[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 60 (Friday, March 28, 1997)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 14794-14796]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-7680]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 96-CE-29-AD; Amendment 39-9976; AD 97-07-03]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; The New Piper Aircraft, Inc. Models
PA31, PA31-300, PA31-325, PA31-350, and PA31P Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: This amendment supersedes Airworthiness Directive (AD) 81-11-
04 that applies to The New Piper Aircraft, Inc. (Piper) Models PA31,
PA31-300, PA31-325, and PA31-350 airplanes that have Cleveland nose
wheel assembly part number (P/N) 40-76B installed. AD 81-11-04
currently requires inspecting the nose wheel flange for cracks. The
repetitive inspections terminate by replacing the nose wheel assembly
with
[[Page 14795]]
Cleveland P/N 40-140, which is an improved design. This action is
prompted by the lack of designation of Piper Model PA31P in the
Applicability section of AD 81-11-04, and the subsequent failure of a
nose wheel assembly on a Piper Model PA31P airplane during taxiing
operations. The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent
the failure of the nose wheel, which if not corrected, could result in
loss of control of the airplane during taxiing, take-off, or landing
operations.
DATES: Effective May 15, 1997.
The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as
of May 15, 1997.
ADDRESSES: Service information that applies to this AD may be obtained
from The New Piper Aircraft, Inc., Attn: Customer Service, 2926 Piper
Dr., Vero Beach, Florida, 32960. This information may also be examined
at the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Central Region, Office of
the Assistant Chief Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket 96-CE-29-AD, Room
1558, 601 E. 12th Street, Kansas City, Missouri 64106; or at the Office
of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700,
Washington, DC.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Christina Marsh, Aerospace Engineer,
FAA, Atlanta Aircraft Certification Office, Campus Building, 1701
Columbia Ave., suite 2-160, College Park, Georgia 30337-2748; telephone
(404) 305-7362, facsimile (404) 305-7348.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Events Leading to the Issuance of This AD
A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14
CFR part 39) to include an AD that would apply to PA31, PA31-325, PA31-
350, and PA31P airplanes that have Cleveland nose wheel assembly part
number (P/N) 40-76B installed was published in the Federal Register on
October 10, 1996 (61 FR 53155). This action would supersede AD 81-11-04
with a new AD that retains the same action as AD 81-11-04 and include
Piper Model PA31P airplanes in the applicability. Accomplishment of the
proposed action would be in accordance with Piper Service Bulletin (SB)
700A, dated October 12, 1981.
Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate
in the making of this amendment. No comments were received on the
proposed rule or the FAA's determination of the cost to the public.
The FAA's Determination
After careful review of all available information related to the
subject presented above, the FAA has determined that air safety and the
public interest require the adoption of the rule as proposed except for
minor editorial corrections. One minor editorial correction is a
missing model number that is affected by this AD. The FAA inadvertently
omitted Model PA31-300 from the applicability listing in the NPRM,
however the PA31-300 serial numbers were listed. Piper manufactured
Models PA31, PA31-300, and PA31-325 airplanes simultaneously, so the
serial number range listed for Models PA31 and PA31-325 airplanes in
the NPRM applicability section also included the Model PA31-300
airplanes. The applicability section now contains Model PA31-300 with
the appropriate serial numbers. The FAA has determined that these minor
corrections will not change the meaning of the AD and will not add any
additional burden upon the public than was already proposed.
Cost Impact
The FAA estimates that 1,842 airplanes in the U.S. registry will be
affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 3 workhours per
airplane to accomplish this action, and that the average labor rate is
approximately $60 an hour. The improved parts cost approximately $450
per airplane. Based on these figures, the total cost impact of this AD
on U.S. operators is estimated to be $1,160,460 or $630 per airplane.
These figures only account for the replacement of the new part and do
not take into account the cost for the repetitive inspections that
would be incurred prior to installing the improved parts.
Piper has informed the FAA that parts have been distributed to
equip 8 airplanes in the United States which will reduce the total
figure from $1,160,460 to $1,155,420.
Regulatory Impact
The regulations adopted herein will not have substantial direct
effects 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. Therefore, in
accordance with Executive Order 12612, it is determined that this final
rule does not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant the
preparation of a Federalism Assessment.
For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this action (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); and (3) 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. A copy of the final evaluation prepared for this
action is contained in the Rules Docket. A copy of it may be obtained
by contacting the Rules Docket at the location provided under the
caption ADDRESSES.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by
reference, Safety.
Adoption of the Amendment
Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration amends part 39 of
the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) as follows:
PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows:
Authority: 49 USC 106(g), 40113, 44701.
Sec. 39.13 [Amended]
2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding a new airworthiness directive
(AD) to read as follows:
97-07-03 The New Piper Aircraft, Inc.: Amendment 39-9976; Docket
No. 96-CE-29-AD, Supersedes AD 81-11-04, Amendment 39-4114.
Applicability: The following Models and serial numbered
airplanes equipped with Cleveland part number (P/N) 40-76B (Piper P/
N 451 784) nose wheel assembly, certificated in any category.
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Models Serial numbers
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PA31, PA31-300, and PA31-325.............. 31-2 through 31-8112038
PA31-350.................................. 31-5001 through 31-8152088
PA31P..................................... 31P-3 through 31P-7730012
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Note 1: This AD applies to each airplane identified in the
preceding applicability provision, regardless of whether it has been
modified, altered, or repaired in the area subject to the
requirements of this AD. For airplanes that have been modified,
altered, or repaired so that the performance of the requirements of
this AD is affected, the owner/operator must request approval for an
alternative method of compliance in accordance with paragraph (d) of
this AD.
[[Page 14796]]
The request should include an assessment of the effect of the
modification, alteration, or repair on the unsafe condition
addressed by this AD; and, if the unsafe condition has not been
eliminated, the request should include specific proposed actions to
address it.
Compliance: Required within the next 100 hours time-in-service
(TIS) after May 22, 1981 (effective date of AD 81-11-04); within the
next 100 hours TIS after the effective date of this AD; or upon the
accumulation of 2,000 hours TIS on the nose wheel assembly,
whichever occurs later, unless already accomplished.
To prevent the failure of the nose wheel, which if not
corrected, could result in loss of control of the airplane during
taxiing, take-off, or landing operations, accomplish the following:
(a) Inspect the nose wheel assembly, Cleveland part number (P/N)
40-76B (The New Piper Aircraft, Inc. P/N 451 784), for cracks in
accordance with the ``Instructions'' section of Piper Aircraft
Corporation (Piper) Service Bulletin (SB) 700A, dated October 12,
1981.
(1) If cracked, prior to further flight, replace Cleveland P/N
40-76B (Piper P/N 451 784) with a new Cleveland P/N 40-76B (Piper P/
N 451 784) nose wheel assembly. Upon the accumulation of 2,000 hours
TIS, reinspect at 100 hour intervals or at each tire change,
whichever occurs first; or,
(2) As an alternative to paragraph (a)(1), if cracked, replace
Cleveland P/N 40-76B (Piper P/N 451 784) with a serviceable
Cleveland P/N 40-140 (Piper P/N 551 791) nose wheel assembly of
improved design in accordance with the ``Instructions'' section of
Piper SB 700A, dated October 12, 1981.
(3) If no cracks are found and Cleveland P/N 40-140 (Piper P/N
551-791) is not installed, repetitively inspect at intervals not to
exceed 100 hours TIS or at each tire change, whichever occurs first.
(b) The installation of Cleveland P/N 40-140 (Piper P/N 551 791)
is considered terminating action for the inspection requirements of
paragraph (a) and (a)(3) of this AD.
(c) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with
sections 21.197 and 21.199 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14
CFR 21.197 and 21.199) to operate the airplane to a location where
the requirements of this AD can be accomplished.
(d) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the
compliance times that provides an equivalent level of safety may be
approved by the Manager, FAA, Atlanta Aircraft Certification Office,
Campus Building, 1701 Columbia Ave., suite 2-160, College Park,
Georgia 30337-2748. The request shall be forwarded through an
appropriate FAA Maintenance Inspector, who may add comments and then
send it to the Manager, Atlanta Aircraft Certification Office.
Note 2: Information concerning the existence of approved
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be
obtained from Atlanta Aircraft Certification Office.
(e) The inspections and replacement required by this AD shall be
done in accordance with Piper Aircraft Corporation Service Bulletin
No. 700A, dated October 12, 1981. This incorporation by reference
was approved by the Director of the Federal Register in accordance
with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. Copies may be obtained from
The New Piper Aircraft, Inc., Attn.: Customer Service, 2926 Piper
Dr., Vero Beach, Florida, 32960. Copies may be inspected at the FAA,
Central Region, Office of the Assistant Chief Counsel, Room 1558,
601 E. 12th Street, Kansas City, Missouri, or at the Office of the
Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700,
Washington, DC.
(f) This amendment (39-9976) becomes effective on May 15, 1997.
Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on March 20, 1997.
Larry E. Werth,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 97-7680 Filed 3-27-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U