[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 15 (Thursday, January 23, 1997)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 3451-3452]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-880]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------


DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 95-CE-21-AD; Amendment 39-9885; AD 97-02-01]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; The New Piper Aircraft, Inc. (Formerly 
Piper Aircraft Corporation) Model PA-31T2 Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) that 
applies to The New Piper Aircraft, Inc. (Piper) Model PA-31T2 airplanes 
that have a Parker Hannifin Wheel and Brake Conversion Kit 199-111 
installed in accordance with Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) 
SA599GL. This action requires rerouting the landing gear emergency 
extension line. This AD results from three incidents of the brake 
cylinder contacting the landing gear emergency extension air line on 
both wheel wells. The actions specified by this AD are intended to 
prevent the brake cylinder from chafing against the landing 
gearemergency 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.

DATES: Effective February 14, 1997.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of February 14, 1997.

ADDRESSES: Service information that applies to this 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 may also be examined at the 
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Central Region, Office of the 
Assistant Chief Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket 95-CE-21-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: Mr. Nick Miller, Aerospace Engineer, 
Chicago Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, 2300 East Devon Avenue, Des 
Plaines, Illinois 60018; telephone (847) 294-7837; facsimile (847) 294-
7834.

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 Model PA-31T2 
airplanes that have a Parker Hannifin Wheel and Brake Conversion Kit 
199-111 installed in accordance with STC SA599GL was published in the 
Federal Register on June 13, 1996 (61 FR 29992). The action proposed to 
require rerouting the landing gear emergency extension air line. 
Accomplishment of the proposed action as specified in the supplemental 
notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) would be in accordance with Parker 
Hannifin Service Bulletin SB7034, Revision B, dated December 19, 1995.
    The supplemental NPRM results from three incidents of the brake 
cylinder contacting the landing gear emergency extension air line on 
both wheels.
    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 62 Piper Model PA31-T2 airplanes in the U.S. 
registry could incorporate Parker Hannifin Wheel and Brake Conversion 
Kit 199-111 (in accordance with STC SA599GL), that it will take 
approximately 4 workhours per airplane to accomplish the required 
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 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, 
dated December 19, 1995. Based on each of the 31 kits being 
incorporated on an affected airplane, the cost impact of this AD on 
U.S. owners and operators is 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 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.

[[Page 3452]]

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 adding a new airworthiness directive 
(AD) to read as follows:

97-02-01  The New Piper Aircraft, Inc.: Amendment 39-9885; Docket 
No. 95-CE-21-AD.

    Applicability: Model PA31T2 airplanes (serial numbers31T-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) The rerouting required by this AD shall be done in 
accordance with Parker Hannifin Service Bulletin SB7034, Revision B, 
dated December 19, 1995. 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 
Parker Hannifin Corporation, Aircraft Wheel & Brake, 1160 Center 
Road, P.O. Box 158, Avon, Ohio 44011. 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.
    (e) This amendment (39-9885) becomes effective on February 14, 
1997.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on January 6, 1997.
Henry A. Armstrong,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 97-880 Filed 1-22-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U