[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 115 (Thursday, June 13, 1996)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 29992-29994]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-14954]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 95-CE-21-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; The New Piper Aircraft, Inc. (Formerly
Piper Aircraft Corporation) Model PA31T2 Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM); Reopening of
the comment period.
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SUMMARY: This document proposes to revise an earlier proposed
airworthiness directive (AD), which would have required rerouting the
landing gear emergency extension air line on The New Piper Aircraft,
Inc. (Piper) Model PA31T2 airplanes that have Parker Hannifin Wheel and
Brake Conversion Kit 199-111 incorporated in accordance with
Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) SA599GL. Three incidents of the
brake cylinder contacting the landing gear emergency extension air line
on both wheel wells of the affected airplanes prompted the proposal.
Since issuance of the proposal, the Federal Aviation Administration
(FAA) has determined that additional serial numbers of Piper Model
PA31T2 airplanes should be included in the Applicability section of the
proposed AD, and that revised service information should be
incorporated. The actions specified by the proposed AD are intended to
prevent the brake cylinder from chafing against the landing gear
emergency extension air line when the gear is in the up and locked
position, which could result in damage to the air line and subsequent
loss of emergency gear extension capability. Since the comment period
for the original proposal has closed and the change described above
goes beyond the scope of what was originally proposed, the FAA is
allowing additional time for the public to comment.
DATES: Comments must be received on or before August 16, 1996.
ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), Central Region, Office of the Assistant Chief
Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket No. 95-CE-21-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.
Service information that applies to the proposed AD may be obtained
from the Parker Hannifin Corporation, Aircraft Wheel & Brake, 1160
Center Road, P.O. Box 158, Avon, Ohio 44011; telephone (216) 937-6211;
facsimile (216) 937-5409. This information also may be examined at the
Rules Docket at the address above.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Nick Miller, Aerospace Engineer,
FAA, Chicago Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, 2300 East Devon
Avenue, Des Plaines, Illinois 60018; telephone (847) 294-7837;
facsimile (847) 294-7834.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments Invited
Interested persons are invited to participate in the making of the
proposed rule by submitting such written data, views, or arguments 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 taking action on the
proposed rule. The proposals contained in this
[[Page 29993]]
supplemental notice may be changed in light of the comments received.
Comments are specifically invited on the overall regulatory,
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the proposed rule. 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 substance of this proposal will be filed in the Rules Docket.
Commenters wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments
submitted in response to this supplemental notice must submit a self-
addressed, stamped postcard on which the following statement is made:
``Comments to Docket No. 95-CE-21-AD.'' The postcard will be date
stamped and returned to the commenter.
Availability of Supplemental NPRM
Any person may obtain a copy of this supplemental NPRM by
submitting a request to the FAA, Central Region, Office of the
Assistant Chief Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket No. 95-CE-21-AD, Room
1558, 601 E. 12th Street, Kansas City, Missouri 64106.
Discussion
A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14
CFR part 39) to include an AD that would apply to certain Piper Model
PA31T2 airplanes that have Parker Hannifin Wheel and Brake Conversion
Kit 199-111 incorporated in accordance with STC SA599GL was published
in the Federal Register on April 17, 1995 (60 FR 19174). The action
proposed to require rerouting the landing gear emergency extension air
line. Accomplishment of the proposed action would be in accordance with
Parker Hannifin Service Bulletin SB7034, dated March 23, 1994 (since
revised to Revision B, dated December 19, 1995).
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.
Since issuance of the notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM), the FAA
has determined that the Applicability section of the proposed AD should
be revised to include additional serial numbers of Piper Model PA31T2
airplanes. In addition, Parker Hannifin Service Bulletin SB7034 has
been revised (Revision B, dated December 19, 1995) to reflect the Piper
Model PA31T2 airplane serial numbers change.
Evaluation of All Applicable Information
After examining the circumstances and reviewing all available
information related to the subject described above, including the
comments received, the FAA has determined that the NPRM should be
revised to include the above-referenced serial number change and
revised service bulletin, and that AD action should still be taken to
prevent brake cylinders from chafing against the landing gear emergency
extension air line when the gear is in the up and locked position. This
condition could result in damage to the air line and subsequent loss of
emergency gear extension capability.
Since this revision of the NPRM to add serial numbers for the Piper
Model PA31T2 airplanes proposes actions that go beyond the scope of
what was already proposed, the FAA is reopening the comment period to
allow the public additional time to comment on this proposed action.
Explanation of the Provisions of the Proposed AD
Since an unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to
exist or develop in other Piper Model PA31T2 airplanes of the same type
design that have a Parker Hannifin Wheel and Brake Conversion Kit 199-
111 incorporated in accordance with STC SA599GL, the proposed AD would
require rerouting the landing gear emergency extension air line.
Accomplishment of the proposed action would be in accordance with
Parker Hannifin Service Bulletin SB7034, Revision B, dated December 19,
1995.
Cost Impact
The FAA has determined that there are 62 Piper Model PA31T2
airplanes in the U.S. registry that could incorporate a Parker Hannifin
Wheel and Brake Conversion Kit 199-111 (in accordance with STC
SA599GL), that it would take approximately 4 workhours per airplane to
accomplish the proposed action, and that the average labor rate is
approximately $60 an hour. Parts cost approximately $20 per airplane.
Based on these figures, the total cost impact of the proposed AD on
U.S. operators could be as much as $16,120 if all affected airplanes
had the referenced conversion kit installed.
Parker Hannifin has informed the FAA that it has distributed 31
kits (shipped after March 28, 1994) to Piper Model PA31T2 airplane
owners/operators. Kits shipped after March 28, 1994, included the
replacement parts referenced in Parker Hannifin SB7034, Revision B.
Based on each of the 31 kits being incorporated on an affected
airplane, the cost impact of the proposed AD on U.S. owners and
operators would be reduced 50 percent from $16,120 to $8,060. The
reduction results from the difference between the 62 airplanes that are
type certificated to have a Parker Hannifin Wheel and Brake Conversion
Kit 199-111 incorporated (in accordance with STC SA599GL) and the 31
kits that have already been distributed.
Regulatory Impact
The regulations proposed herein would 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
proposal would 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) if promulgated, 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
draft regulatory evaluation prepared for this action has been placed 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.
The Proposed Amendment
Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration proposes to amend
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. 106(g), 40113, 44701.
[[Page 29994]]
Sec. 39.13 [Amended]
2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding a new airworthiness directive
(AD) to read as follows:
The New Piper Aircraft, Inc.: Docket No. 95-CE-21-AD.
Applicability: Model PA31T2 airplanes (serial numbers 31T-
8166001 through 31T-8166062), certificated in any category, that
have a Parker Hannifin Wheel and Brake Conversion Kit 199-111
incorporated in accordance with Supplemental Type Certificate (STC)
SA599GL.
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 (c) of
this AD. 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
after the effective date of this AD, unless already accomplished.
To prevent the brake cylinder from chafing against the landing
gear emergency extension air line when the gear is in the up and
locked position, which could result in damage to the air line and
subsequent loss of emergency gear extension capability, accomplish
the following:
(a) Reroute the landing gear emergency extension air line in
accordance with the ACCOMPLISHMENT INSTRUCTIONS section of Parker
Hannifin Service Bulletin SB7034, Revision B, dated December 19,
1995.
(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, Chicago Aircraft Certification Office
(ACO), FAA, 2300 East Devon Avenue, Des Plaines, Illinois 60018. The
request shall be forwarded through an appropriate FAA Maintenance
Inspector, who may add comments and then send it to the Manager,
Chicago ACO.
Note 2: Information concerning the existence of approved
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be
obtained from the Chicago ACO.
(d) All persons affected by this directive may obtain copies of
the document referred to herein upon request to the Parker Hannifin
Corporation, Aircraft Wheel & Brake, 1160 Center Road, P.O. Box 158,
Avon, Ohio 44011; 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.
Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on June 4, 1996.
Henry A. Armstrong,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 96-14954 Filed 6-12-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P