{"id":"F2018L01038","name":"AD/GA8/9 Amdt 1 Wing Strut and Wing Strut Fittings - Inspection and Replacement","slug":"ad-ga8-9-amdt-1-wing-strut-and-wing-strut-fittings-inspection-and-replacement","collection":"legislative_instrument","jurisdiction":"commonwealth","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":97734,"registerId":"commonwealth-F2018L01038-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-02","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"GippsAero GA8 Series Aeroplanes","sectionType":"part","heading":"GippsAero GA8 Series Aeroplanes","content":"# GippsAero GA8 Series Aeroplanes\n\n| AD/GA8/9 Amdt 1 | Wing Strut and Wing StrutFittings - Inspection and Replacement | 11/2018 |\n| --------------- | -------------------------------------------------------------- | ------- |\n\n| Applicability: | All models of GippsAero GA8 and GA8-TC 320 aeroplanes. |\n| -------------- | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |\n| 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-GA8-2017-174Issue 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. |\n| 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. |\n\n| | 3. Replace any affected part before reaching the stated replacement life or calendar time limit in Table 3 Parts D and E, whichever occurs first. For aircraft with greater than stated replacement life 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. |\n| ----------- | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |\n| | This AD commences on 8 June 2018. |\n| Background: | Amendment 1 of this AD is issued to amend the replacement times as Service Bulletin GA8‑2017-174 Issue 2 changed the mandatory replacement times for part number GA8-570026-035 strut from 6000 hours time in service or 3 calendar years to 9000 hours time in service or 5 calendar years, whichever occurs first.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. |\n\n![](image.001.jpeg)\n\nPieter van Dijk \nDelegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority\n\n29 May 2018","sortOrder":0},{"sectionNumber":"AD/GA8/9 Amdt 1","sectionType":"part","heading":"AD/GA8/9 Amdt 1","content":"## AD/GA8/9 Amdt 1","sortOrder":1},{"sectionNumber":"Wing Strut and Wing StrutFittings - Insp","sectionType":"part","heading":"Wing Strut and Wing StrutFittings - Inspection and Replacement","content":"## Wing Strut and Wing Strut \nFittings - Inspection and Replacement","sortOrder":2},{"sectionNumber":"11/2018","sectionType":"part","heading":"11/2018","content":"## 11/2018","sortOrder":3}],"analysis":{"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":6,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"Amendment 1 altered the timing of a replacement requirement for one part number (GA8‑570026‑035) by increasing the life limit from 6,000 hours/3 years to 9,000 hours/5 years. That is an adjustment to the compliance schedule rather than an expansion of the AD’s purpose. The directive remains focused on identifying affected struts/fittings (by serial number), inspecting them, reporting results, and removing/replacing parts that meet the affected‑serial criteria. Therefore the instrument’s substantive scope (managing potentially mismanufactured fittings from the affected serial range) has not grown beyond its original purpose, only the replacement interval has been modified."},"complexity_factors":["Cross-reference to an external document (GippsAero Service Bulletin SB‑GA8‑2017‑174 Issue 2) for critical details (serial‑number list, inspection procedures, Table 3 replacement schedules)","Multiple specific part numbers listed (at least 8 distinct part numbers named in Requirement 1(a))","Serial-number‑dependent applicability (the AD applies to parts only if their serial numbers appear in the SB’s applicability section)","Conditional replacement logic: life limit measured in hours OR calendar time (whichever occurs first) plus special rule if life already exceeded (replace within 100 hours or 12 months)","Short reporting deadline (24 hours) for inspection results to two recipients (CASA and GippsAero)","Alternate compliance pathway requires written CASA approval for any non‑destructive inspection other than the visual method in the SB","Procedural detail delegated to the SB (Table 3) rather than set out in the AD text, requiring operators to consult two documents to understand obligations","Restoration requirement for surface protection after inspection introduces a separate maintenance task and standard to follow (per SB)","Amendment changed a numeric life limit (from 6,000/3 to 9,000/5) which affects compliance timing across the fleet"],"plain_english_summary":"**What this rule requires (mechanics)\n\n- Which aircraft are covered: All GippsAero GA8 and GA8‑TC 320 aeroplanes. \n\n- What to check: Operators must inspect specific wing struts and strut fittings identified by GippsAero part numbers (see Requirement 1(a)). They must determine the serial number of each listed part. \n\n- When to do a more detailed inspection: If a part’s serial number appears in the list of affected serial numbers in GippsAero Service Bulletin SB‑GA8‑2017‑174 Issue 2 (the SB), the operator must carry out a general visual inspection of that wing strut or fitting for cracks, corrosion and damage, following the inspection instructions in the SB (Requirement 1(b)). \n\n- Reporting: All inspection results — including reports that find nothing wrong — must be sent to CASA through its Defect Reporting Service and to GippsAero. Reports must include the aircraft total time in service and current operational utilisation, and must be provided within 24 hours of completing any required inspection (Requirement 2 and Compliance 2). \n\n- Replacement: Any affected parts listed in Parts D and E of Table 3 of the SB must be replaced (Requirement 3). Operators must replace parts before they reach the life or calendar-time limits set out in Table 3 (Compliance 3). If a part already exceeds the stated life, it must be replaced within 100 hours time in service or 12 months from the date of issue of the SB, whichever is sooner (Compliance 3). \n\n- Surface restoration: Where paint or surface protection has been removed or damaged during inspection, the surface must be restored as set out in the SB (Compliance Note). \n\n- Alternatives and approvals: Any non‑destructive inspection method other than the visual inspection in the SB requires written approval by CASA as an alternative method of compliance (Requirement Note 2). \n\n- Effective date: This Airworthiness Directive commenced on 8 June 2018.\n\nWhy this rule was made (official rationale) \n- The manufacturer discovered a manufacturing quality escape that resulted in some wing strut fittings being made with incorrect grain orientation. Because the fatigue behaviour of the incorrectly‑grained metal is not well understood, CASA imposed conservative life limits and inspection/replacement requirements to manage fleet safety while more data are gathered (Background).\n\nWhat Amendment 1 changed (mechanical change to previous requirement) \n- Amendment 1 revised the mandatory replacement interval for one part number (GA8‑570026‑035 strut) from 6,000 hours or 3 years to 9,000 hours or 5 years, whichever occurs first (Background).\n\nWho bears the obligations and costs\n\n- Aircraft operators (owners/aircraft managers) must: perform the serial‑number checks, carry out inspections per the SB if affected, report inspection results within 24 hours, restore surface protection after inspections, and arrange and pay for replacement of affected parts within the prescribed time limits. \n\n- GippsAero provides the Service Bulletin that contains the detailed inspection tasks, serial number lists and Table 3 replacement schedules. \n\n- CASA enforces compliance, collects the reports, and must approve any alternative inspection techniques in writing.\n\nPractical effects, incentives and risks (trade‑offs)\n\n- Incentives: Operators are incentivised to check serial numbers promptly, to inspect and replace affected parts before reaching life limits, and to preserve documentation of inspections and parts changes because CASA requires quick reporting. \n\n- Costs: Direct costs include inspection labour, downtime, parts replacement cost, and restoring protective coatings. If affected parts are scarce, replacement scheduling may cause operational disruption. \n\n- Potential substitution: Operators may seek non‑destructive inspection methods to avoid replacing parts prematurely; however, those alternatives need CASA approval, which can add delay and uncertainty. \n\n- Data collection vs. operational cost: The AD is explicitly framed as a conservative, temporary fleet‑management measure while CASA gathers more data. That reduces immediate technical uncertainty but imposes near‑term replacement and reporting burdens on a dispersed set of operators. \n\n- Implementation risks: The AD depends on the accuracy and currency of the serial‑number list and Table 3 in the SB. Misidentification of serial numbers, delays in reporting, or limited availability of replacement parts could reduce the effectiveness of the measure or increase costs for some operators.\n\nSummary statement\n\nMechanically, this AD requires operators of all GA8/GA8‑TC 320 aeroplanes to check serial numbers of specified struts and fittings, inspect affected parts per GippsAero Service Bulletin SB‑GA8‑2017‑174 Issue 2, report findings within 24 hours to CASA and GippsAero, restore any damaged surface protection, and replace listed affected parts according to the life/calendar limits in Table 3 (with transitional time limits if already exceeded). Amendment 1 lengthens the scheduled life for part GA8‑570026‑035 from 6,000 hours/3 years to 9,000 hours/5 years but leaves the inspection, reporting and replacement mechanics in place.**"},"flash_summary_failed":{"failed":true,"reason":"A positive credit balance is required for all requests, including BYOK, so fallback providers remain available. Add credits at https://vercel.com/d?to=%2F%5Bteam%5D%2F%7E%2Fai%3Fmodal%3Dtop-up to continue.","source":"analysis-cron"},"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":4,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"This is an amendment to an existing Airworthiness Directive, but it remains tightly focused on its original purpose: addressing the specific manufacturing defect in GA8 wing struts and fittings. Amendment 1 merely adjusts the replacement timeframes based on updated technical data from the manufacturer. The scope has not expanded beyond the original safety issue."},"complexity_factors":["Multiple cross-references to external Service Bulletin SB-GA8-2017-174 Issue 2 (not reproduced in full)","Complex part numbering system with 7 different part numbers to identify","Dual compliance timelines (hours in service vs calendar time) with 'whichever occurs first' logic","Nested conditional requirements: different replacement deadlines depending on whether aircraft has already exceeded stated limits","Requires coordination with external reporting systems (CASA Defect Reporting Service)","Alternative compliance methods require explicit written CASA approval"],"plain_english_summary":"This AD requires owners and operators of GippsAero GA8 and GA8-TC 320 aeroplanes to inspect for and, if necessary, replace certain wing strut fittings that were manufactured with incorrect grain orientation, which can cause fatigue cracks and possible wing failure. It also mandates reporting inspection results to CASA and the manufacturer within 24 hours.\n\nAmendment 1 relaxes replacement limits from 6,000 fh/3 years to 9,000 fh/5 years based on new manufacturer data."}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/ad-ga8-9-amdt-1-wing-strut-and-wing-strut-fittings-inspection-and-replacement","history":"/api/acts/ad-ga8-9-amdt-1-wing-strut-and-wing-strut-fittings-inspection-and-replacement/history","analysis":"/api/acts/ad-ga8-9-amdt-1-wing-strut-and-wing-strut-fittings-inspection-and-replacement/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/ad-ga8-9-amdt-1-wing-strut-and-wing-strut-fittings-inspection-and-replacement/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/ad-ga8-9-amdt-1-wing-strut-and-wing-strut-fittings-inspection-and-replacement/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/ad-ga8-9-amdt-1-wing-strut-and-wing-strut-fittings-inspection-and-replacement/documents"}}