Federal Register, Volume 78 Issue 23 (Monday, February 4, 2013)

[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 23 (Monday, February 4, 2013)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 7642-7645]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-02075]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2012-0731; Directorate Identifier 2012-CE-020-AD;
Amendment 39-17334; AD 2013-02-13]
RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; Piper Aircraft, Inc.

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain
Piper Aircraft, Inc. (type certificate previously held by The New Piper
Aircraft Inc.) PA-28, PA-32, PA-34, and PA-44 airplanes. This AD was
prompted by reports of control cable assembly failures that may lead to
failure of the horizontal stabilator control system and could result in
loss of pitch control. This AD requires inspections of the stabilator
control system and replacement of parts as necessary. We are issuing
this AD to correct the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective March 11, 2013.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of a certain publication listed in the AD as of March 11,
2013.

[[Page 7643]]

ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this AD, contact Piper
Aircraft, Inc., 2926 Piper Drive, Vero Beach, Florida 32960; telephone:
(772) 567-4361; Internet: http://www.piper.com/pages/publications.cfm.
You may review copies of the referenced service information at the FAA,
Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Kansas City, Missouri 64106.
For information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call
(816) 329-4148.

Examining the AD Docket

You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.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 this AD, the regulatory evaluation,
any comments received, and other information. The address for the
Docket Office (phone: 800-647-5527) is Document Management Facility,
U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30, West
Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE.,
Washington, DC 20590.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Hector Hernandez, Aerospace Engineer,
FAA, Atlanta Aircraft Certification Office, 1701 Columbia Avenue,
College Park, Georgia 30337; telephone: (404) 474-5587; fax: (404) 474-
5606; email: hector.hernandez@faa.gov.

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 published in the Federal Register on August 2, 2012 (77 FR
45979). That NPRM proposed to require inspections of the stabilator
control system and replacement of parts as necessary.

Comments

We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing
this AD. The following presents the comments received on the proposal
and the FAA's response to each comment.

Request To Rescind the AD

Gregory E. Sniegowski, Carl Poplawsky, and Eric Stendahl stated
that since inspections of the control systems and pulleys are already
part of the annual inspection, the requirements of this AD would seem
to be redundant and that the NPRM should be withdrawn.
We do not agree. The service difficulty report (SDR) database shows
that certain Piper models have multiple reports of cracks, corrosion,
failure of the turnbuckle, control cable fraying, or cable swage end
breaks. This AD was prompted by reports concerning an accident on a
Piper Model PA-32R-301T and an incident on a Piper Model PA-32R-300
airplane.

NTSB Support

Deborah A.P. Hersman, Chairman, National Transportation Safety
Board (NTSB), stated that two special airworthiness information
bulletins (SAIBs) have been issued that recommend inspecting the entire
surface of each cable terminal, turnbuckle, or other cable fittings for
corrosion or cracking. Within the past 2 years, the NTSB has
investigated two accidents and one incident involving Piper airplanes
where control cable assembly failures due to stress corrosion cracking
led to failures of the horizontal stabilator control system. She stated
that the fact these events continue to occur more than 10 years after
the SAIBs were issued shows that the SAIBs were not effective. The NTSB
supports the need for this AD.
We concur with the findings by the NTSB.

Removal of Surface Corrosion

Joseph Boenzi stated that we should revise the AD to allow an
individual to remove the surface corrosion on a turnbuckle by using a
cleaning agent and then making a determination if the part is
airworthy. There have been reports that surface corrosion on
turnbuckles could be easily removed with scotch-brite.
We agree because Piper investigated the possibility of using
scotch-brite to remove surface corrosion and found it to be acceptable.
We will change this AD to reference the revised Piper Aircraft, Inc.
Mandatory Service Bulletin No. 1245A, dated November 28, 2012, which
incorporated cleaning agents and scotch-brite.

Conclusion

We reviewed the relevant data, considered the comments received,
and determined that air safety and the public interest require adopting
the AD with the change described previously and minor editorial
changes. We have determined that these minor changes:
Are consistent with the intent that was proposed in the
NPRM (77 FR 45979, August 2, 2012) for correcting the unsafe condition;
and
Do not add any additional burden upon the public than was
already proposed in the NPRM (77 FR 45979, August 2, 2012).
We also determined that these changes will not increase the
economic burden on any operator or increase the scope of the AD.

Costs of Compliance

We estimate that this AD affects 34,013 airplanes of U.S. registry.
We estimate the following costs to comply with this AD:

Estimated Costs
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Cost per Cost on U.S.
Action Labor cost Parts cost product operators
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Inspection of the horizontal 5 work-hours x $85 Not applicable......... $425 $14,455,525
stabilator control system. per hour = $425.
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We estimate the following costs to do any necessary replacements
that would be required based on the results of the inspection. We have
no way of determining the number of aircraft that might need these
replacements:

[[Page 7644]]

On-Condition Costs
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Cost per
Action Labor cost Parts cost product
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Replacement of all stabilator control cable 10 work-hours x $85 per hour = $608 $1,458
system--per set of cables. $850.
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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

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),
(3) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and
(4) 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.

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

0
1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows:

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

Sec. 39.13 [Amended]

0
2. The FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness
directive (AD):

2013-02-13 Piper Aircraft, Inc.: Amendment 39-17334; Docket No. FAA-
2012-0731; Directorate Identifier 2012-CE-020-AD.

(a) Effective Date

This AD is effective March 11, 2013.

(b) Affected ADs

None.

This AD applies to Models PA-28-236, PA-28-140, PA-28-150, PA-
28-151, PA-28-160, PA-28-161, PA-28-180, PA-28-181, PA-28-201T, PA-
28R-201, PA-28-235, PA-28R-201T, PA-28S-160, PA-28S-180, PA-28R-180,
PA-28R-200, PA-28RT-201, PA-28RT-201T, PA-32-260, PA-32-301, PA-32-
301T, PA-32-300, PA-32R-300, PA-32R-301T, PA-32R-301 (SP), PA-32R-
301 (HP), PA-32RT-300, PA-32RT-300T, PA-32S-300, PA-32-301FT, PA-32-
301XTC, PA-34-200, PA-34-200T, PA-34-220T, PA-44-180, and PA-44-180T
airplanes, all serial numbers, certificated in any category.

(d) Subject

Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC)/Air Transport Association
(ATA) of America Code 2740, Stabilizer Control System.

(e) Unsafe Condition

This AD was prompted by reports of control cable assembly
failures that may lead to failure of the horizontal stabilator
control system and could result in loss of pitch control. This AD
requires inspections of the stabilator control system and
replacement of parts as necessary. We are issuing this AD to correct
the unsafe condition on these products.

(f) Compliance

Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified,
unless already done.

(g) Inspection

(1) Initially inspect the stabilator control system following
instructions 1 through 10 of Piper Aircraft, Inc. Mandatory Service
Bulletin No. 1245A, dated November 28, 2012, as follows:
(i) If the age of the airplane is at or exceeds 15 years as of
March 11, 2013 (the effective date of this AD): At the next annual
inspection or within the next 12 months after March 11, 2013 (the
effective date of this AD).
(ii) If the age of the airplane is less than 15 years as of
March 11, 2013 (the effective date of this AD): When the age of the
airplane reaches 15 years, then at the next annual inspection or
within 12 months after the airplane reaches 15 years of age.
(iii) If the age of the airplane cannot be determined as of
March 11, 2013 (the effective date of this AD): At the next annual
inspection or within the next 12 months after March 11, 2013 (the
effective date of this AD).

Note for paragraph (g)(1)(i), (g)(1)(ii), and (g)(1)(iii) of
this AD: To assist in determining the age of the airplane, you may
contact Piper Aircraft, Inc., 2926 Piper Drive, Vero Beach, Florida
32960; telephone: (772) 567-4361; Internet: www.piper.com; or access
the FAA airplane registry database at: http://registry.faa.gov/aircraftinquiry/Serial_Inquiry.aspx.

(2) After the applicable initial inspection required in
paragraph (g)(1) of this AD, repetitively thereafter at intervals
not to exceed 2,000 hours time-in-service or 7 years, whichever
occurs first, inspect the stabilator control system following
instructions 1 through 10 of Piper Aircraft, Inc. Mandatory Service
Bulletin No. 1245A, dated November 28, 2012.

(h) Repair

If any cracks, corrosion, or cable fraying are found during any
inspection required in paragraphs (g)(1) or (g)(2) of this AD,
before further flight, replace the damaged part with an airworthy
part.

(i) Credit for Actions Accomplished in Accordance With Previous Service
Information

This AD provides credit for the actions required in this AD if
already done before March 11, 2013 (the effective date of this AD)
following Piper Aircraft, Inc. Mandatory Service Bulletin No. 1245,
dated May 3, 2012.

(j) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

(1) The Manager, Atlanta Aircraft Certification Office (ACO),
FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested
using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. In accordance with 14
CFR 39.19, send your request to your principal inspector or local
Flight Standards District Office, as appropriate. If sending
information directly to the manager of the ACO, send it to the
attention of the person identified in the Related Information
section of this AD.

[[Page 7645]]

(2) Before using any approved AMOC, notify your appropriate
principal inspector, or lacking a principal inspector, the manager
of the local flight standards district office/certificate holding
district office.

(k) Related Information

For more information about this AD, contact Hector Hernandez,
Aerospace Engineer, FAA, Atlanta ACO, 1701 Columbia Avenue, College
Park, Georgia 30337; telephone: (404) 474-5587; fax: (404) 474-5606;
email: hector.hernandez@faa.gov.

(l) Material Incorporated by Reference

(1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the
incorporation by reference (IBR) of the service information listed
in this paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
(2) You must use this service information as applicable to do
the actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise.
(i) Piper Aircraft, Inc. Mandatory Service Bulletin No. 1245A
dated November 28, 2012.
(ii) Reserved.
(3) For Piper Aircraft, Inc. service information identified in
this AD, contact Piper Aircraft, Inc., 2926 Piper Drive, Vero Beach,
Florida 32960; telephone: (772) 567-4361; Internet: http://www.piper.com/pages/publications.cfm.
(4) You may view this service information at FAA, Small Airplane
Directorate, 901 Locust, Kansas City, Missouri 64106. For
information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call
(816) 329-4148.
(5) You may view this service information that is incorporated
by reference 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.

Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on January 22, 2013.
Earl Lawrence,
Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2013-02075 Filed 2-1-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P