[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 122 (Monday, June 27, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-15380]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: June 27, 1994]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 93-CE-60-AD; Amendment 39-8951; AD 94-13-10]

 

Airworthiness Directives: Piper Aircraft Corporation PA24, PA30, 
and PA39 Series Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This amendment supersedes Airworthiness Directive (AD) 74-13-
01, which currently requires inspecting (one-time) the stabilator 
torque tube bearing support fittings for looseness on certain Piper 
Aircraft Corporation (Piper) PA24, PA30, and PA39 series airplanes, 
and, if looseness is found, incorporating Piper Part No. 760 835 (Hi-
Shear Rivet Replacement Kit). This action retains the initial 
inspection of the stabilator torque tube bearing support fittings, and 
makes these inspections repetitive unless the above referenced service 
kit is incorporated. Incidents of looseness of the stabilator torque 
tube bearing support fittings on several of the affected airplanes in 
compliance with the current AD prompted this action. The actions 
specified by this AD are intended to prevent loss of pitch control 
because of looseness of the stabilator torque tube bearing support 
fittings, which could result in loss of control of the airplane.

EFFECTIVE DATE: August 12, 1994.

ADDRESSES: Service information that applies to this AD may be obtained 
from the Piper Aircraft Corporation, Customer Services, 2926 Piper 
Drive, Vero Beach, Florida 32960. This information may also be examined 
at the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Central Region, Office of 
the Assistant Chief Counsel, 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, 1669 Phoenix Parkway, Suite 
210C, Atlanta, Georgia 30349; telephone (404) 991-2910; facsimile (404) 
991-3606.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal 
Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) to include an AD that would apply 
to certain PA24, PA30, and PA39 series airplanes was published in the 
Federal Register on Februrary 1, 1994 (59 FR 4605). The action proposed 
to supsersede AD 74-13-01, Amendment 39-1870, with a new AD that would 
retain the initial inspection of the stabilator torque tube bearing 
support fittings, and make these inspections repetitive unless Piper 
Part No. 760 835 (Hi-Shear Rivet Replacement Kit) is incorporated.
    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.
    After careful review of all available information, the FAA has 
determined that air safety and the public interest require the adoption 
of the rule as proposed except for minor editorial corrections. The FAA 
has determined that these minor corrections will not change the meaning 
of the AD nor add any additional burden upon the public than was 
already proposed.
    The FAA estimates that 4,409 airplanes in the U.S. registry will be 
affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 1 workhour per 
airplane to accomplish the required action, and that the average labor 
rate is approximately $55 an hour. Based on these figures, the total 
cost impact of the AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $242,495. 
This figure does not account for any repetitive inspections that would 
be required by this AD. However, incorporating Piper Part No. 760 835 
(Hi-Shear Rivet Replacement Kit) on all four stabilator torque tube 
bearing support fittings eliminates the need for the repetitive 
inspection requirement of this AD. In addition, this kit may have been 
incorporated through compliance with AD 75-27-08, Amendment 39-2624. 
This AD requires inspecting the rivets of the stabilator torque tube 
bearing support fittings, and incorporating the referenced kit if any 
rivets are found misaligned. The cost figure presented above is based 
on the assumption that none of the owners/operators affected by this AD 
have incorporated Piper Part No. 760 835. The FAA anticipates that 
numerous owners/operators have incorporated this kit, thereby reducing 
the cost impact of the required action.
    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, 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 U.S.C. App. 1354(a), 1421 and 1423; 49 U.S.C. 
106(g); and 14 CFR 11.89.


Sec. 39.13  [Amended]

    2. Section 39.13 is amended by removing AD 74-13-01, Amendment 39-
1870, and by adding a new airworthiness directive to read as follows:

94-13-10 Piper Aircraft Corporation: Amendment 39-8951; Docket No. 
93-CE-60-AD; Supersedes AD 74-13-01, Amendment 39-1870.

    Applicability: The following model and serial number airplanes, 
certificated in any category, that have not incorporated Piper Part 
No. 760 835 (Hi-Shear Rivet Replacement Kit) on all four stabilator 
torque tube bearing support fittings: 

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                 Models                            Serial Nos.          
------------------------------------------------------------------------
PA24-180, PA24-250 and PA24-260.........  24-1 through 24-5047.         
PA24-400................................  26-2 through 26-148.          
PA30....................................  30-1 through 30-2000.         
PA39....................................  39-1 through 39-155.          
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Note 1: Piper Part No. 760 835 (Hi-Shear Rivet Replacement Kit), 
may have been incorporated through compliance with AD 75-27-08, 
Amendment 39-2624. This AD requires inspecting the rivets of the 
stabilator torque tube bearing support fittings, and incorporating 
the referenced kit if any rivets are found misaligned. Airplanes 
incorporating this kit on all four stabilator torque tube bearing 
support fittings are not affected by this AD.

    Compliance: Required within the next 100 hour time-in-service 
(TIS) after the effective date of this AD, unless already 
accomplished, and thereafter as indicated.
    To prevent loss of pitch control because of looseness of the 
stabilator torque tube bearing support fittings, which could result 
in loss of control of the airplane, accomplish the following:
    (a) Inspect the stabilator torque tube bearing support fittings 
for looseness by accomplishing the following:
    (1) Remove the tail cone and right rear aft fuselage access 
door.
    (2) Grasp the stabilator tip and shake the tip from left to 
right and up and down.

    Note 2: Piper Service Bulletin 411A, dated April 10, 1974, 
specifies these same procedures for inspecting the stabilator torque 
tube bearing support fittings.

    (b) If looseness is found during the inspection specified in 
paragraph (a) of this AD, prior to further flight, incorporate Piper 
Part No. 760 835 (Hi-Shear Rivet Replacement Kit) on the affected 
fitting, and reinstall the tail cone and right rear aft fuselage 
access door.
    (c) If looseness is not found during the inspection specified in 
paragraph (a) of this AD, prior to further flight, reinstall the 
tail cone and right rear aft fuselage access door, and reinspect the 
stabilator torque tube bearing support fittings for looseness at 
intervals not to exceed 100 hours TIS until Piper Part No. 760 835 
(Hi-Shear Rivet Replacement Kit) is incorporated on all four 
stabilator torque tube bearing support fittings.
    (d) Incorporating Piper Part No. 760 835 (Hi-Shear Rivet 
Replacement Kit) on all four stabilator torque tube bearing support 
fittings is considered terminating action for the inspection 
requirement of this AD.
    (e) 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.
    (f) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the 
compliance time that provides an equivalent level of safety may be 
approved by the Manager, Atlanta Aircraft Certification Office 
(ACO), 1669 Phoenix Parkway, Suite 210C, Atlanta, Georgia 30349. The 
request shall be forwarded through an appropriate FAA Maintenance 
Inspector, who may add comments and then send it to the Manager, 
Atlanta ACO.

    Note 3: Information concerning the existence of approved 
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be 
obtained from the Atlanta ACO.

    (g) All persons affected by this directive may obtain copies of 
the document referred to herein upon request to the Piper Aircraft 
Corporation, 2926 Piper Drive, Vero Beach, Florida 32960; or may 
examine this document at the FAA, Central Region, Office of the 
Assistant Chief Counsel, Room 1558, 601 E. 12th Street, Kansas City, 
Missouri 64106.
    (h) This amendment (39-8951) supersedes AD 74-13-01, Amendment 
39-1870.
    (i) This amendment (39-8951) becomes effective on August 12, 
1994.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on June 17, 1994.
Barry D. Clements,
Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 94-15380 Filed 6-24-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U