AD 2012-24-04 Airworthiness Directives; GA 8 Airvan (Pty) Ltd Airplanes

Models named: GA8, GA8-TC320. Read the applicability below — it usually turns on serial or part numbers too.

This AD applies to GA 8 Airvan (Pty) Ltd Models GA8 and GA8-TC320 airplanes, all serial numbers, certificated in any category.

Unless already done, within the next 100 hours time-in-service after January 7, 2013 (the effective date of this AD) or at the next annual inspection after January 7, 2013 (the effective date of this AD), whichever occurs later, modify the pitot heat wiring connector at the left wingtip, following GippsAero Mandatory Service Bulletin SB-GA8-2012-77, Issue 3, dated March 23, 2012.

The following provisions also apply to this AD: (1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager, Standards Office, FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. Send information to ATTN: Doug Rudolph, Aerospace Engineer, FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, Missouri 64106; telephone: (816) 329-4059; fax: (816) 329-4090; email: doug.rudolph@faa.gov. Before using any approved AMOC on any airplane to which the AMOC applies, notify your appropriate principal inspector (PI) in the FAA Flight Standards District Office (FSDO), or lacking a PI, your local FSDO. (2) Airworthy Product: For any requirement in this AD to obtain corrective actions from a manufacturer or other source, use these actions if they are FAA-approved. Corrective actions are considered FAA-approved if they are approved by the State of Design Authority (or their delegated agent). You are required to assure the product is airworthy before it is returned to service. (3) Reporting Requirements: For any reporting requirement in this AD, a federal agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to, nor shall a person be subject to a penalty for failure to comply with a collection of information subject to the requirements of the Paperwork Reduction Act unless that collection of information displays a current valid OMB Control Number. The OMB Control Number for this information collection is 2120-0056. Public reporting for this collection of information is estimated to be approximately 5 minutes per response, including the time for reviewing instructions, completing and reviewing the collection of information. All responses to this collection of information are mandatory. Comments concerning the accuracy of this burden and suggestions for reducing the burden should be directed to the FAA at: 800 Independence Ave. SW., Washington, DC 20591, Attn: Information Collection Clearance Officer, AES-200.

This AD was prompted by burnt electrical connectors leading to the left-hand wingtip pitot heater, which may result in loss of airspeed indication. We are issuing this AD to modify the pitot heat wiring on the left-hand wingtip with a terminal block to prevent loss of heating to the pitot system, which could result in loss of airspeed indication.

None.