AD/GA8/9 Wing Strut and Wing Strut Fittings Inspection and Replacement (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 issues the following Airworthiness Directive (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 an 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.

GippsAero GA8 Series Aeroplanes

AD/GA8/9 Wing Strut and Wing Strut
Fittings - Inspection and Replacement 11/2018

Applicability:

All models of GippsAero GA8 and GA8-TC 320 aeroplanes.

Requirement:

1.    (a)    Inspect the aeroplane for GippsAero Part Numbers GA8‑570026-035 Strut, GA8-570026-029 Strut Fitting Fuselage End, GA8‑570026-031 Strut Fitting Wing End, GA8-571022-105 Forward Strut Fitting RH, GA8-571022-106 Forward Strut Fitting LH, GA8-571022-107 Aft Strut Fitting LH,
GA8-571022-108 Aft Strut Fitting RH and determine the serial number of each of these parts.

       (b)    If the inspection identifies any part has a serial number listed in the applicability section of GippsAero Service Bulletin SB-GA8-2017-174
Issue 2 (the SB) as in force at the date of commencement of this AD, carry out a general visual inspection of the Wing Strut and Strut Fittings (the affected parts) for evidence of cracks, corrosion and damage in accordance with the requirements of the SB.

2.    Report the results of all inspections including nil findings to:

       (a)    CASA via its Defect Reporting Service, together with aircraft total time in service and current operational utilisation, and

       (b)    GippsAero.

3.    Replace any affected parts listed in Parts D and E of Table 3 of the SB.

Note 1:  The affected parts referenced in Requirement 3 are those with the serial numbers in Requirement 1(b).

Note 2:  Any non-destructive inspection methods other than the visual inspection detailed in the SB must be approved by CASA in writing as an alternative method of compliance.

Compliance:

1.    Carry out the inspections in accordance with Table 3 of the SB.

Note 3:  For areas where paint has been removed for inspection or found to be damaged, restore the surface protection in accordance with the SB.

2.    Provide the reports within 24 hours of completion of any inspection required by Requirement 1.

3.    Replace any affected part before reaching 6000 hours time in service or three calendar years from the date of issue of the SB, whichever occurs first.  For aircraft with greater than 6000 hours time in service, replace the affected part within 100 hours time in service or 12 months from the date of issue of the SB, whichever occurs first.
This AD commences on 1 June 2018.
Background:	A manufacturing quality escape has resulted in wing strut fittings in the effective serial number range to be manufactured with incorrect grain orientation.  The fatigue implications of the incorrect grain are not well understood.  Therefore, CASA has mandated a conservative factored fatigue life limit based on the known fleet data of the affected aircraft.  CASA will continue to gather data for the purposes of managing the fleet removal of these fittings from service.

Pieter van Dijk
Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority

24 May 2018