Airworthiness Directives; Gippsland Aeronautics Pty. Ltd. Model GA8 Airplanes

AGENCY:

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

ACTION:

Final rule.

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 an airworthiness authority of another country to identify and correct an unsafe condition on an aviation product. We are issuing this AD to require actions to correct the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES:

This AD becomes effective October 25, 2006.

The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in this AD as of October 25, 2006.

ADDRESSES:

You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://dms.dot.gov or in person at the Docket Management Facility, U.S. Department of Transportation, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Nassif Building, Room PL-401, Washington, DC.

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

We issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR part 39 to include an AD that would apply to the specified products. That NPRM was published in the Federal Register on June 19, 2006 (71 FR 35223). That NPRM proposed to require relocating the seat stop of the pilot and second occupant seat.

Comments

We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing this AD. We have considered the comments received.

Jack Buster with the Modification and Replacement Parts Association (MARPA) provides comments on the MCAI AD process pertaining to how the FAA addresses publishing manufacturer service information as part of a proposed AD action. The commenter states that the proposed rule attempts to require compliance with a public law by reference to a private writing (as referenced in paragraph (e) of the proposed AD). The commenter would like the FAA to incorporate by reference (IBR) the Gippsland service bulletin.

We agree with Mr. Buster. However, we do not IBR any document in a proposed AD action, instead we IBR the document in the final rule. Since we are issuing the proposal as a final rule AD action, Gippsland Aeronautics Mandatory Service Bulletin SB-GA8-2005-29, Issue 2, dated February 14, 2006, is incorporated by reference.

Mr. Buster requests IBR documents be made available to the public by publication in the Federal Register or in the Docket Management System (DMS).

We are currently reviewing issues surrounding the posting of service bulletins in the Department of Transportation's DMS as part of the AD docket. Once we have thoroughly examined all aspects of this issue and have made a final determination, we will consider whether our current practice needs to be revised.

Mr. Buster comments on the vagueness of paragraph (g)(2) of the proposed AD and states that the requirements may be unenforceable in a court of law.

We partially agree with Mr. Buster. We are considering clarifying the text of paragraph (g)(2) in future ADs to more clearly remind operators they are required to assure a product is airworthy before it is returned to service. However, we consider the existing text to be legally enforceable since it requires performing FAA-approved corrective actions before returning the product to an airworthy condition. No change is required to this final rule in that regard.

Conclusion

We reviewed the available data, including the comments received, and determined that air safety and the public interest require adopting the AD as proposed.

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 a U.S. court of law. 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 our FAA policies. Any such differences are described in a separate paragraph of the AD. These requirements, if any, take precedence over the actions copied from the MCAI.

Costs of Compliance

Based on the service information, we estimate that this AD will affect about 22 products of U.S. registry. We also estimate that it will take about 2 work-hours per product to do the action and that the average labor rate is $80 per work-hour. Required parts will cost about $20 per product. Where the service information lists required parts costs that are covered under warranty, we have assumed that there will be no charge for these costs. As we do not control warranty coverage for affected parties, some parties may incur costs higher than estimated here. Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of this AD on U.S. operators to be $7,920, or $360 per product ($180 per seat assembly).

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.

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 the NPRM, the regulatory evaluation, any comments received, and other information. The street address for the Docket Office (telephone (800) 647-5227) 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

1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows:

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

2. The FAA amends § 39.13 by adding the following new AD:

2006-19-11 Gippsland Aeronautics Pty. Ltd.: Amendment 39-14768 Docket No. FAA-2006-24955; Directorate Identifier 2006-CE-31-AD.

Effective Date

(a) This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective October 25, 2006.

Affected ADs

(b) None.

Applicability

(c) This AD applies to Model GA8 airplanes, all serial numbers through GA8-05-088, that are certificated in any U.S. category.

Reason

(d) The mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) issued by the airworthiness authority for Australia states that the aircraft manufacturer has determined that the current location of the pilot and second occupant seat stops is such that, at either seat's most forward position, aft movement of the control column can be restricted by the seat structure. If not corrected, this condition could lead to reduced controllability of the airplane in certain conditions. The MCAI requires relocating the seat stop to eliminate this condition.

Actions and Compliance

(e) Unless already done, do the following except as stated in paragraph (f) below:

(1) At the next regularly scheduled maintenance inspection (e.g. 100 hour or annual) that occurs 30 days or more after October 25, 2006 (the effective date of this AD), modify the pilot and second occupant seat track rails to add a new stop location.

(2) Do the modification following Gippsland Aeronautics Mandatory Service Bulletin SB-GA8-2005-29, Issue 2, dated February 14, 2006.

FAA AD Differences

(f) None.

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, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, Missouri 64106; telephone: (816) 329-4059; facsimile: (816) 329-4090, has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19.

(2) Return to Airworthiness: When complying with this AD, perform FAA-approved corrective actions before returning the product to an airworthy condition.

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

Related Information

(h) This AD is related to MCAI Australian AD No. AD/GA8/4, effective April 13, 2006, which references Gippsland Aeronautics Mandatory Service Bulletin SB-GA8-2005-29, Issue 2, dated February 14, 2006.

Material Incorporated by Reference

(i) You must use Gippsland Aeronautics Mandatory Service Bulletin SB-GA8-2005-29, Issue 2, dated February 14, 2006, 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, PO Box 881, Morwell, Victoria 3840, Australia; telephone: + 61 (0) 3 5172 1200; facsimile: + 61 (0) 3 5172 1201; e-mail: support@gippsaero.com.

(3) You may review copies at the FAA, Central Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, 901 Locust, Room 506, 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.