[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 132 (Wednesday, July 10, 2013)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 41277-41280]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-15149]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2013-0535; Directorate Identifier 2013-CE-018-AD;
Amendment 39-17489; AD 2013-13-01]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Piper Aircraft, Inc. Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.
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SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain
Piper Aircraft, Inc. Models PA-46-310P, PA-46-350P, PA-46R-350T, and
PA-46-500TP airplanes. This AD requires inspecting the fuel vent valves
to identify if the nitrile parts are installed and modifying and
eventually replacing the fuel vent valves if the nitrile parts are
installed. This AD was prompted by nitrile fuel vent valves not
providing the correct ventilation. If not corrected, this unsafe
condition may lead to structural damage of the wings, which could
result in loss of control. We are issuing this AD to correct the unsafe
condition on these products.
DATES: This AD is effective July 10, 2013.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of a certain publication listed in the AD as of July 10,
2013.
We must receive comments on this AD by August 26, 2013.
ADDRESSES: You may send comments, using the procedures found in 14 CFR
11.43 and 11.45, by any of the following methods:
Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
[[Page 41278]]
Fax: 202-493-2251.
Mail: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New
Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590.
Hand Delivery: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New
Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.,
Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
For service information identified in this AD, contact Piper
Aircraft, Inc., 2926 Piper Drive, Vero Beach, FL 32960; telephone: 1-
877-879-0275; fax: (772) 978-6573; email: [email protected];
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 street address for
the Docket Office (phone: 800-647-5527) is in the ADDRESSES section.
Comments will be available in the AD docket shortly after receipt.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Gary Wechsler, Aerospace Engineer,
Atlanta Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, 1701 Columbia Avenue,
College Park, Georgia 30337; telephone: (404) 474-5575; fax: (404) 474-
5606; email: gary.wechsler@faa.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Discussion
We were notified by Piper Aircraft, Inc. that during a
demonstration emergency descent from 27,000 feet to 14,000 feet there
was an incident on a Model PA-46 airplane. The fuel vent valve of the
main fuel tank assembly did not provide proper ventilation, which
resulted in structural damage to the wing.
The material used to manufacture the fuel vent valve was changed
from fluorosilicone to nitrile, which affected the fuel vent valve's
ability to vent atmospheric pressure to the main wing fuel tank during
the rapid descent. The nitrile-made part did not allow enough air to
flow through it because the stiffer nitrile-made part did not expand
and open as large as the fluorosilicone-made part under the same
pressure and temperature conditions.
Also, in combination with the temperature and pressure changes, the
airplane had a low fuel condition, which increased the loading upon the
main wing that caused the wing skin and underlying wing structure to
buckle.
This condition, if not corrected, may lead to structural damage of
the wings, which could result in loss of control.
Relevant Service Information
We reviewed Piper Aircraft, Inc. Mandatory Service Bulletin No.
1258, dated June 5, 2013. The service bulletin describes procedures for
inspecting the fuel vent valves to identify if the nitrile parts are
installed and modifying and eventually replacing the fuel vent valves
if the nitrile parts are installed.
FAA's Determination
We are issuing this AD because we evaluated all the relevant
information and determined the unsafe condition described previously is
likely to exist or develop in other products of the same type design.
AD Requirements
This AD requires accomplishing the actions specified in the service
information described previously.
FAA's Justification and Determination of the Effective Date
An unsafe condition exists that requires the immediate adoption of
this AD. The FAA has found that the risk to the flying public justifies
waiving notice and comment prior to adoption of this rule because
nitrile fuel vent valves do not provide correct ventilation and may
lead to structural damage of the wings, which could result in loss of
control. Therefore, we find that notice and opportunity for prior
public comment are impracticable and that good cause exists for making
this amendment effective in less than 30 days.
Comments Invited
This AD is a final rule that involves requirements affecting flight
safety and was not preceded by notice and an opportunity for public
comment. However, we invite you to send any written data, views, or
arguments about this AD. Send your comments to an address listed under
the ADDRESSES section. Include the Docket Number FAA-2013-0535 and
Directorate Identifier 2013-CE-018-AD at the beginning of your
comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory,
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this AD. We will
consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend this
AD because of those comments.
We will post all comments we receive, without change, to http://www.regulations.gov, including any personal information you provide. We
will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact we
receive about this AD.
Costs of Compliance
We estimate that this AD affects 1,379 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 to identify .5 work-hour x Not applicable............. $42.50 $58,607.50
installation of nitrile fuel $85 per hour =
vent valves. $42.50.
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We estimate the following costs to do any necessary modifications
and 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 modifications and replacements:
[[Page 41279]]
On-Condition Costs
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Cost per
Action Labor cost Parts cost product
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Modification of the nitrile fuel 6 work-hours x $85 per Not applicable................... $510
vent valve (non O-ring panels). hour = $510.
Modification of the nitrile fuel 2.5 work-hours x $85 Not applicable................... 212.50
vent valve (O-ring panels). per hour = $212.50.
Replacement of the nitrile fuel vent 6 work-hours x $85 per $9............................... 519
valve with a fluorosilicone fuel hour = $510.
vent valve (non O-ring panels).
Replacement of the nitrile fuel vent 2.5 work-hours x $85 $9............................... 221.50
valve with a fluorosilicone fuel per hour = $212.50.
vent valve (O-ring panels).
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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):
2013-13-01 Piper Aircraft, Inc.: Amendment 39-17489; Docket No. FAA-
2013-0535; Directorate Identifier 2013-CE-018-AD.
(a) Effective Date
This AD is effective July 10, 2013.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to the following Piper Aircraft, Inc. airplanes,
listed in table 1 of paragraph (c) of this AD, certificated in any
category:
Table 1 of Paragraph (c) of This AD--Applicable Airplanes
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Model Serial Nos.
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PA-46-310P (Malibu).................... 46-8408001 through 46-8408087;
46[dash]8508001 through 46-
8508109; 46[dash]8608001
through 46-8608067; and
4608001 through 4608140.
PA-46-350P (Mirage).................... 4622001 through 4622200;
4636001 through 4636591; and
4636593.
PA-46R-350T (Matrix)................... 4692001 through 4692190 and
4692192.
PA-46-500TP (Meridian)................. 4697001 through 4697520.
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(d) Subject
Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC)/Air Transport Association
(ATA) of America Code 2810, Fuel Storage.
(e) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by certain fuel vent valves not providing
the correct ventilation. If not corrected, this unsafe condition may
lead to structural damage of the wings, which could result in loss
of control. 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 and Modification
(1) Within the next 10 hours time-in-service (TIS) after July
10, 2013 (the effective date of this AD), inspect the left and right
fuel vent valves of the main fuel tank vent assemblies to identify
if they are the nitrile (black) valves following Part I of Piper
Aircraft Inc. Mandatory Service Bulletin No. 1258, dated June 5,
2013.
(2) If during the inspection required in paragraph (g)(1) of
this AD, you find that a nitrile (black) fuel vent valve is not
installed, except for the requirement of paragraph (h)(3) of this
AD, no further action is required by this AD.
(3) If during the inspection required in paragraph (g)(1) of
this AD, you find that a nitrile (black) fuel vent valve is
installed, before further flight, modify the fuel vent valve
following Part II of Piper Aircraft, Inc. Mandatory Service Bulletin
No. 1258, dated June 5, 2013. This includes the limitations
requirement in paragraphs 3 and 4 of Part II of the service
bulletin.
[[Page 41280]]
(4) In lieu of doing the modification required in paragraph
(g)(3) of this AD, you may within the next 10 hours TIS after July
10, 2013 (the effective date of this AD), do the fuel vent valve
replacement required in paragraph (h)(1) of this AD following Part
III of Piper Aircraft, Inc. Mandatory Service Bulletin No. 1258,
dated June 5, 2013.
(h) Replacement
(1) If during the inspection required in paragraph (g)(1) of
this AD, you find that a nitrile (black) fuel vent valve is
installed, within the next 90 days after July 10, 2013 (the
effective date of this AD) if not already done before further flight
as specified in paragraph (i)(4) of this AD, replace the nitrile
(black) fuel vent valve with the fluorosilicone (orange) fuel vent
valve following Part III of Piper Aircraft, Inc. Mandatory Service
Bulletin No. 1258, dated June 5, 2013. This would include removing
the limitations requirement in paragraphs 3 and 4 of Part II of the
service bulletin.
(2) You may at any time before 90 days after July 10, 2013 (the
effective date of this AD), replace the nitrile (black) fuel vent
valve with the flourosilicone (orange) fuel vent valve. This would
include removing the limitations requirement in paragraphs 3 and 4
of Part II of the service bulletin.
(3) After July 10, 2013 (the effective date of this AD), do not
install the nitrile (black) fuel vent valve on any of the affected
airplanes.
(i) Positioning Flight
For the purpose of complying with paragraph (g)(1) of this AD, a
single-positioning flight is allowed to a location where the
inspection required in paragraph (g)(1) can be done provided the
actions and limitations specified in paragraphs (i)(1) through
(i)(4) of this AD are followed, and the flight is done within the
initial 10-hour TIS inspection compliance time. A copy of the
limitations from paragraphs 3 and 4 of Part II of Piper Aircraft,
Inc. Mandatory Service Bulletin No. 1258, dated June 5, 2013, must
be inserted in the pilot's operating handbook before the positioning
flight and removed after the flight. An owner/operator (pilot)
holding at least a private pilot certificate is allowed to insert
these limitations and do the action of paragraph (i)(1) of this AD.
(1) During normal procedures checklist of every preflight
inspection, check condition of wing surface for buckling, skin
wrinkling, distortion or other damage. If any damage is found during
the preflight inspection, before further flight, repairs must be
done. Contact Piper Aircraft, Inc. at contact information found in
paragraph (l)(3) of this AD for an FAA-approved repair and
incorporate the repair. At the operator's discretion, this preflight
inspection may be delegated to an appropriately certified mechanic.
(2) Flights must be limited to the minimum required crew. No
passenger flights are allowed.
(3) Outside air temperature must not be lower than -34 degrees
Celsius (-30 degrees Fahrenheit) during all phases of flight.
(4) Avoid unnecessary rapid decent maneuvers.
(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.
(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 Gary Wechsler,
Aerospace Engineer, Atlanta ACO, FAA, 1701 Columbia Avenue, College
Park, Georgia 30337; telephone: (404) 474-5575; fax: (404) 474-5606;
email: gary.wechsler@faa.
(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. 1258,
dated June 5, 2013.
(ii) Reserved.
(3) For Piper Aircraft, Inc. service information identified in
this AD, contact Piper Aircraft, Inc., 2926 Piper Drive, Vero Beach,
FL 32960; telephone: 1-877-879-0275; fax: (772) 978-6573; email:
[email protected]; 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 June 18, 2013.
James E. Jackson,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 2013-15149 Filed 7-9-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P