety 
Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; 
phone: (816) 329-4059; email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    The FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 
CFR part 39 to supersede AD 2010-18-06, Amendment 39-16419 (75 FR 
52253, August 25, 2010) (AD 2010-18-06). AD 2010-18-06 applied to all 
GA8 Airvan (Pty) Ltd Model GA8 and GA8-TC320 airplanes. AD 2010-18-06 
was prompted by MCAI originated by CASA, which is the aviation 
authority for Australia. CASA Australia issued CASA Australia AD AD/
GA8/3 Amdt 2, dated August 11, 2010 (CASA Australia AD/GA8/3 Amdt 2) to 
correct an unsafe condition identified as excessive wear in the forward 
cargo door slide, which could result in an in-flight separation of the 
cargo door, with possible loss of control of the airplane. CASA 
Australia AD AD/GA8/3 Amdt 2 was issued to require the actions in 
service information updated by the manufacturer to remove any 
ambiguities in the previous revision and provide an improved inspection 
method and a minor design change to the forward slide of the cargo door 
(inclusion of a slide backing plate, castellated nut, and split pin).
    AD 2010-18-06 required doing all of Action 1 (measuring the groove 
width of the forward cargo door slide and if it exceeds 0.145 inch at 
any point along the slide, or is cracked, installing a new slider 
assembly) and Action 2 (inspecting wear of the forward slide of the 
cargo door and doing applicable corrective action steps specified in 
Action 1) of GippsAero Pty. Ltd. Mandatory Service Bulletin SB-GA8-
2005-23, Issue 3, dated August 5, 2010. The FAA issued AD 2010-18-06 to 
address excessive wear in the forward cargo door slide.
    The NPRM published in the Federal Register on January 23, 2024 (89 
FR 4211). The NPRM was prompted by CASA Australia AD AD/GA8/3 amdt 3, 
dated August 18, 2023 (also referred to as the MCAI). The MCAI states 
that inspections revealed cases of excessive wear in the forward slide 
of the cargo door. Excessive wear in the forward slide of the cargo 
door may result in the cargo door separating from the airplane in 
flight with potentially catastrophic results. The MCAI requires 
accomplishing the actions specified in GippsAero Service Bulletin SB-
GA8-2005-23, Issue 7, dated May 30, 2023 (GippsAero Service Bulletin 
SB-GA8-2005-23, Issue 7). This service bulletin includes procedures for 
revised inspections of the door mechanism, installing a stop on the 
forward slide of the cargo door and reworking the door slide to suit 
(accommodate) the track stop installation. Depending on the findings of 
the inspections, additional actions might be necessary including 
reworking the door mechanism pivot, upgrading the door operating rod, 
or fitting a door handle with an integral stop.
    The FAA is issuing this AD to address excessive wear in the forward 
slide of the cargo door. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could 
result in the cargo door separating from the airplane during flight, 
with potential loss of control of the airplane.
    You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket at regulations.gov under 
Docket No. FAA-2024-0035.

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 Service Bulletin SB-GA8-2005-23, Issue 
8, dated October 11, 2023 (GippsAero SB-GA8-2005-23, Issue 8). This 
service information specifies procedures for installing a backing plate 
on the forward slide of the cargo door; inspecting the forward slide of 
the cargo door for excessive wear; inspecting the cargo door latching 
mechanism for contact between the operating rod and door handle pivot 
post, inspecting the threaded studs and rod ends at both ends of the 
operating rod for bending, and checking the cargo door handle 
engagement with the catch; reworking the cargo door handle pivot post; 
reworking the door operating rod; inspecting the door handle to 
determine if an integrated stop is installed and checking for excessive 
play; and inspecting the center rail of the cargo door to determine if 
an aft stop is installed, installing an aft stop, and reworking the 
center rail of the cargo door to accommodate the track stop.
    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, all serial numbers. The applicability in this AD is GA8 
Airvan (Pty) Ltd Model GA8 and GA8-TC320

[[Page 33222]]

airplanes because the FAA type certificate specifies GA8 Airvan (Pty) 
Ltd instead of Gippsland Aeronautics and specifies Model GA8 and GA8-
TC320 airplanes instead of Model GA8 Series airplanes.
    The MCAI requires doing the actions in Gippsland Aeronautics 
mandatory service bulletin SB-GA8-2005-23 Issue 7, dated May 30, 2023. 
This AD requires doing the actions in GippsAero SB-GA8-2005-23, Issue 
8. After the MCAI was published, the manufacturer issued GippsAero SB-
GA8-2005-23, Issue 8, which was revised to provide clarification 
regarding the actions and compliance schedule. The title page of 
GippsAero SB-GA8-2005-23, Issue 8, specifies GippsAero instead of 
Gippsland Aeronautics.

Costs of Compliance

    The FAA estimates that this AD affects 61 airplanes of U.S. 
registry.
    The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this AD. The 
corresponding letter and number in parenthesis refer to the specific 
paragraph in GippsAero SB-GA8-2005-23, Issue 8.

                                                 Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                 Cost on U.S.
              Action                    Labor cost        Parts cost      Cost per product        operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Installing forward cargo door      0.50 work-hour x               $175  $217.50............  $13,267.50.
 slide backing plate (A1).          $85 per hour =
                                    $42.50.
Inspecting forward cargo door      0.25 work-hour x                  0  $21.25 per           $1,296.25 per
 slide wear (A2).                   $85 per hour =                       inspection cycle.    inspection cycle.
                                    $21.25 per
                                    inspection cycle.
Inspecting cargo door latching     1 work-hour x $85                 0  $85 per inspection   $5,185 per
 mechanism (B1).                    per hour = $85 per                   cycle.               inspection cycle.
                                    inspection cycle.
Inspecting cargo door handle and   0.75 work-hour x                  0  $63.75.............  $3,88.75.
 inspecting for excessive play      $85 per hour =
 (C).                               $63.75.
Inspecting cargo door center rail  1 work-hour x $85                 0  $85................  $5,185.
 (D1).                              per hour = $85.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The FAA estimates the following costs to do any necessary actions 
that would be required based on the results of the inspections. The 
agency has no way of determining the number of airplanes that might 
need these actions. The corresponding letter and number in parenthesis 
refer to the specific paragraph in GippsAero SB-GA8-2005-23, Issue 8.

                                               On-Condition Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                     Cost per
                    Action                                 Labor cost               Parts cost        product
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Inspecting/replacing forward cargo door slide   0.50 work-hour x $85 per hour =             $175        $217.50.
 (A1, Steps 2 through 4), corrective action      $42.50.
 for (A2).
Reworking cargo door pivot (B2) and reworking/  2 work-hours x $85 per hour =                630            800.
 replacing door operating rod assembly (B3).     $170.
Replacing door handle/handle bush (C).........  1 work-hour x $85 per hour = $85             267            352.
Replacing cargo door center rail/slide-center   2 work-hours x $85 per hour =                152            322.
 and backing plate (D1) and reworking cargo      $170.
 door center rail and backing plate (D2).
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    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

    The FAA has 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) 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,

[[Page 33223]]

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:
0
a. Removing Airworthiness Directive 2010-18-06, Amendment 39-16419 (75 
FR 52253, August 25, 2010); and
0
b. Adding the following new airworthiness directive:

2024-07-07 GA 8 Airvan (Pty) Ltd: Amendment 39-22728; Docket No. 
FAA-2024-0035; Project Identifier MCAI-2023-00986-A.

(a) Effective Date

    This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective June 3, 2024.

(b) Affected ADs

    This AD replaces AD 2010-18-06, Amendment 39-16419 (75 FR 52253, 
August 25, 2010).

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to GA 8 Airvan (Pty) Ltd Model GA8 and GA8-TC320 
airplanes, all serial numbers, certificated in any category.

(d) Subject

    Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 5230, Cargo/Baggage 
Doors

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by reports of in-flight cargo door 
separation. The FAA is issuing this AD to detect and correct 
excessive wear in the forward cargo door slide, which could result 
in an in-flight separation of the cargo door, with possible loss of 
control of the airplane.

(f) Compliance

    Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, 
unless already done.

(g) Required Actions

    Do the applicable actions specified in Table 1 to paragraph (g) 
of this AD at the times in Table 1 to paragraph (g) of this AD, in 
accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions of GippsAero Service 
Bulletin SB-GA8-2005-23, Issue 8, dated October 11, 2023 (GippsAero 
SB-GA8-2005-23, Issue 8).

                        Table 1 to Paragraph (g)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Paragraphs in Accomplishment
Instructions of GippsAero SB-GA8-       Action          Compliance time
        2005-23, Issue 8
------------------------------------------------------------------------
12.1, A1, steps 1 and 2, for      Inspect for the     Inspect within 50
 backing plate inspection,         existence of a      hours time-in-
 except where Figure 1 in step 1   backing plate on    service (TIS) or
 specifies to remove and discard   the forward slide   2 months after
 the vertical bolt, remove the     of the cargo        the effective
 vertical bolt from service.       door. If a          date of this AD,
Steps 3 through 7, if a backing    backing plate is    whichever occurs
 plate is not installed.           not installed,      first. Install,
                                   install a backing   measure, and
                                   plate on the        replace before
                                   forward slide of    further flight
                                   the cargo door,     after the
                                   measure the         inspection.
                                   groove width of
                                   the forward
                                   slide, and
                                   replace the slide
                                   if it exceeds
                                   0.145 inch at any
                                   point or is
                                   cracked or worn
                                   beyond limits.
12.2, A2, steps 1 and 2 for the   Inspect for wear    Inspect for wear
 inspection.                       of the forward      within 100 hours
12.2, A2, step 3 or 4, and 12.1,   slide of the        TIS or 2 months
 A1, steps 2 through 4, for the    cargo door by       after the
 follow-on inspection and          inserting a slide   effective date of
 replacement.                      gauge or feeler     this AD,
                                   gauge to measure    whichever occurs
                                   the clearance       first, and
                                   between the         thereafter at
                                   forward slide and   intervals not to
                                   the cargo door      exceed 100 hours
                                   track. If a gap     TIS or 12 months,
                                   is found, measure   whichever occurs
                                   the groove width    first after the
                                   of the forward      most recent
                                   slide and replace   inspection.
                                   the slide if the    Measure the
                                   groove width        groove width and
                                   exceeds 0.145       replace the slide
                                   inch at any point   before further
                                   or is cracked or    flight after each
                                   worn beyond         inspection as
                                   limits.             necessary.
12.3, B1, steps 1 through 6 for   Inspect the cargo   Inspect within 50
 the inspections.                  door mechanism      hours TIS or 2
12.3, B1, steps 2, 3i, and 3ii;    for contact         months after the
 12.4, B2, steps 1 through 5;      between the         effective date of
 and 12.5, B3, steps 1 through     operating rod and   this AD,
 12 for the corrective actions.    cargo door handle   whichever occurs
                                   pivot post,         first and
                                   inspect the         thereafter at
                                   threaded studs      intervals not to
                                   and rod ends at     exceed 100 hours
                                   both ends of the    TIS or 12 months,
                                   operating rod for   whichever occurs
                                   bending, and        first after the
                                   inspect the cargo   most recent
                                   door handle         inspection.
                                   engagement with     Perform all
                                   the catch.          applicable
                                   Perform all         corrective
                                   applicable          actions before
                                   corrective          further flight.
                                   actions.
12.6, C, steps 1 through 6......  Inspect the cargo   Within 150 hours
                                   door handle to      TIS or 4 months
                                   determine if an     after the
                                   integrated stop     effective date of
                                   is installed and    this AD,
                                   if an integrated    whichever occurs
                                   stop is not         first. Perform
                                   installed,          the installation
                                   install a cargo     and replacement,
                                   door handle with    as necessary,
                                   an integrated       before further
                                   stop. Inspect the   flight after the
                                   cargo door handle   inspection.
                                   for beyond normal
                                   play and replace
                                   the handle bush
                                   if the door
                                   handle has beyond
                                   normal play.
12.7, D1, steps 1 through 10 for  Inspect the center  Within 50 hours
 the center rail cargo door        rail of the cargo   TIS or 2 months
 inspection and installation.      door to determine   after the
12.8, D2, steps 1 through 2, for   if a center rail    effective date of
 any necessary follow-on rework.   aft stop is         this AD,
                                   installed and if    whichever occurs
                                   a center rail aft   first.
                                   stop is not
                                   installed,
                                   install an aft
                                   stop before
                                   further flight.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

(h) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    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)(2) of this AD or email 
to: [email protected]. If mailing information, also submit 
information by email. Before using any approved AMOC, notify your 
appropriate principal inspector, or lacking a principal inspector, 
the manager of the local Flight Standards District Office/
certificate holding district office.

(i) Additional Information

    (1) Refer to Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) Australia AD 
AD/GA8/3 amdt 3, dated August 18, 2023, for related information. 
This CASA Australia AD may be

[[Page 33224]]

found in the AD docket at regulations.gov under Docket No. FAA-2024-
0035.
    (2) 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: 
[email protected].

(j) 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.
    (i) GippsAero Service Bulletin SB-GA8-2005-23, Issue 8, dated 
October 11, 2023.
    (ii) [Reserved]
    (3) For service information contact GA8 Airvan (Pty) Ltd, PO Box 
881, Morwell, Victoria 3840, Australia; phone: +61 03 5172 1200; 
website: gippsaero.com.au; email: gippsaero.com.au">TECHPUBS@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, visit www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/[email protected]">www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/[email protected].

    Issued on March 29, 2024.
Victor Wicklund,
Deputy Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2024-09087 Filed 4-26-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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