[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 62 (Friday, March 30, 2001)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 17341-17345]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-6517]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 99-CE-29-AD; Amendment 39-12148; AD 2001-06-01]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; The New Piper Aircraft, Inc. Models PA-
31, PA-31-300, PA-31-325, PA-31-350, PA-31P, PA-31T, PA-31T1, PA-31T2, 
PA-31T3, and PA-31P-350 Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This amendment supersedes three existing airworthiness 
directives (AD's) that apply to certain The New Piper Aircraft, Inc. 
(Piper) Models PA-31, PA-31-300, PA-31P, PA-31T, and PA-31T1 airplanes. 
These AD's currently require you to repetitively inspect and/or modify 
the elevator structure. This AD initially retains the inspection and 
modification requirements that are currently required; adds certain 
other airplane models to the AD applicability; and requires a 
modification at a certain time period, as terminating action for the 
currently required repetitive inspections. This action coincides with 
the Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) policy of incorporating 
modifications, when available, that will terminate the need for 
repetitive inspections. The actions specified by this AD are intended 
to continue to detect and correct damage to the elevator structure. A 
damaged elevator structure could lead to reduced or loss of control of 
the airplane.

[[Page 17342]]


DATES: This AD becomes effective on May 8, 2001.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of certain publications listed in the regulations as of May 
8, 2001.

ADDRESSES: You may get the service information referenced in this AD 
from The New Piper Aircraft, Inc., Customer Services, 2926 Piper Drive, 
Vero Beach, Florida 32960. You may examine this information at the 
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Central Region, Office of the 
Regional Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket No. 99-CE-29-AD, 901 Locust, 
Room 506, Kansas City, Missouri 64106; or at the Office of the Federal 
Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW, suite 700, Washington, DC 
20001.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: William O. Herderich, Aerospace 
Engineer, FAA, Atlanta Aircraft Certification Office, One Crown Center, 
1895 Phoenix Boulevard, suite 450, Atlanta, Georgia 30349; telephone: 
(770) 703-6082; facsimile: (770) 703-6097; e-mail: 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

    What prior AD action did FAA take on this subject? The following 
AD's currently require you to repetitively inspect and/or modify the 
elevator structure on certain Piper Models PA-31, PA-31-300, PA-31P, 
PA-31T, and PA-31T1 airplanes.

--AD 70-26-06, Amendment 39-1132, currently requires you to 
repetitively inspect the elevator structure on Piper Models PA-31 and 
PA-31-300 airplanes, serial numbers 31-2 through 31-694. The AD 
requires you to modify the elevator structure if cracks are found;
--AD 76-03-01, Amendment 39-2505, currently requires you to modify the 
elevator structure on Piper Models PA-31T airplanes, serial numbers 
31T-7400002 through 31T-7620012. This AD requires you to inspect the 
elevator support and replace any defective parts on Piper Model PA-31T 
airplanes, serial numbers 31T-7400002 through 31T-760012; and
--AD 80-02-15, Amendment 39-3676, currently requires you to inspect and 
alter the elevator structure and replace any defective parts on Piper 
Model PA-31P airplanes, serial numbers 31P-1 through 31P-7730012; Model 
PA-31T airplanes, serial numbers 31T-7400002 through 31T-7920075; and 
Model PA-31T1 airplanes, serial numbers 31T-7804001 through 31T-7904036 
and 31T-7904038 through 31T-7904044.

    What has happened to necessitate further AD action? Piper has 
informed FAA of reports of damage in the elevator structure area on 
additional airplanes. These are Piper Models PA-31-325, PA-31-350, PA-
31T3, and PA-31P-350 airplanes.
    On December 24, 1996, FAA issued a special airworthiness 
information bulletin (SAIB) to encourage compliance with new service 
information related to the elevator structure on the above-referenced 
airplanes. We continue to receive reports of damage in the elevator 
structure area on these airplanes.
    Has FAA taken any action to this point? We issued 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 Models PA-31, PA-31-
300, PA-31-325, PA-31-350, PA-31P, PA-31T, PA-31T1, PA-31T2, PA-31T3, 
and PA-31P-350 airplanes. This proposal was published in the Federal 
Register as a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) on July 21, 2000 (65 
FR 45319). The NPRM proposed to supersede AD 70-26-06, AD 76-03-01, and 
AD 80-02-15. The NPRM also proposed to initially retain the inspection 
and modification requirements currently required in AD 70-26-06, AD 76-
03-01, and AD 80-02-15, add certain other airplane models to the AD 
applicability; and require a modification at a certain time period, as 
terminating action for the currently required repetitive inspections.
    Does this AD follow FAA's aging commuter-class aircraft policy? The 
actions required in this AD are consistent with FAA's aging commuter 
aircraft policy, which briefly states that, when a modification exists 
that could eliminate or reduce the number of required critical 
inspections, the modification should be incorporated. This policy is 
based on our determination that reliance on critical repetitive 
inspections on airplanes utilized in commuter service carries an 
unnecessary safety risk when a design change exists that could 
eliminate or, in certain instances, reduce the number of those critical 
inspections. In determining what inspections are critical, we consider 
(1) the safety consequences of the airplane if the known problem is not 
detected by the inspection; (2) the reliability of the inspection such 
as the probability of not detecting the known problem; (3) whether the 
inspection area is difficult to access; and (4) the possibility of 
damage to an adjacent structure as a result of the problem.
    The alternative to modifying the elevator structure on the affected 
airplanes will be to require you to repetitively inspect this area for 
the life of the airplane.
    Was the public invited to comment? Interested persons were 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

    What is FAA's final determination on this issue? After careful 
review of all available information related to the subject presented 
above, we have determined that air safety and the public interest 
require the adoption of the rule as proposed except for minor editorial 
corrections. We 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

    How many airplanes does this AD impact? We estimate that this AD 
affects 2,344 airplanes in the U.S. registry.
    What is the cost impact of this AD on owners/operators of the 
affected airplanes? We estimate the following costs to accomplish the 
modification:

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                                                                                            Total cost on U.S.
              Labor cost                      Parts cost        Total cost per airplane         operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
20 workhours  x  $60 per hour =        $600 per airplane......  $1,200 + $600 = $1,800   $1,800  x  2,344 =
 $1,200.                                                         per airplane.            $4,219,200.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    We estimate the following costs to accomplish the initial 
inspection:

[[Page 17343]]



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                                                                                            Total cost on U.S.
              Labor cost                      Parts cost        Total cost per airplane     airplane operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
8 workhours  x  $60 per hour = $480..  No parts required for    $480 per airplane......  $480  x  2,344 =
                                        the inspection.                                   $1,125,120.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


    Note: Accomplishment of the modification will eliminate the need 
for the repetitive inspections.

Regulatory Impact

    Does this AD impact various entities? The regulations adopted 
herein will not have a substantial direct effect 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, it is determined that this final rule does not 
have federalism implications under Executive Order 13132.
    Does this AD involve a significant rule or regulatory action? 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, under 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. FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by removing Airworthiness Directive (AD) 
70-26-06, Amendment 39-1132; AD 76-03-01, Amendment 39-2505; and AD 80-
02-15, Amendment 39-3676, and by adding a new AD to read as follows:

2001-06-01  The New Piper Aircraft, Inc.: Amendment 39-12148; Docket 
No. 99-CE-29-AD; Supersedes AD 70-26-06, Amendment 39-1132; AD 76-
03-01, Amendment 39-2505; and AD 80-02-15, Amendment 39-3676.

    (a) What airplanes are affected by this AD? This AD affects the 
following airplane models and serial numbers that are certificated 
in any category;

    Note 1: Aircraft referred to as Model PA-31-310 are actually 
Model PA-31 airplanes. Actions specified for PA-31 airplanes must 
also be performed. See also AD 77-03-03, Piper Service Bulletin 529, 
and type certificate data sheet A20SO.

    (1) Part I of this AD: Inspection, replacement, and installation 
as specified in Piper Service Bulletin No. 323, dated September 21, 
1970:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Models                            Serial Nos.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
PA-31 and PA-31-300................  31-2 through 31-694.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (2) Part II of this AD: Modification as specified in Piper 
Service Bulletin No. 897B, Date: July 15, 1997:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
            Models                            Serial Nos.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
PA-31P.......................  31P-1 through 31P-7730012.
PA-31T.......................  31T-7400002 through 31T-8120104.
PA-31T1......................  31T-7804001 through 31T-8304003, and 31T-
                                1104004 through 31T-1104017.
PA-31T2......................  31T-8166001 through 31T-8166076, and 31T-
                                1166001 through 31T-1166008.
PA-31T3......................  31T-8275001 through 31T-8475001 and 31T-
                                5575001.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (3) Part III of this AD: Modification as specified in Piper 
Service Bulletin No. 1008, Date: September 30, 1997:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
            Models                            Serial Nos.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
PA-31, PA-31-300, and PA-31-   31-2 through 31-8312019.
 325.
PA-31-350....................  31-5001 through 31-8452021 and 31-8253001
                                through 31-8553002.
PA-31P-350...................  31P-8414001 through 31P-8414050.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (b) Who must comply with this AD? Anyone who wishes to operate 
any of the above airplanes must comply with this AD.
    (c) What problem does this AD address? The actions specified by 
this AD are intended to detect and correct damage to the elevator 
structure. A damaged elevator structure could lead to reduced or 
loss of control of the airplane.
    (d) What actions must be accomplished on airplane models and 
serial numbers listed in paragraph (a)(1) of this AD to address this 
problem? To address this problem on the airplane models and serial 
numbers listed in paragraph (a)(1) of this AD, you must accomplish 
the following actions:

[[Page 17344]]



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                Action                     Compliance time             Procedures           Other information
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Initially inspect the rudder and   Within 100 hours time-   In accordance with the   This inspection is
 elevator spars and elevator butt       in-service (TIS) after   instructions in Piper    retained from AD 70-26-
 ribs for cracks.                       the last inspection      Service Bulletin No.     06.
                                        required by AD 70-26-    323, dated September
                                        06, and thereafter at    21, 1970.
                                        intervals not to
                                        exceed 100 hours TIS
                                        until Piper Elevator
                                        and Rudder Hinge
                                        Replacement Kit No.
                                        760 465 is
                                        incorporated.
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(2) If cracks are found in the rudder  Prior to further flight  Do the inspections in    Not Applicable.
 or elevator structure during any       after the inspection     accordance with the
 inspection required by this AD,        where the cracks were    instructions in Piper
 replace the cracked part, and either   found.                   Service Bulletin No.
 continue to reinspect or incorprate                             323, dated September
 Kit No. 760 465.                                                21, 1970; or do the
                                                                 kit incorporation in
                                                                 accordance with the
                                                                 instructions to Piper
                                                                 Elevator and Rudder
                                                                 Hinge Replacement Kit
                                                                 No. 760 465, Revised
                                                                 October 25, 1989.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(3) Incorporate Piper Elevator and     Upon accumulating 2,000  Do this kit              Not Applicable.
 Rudder Hinge Replacement Kit No. 760   hours TIS on the         incorporation in
 465.                                   airplane or within the   accordance with the
                                        next 100 hours TIS       instructions to Piper
                                        after May 8, 2001 (the   Elevator and Rudder
                                        effective date of this   Hinge Replacement Kit
                                        AD), whichever occurs    No. 760 465, Revised
                                        later.                   October 25, 1989.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (e) What actions must be accomplished on airplane models and 
serial numbers listed in paragraph (a)(2) of this AD to address this 
problem? To address this problem on the airplane models and serial 
numbers listed in paragraph (a)(2) of this AD, you must accomplish 
the following actions:

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                Action                     Compliance time             Procedures           Other information
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Modify the elevator trim tab       Upon accumulating 2,000  In accordance with the   This modification is
 system and elevator control tube,      hours TIS or within      instructions to Piper    retained from AD 76-03-
 through the incorporation of Piper     100 hours TIS after      Elevator Trim Tab        01, and applies to
 Kit No. 760 989.                       May 8, 2001 (the         System Modification      Piper Model PA-31T
                                        effective date of this   Kit No. 760 989, as      airplanes, serial
                                        AD) whichever occurs     referenced in Piper      numbers 31T-7400002
                                        later.                   Service Bulletin No.     through 31T-7620012.
                                                                 477A, dated November     Credit for having
                                                                 3, 1975.                 performed this portion
                                                                                          of the AD may be taken
                                                                                          if the airplane is in
                                                                                          compliance with the
                                                                                          actions of AD 76-03-
                                                                                          01.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(2) Incorporate Elevator Butt Rib      Upon accumulating 2,000  Do this kit              Refinement Kit, Piper
 Refinement Kit, Piper Part Number      hours TIS or within      incorporation in         Part Number 766-219,
 766-219.                               the next 100 hours TIS   accordance with the      may have been
                                        after May 8, 2001 (the   instructions to          incorporated as
                                        effective date of this   Elevator Butt Rib        specified in Piper
                                        AD), whichever occurs    Refinement Kit, Piper    Service Bulletin 897A.
                                        later.                   Part Number 766-219,     If so, credit for
                                                                 as referenced in Piper   having performed this
                                                                 Service Bulletin No.     portion of the AD may
                                                                 897B, Date: July 15,     be taken.
                                                                 1997.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (f) What actions must be accomplished on airplanes listed in 
paragraph (a)(3) of this AD to address this problem? To address this 
problem on the airplanes listed in paragraph (a)(3) of this AD, you 
must accomplish the following actions:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                Action                     Compliance time             Procedures           Other information
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Incorporate Elevator Butt Rib          Upon accumulating 2,000  In accordance with the   If AD 99-12-05,
 Reinforcement Kit, Piper Part Number   hours TIS or within      instructions to          Amendment 39-11189,
 766-642.                               the next 100 hours TIS   Elevator Butt Rib        applies to one of the
                                        after May 8, 2001 (the   Reinforcement Kit,       above-referenced
                                        effective date of this   Piper Part Number 766-   airplanes, then the
                                        AD), whichever occurs    642, as specified in     actions of AD 99-12-05
                                        later.                   Piper Service Bulletin   must be accomplished
                                                                 No. 1008, Date:          prior to incorporating
                                                                 September 30, 1997.      Elevator Butt Rib
                                                                                          Reinforcement Kit,
                                                                                          Piper Part Number 766-
                                                                                          642. No credit towards
                                                                                          this AD is given for
                                                                                          accomplishing the
                                                                                          actions of Piper SB
                                                                                          864.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (g) Can I comply with this AD in any other way? You may use an 
alternative method of compliance or adjust the compliance time if:
    (1) Your alternative method of compliance provides an equivalent 
level of safety; and
    (2) The Manager, Atlanta Aircraft Certification office (ACO), 
approves your alternative. Submit your request through an FAA 
Principal Maintenance Inspector, who may add comments and then send 
it to the Manager, Atlanta ACO.
    (3) Alternative methods of compliance that were approved in 
accordance with any of the following airworthiness directives (all

[[Page 17345]]

superseded by this action) are not considered approved for this AD:
    (i) AD 70-26-06, Amendment 39-1132;
    (ii) AD 76-03-01, Amendment 39-2505; and
    (iii) AD 80-02-15, Amendment 39-3676.

    Note 2: 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 (e) 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 you have not eliminated the unsafe 
condition, specific actions you propose to address it.

    (h) Where can I get information about any already-approved 
alternative methods of compliance? You can contact William O. 
Herderich, Aerospace Engineer, FAA, Atlanta Aircraft Certification 
Office, One Crown Center, 1895 Phoenix Boulevard, suite 450, 
Atlanta, Georgia 30349; telephone: (770) 703-6082; facsimile: (770) 
703-6097; e-mail: [email protected].
    (i) What if I need to fly the airplane to another location to 
comply with this AD? The FAA can issue a special flight permit under 
sections 21.197 and 21.199 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 
CFR 21.197 and 21.199) to operate your airplane to a location where 
you can accomplish the requirements of this AD.
    (j) Are any service bulletins incorporated into this AD by 
reference? Actions required by this AD must be done in accordance 
with Piper Service Bulletin No. 323, dated September 21, 1970, Piper 
Elevator and Rudder Hinge Replacement Kit No. 760 465, Revised 
October 25, 1989; Piper Elevator Trim Tab System Modification Kit 
No. 760 989, as referenced in Piper Service Bulletin No. 477A, dated 
November 3, 1975; Elevator Butt Rib Refinement Kit, Piper Part 
Number 766-219, as referenced in Piper Service Bulletin No. 897B, 
date: July 15, 1997; Elevator Butt Rib Reinforcement Kit, Piper Part 
Number 766-642, as specified in Piper Service Bulletin No. 1008, 
Date: September 30, 1997. The Director of the Federal Register 
approved these service bulletins and kits for incorporation by 
reference under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. You can get 
copies from The New Piper Aircraft, Inc., Customer Services, 2926 
Piper Drive, Vero Beach, Florida 32960. You can look at copies at 
the FAA, Central Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, 901 Locust, 
Room 506, Kansas City, Missouri, or at the Office of the Federal 
Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., Suite 700, Washington, DC 
20001.
    (k) Does this AD action affect any existing AD actions? This 
amendment supersedes the following AD actions:
    (1) AD 70-26-06, Amendment 39-1132;
    (2) AD 76-03-01, Amendment 39-2505; and
    (3) AD 80-02-15, Amendment 39-3676.
    (l) When does this amendment become effective? This amendment 
becomes effective on May 8, 2001.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on March 9, 2001.
James E. Jackson,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 01-6517 Filed 3-29-01; 8:45 am]
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