AD/GA8/3 Amdt 1 Forward Cargo Door Slide (Cth)

AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE

On the effective date specified below, and for the reasons set out in the background section, the CASA delegate whose signature appears below revokes Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD/GA8/3 and issues the following AD under subregulation 39.001(1) of CASR 1998.  The AD requires that the action set out in the requirement section (being action that the delegate considers necessary to correct the unsafe condition) be taken in relation to the aircraft or aeronautical product mentioned in the applicability section: (a) in the circumstances mentioned in the requirement section; and (b) in accordance with the instructions set out in the requirement section; and (c) at the time mentioned in the compliance section.

Gippsland Aeronautics GA8 Series Aeroplanes

AD/GA8/3 Amdt 1 Forward Cargo Door Slide 12/2005

Applicability:

GA8 - all serial numbers.

Requirement:

1.    (a)   Inspect the FORWARD SLIDE of the cargo door and measure the width of both the upper and lower grooves of the slide.

(b)   If the width of one or both grooves is more than 0.145” at any point along the slide, or the slide is cracked or excessively worn, a new improved slide P/N GA8-521022-149 must be fitted.

Installation of the new improved slide P/N GA8-521022-149 is not terminating action for this Airworthiness Directive.  Initial and repeat inspections per this AD must continue to be carried out if the new improved slide is installed.

Note:  Gippsland Aeronautics Mandatory Service Bulletin SB-GA8-2005-23 Issue 2, dated 13 Sep 2005 refers.

Compliance:

Accomplish initial inspection within 20 hours from the effective date of this AD. Repeat inspection at intervals of not more than 110 hours time in service.

This Airworthiness Directive becomes effective on 24 November 2005.

Background:

Inspections have revealed one case of excessive wear in the forward slide of the cargo door.  Excessive wear in the door slide may result in the door becoming detached from the aircraft in flight, with potentially catastrophic results.

This amendment clarifies and extends the compliance interval to 110 hours to allow operators to align the inspections with their periodical maintenance schedule.

Neville Probert
Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority

13 October 2005