[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 229 (Tuesday, November 26, 1996)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 60016-60018]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-29986]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 95-CE-55-AD; Amendment 39-9837; AD 96-24-13]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; The New Piper Aircraft, Inc. (Formerly 
Piper Aircraft Corporation) PA-31, PA-31P, and PA-31T Series Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This document supersedes AD 75-26-18, which currently requires 
modifying the landing gear selector cable forward attachment pin 
assembly by installing a safety lock wire on certain The New Piper 
Aircraft Inc., (Piper) PA-31, PA-31P, and PA-31T series airplanes. The 
action will require the same action as AD 75-26-18. An incorrect 
designation of Piper Model PA-31 airplanes as Piper Model PA-31-310 
airplanes in AD 75-26-18 prompted the proposed AD action. The actions 
specified by this AD are intended to prevent the landing gear selector 
cable forward attachment pin assembly from becoming separated from the 
powerpack control arm, which, if not corrected, could cause loss of 
landing gear retraction or extension.

DATES: Effective January 17, 1997.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of January 17, 1997.


[[Page 60017]]


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-55-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 PA-31, PA-31P, 
and PA-31T series airplanes was published in the Federal Register on 
April 29, 1996 (61 FR 18697). This action would supersede AD 75-26-18 
with a new AD that would retain the same requirements as AD 75-26-18 
and change the model designation in the Applicability section from 
Piper Model PA-31-310 airplanes to Piper Model PA-31 airplanes. With 
this in mind, the proposed action would not provide any additional cost 
impact upon U.S. operators over that already required by AD 75-26-18.

Related Service Information

    Accomplishment of this action will be in accordance with Piper 
Service Bulletin (SB) No. 488, dated October 24, 1975.
    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.

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.

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 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 Airworthiness Directive 
(AD) 75-26-18 Amendment 39-2504, and by adding a new AD to read as 
follows:

96-24-13.  The New Piper Aircraft, Inc.: Docket No. 95-CE-55-AD; 
Amendment No. 39-9837 Supersedes AD 75-26-18, Amendment 39-2504.

    Applicability: PA-31, PA-31P, and PA-31T series airplanes with 
the following Model and serial numbers, certificated in any 
category.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                  Models                             Serial Nos.        
------------------------------------------------------------------------
PA-31 and PA-31-325.......................  31-7300950 through 31-      
                                             7612017.                   
PA-31-350.................................  31-7305048, 31-7305049, and 
                                             31-7305052 through 31-     
                                             7652032.                   
PA-31P....................................  31P-7300128 through 31P-    
                                             7630005.                   
PA-31T....................................  31T-7400002 through 31T-    
                                             7620013.                   
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    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 50 hours time-in-service (TIS) after 
February 9, 1976 (effective date of AD 75-26-18) or within the next 
25 hours TIS after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs 
later, unless already accomplished.
    To prevent the landing gear selector cable forward attachment 
pin assembly from becoming separated from the powerpack control arm, 
which if not corrected, could cause loss of landing gear retraction 
or extension, accomplish the following:
    (a) Modify the landing gear selector cable forward attachment 
pin assembly by installing a safety lock wire in accordance with the 
Instructions section of Piper Service Bulletin No. 488, dated 
October 24, 1975.
    (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 
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 75-26-18 (superseded by this action) are considered approved 
as alternative methods of compliance with this AD.
    (e) The modification required by this AD shall be done in 
accordance with Piper Service Bulletin No. 488, dated October 24, 
1975. This incorporation by reference was approved by the Director 
of the Federal

[[Page 60018]]

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 75-26-18, Amendment 39-2504.
    (g) This amendment (39-9837) becomes effective on January 17, 
1997.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on November 18, 1996.
James E. Jackson,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 96-29986 Filed 11-25-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U