[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 200 (Tuesday, October 15, 1996)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 53613-53614]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-26045]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 95-CE-56-AD; Amendment 39-9781; AD 96-21-04]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; The New Piper Aircraft, Inc. (Formerly 
Piper Aircraft Corporation) PA23, PA31, PA31P, PA31T, and PA42 Series 
Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This amendment supersedes Airworthiness Directive (AD) 86-17-
07, which currently requires replacing all hydraulic hoses with 
hydraulic hoses of an improved design on certain The New Piper 
Aircraft, Inc. (Piper) PA23, PA31, PA31P, PA31T, and PA42 series 
airplanes. This AD action will require inspecting for improperly 
manufactured hydraulic hoses replaced during a specific time frame and 
replacing all affected hydraulic hoses. An incorrect designation of a 
Piper Model PA31-310 and a Piper Model PA23-150 airplane prompted the 
proposed AD action. The actions specified by this AD are intended to 
prevent hydraulic hose failure which could cause loss of hydraulic 
capabilities resulting in a gear-up landing and possible loss of the 
airplane.

DATES: Effective December 10, 1996.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of December 10, 1996.

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 95-CE-56-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 Avenue, suite 2-160, College Park, Georgia 30337-2748; 
telephone (404) 305-7362; facsimile (404) 305-7348.

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 Piper PA23, PA31, PA31P, PA31T, and PA42 series airplanes was 
published in the Federal Register on May 3, 1996 (61 FR 19867). This 
action would supersede AD 86-17-07 with a new AD that would retain the 
same requirements as AD 86-17-07 and change the model designation in 
the Applicability section from Piper Model PA31-310 and PA23-150 
airplanes to Piper Model PA31 and PA23 airplanes, respectively. With 
this in mind, the proposed action would not provide any additional cost 
impact upon U.S. operators over that already required by AD 86-17-07. 
Accomplishment of this action will be in accordance with Piper Service 
Bulletin (SB) No. 822, dated April 2, 1986.
    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 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. 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.
    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.

[[Page 53614]]

    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 removing Airworthiness Directive 
(AD) 86-17-07, Amendment 39-5400, and by adding a new AD to read as 
follows:

96-21-04  The New Piper Aircraft, Inc.: Docket No. 95-CE-56-AD; 
Amendment No. 39-9781, Supersedes AD 86-17-07, Amendment 39-5400. 
Applicability: The following models and serial numbers, certificated 
in any category.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                 Models                            Serial Nos.          
------------------------------------------------------------------------
PA23 and PA23-160......................  23-1 through 23-2046.          
PA23-235...............................  27-505 through 27-622.         
PA23-250...............................  27-1 through 27-8154030.       
PA31, PA31-300, and PA31-325...........  31-2 through 31-8312019.       
PA31-350...............................  31-5001 through 31-8553002.    
PA31P..................................  31P-1 through 31P-7730012.     
PA31P-350..............................  31P-8414001 through 31P-       
                                          8414050.                      
PA31T..................................  31T-7400002 through 31T-       
                                          8120104.                      
PA31T1.................................  31T-7804001 through 31T-       
                                          8304003, and 31T-1104004      
                                          through 31T-1104017.          
PA31T2.................................  31T-8166001 through 31T-8166076
                                          and, 31T-1166001 through 31T- 
                                          1166008.                      
PA31T3.................................  31T-8275001 through 31T-8475001
                                          and, 31T-5575001.             
PA42...................................  42-7800001, 42-7800002, 42-    
                                          7801003, 42-7801004, 42-      
                                          8001001 through 42-8001106, 42-
                                          8301001, 42-8301002, 42-      
                                          5501003 through 42-5501023,   
                                          and 42-5501025.               
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    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 25 hours time-in-service 
(TIS) after September 2, 1986 (the effective date of AD 86-17-07) or 
within 10 hours TIS after the effective date of this AD, whichever 
occurs later, unless already accomplished.

    To prevent hydraulic hose failure which could cause loss of 
hydraulic capabilities resulting in a gear-up landing and possible 
loss of the airplane, accomplish the following:
    (a) Inspect and replace all hydraulic hoses identified as Piper 
part number (P/N) 17766-02 or 465-138 and having a smooth rubber 
surface and a blue colored end nut, with hoses of the same part 
number having a woven outer covering and black colored end nut, in 
accordance with the INSTRUCTIONS section of Piper Service Bulletin 
(SB) No. 822, dated April 2, 1986.

    Note 2: These hoses were available for installation starting 
February 1, 1985, and may have been installed in newly manufactured 
airplanes or as spares at any subsequent time.

    (b) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with 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, FAA, Atlanta Aircraft Certification Office, 
Campus Building, 1701 Columbia Avenue, 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 3: Information concerning the existence of approved 
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be 
obtained from the Atlanta Aircraft Certification Office.

    (d) Alternative methods of compliance approved in accordance 
with AD 86-17-07 (superseded by this action) are considered approved 
as alternative methods of compliance with this AD.
    (e) The inspections and or replacements required by this AD 
shall be done in accordance with Piper Service Bulletin No. 822, 
dated April 2, 1986. 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 supersedes AD 86-17-07, Amendment 39-5400.
    (g) This amendment (39-9781) becomes effective on December 10, 
1996.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on October 4, 1996.
Michael Gallagher,
Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 96-26045 Filed 10-11-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U