Rule2024-12588
Airworthiness Directives; GA8 Airvan (Pty) Ltd Airplanes
Primary source
Metadata and text below are from the Federal Register, a public-domain U.S. government work. Always verify the official published version before relying on it for any legal matter.
Published
June 11, 2024
Effective
July 16, 2024
Issuing agencies
Transportation DepartmentFederal Aviation Administration
Abstract
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.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 89 Issue 113 (Tuesday, June 11, 2024)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 113 (Tuesday, June 11, 2024)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 49091-49094]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2024-12588]
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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.
[[Page 49092]]
ACTION: Final rule.
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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 <a href="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a> 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:
<bullet> 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: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#4f1b0a0c071f1a0d1c0f732e6f273d2a2972" http: gippsaero.com">gippsaero.com</a>.au">TECHPUBS@<a href="http://gippsaero.com">gippsaero.com</a>.au</a>;
website: <a href="http://gippsaero.com">gippsaero.com</a>.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
<a href="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a> 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: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#90f4ffe5f7bee2e5f4fffce0f8d0f6f1f1bef7ffe6"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="35515a40521b4740515a59455d755354541b525a43">[email protected]</span></a>.
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 <a href="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a> 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.
The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this AD:
[[Page 49093]]
Estimated Costs
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Cost per Cost on U.S.
Action Labor cost Parts cost product operators
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Inspect for mechanical connection..... 1 work-hour x $85 per $0 $85 $5,270
hour = $85.
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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:
On-Condition Costs
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Cost per
Action Labor cost Parts cost product
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Install mechanical connection................. 1 work-hour x $85 per hour = $85 $170 $255
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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
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 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)
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: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#f9c0d4b8afaad4b8b0abd4cecac9d4b8b4b6bab99f9898d79e968f"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="122b3f5344413f535b403f2521223f535f5d51527473733c757d64">[email protected]</span></a>. If mailing information, also submit
information by email. Before using any approved AMOC, notify your
appropriate principal inspector,
[[Page 49094]]
or lacking a principal inspector, the manager of the local Flight
Standards District Office/certificate holding district office.
(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:
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#e783889280c9959283888b978fa7818686c9808891"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="b8dcd7cddf96cacddcd7d4c8d0f8ded9d996dfd7ce">[email protected]</span></a>.
(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:
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#217564626971746372611d4001495344471c" http: gippsaero.com">gippsaero.com</a>.au">TECHPUBS@<a href="http://gippsaero.com">gippsaero.com</a>.au</a>; website: <a href="http://gippsaero.com">gippsaero.com</a>.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 <a href="http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations">www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations</a> or email <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#c6a0b4e8afa8b5b6a3a5b2afa9a886a8a7b4a7e8a1a9b0"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="bbddc995d2d5c8cbded8cfd2d4d5fbd5dac9da95dcd4cd">[email protected]</span></a>.
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
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