[Federal Register: October 25, 2005 (Volume 70, Number 205)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 61547-61549]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr25oc05-1]
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Rules and Regulations
Federal Register
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[[Page 61547]]
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2005-22639; Directorate Identifier 2005-CE-48-AD;
Amendment 39-14346; AD 2005-22-02]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Gippsland Aeronautics Pty. Ltd. Model
GA8 Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all
Gippsland Aeronautics Pty. Ltd. (Gippsland) Model GA8 airplanes. This
AD requires you to repetitively inspect the upper and lower grooves of
the forward cargo door slide for cracks, excessive wear, and excessive
width. This AD also requires you to replace the forward cargo door
slide if any of the above conditions are found during any inspection.
This AD results from mandatory continuing airworthiness information
(MCAI) issued by the airworthiness authority for Australia. We are
issuing this AD to prevent failure of the forward cargo door slide
caused by cracks, excessive wear, or excessive width. This failure
could result in the cargo door detaching from the airplane in flight,
potentially causing damage by hitting the back end of the airplane.
DATES: This AD becomes effective on November 17, 2005.
As of November 17, 2005, the Director of the Federal Register
approved the incorporation by reference of certain publications listed
in the regulation.
We must receive any comments on this AD by November 25, 2005.
ADDRESSES: Use one of the following to submit comments on this AD:
DOT Docket Web site: Go to http://dms.dot.gov and follow
the instructions for sending your comments electronically.
Government-wide rulemaking Web site: Go to http://www.regulations.gov
and follow the instructions for sending your
comments electronically.
Mail: Docket Management Facility; U.S. Department of
Transportation, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Nassif Building, Room PL-401,
Washington, DC 20590-001.
Fax: 1-202-493-2251.
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.
To get the service information identified in this AD, contact
Gippsland Aeronautics, PO Box 881, Morwell, Victoria 3840, Australia;
telephone: +61 (0) 3 5172 1200; facsimile: +61 (0) 3 5172 1201; e-mail:
support@gippsaero.com.
To view the comments to this AD, go to http://dms.dot.gov. The
docket number is FAA-2005-22639; Directorate Identifier 2005-CE-48-AD.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Doug Rudolph, Aerospace Engineer, FAA,
Small Airplane Directorate, 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 all
Gippsland Model GA8 airplanes. The CASA reports that excessive wear in
the slide of the forward cargo door was found during a routine
inspection.
What is the potential impact if FAA took no action? If not
prevented, cracks, excessive wear, or excessive width in the forward
cargo door slide could cause the door slide to fail. This failure could
result in the cargo door detaching from the airplane in flight,
potentially causing damage by hitting the back end of the airplane.
Is there service information that applies to this subject?
Gippsland has issued Mandatory Service Bulletin No. SB-GA8-2005-23,
Issue 2, dated September 13, 2005.
What are the provisions of this service information? The service
bulletin specifies repetitively inspecting the forward cargo door slide
for cracks, signs of excessive wear, and excessive width. The service
bulletin also specifies replacing the forward cargo door slide with a
new cargo door slide, part number GA8-521022-149, if any of the above
conditions are found during any inspection.
What action did the CASA take? The CASA classified this service
bulletin as mandatory and issued Australian AD Number AD/GA8/3, dated
September 27, 2005, to ensure the continued airworthiness of these
airplanes in Australia.
Did the CASA inform the United States under the bilateral
airworthiness agreement? These Gippsland Model GA8 airplanes are
manufactured in Australia and are type-certificated for operation in
the United States under the provisions of section 21.29 of the Federal
Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 21.29) and the applicable bilateral
airworthiness agreement.
Under this bilateral airworthiness agreement, the CASA has kept us
informed of the situation described above.
FAA's Determination and Requirements of This AD
What has FAA decided? We have examined the CASA's findings,
reviewed all available information, and determined that we need to
issue an AD for products of this type design that are certificated for
operation in the United States.
Since the unsafe condition described previously is likely to exist
or develop on other Gippsland Model GA8 airplanes of the same type
design that are registered in the United States, we are issuing this AD
to prevent failure of the forward cargo door slide caused by cracks,
excessive wear, or excessive width. This failure could result in the
cargo door detaching from the airplane in flight, potentially causing
damage by hitting the back end of the airplane.
What does this AD require? This AD requires you to repetitively
inspect the upper and lower grooves of the forward cargo door slide for
cracks, excessive wear, and excessive width. This AD also requires you
to replace the forward cargo door slide if any of the above
[[Page 61548]]
conditions are found during any inspection.
In preparing this rule, we contacted type clubs and aircraft
operators to get technical information and information on operational
and economic impacts. We did not receive any information through these
contacts. If received, we would have included a discussion of any
information that may have influenced this action in the rulemaking
docket.
How does the revision to 14 CFR part 39 affect this AD? On July 10,
2002, we published a new version of 14 CFR part 39 (67 FR 47997, July
22, 2002), which governs 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.
Comments Invited
Will I have the opportunity to comment before you issue the rule?
This AD is a final rule that involves requirements affecting flight
safety and was not preceded by notice and an opportunity for public
comment; however, we invite you to submit any written relevant data,
views, or arguments regarding this AD. Send your comments to an address
listed under ADDRESSES. Include the docket number, ``FAA-2005-22639;
Directorate Identifier 2005-CE-48-AD'' at the beginning of your
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
with FAA personnel concerning this AD.
Using the search function of our docket Web site, anyone can find
and read the comments received into any of our dockets, including the
name of the individual who sent the comment (or signed the comment on
behalf of an association, business, labor union, etc.). This is docket
number FAA-2005-22639; Directorate Identifier 2005-CE-48-AD. You may
review the DOT's complete Privacy Act Statement in the Federal Register
published on April 11, 2000 (65 FR 19477-78) or you may visit http://dms.dot.gov
.
Are there any specific portions of this AD I should pay attention
to? We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory,
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this AD. If you contact
us through a nonwritten communication and that contact relates to a
substantive part of this AD, we will summarize the contact and place
the summary in the docket. We will consider all comments received by
the closing date and may amend this AD in light of those comments and
contacts.
Docket Information
Where can I go to view the docket information? You may view the AD
docket that contains the AD, any comments received, and any final
disposition in person at the DMS Docket Offices between 9 a.m. and 5
p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The Docket Office
(telephone 1-800-647-5227) is located on the plaza level of the
Department of Transportation NASSIF Building at the street address
stated in ADDRESSES. You may also view the AD docket on the Internet at
http://dms.dot.gov. The comments will be available in the AD docket
shortly after the DMS receives them.
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
other information as included in the Regulatory Evaluation) 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-2005-22639; Directorate Identifier 2005-CE-48-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. The FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness
directive (AD):
2005-22-02 Gippsland Aeronautics Pty. Ltd.: Amendment 39-14346;
Docket No. FAA-2005-22639; Directorate Identifier 2005-CE-48-AD.
When Does This AD Become Effective?
(a) This AD becomes effective on November 17, 2005.
Are Any Other ADs Affected by This Action?
(b) None.
What Airplanes Are Affected by This AD?
(c) This AD affects Model GA8 airplanes, all serial numbers,
that are certificated in any category.
What Is the Unsafe Condition Presented in This AD?
(d) This AD is the result of mandatory continuing airworthiness
information (MCAI) issued by the airworthiness authority for
Australia. We are issuing this AD to prevent failure of the forward
cargo door slide caused by cracks, excessive wear, or excessive
width. This failure could result in the cargo door detaching from
the airplane in flight, potentially causing damage by hitting the
back end of the airplane.
[[Page 61549]]
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) Do the following: Initially within the As specified in
(i) Inspect the upper and next 20 hours time- Gippsland
lower grooves of the in-service (TIS) Aeronautics
forward cargo door slide after November 17, Mandatory Service
for cracks and excessive 2005 (the effective Bulletin SB-GA8-
wear; and. date of this AD). 2005-23, Issue 2,
(ii) Measure the width of Repetitively Date of Issue:
the grooves to ensure the thereafter at September 13, 2005.
grooves are no more than intervals not to
0.145 inches in width exceed 100 hours
(excessive width). TIS.
-----------------------------
(2) If any crack, excessive Replace before As specified in
wear, or excessive width is further flight Gippsland
found during any inspection after the Aeronautics
required in paragraph inspection in which Mandatory Service
(e)(1) of this AD, replace the damage is Bulletin SB-GA8-
the door slide with a new found. After the 2005-23, Issue 2,
door slide, part number GA8- replacement, Date of Issue:
521022-149. continue with the September 13, 2005.
repetitive
inspections
required by
paragraph (e)(1) of
this AD.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
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, FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 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 AD Number AD/GA8/3, dated September 27, 2005,
also addresses 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 Mandatory Service Bulletin SB-
GA8-2005-23, Issue 2, Date of Issue: September 13, 2005. 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, PO Box 881, Morwell, Victoria 3840,
Australia; telephone: +61 (0) 3 5172 1200; facsimile: +61 (0) 3 5172
1201; e-mail: support@gippsaero.com. 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 Docket No.
FAA-2005-22639; Directorate Identifier 2005-CE-48-AD.
Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on October 18, 2005.
David R. Showers,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 05-21176 Filed 10-24-05; 8:45 am]
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