[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 19 (Monday, January 31, 2005)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 4761-4763]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-1511]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2004-19442; Directorate Identifier 2004-CE-31-AD;
Amendment 39-13956; AD 2005-01-11]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Gippsland Aeronautics Pty. Ltd. Model
GA8 Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: The FAA adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain
Gippsland Aeronautics Pty. Ltd. Model GA8 airplanes. This AD requires
you to inspect the pilot and co-pilot control column wheels and aileron
cable operating arm shafts for damage and, if damage is found, to
repair the shafts or to replace the steel shafts with bronze shafts. We
are issuing this AD to detect and correct damage of the pilot and co-
pilot control wheels and aileron cable operating arm shafts. This
damage could result in the aileron controls becoming stiff or locking,
which could lead to loss of control of the airplane.
DATES: This AD becomes effective on March 4, 2005.
As of March 4, 2005, the Director of the Federal Register approved
the incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in the
regulation.
ADDRESSES: To get the service information identified in this AD,
contact Gippsland Aeronautics Pty. Ltd., Latrobe Regional Airport, P.O.
Box 881, Morwell, Victoria 3840, Australia; telephone: 61 (0) 3 5172
1200; facsimile: 61 (0) 3 5172 1201. To review this service
information, go to the National Archives and Records Administration
(NARA). For information on the availability of this material at NARA,
go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html or call (202) 741-6030.
To view the AD docket, go to the Docket Management Facility; U.S.
Department of Transportation, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Nassif Building,
Room PL-401, Washington, DC 20590-001 or on the Internet at http://dms.dot.gov. The docket number is FAA-2004-19442.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Doug Rudolph, Aerospace Engineer,
Small Airplane Directorate, ACE-112, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City,
Missouri 64106; telephone: 816-329-4059; facsimile: 816-329-4090.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Discussion
What events have caused this AD? The Civil Aviation Safety
Authority (CASA), which is the airworthiness authority for Australia,
recently notified FAA that an unsafe condition may exist on certain
Gippsland Aeronautics Pty. Ltd. Model GA8 airplanes. CASA reports three
occurrences of aileron control stiffness and one occurrence of aileron
control locking during taxi. Rubbing between the control wheel shaft
and the bush in the control column may cause wear or damage to the
control wheel shaft where the shaft connects to the control column.
This damage may lead to the aileron control becoming stiff or locking.
What is the potential impact if FAA took no action? Damage of the
pilot and co-pilot control wheels and aileron cable operating arm
shafts could result in the aileron controls becoming stiff or locking,
which could lead to loss of control of the airplane.
Has FAA taken any action to this point? We issued a proposal to
amend part 39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) to
include an AD that would apply to certain Gippsland Aeronautics Pty.
Ltd. Model GA8 airplanes. This proposal was published in the Federal
Register as a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) on November 8, 2004
(69 FR 64695). The NPRM proposed to detect and correct damage of the
pilot and co-pilot control wheels and aileron cable operating arm
shafts that could result in
[[Page 4762]]
the aileron controls becoming stiff or locking, which could lead to
loss of control of the airplane.
Comments
Was the public invited to comment? We provided the public the
opportunity to participate in developing this AD. We received no
comments on the proposal or on the determination of the cost to the
public.
Conclusion
What is FAA's final determination on this issue? We have carefully
reviewed the available data and determined that air safety and the
public interest require adopting the AD as proposed except for minor
editorial corrections. We have determined that these minor corrections:
--Are consistent with the intent that was proposed in the NPRM for
correcting the unsafe condition; and
--Do not add any additional burden upon the public than was already
proposed in the NPRM.
Changes to 14 CFR Part 39--Effect on the AD
How does the revision to 14 CFR part 39 affect this AD? On July 10,
2002, the FAA published a new version of 14 CFR part 39 (67 FR 47997,
July 22, 2002), which governs the FAA's AD system. This regulation now
includes material that relates to altered products, special flight
permits, and alternative methods of compliance. This material
previously was included in each individual AD. Since this material is
included in 14 CFR part 39, we will not include it in future AD
actions.
Costs of Compliance
How many airplanes does this AD impact? We estimate that this AD
affects 5 airplanes in the U.S. registry.
What is the cost impact of this AD on owners/operators of the
affected airplanes? We estimate the following costs to accomplish the
inspection:
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Total cost per Total cost on
Labor cost Parts cost airplane U.S. operators
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2 work hours x $65 per hour = $130........................... N/A $130 $650
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We estimate the following costs to accomplish any necessary
replacements that would be required based on the results of this
inspection. We have no way of determining the number of airplanes that
may need this repair/replacement:
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Labor cost Parts cost Total cost per airplane
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Labor Cost per side (either pilot or co- Warranty................... Per side = $520.
pilot)--8 work hours x $65 per hour = For both sides = $1,040.
$520.
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Authority for This Rulemaking
What authority does FAA have for issuing this rulemaking action?
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 AD.
Regulatory Findings
Will this AD impact various entities? We have 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.
Will this AD involve a significant rule or regulatory action? 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); 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 summary of the costs to comply with this AD and
placed it in the AD Docket. You may get a copy of this summary by
sending a request to us at the address listed under ADDRESSES. Include
``Docket No. FAA-2004-19442; Directorate Identifier 2004-CE-31-AD'' in
your request.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by
reference, Safety.
Adoption of the Amendment
0
Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the Administrator,
the Federal Aviation Administration amends part 39 of the Federal
Aviation Regulations (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. FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by adding a new AD to read as follows:
2005-02-11 Gippsland Aeronautics Pty. Ltd.: Amendment 39-13956;
Docket No. FAA-2004-19442; Directorate Identifier 2004-CE-31-AD.
When Does This AD Become Effective?
(a) This AD becomes effective on March 4, 2005.
What Other ADs Are Affected by This Action?
(b) None.
What Airplanes Are Affected by This AD?
(c) This AD affects model GA8 airplanes, serial numbers GA8-00-
004 through GA8-04-056, that are certificated in any category.
[[Page 4763]]
What Is the Unsafe Condition Presented in This AD?
(d) This AD is the result of rubbing between the control wheel
shaft and the bush in the control column, which may cause wear or
damage to the control wheel shaft where the shaft connects to the
control column. This damage may lead to the aileron control becoming
stiff or locking. The actions specified in this AD are intended to
detect and correct damage of the pilot and co-pilot control wheels
and aileron cable operating arm shafts that could result in the
aileron controls becoming stiff or locking, which could lead to loss
of control of the airplane.
What Must I Do To Address This Problem?
(e) To address this problem, you must do the following:
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Actions Compliance Procedures
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(1) Inspect the pilot and co- Perform the Follow Gippsland
pilot control column wheel and initial Aeronautics Pty.
aileron cable operating arm inspection within Ltd. Service
shafts for damage. 50 hours time-in- Bulletin SB-GA8-
service (TIS) 2004-11, Issue 2,
after March 4, dated August 25,
2005 (the 2004.
effective date of
this AD).
(2) If no damage is found, Perform repetitive Follow Gippsland
continue repetitive inspections. inspections every Aeronautics Pty.
300 hours TIS Ltd. Service
until steel Bulletin SB-GA8-
operating arm 2004-11, Issue 2,
shafts are dated August 25,
replaced with 2004.
bronze operating
arm shafts.
Replacement of
steel operating
arm shafts with
bronze operating
arm shafts is
terminating
action for this
AD on the side
that was
replaced. If one
steel shaft
requires
replacement, all
of the shafts on
that side (pilot
or co-pilot) must
be replaced with
bronze shafts. If
only one side
(pilot or co-
pilot) is
replaced,
repetitive
inspections are
still required
for the side that
was not replaced.
(3) For airplanes where damage If damage is Follow Gippsland
is found: found, repair or Aeronautics Pty.
(i) If damage can be repaired by replace operating Ltd. Service
polishing out marks or arm shafts prior Bulletin SB-GA8-
scratches so that material to further 2004-11, Issue 2,
removed does not exceed 0.005 flight. If dated August 25,
inches, repair the shaft. You airplane is 2004.
can not repair by polishing out repaired,
marks or scratches more than repetitively
one time.. inspect every 300
(ii) If damage can not be hours TIS after
repaired by polishing out marks repair until
or scratches so that that replacement of
material removed does not the operating arm
exceed 0.005 inches or you have shafts.
already repaired the damage by Replacement of
polishing out marks or the steel
scratches previously, the damed operating arm
steel operating arm shaft must shafts with
be replaced with a bronze bronze operating
operating arm shaft. When a arm shafts is
shaft (pilot or co-pilot) terminating
requires replacement, you must action for this
install new bronze shafts in AD. If only one
all areas of the affected side. side (pilot or co-
pilot) is
replaced with
bronze shafts,
you must still
repetitively
inspect the other
side that was not
replaced.
(4) As of the effective date of As of March 4, Follow Gippsland
this AD, do not install shafts 2005 (the Aeronautics Pty.
that are not bronze on any effective date of Ltd. Service
affected Model GA8 airplane. this AD). Bulletin SB-GA8-
2004-11, Issue 2,
dated August 25,
2004.
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May I Request an Alternative Method of Compliance?
(f) You may request a different method of compliance or a
different compliance time for this AD by following the procedures in
14 CFR 39.19. Unless FAA authorizes otherwise, send your request to
your principal inspector. The principal inspector may add comments
and will send your request to the Manager, Standards Office, Small
Airplane Directorate, FAA. For information on any already approved
alternative methods of compliance, contact Doug Rudolph, Aerospace
Engineer, Small Airplane Directorate, ACE-112, 901 Locust, Room 301,
Kansas City, Missouri 64106; telephone: 816-329-4059; facsimile:
816-329-4090.
Is There Other Information That Relates to This Subject?
(g) Australian Civil Aviation Safety Authority Airworthiness
Directive AD/GA8/2, dated September 17, 2004, and Gippsland
Aeronautics Pty., Ltd., Service Bulletin SB-GA8-2004-11, dated
August 25, 2004, also address the subject of this AD.
Does This AD Incorporate Any Material by Reference?
(h) You must do the actions required by this AD following the
instructions in Gippsland Aeronautics Pty. Ltd. Service Bulletin SB-
GA8-2004-11, Issue 2, dated August 25, 2004. The Director of the
Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of this
service bulletin in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part
51. To get a copy of this service information, contact Gippsland
Aeronautics Pty. Ltd., Latrobe Regional Airport, P.O. Box 881,
Morwell, Victoria 3840, Australia; telephone: 61 (0) 3 5172 1200;
facsimile: 61 (0) 3 5172 1201. To review copies of this service
information, go to the National Archives and Records Administration
(NARA). For information on the availability of this material at
NARA, go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html or call (202) 741-6030. To
view the AD docket, go to the Docket Management Facility; U.S.
Department of Transportation, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Nassif
Building, Room PL-401, Washington, DC 20590-001 or on the Internet
at http://dms.dot.gov. The docket number is FAA-2004-19442.
Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on January 20, 2005.
David A. Downey,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 05-1511 Filed 1-28-05; 8:45 am]
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