E7-2516. Airworthiness Directives; Gippsland Aeronautics Pty. Ltd. Model GA8 Airplanes

AGENCY:

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION:

Final rule; request for comments.

SUMMARY:

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for the products listed above. 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:

Inspection of a high time aircraft has revealed cracks in the Horizontal Stabiliser rear spar splice plate and inboard main ribs around the area of the Horizontal Stabiliser rear pivot attachment. Additionally, failure of some attach bolts in service may be due to improper assembly.

This AD requires actions that are intended to address the unsafe condition described in the MCAI.

DATES:

This AD becomes effective March 8, 2007.

The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in this AD as of March 8, 2007.

We must receive comments on this AD by March 19, 2007.

ADDRESSES:

You may send comments by any of the following methods:

• DOT Docket Web Site: Go to http://dms.dot.gov and follow the instructions for sending your comments electronically.
• Fax: [phone].
• Mail: Docket Management Facility, U.S. Department of Transportation, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Nassif Building, Room PL-401, Washington, DC 20590-0001.
• Hand Delivery: Room PL-401 on the plaza level of the Nassif Building, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Washington, DC, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
• Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.

Examining the AD Docket

You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://dms.dot.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 [phone]) is in the ADDRESSES section. Comments will be available in the AD docket shortly after receipt.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Doug Rudolph, Aerospace Engineer, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, Missouri 64106; telephone: [phone]; fax: [phone].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Streamlined Issuance of AD

The FAA is implementing a new process for streamlining the issuance of ADs related to MCAI. The streamlined process will allow us to adopt MCAI safety requirements in a more efficient manner and will reduce safety risks to the public. This process continues to follow all FAA AD issuance processes to meet legal, economic, Administrative Procedure Act, and Federal Register requirements. We also continue to meet our technical decision-making responsibilities to identify and correct unsafe conditions on U.S.-certificated products.

This AD references the MCAI and related service information that we considered in forming the engineering basis to correct the unsafe condition. The AD contains text copied from the MCAI and for this reason might not follow our plain language principles.

Discussion

The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), which is the aviation authority for Australia, has issued CASA AD No. AD/GA8/5, Amdt 1, dated January 24, 2007 (referred to after this as “the MCAI”), to correct an unsafe condition for the specified products. The MCAI states:

Inspection of a high time aircraft has revealed cracks in the Horizontal Stabiliser rear spar splice plate and inboard main ribs around the area of the Horizontal Stabiliser rear pivot attachment. Additionally, failure of some attach bolts in service may be due to improper assembly.

The MCAI requires:

This Airworthiness Directive addresses the problem using 5 separate inspections. The first is a brief daily external inspection. The other 4 inspections are a mixture of internal and external inspections as well as some parts replacement to be carried out at the next periodic inspection.

You may obtain further information by examining the MCAI in the AD docket.

Relevant Service Information

Gippsland Aeronautics has issued Mandatory Service Bulletin SB-GA8-2002-02, Issue 4, dated January 4, 2007. The actions described in this service information are intended to correct the unsafe condition identified in the MCAI.

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 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.

Differences Between This AD and the MCAI or Service Information

We have reviewed the MCAI and related service information and, in general, agree with their substance. But we might have found it necessary to use different words from those in the MCAI to ensure the AD is clear for U.S. operators and is enforceable. In making these changes, we do not intend to differ substantively from the information provided in the MCAI and related service information.

We might also have required different actions in this AD from those in the MCAI in order to follow FAA policies. Any such differences are highlighted in a Note within the AD.

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 of potential cracking of the horizontal stabilizer structure, which could lead to failure of the tailplane assembly. 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-2007-27174; Directorate Identifier 2007-CE-006-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://dms.dot.gov,, including any personal information you provide. We will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact we receive about this AD.

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 DOT Regulatory Policies and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979); 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.

We prepared a regulatory evaluation of the estimated costs to comply with this AD and placed it in the AD docket.

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

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 AD:

2007-04-12 Gippsland Aeronautics Pty. Ltd.: Amendment 39-14944; Docket No. FAA-2007-27174; Directorate Identifier 2007-CE-006-AD.

Effective Date

(a) This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective March 8, 2007.

Affected ADs

(b) None.

Applicability

(c) This AD applies to all Model GA8 airplanes, serial numbers GA8-00-004 and up, certificated in any category.

Subject

(d) Air Transport Association of America (ATA) Code 55: Stabilizers.

Reason

(e) The mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) states:

Inspection of a high time aircraft has revealed cracks in the Horizontal Stabiliser rear spar splice plate and inboard main ribs around the area of the Horizontal Stabiliser rear pivot attachment. Additionally, failure of some attach bolts in service may be due to improper assembly.

Actions and Compliance

(f) Unless already done, do the following actions.

(1) Within the next 10 hours time-in-service (TIS) after March 8, 2007 (the effective date of this AD):

(i) For all aircraft not incorporating CNC machined elevator hinges, inspect and repair as required, the left and right horizontal stabilizer rear pivot attachment installation following instruction “3. Rear Pivot Attachment Inspection,” of Gippsland Aeronautics Mandatory Service Bulletin SB-GA8-2002-02, Issue 4, dated January 4, 2007; and,

(ii) For all aircraft replace the left and right rear attach bolt following instruction “5. Rear Attach Bolt Replacement,” of Gippsland Aeronautics Mandatory Service Bulletin SB-GA8-2002-02, Issue 4, dated January 4, 2007.

(2) Within the next 10 hours TIS after March 8, 2007 (the effective date of this AD); and repetitively thereafter at intervals not to exceed 100 hours TIS or 12 months, whichever occurs first, for all aircraft:

(i) Inspect the horizontal stabilizer externally following instruction “2. External Inspection (Lower flange, Stabilizer rear spar),” of Gippsland Aeronautics Mandatory Service Bulletin SB-GA8-2002-02, Issue 4, dated January 4, 2007; and

(ii) Inspect the horizontal stabilizer internally following instruction “4. Internal Inspection,” of Gippsland Aeronautics Mandatory Service Bulletin SB-GA8-2002-02, Issue 4, dated January 4, 2007.

(3) Before further flight, if during the inspection required by paragraph (f)(2) of this AD any excessive local deflection or movement of the lower skin surrounding the lower pivot attachment, cracking, or working (loose) rivet is found, obtain an FAA-approved repair scheme from the manufacturer and incorporate this repair scheme. Continued operational flight with un-repaired crack damage is not permitted.

FAA AD Differences

Note:

This AD differs from the MCAI and/or service information as follows:

(1) “Requirement: 1. Daily Inspection (Stabiliser attach bolt)” of the MCAI requires a daily inspection of the stabilizer attach bolt. The daily inspection is not a requirement of this AD. Instead of the daily inspection, we require you to perform, within 10 hours TIS, “Requirement 3. Rear Pivot Attachment Inspection” and “Requirement 5. Rear Attachment Bolt Replacement” of the MCAI. Compliance with requirement 3. and 5. is a terminating action for the daily inspection, and we are requiring these within 10 hours TIS after the effective date of this AD.

(2) “Requirement: 2. External Inspection (Lower flange, Stabiliser rear spar)” of the MCAI does not specify any action if excessive local deflection or movement of lower skin, cracking, or working (loose) rivet is found. We require obtaining and incorporating an FAA-approved repair scheme from the manufacturer before further flight.

(3) The MCAI does not state if further flight with known cracks is allowed. FAA policy is to not allow further flight with known cracks in critical structure. We require that if any cracks are found when accomplishing the inspection required in paragraph (f)(2) of this AD, you must repair the cracks before further flight.

Other FAA AD Provisions

(g) The following provisions also apply to this AD:

(1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager, Standards Staff, FAA, ATTN: Doug Rudolph, Aerospace Engineer, FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, ACE-112, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, Missouri 64106; telephone: [phone]; fax: [phone], has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19.

(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.

(3) Reporting Requirements: For any reporting requirement in this AD, under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. 3501 et. seq.), the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has approved the information collection requirements and has assigned OMB Control Number 2120-0056.

Related Information

(h) Refer to MCAI CASA AD No. AD/GA8/5, Amdt 1, dated January 24, 2007; and Gippsland Aeronautics Mandatory Service Bulletin SB-GA8-2002-02, Issue 4, dated January 4, 2007, for related information.

Material Incorporated by Reference

(i) You must use Gippsland Aeronautics Mandatory Service Bulletin SB-GA8-2002-02, Issue 4, dated January 4, 2007, to do the actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise.

(1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of this service information under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.

(2) For service information identified in this AD, contact Gippsland Aeronautics, Attn: Technical Services, P.O. Box 881, Morwell Victoria 3840, Australia; fax: [phone]; Internet: http://www.gippsaero.com.

(3) You may review copies at the FAA, Central Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, 901 Locust, Kansas City, Missouri 64106; or 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 February 6, 2007.

Kim Smith,

Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.