[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 142 (Tuesday, July 25, 1995)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 37968-37969]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-18246]



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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 95-CE-28-AD]


Airworthiness Directives; Piper Aircraft Corporation PA28 and 
PA32 Series Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Advance notice of proposed rulemaking (ANPRM).

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SUMMARY: The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) recently became 
aware of two incidents in the Netherlands where corrosion on the wing 
spars of Piper Aircraft Corporation (Piper) PA28 series airplanes was 
so extensive that the wings were replaced. The corrosion, which was 
discovered in the wing tank area, caused the wing spar material to come 
off in flakes and strips (exfoliation). A review of the U.S. service 
difficulty history on Piper PA28 and PA32 series airplanes revealed 
several incidents where exfoliation corrosion was found on the wing 
spar in the wing tank area. The purpose of this advance notice is to 
seek comments from interested persons regarding the best action (if 
any) to take in order to correct any possible problems with exfoliation 
corrosion on the wing spar on Piper PA28 and PA32 series airplanes. All 
comments will be evaluated by the FAA and the FAA will research the 
situation to decide whether rulemaking is needed.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before October 20, 1995.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the FAA, Central Region, 
Office of the Assistant Chief Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket No. 95-
CE-28-AD, Room 1558, 601 E. 12th Street, Kansas City, Missouri 64106. 
Comments may be inspected at this location between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m., 
Monday through Friday, holidays excepted.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Christina Marsh, Aerospace Engineer, 
FAA, Atlanta Aircraft Certification Office, Campus Building, 1701 
Columbia Avenue, suite 2-160, College Park, Georgia 30337-2748; 
telephone (404) 305-7362; facsimile (404) 305-7348.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

    Interested persons are invited to participate in the making of any 
proposed rulemaking actions that may occur as a result of this ANPRM by 
submitting such written data or views as they may desire. 
Communications should identify the Rules Docket number and be submitted 
in triplicate to the address specified above. All communications 
received on or before the closing date for comments, specified above, 
will be considered before any proposed rulemaking is initiated.
    All comments submitted will be available, both before and after the 
closing date for comments, in the Rules Docket for examination by 
interested persons. A report that summarizes each FAA-public contact 
concerned with the 

[[Page 37969]]
substance of this document will be filed in the Rules Docket.
    Commenters wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments 
submitted in response to this notice must submit a self-addressed, 
stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments 
to Docket No. 95-CE-28-AD.'' The postcard will be date stamped and 
returned to the commenter.

Availability of ANPRM's

    Any person may obtain a copy of this ANPRM by submitting a request 
to the FAA, Central Region, Office of the Assistant Chief Counsel, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 95-CE-28-AD, Room 1558, 601 E. 12th Street, 
Kansas City, Missouri 64106.

Discussion

    The FAA is currently reviewing two incidents in the Netherlands 
where corrosion on the wing spars of Piper Aircraft Corporation (Piper) 
PA28 series airplanes was so extensive that the wings were replaced. 
The corrosion, which was discovered in the wing tank area, caused the 
wing spar material to come off in flakes and strips (exfoliation).
    A review of the U.S. service difficulty history on Piper PA28 and 
PA32 series airplanes revealed several incidents where exfoliation 
corrosion was found on the wing spar. The corrosion specified in these 
reports showed that the exfoliation corrosion also was in the wing tank 
area. In at least two instances, the exfoliation corrosion was found on 
the affected airplanes upon removal of the fuel tanks during a repair.
    In order to adequately make a determination as to what type of 
action to take (if any) regarding possible exfoliation corrosion on 
Piper PA28 and PA32 series airplanes, the FAA is issuing this advance 
notice of proposed rulemaking (ANPRM) to provide an opportunity for the 
general public to participate in the decision whether to initiate 
rulemaking. Interested persons are encouraged to provide information 
that describes what they consider the best action (if any) to be taken 
to correct the possible problem. In this regard, the FAA is especially 
interested in comments and viewpoints on the following:
    1. Have you removed or had the fuel tanks removed on one of the 
affected airplanes? If so, did you detect or was corrosion detected on 
the wing spar (upper cap, lower cap, or web) in the fuel tank bay?
    2. Did you detect or has corrosion been detected on the main wing 
spar in the vicinity of the fuel tanks (inboard of the fuel tank or 
outboard of the fuel tank)? If so, where was the corrosion and how much 
corrosion was found?
    3. Did you repair or replace the wing or has the wing been repaired 
or replaced because of corrosion in the fuel tank area?
    4. In your opinion, how accessible is the main wing spar in the 
vicinity of the fuel tank for inspection purposes? Would it be helpful 
to install additional access plates inboard and outboard of the fuel 
tank?
    5. Please provide the following:
    a. model, serial number, and total number of hours time-in-service 
of the airplane.
    b. the present geographical location of your airplane and the known 
geographical history of the airplane.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on July 17, 1995.
Henry A. Armstrong,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 95-18246 Filed 7-24-95; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U