[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 186 (Wednesday, September 25, 2013)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 58872-58874]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-22978]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2013-0823; Directorate Identifier 2013-CE-027-AD;
Amendment 39-17594; AD 2013-19-12]
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 Models GA8 and GA8-TC320 airplanes. This AD results
from mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) issued by
the aviation authority of another country to identify and correct an
unsafe condition on an aviation product. The MCAI describes the unsafe
condition as the fuel system integral sump tank does not meet FAA
regulations. We are issuing this AD to require actions to address the
unsafe condition on these products.
DATES: This AD is effective October 15, 2013.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of October 15,
2013.
We must receive comments on this AD by November 12, 2013.
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; Internet: http://www.gippsaero.com/customer-support/technical-publications.aspx. You may review copies of the
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; 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:
[email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Discussion
The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), which is the aviation
authority for Australia, has issued AD No. AD/GA8/7, dated September 2,
2013 (referred to after this as ``the MCAI''), to correct an unsafe
condition for the specified products. The MCAI states:
The GippsAero GA8 and GA8-TC 320 aircraft Mk II fuel system
features an integral sump tank located in the floor structure
forward of the co-pilot seat. The current configuration of the
compartments adjacent to the Mk II sump tank do not meet the
requirements of regulation 23.967(b) of the Federal Aviation
Regulations of the United States of America in that they are not
suitably ventilated and drained to prevent the accumulation of
flammable fluids or vapours.
This AD requires modifying the fuel system for ventilation and
drainage. You may examine the MCAI on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating it in Docket No. FAA-
2013-0823.
Relevant Service Information
GippsAero has issued Mandatory Service Bulletin SB-GA8-2012-96,
Issue 4, dated August 12, 2013. The actions described in this service
information are intended to correct the unsafe condition identified in
the MCAI.
FAA's Determination and Requirements of This 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 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 requires 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
integral sump tank in the fuel system is not suitably ventilated and
drained to prevent the accumulation of flammable fluids or vapors,
which could lead to a flammability issue. Therefore, we determined that
notice and opportunity for public comment before issuing this AD are
impracticable and that good cause exists for making this amendment
effective in fewer than 30 days.
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-2013-0823; Directorate
Identifier 2013-CE-027-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.
[[Page 58873]]
Costs of Compliance
We estimate that this AD will affect 35 products of U.S. registry.
We also estimate that it will take about 3 work-hours per product to do
the fuel system ventilation and drainage modification requirement of
this AD. The average labor rate is $85 per work-hour.
Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of this AD on U.S.
operators to be $8,925, or $255 per product.
In addition, we estimate that it will take about 4 work-hours per
product to do the cargo pod modification. The average labor rate is $85
per work-hour. Required parts would cost about $1,000 per product, for
a cost of $1,340 per product. We have no way of determining the number
of products that may need this action.
According to the manufacturer, some of the costs of this 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: 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 adding the following new AD:
2013-19-12 GA 8 Airvan (Pty) Ltd: Amendment 39-17594; Docket No.
FAA-2013-0823; Directorate Identifier 2013-CE-027-AD.
(a) Effective Date
This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective October 15,
2013.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to the following GA 8 Airvan (Pty) Ltd model and
serial number airplane presented in paragraphs (c)(1) and (c)(2)
that are certificated in any category:
(1) Models GA8 airplanes, serial numbers GA8-02-012, GA8-TC 320-
02-16, GA8-TC 320-03-25, and GA8-TC 320-09-120.
(2) Models GA8 and GA8-TC320, serial numbers GA8-08-128 through
GA8A/GA8-TC 320-13-205. The last three digits (third tier
designation) of the serial numbers are sequential regardless of the
model designation (first tier designation) or the year produced
(second tier designation).
(d) Subject
Air Transport Association of America (ATA) Code 21: Fuel System.
(e) Reason
This AD was prompted by mandatory continuing airworthiness
information (MCAI) issued by the aviation authority of another
country to identify and correct an unsafe condition on an aviation
product. The MCAI describes the unsafe condition as the fuel system
integral sump tank does not meet FAA regulations. We are issuing
this AD to prevent the accumulation of flammable fluids or vapors,
which could lead to a flammability issue.
(f) Actions and Compliance
Unless already done, do the following actions in paragraphs
(f)(1) and (f)(2) of this AD.
(1) For all affected airplanes: Within the next 100 hours time-
in-service (TIS) after October 15, 2013 (the effective date of this
AD) or within 3 months after October 15, 2013 (the effective date of
this AD), whichever occurs first, modify the airplane following Part
1 of GippsAero Mandatory Service Bulletin SB-GA8-2012-96, Issue 4,
dated August 12, 2013.
(2) For affected airplanes equipped with a cargo pod part number
GA8-255004-017 or GA8-255004-019: Before further flight after the
modification required in paragraph (f)(1) of this AD, modify the
cargo pod following Part 2 of GippsAero Mandatory Service Bulletin
SB-GA8-2012-96, Issue 4, dated August 12, 2013.
(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:
[email protected]. 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 AD No. AD/GA8/7,
dated September 2, 2013, for related information. You may examine
the MCAI on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching
for and locating it in Docket No. FAA-2013-0823.
(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 this AD specifies otherwise.
(i) GippsAero Mandatory Service Bulletin SB-GA8-2012-96, Issue
4, dated August 12, 2013.
(ii) Reserved.
[[Page 58874]]
(3) 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; Internet:
http://www.gippsaero.com/customer-support/technical-publications.aspx.
(4) You may review copies of the 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.
(5) You may view this service information that is incorporated
by reference at the National Archives and Records Administration
(NARA). For information on the availability 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 September 16, 2013.
Pat Mullen,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 2013-22978 Filed 9-24-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P