[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 142 (Tuesday, July 26, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-17977]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: July 26, 1994]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 94-CE-04-AD; Amendment 39-8984; AD 94-15-13]

 

Airworthiness Directives: Aerostar Aircraft Corporation PA-60-600 
(Aerostar 600) and PA-60-700 (Aerostar 700) Series Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This amendment supersedes Airworthiness Directive (AD) 92-13-
01, which currently requires inspecting the nose landing gear (NLG) 
drag brace assembly for corrosion on certain Aerostar Aircraft 
Corporation (Aerostar) PA-60-600 (Aerostar 600) and PA-60-700 (Aerostar 
700) series airplanes, and replacing any corroded components. It also 
requires replacing the existing spring and piston with new corrosion-
resistant parts. This action requires replacing the NLG drag link 
assembly with a new assembly of improved design. The Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA) has received several reports of frozen moisture in 
the cylinder of the over-center release system, which has led to nose 
gear collapse on airplanes already in compliance with AD 92-13-01. The 
actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent failure of the NLG 
caused by frozen moisture in the cylinder, which could lead to nose 
gear collapse and damage to the airplane.

DATES: Effective September 12, 1994.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of September 12, 1994.

ADDRESSES: Service information that applies to this AD may be obtained 
from the Aerostar Aircraft Corporation, Customer Service Department, 
South 3608 Davison Boulevard, Spokane, Washington 99204; telephone 
(509) 455-8872. This information may also be examined at the 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: Mr. William A. Swope, Aerospace 
Engineer, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office, 1601 Lind Avenue SW., 
Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (206) 227-2589.

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 Aerostar PA-60-600 (Aerostar 600) and PA-60-700 (Aerostar 
700) series airplanes was published in the Federal Register on April 1, 
1994 (59 FR 15348). The action proposed to supersede AD 92-13-01 with a 
new AD that would require replacing the existing NLG drag link 
assembly, part number (P/N) 450563-1, with a new assembly of improved 
design, P/N 450563-501. The proposed actions would be accomplished in 
accordance with the instructions to Aerostar Kit No. 045-001 (Service 
Kit No. SB600-128), Drawing No. 89414, Rev. N/C, dated December 28, 
1993.
    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 700 airplanes in the U.S. registry will be 
affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 5 workhours per 
airplane to accomplish the required action, and that the average labor 
rate is approximately $55 an hour. Parts cost approximately $1,500 per 
airplane. Based on these figures, the total cost impact of the AD on 
U.S. operators is estimated to be $1,242,500. This figure is based on 
the assumption that no affected airplane operator has accomplished the 
proposed action. The FAA believes that numerous operators have already 
incorporated the modification referenced in this proposed AD.
    In addition, AD 92-13-01 requires installing a new spring and 
piston. The new NLG drag link assembly includes the improved design 
piston and spring. Aerostar will give a $96 credit for the piston and 
spring installed as required by AD 92-13-01. Aerostar has shipped 362 
of these piston and spring kits. Based on these figures, the cost 
referenced above would be reduced by $34,752 (362 airplanes  x $96) 
from $1,242,500 to $1,207,748.
    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 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 92-13-01, Amendment 39-
8270 (57 FR 23135, June 2, 1992), and by adding a new airworthiness 
directive to read as follows:

94-15-13 Aerostar Aircraft Corporation: Amendment 39-8984; Docket 
No. 94-CE-04-AD. Supersedes AD 92-13-01, Amendment 39-8270.

    Applicability: The following model and serial numbered 
airplanes, certificated in any category:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Model                             Serial Nos.            
------------------------------------------------------------------------
PA-60-600 (Aerostar 600)\1\........  60-0001-003 through 60-0608-       
                                      7961195.                          
PA-60-600 (Aerostar 600)...........  60-0614-7961196 through 60-0933-   
                                      8164262.                          
PA-60-601 (Aerostar 601)\1\........  61-0001-004 through 60-0605-       
                                      7962136.                          
PA-60-601 (Aerostar 601)...........  61-0611-7962137 through 61-0880-   
                                      8162157.                          
PA-60-601P (Aerostar 601P)\1\......  61P-0157-001 through 61P-0610-     
                                      7963274.                          
PA-60-601P (Aerostar 601P).........  61P-0612-7963275 through 61P-0859- 
                                      8163455.                          
PA-60-602P (Aerostar 602P).........  62P-0750-8165001 through 60-       
                                      8365021.                          
PA-60-700P (Aerostar 700P).........  60-8423001 through 60-8423025.     
------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\= that have been converted to Wiebel nose gear system (Option No.    
  199)                                                                  

    Note 1: The manufacturing and ownership rights of the affected 
model airplanes were previously owned by the Piper Aircraft 
Corporation, but these rights were recently transferred to the 
Aerostar Aircraft Corporation.

    Compliance: Required within the next 100 hours time-in-service 
after the effective date of this AD, unless already accomplished.
    To prevent failure of the nose landing gear (NLG) caused by 
frozen moisture in the cylinder, which could lead to nose gear 
collapse and damage to the airplane, accomplish the following:
    (a) Replace the existing NLG drag link assembly, P/N 450563-1, 
with a new assembly of improved design, P/N 450563-501, in 
accordance with the instructions to Aerostar Kit No. 045-001 
(Service Kit No. SB600-128), Drawing No. 89414, Rev. N/C, dated 
December 28, 1993.
    (b) 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.
    (c) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the 
compliance time that provides an equivalent level of safety may be 
approved by the Manager, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office 
(ACO), 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056. The 
request shall be forwarded through an appropriate FAA Maintenance 
Inspector, who may add comments and then send it to the Manager, 
Seattle ACO.

    Note 2: Information concerning the existence of approved 
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be 
obtained from the Seattle ACO.

    (d) The replacement required by this AD shall be done in 
accordance with the instructions to Aerostar Kit No. 045-001 
(Service Kit No. SB600-128), Drawing No. 89414, Rev. N/C, dated 
December 28, 1993. 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 Aerostar 
Aircraft Corporation, Customer Service Department, South 3608 
Davison Boulevard, Spokane, Washington 99204. 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.
    (e) This amendment (39-8984) supersedes AD 92-13-01, Amendment 
39-8270.
    (f) This amendment (39-8984) becomes effective on September 12, 
1994.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on July 19, 1994.
Barry D. Clements,
Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 94-17977 Filed 7-25-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U