[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 207 (Thursday, October 24, 1996)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 55087-55088]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-26751]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 95-CE-45-AD; Amendment 39-9788; AD 96-21-11]
RIN 2120-AA64


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

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule

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SUMMARY: This amendment supersedes Airworthiness Directive (AD) 93-25-
08, which currently requires replacing the main landing gear (MLG) 
actuator reinforcement bracket with a part of improved design on 
certain The New Piper Aircraft, Inc. (Piper) PA31, PA31P, and PA31T 
series airplanes. This AD action will require the same action as AD 93-
25-08. An incorrect designation of Piper Model PA31-310 airplanes made 
in AD 93-25-08 prompted the proposed AD action. The actions specified 
by this AD are intended to prevent the MLG from extending, when not 
selected and while the airplane is in flight, caused by actuator 
reinforcement bracket failure, which could result in substantial 
airplane damage or loss of control of the airplane.

DATES: Effective December 16, 1996.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of December 16, 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-45-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:

Events Leading to This Action

    A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 
CFR part 39) to include an AD that would apply to Piper PA31, PA31P, 
and PA31T series airplanes was published in the Federal Register on May 
3, 1996 (61 FR 19865). This action would supersede AD 93-25-08 with a 
new AD that would retain the same requirements as AD 93-25-08 and 
change the model designation in the Applicability section from Piper 
Model PA31-310 airplanes to Piper Model PA31 airplanes.

Related Service Information

    Accomplishment of this action will be in accordance with Piper 
Service Bulletin (SB) No. 923, dated August 16, 1989.

Comments

    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.

The FAA's Determination

    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.

Cost Impact

    The FAA estimates that 2,448 airplanes in the U.S. registry will be 
affected by this AD, that it will take 4 workhours per airplane to 
accomplish the inspection and that the average labor rate is 
approximately $60 an hour. Parts cost approximately $308 per airplane. 
Based on these figures, the total cost impact of this AD on U.S. 
operators is estimated to be $1,341,504. This AD requires the same 
action as AD 93-25-08. The only difference between this AD and AD 93-
25-08 is the change in model designation from PA31-310 to PA31. With 
this in mind, the proposed action would not provide any additional cost 
impact upon U.S. operators over that already required by AD 93-25-08.

Regulatory Impact

    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

[[Page 55088]]

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. 106(g), 40113, 44701.


Sec. 39.13  [Amended]

    2. Section 39.13 is amended by removing AD 93-25-08, Amendment 39-
8774, and by adding a new airworthiness directive (AD) to read as 
follows:

96-21-11 The New Piper Aircraft, Inc.: Amendment 39-9788. Docket No. 
95-CE-45-AD; Supersedes AD 93-25-08, Amendment 39-8774.

    Applicability: The following Model and serial number airplanes, 
certificated in any category.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                   Model                             Serial No.         
------------------------------------------------------------------------
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-7400001 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.   
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Note 1: This AD applies to each airplane identified in the 
preceding applicability revision, 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 200 hours time-in-service 
(TIS) after February 11, 1994 (effective date of AD 93-25-08) or 
within the next 25 hours TIS after the effective date of this AD, 
whichever occurs later, unless already accomplished.
    To prevent the main landing gear (MLG) from extending, when not 
selected and while the airplane is in flight, because of actuator 
reinforcement bracket failure, which could result in substantial 
airplane damage or loss of control of the airplane, accomplish the 
following:
    (a) Replace any MLG actuator reinforcement bracket having part 
number (P/N) 40776-00 with a new MLG actuator reinforcement bracket, 
P/N 73786-02, in accordance with the INSTRUCTIONS section of Piper 
Service Bulletin (SB) No. 923, dated August 16, 1989.
    (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 2: 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 93-25-08 (superseded by this action) are considered approved 
as alternative methods of compliance with this AD.
    (e) The replacement required by this AD shall be done in 
accordance with Piper Service Bulletin No. 923, dated August 16, 
1989. 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 93-25-08, Amendment 39-8774.
    (g) This amendment (39-9738) becomes effective on December 16, 
1996.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on October 10, 1996.
Marvin R. Nuss,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 96-26751 Filed 10-23-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U