[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 46 (Thursday, March 8, 2018)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 9811-9813]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-04405]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2017-1166; Product Identifier 2017-CE-042-AD; Amendment 
39-19217; AD 2018-05-08]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; GA 8 Airvan (Pty) Ltd Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of 
Transportation (DOT).

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: We are superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2013-19-12 for 
GA 8 Airvan (Pty) Ltd Models GA8 and GA8-TC320 airplanes. This AD 
results from mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) 
issued by an aviation authority of another country to identify and 
address an unsafe condition on an aviation product. The MCAI describes 
the unsafe condition as the fuel system integral sump tank not meeting 
FAA regulations. We are issuing this AD to require actions to address 
the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective April 12, 2018.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of April 12, 
2018.

ADDRESSES: You may examine the AD docket on the internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2017-
1166; or in person at Docket Operations, U.S. Department of 
Transportation, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 
New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590.
    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; email: [email protected]. 
You may view this referenced service information at the FAA, Policy and 
Innovation Division, 901 Locust, Kansas City, Missouri 64106. For 
information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call (816) 
329-4148. It is also available on the internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for Docket No. FAA-2017-1166.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Doug Rudolph, Aerospace Engineer, FAA, 
Small Airplane Standards Branch, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, 
Missouri 64106; telephone: (816) 329-4059; fax: (816) 329-4090; email: 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

    We issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR 
part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to GA 8 Airvan (Pty) Ltd 
Models GA8 and GA8-TC320 airplanes. That NPRM was published in the 
Federal Register on December 19, 2017 (82 FR 60128), and proposed to 
supersede AD 2013-19-12, Amendment 39-17594 (78 FR 58872, September 25, 
2013) (``AD 2013-19-12'').
    Since we issued AD 2013-19-12, the related service information has 
been amended to incorporate a modification

[[Page 9812]]

to ventilate the area around the integral sump tank.
    The NPRM proposed to address an unsafe condition for the specified 
products and was based on mandatory continuing airworthiness 
information (MCAI) originated by an aviation authority of another 
country. The MCAI states that:

    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 does 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.
    Amendment 1 of this [CASA] directive mandates ventilation of the 
area around the integral sump tank as presented in SB-GA8-2012-96 
Issue 6 to meet the requirements of regulation 23.967(b) of the 
Federal Aviation Regulations of the United States of America.

The MCAI can be found in the AD docket on the internet at https://www.regulations.gov/document?D=FAA-2017-1166-0002.

Comments

    We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing 
this AD. We received no comments on the NPRM or on the determination of 
the cost to the public.

Conclusion

    We reviewed the relevant data and determined that air safety and 
the public interest require adopting this AD as proposed except for 
minor editorial changes. We have determined that these minor changes:
     Are consistent with the intent that was proposed in the 
NPRM for addressing the unsafe condition; and
     Do not add any additional burden upon the public than was 
already proposed in the NPRM.

Related Service Information

    We reviewed GippsAero Service Bulletin SB-GA8-2012-96, Issue 6, 
dated July 21, 2016. This service information describes procedures for 
modifying the fuel ventilation and drainage system. 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 the ADDRESSES section of this AD.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD will affect 47 products of U.S. registry. 
We also estimate that it will take about 3 work-hours per product to do 
fuel system ventilation and drainage modification requirement of this 
AD (this action is retained from AD 2013-19-12). The average labor rate 
is $85 per work-hour.
    Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of this portion of 
this AD on U.S. operators to be $11,985, or $255 per product.
    We also estimate that it will take about 4 work-hours per product 
to do the supplementary fuel ventilation modification requirement of 
this AD. The average labor rate is $85 per work-hour. Required parts 
will cost about $932 per product.
    Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of this portion of 
this AD on U.S. operators to be $59,784, or $1,272 per product.
    In addition, we estimate that it will take about 4 work-hours per 
product to do the cargo pod modification requirement of this AD (this 
action is retained from AD 2013-19-12). The average labor rate is $85 
per work-hour. Required parts will 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.
    This AD is issued in accordance with authority delegated by the 
Executive Director, Aircraft Certification Service, as authorized by 
FAA Order 8000.51C. In accordance with that order, issuance of ADs is 
normally a function of the Compliance and Airworthiness Division, but 
during this transition period, the Executive Director has delegated the 
authority to issue ADs applicable to small airplanes, gliders, 
balloons, airships, domestic business jet transport airplanes, and 
associated appliances to the Director of the Policy and Innovation 
Division.

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 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.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2017-
1166; or in person at Docket Operations between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., 
Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The AD docket contains 
the NPRM, the regulatory evaluation, any comments received, and other 
information. The street address for Docket Operations (telephone (800) 
647-5527) is in the ADDRESSES section. Comments will be available in 
the AD docket shortly after receipt.

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:


[[Page 9813]]


    Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701.


Sec.  39.13  [Amended]

0
2. The FAA amends Sec.  39.13 by removing Amendment 39-17594 (78 FR 
58872, September 25, 2013), and adding the following new AD:

2018-05-08 GA 8 Airvan (Pty) Ltd: Amendment 39-19217; Docket No. 
FAA-2017-1166; Product Identifier 2017-CE-042-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective April 12, 
2018.

(b) Affected ADs

    This AD replaces AD 2013-19-12, Amendment 39-17594 (78 FR 58872, 
September 25, 2013) (``AD 2013-19-12'').

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to the following GA 8 Airvan (Pty) Ltd airplane 
models and serial numbers (S/Ns) presented in paragraphs (c)(1) and 
(c)(2) that are certificated in any category:
    (1) Group 1 Airplanes:
    (i) Model GA8: S/N GA8-02-012 and S/Ns 128 through 205; and
    (ii) Model GA8-TC320: S/Ns GA8-TC 320-02-016, GA8-TC 320-03-025, 
GA8-TC 320-09-120, and S/Ns 129 through 205.
    (2) Group 2 Airplanes:
    (i) Model GA8: S/N GA8-02-012 and S/Ns 128 through 246; and
    (ii) Model GA8-TC320: S/Ns GA8-TC 320-02-016, GA8-TC 320-03-025, 
GA8-TC 320-09-120, and S/Ns 129 through 246.

    Note 1 to paragraph (c) of this AD: The last three digits (third 
tier designation) of the affected airplane model S/Ns 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 28: 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 address an unsafe condition on an aviation 
product. The MCAI describes the unsafe condition as the fuel system 
integral sump tank not meeting 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:
    (1) For all affected Group 1 airplanes: Within the next 100 
hours time-in-service (TIS) after April 12, 2018 (the effective date 
of this AD) or within the next 3 months after April 12, 2018 (the 
effective date of this AD), whichever occurs first, modify the 
airplane following Part 1 of GippsAero Service Bulletin SB-GA8-2012-
96, Issue 6, dated July 21, 2016. If the airplane was previously 
affected under AD 2013-19-12 and compliance with that AD has already 
been done, this AD allows credit for doing this modification 
following Part 1 of GippsAero Mandatory Service Bulletin SB-GA8-
2012-96, Issue 4, dated August 12, 2013.
    (2) For affected Group 1 airplanes that are 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 
Service Bulletin SB-GA8-2012-96, Issue 6, dated July 21, 2016. If 
the airplane was previously affected under AD 2013-19-12 and 
compliance with that AD has already been done, this AD allows credit 
for doing this modification following Part 2 of GippsAero Mandatory 
Service Bulletin SB-GA8-2012-96, Issue 4, dated August 12, 2013.
    (3) For all affected Group 2 airplanes: Within the next 100 
hours TIS after April 12, 2018 (the effective date of this AD) or 
within 3 months after April 12, 2018 (the effective date of this 
AD), whichever occurs first, modify the airplane following Part 3 of 
GippsAero Service Bulletin SB-GA8-2012-96, Issue 6, dated July 21, 
2016.

(g) Credit for Actions Done Following Previous Service Information

    This AD allows credit for airplanes that were previously 
affected by AD 2013-19-12 and the actions required in paragraphs 
(f)(1) and (f)(2) of this AD were previously done following Part 1 
and Part 2 of GippsAero Mandatory Service Bulletin SB-GA8-2012-96, 
Issue 4, dated August 12, 2013.

(h) 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 Standards Branch, 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) Contacting the Manufacturer: For any requirement in this AD 
to obtain corrective actions from a manufacturer, the action must be 
accomplished using a method approved by the Manager, Standards 
Office, FAA; or the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA).

(i) Related Information

    Refer to MCAI Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) AD No. AD/
GA8/7, Amendment 1, dated November 13, 2017; and GippsAero Mandatory 
Service Bulletin SB-GA8-2012-96, Issue 4, dated August 12, 2013. You 
may examine the MCAI on the internet at https://www.regulations.gov/document?D=FAA-2017-1166-0002.

(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 this AD specifies otherwise.
    (i) GippsAero Service Bulletin SB-GA8-2012-96, Issue 6, dated 
July 21, 2016.
    (ii) Reserved.
    (3) For GA 8 Airvan (Pty) Ltd 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; email: 
[email protected].
    (4) You may view this service information at FAA, Policy and 
Innovation Division, 901 Locust, Kansas City, Missouri 64106. For 
information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call 
816-329-4148. In addition, you can access this service information 
on the internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and 
locating Docket No. FAA-2017-1166.
    (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 February 26, 2018.
Melvin J. Johnson,
Deputy Director, Policy & Innovation Division, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2018-04405 Filed 3-7-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P


