[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 47 (Friday, March 9, 2012)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 14316-14319]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-5801]


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

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2012-0251; Directorate Identifier 2012-CE-002-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Piper Aircraft, Inc. (Type Certificate 
Previously Held by The New Piper Aircraft Inc.) Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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

SUMMARY: We propose to supersede an existing airworthiness directive 
(AD) that applies to certain Piper Aircraft, Inc. (type certificate 
previously held by The New Piper Aircraft Inc.) Models PA-31T and PA-
31T1 airplanes. The existing AD currently requires correcting a model 
identification error on the aircraft data plate. Since we issued that 
AD, we have become aware that some owner/operators of the affected 
airplanes modified the aircraft data plate in error because of 
confusion in the serial number applicability. Because of the confusion, 
the manufacturer has issued new service information to clarify affected 
airplane serial numbers. This proposed AD would require determining the 
airplane model based on the serial number and modifying the aircraft 
data plate to properly identify the airplane model. This proposed AD 
would also require doing a detailed search for all applicable 
airworthiness related documents that apply to any airplane that has an 
incorrectly marked data plate and take necessary corrective actions 
based on the search findings. We are proposing this AD to correct the 
unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by April 23, 2012.

ADDRESSES: You may send comments, using the procedures found in 14 CFR 
11.43 and 11.45, by any of the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
     Fax: 202-493-2251.
     Mail: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket 
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590.
     Hand Delivery: Deliver to Mail address above between 9 
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
    For service information identified in this AD, contact Piper 
Aircraft, Inc., 926 Piper Drive, Vero Beach, Florida 32960; telephone: 
(772) 567-4361; Internet: www.piper.com. You may review copies of the 
referenced service information at the FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 
901 Locust, Kansas City, Missouri 64106. For information on the 
availability of this material at the FAA, call (816) 329-4148.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov; or in person at the Docket Management Facility 
between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal 
holidays. The AD docket contains this proposed AD, the regulatory 
evaluation, any comments received, and other information. The street 
address for the Docket Office (phone: 800-647-5527) is in the ADDRESSES 
section. Comments will be available in the AD docket shortly after 
receipt.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Gregory ``Keith'' Noles, Aerospace 
Engineer, FAA, Atlanta Aircraft Certification Office, 1701 Columbia 
Avenue, College Park, Georgia 30337; phone: (404) 474-5551; fax: (404) 
474-5606; email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

    We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or 
arguments about this proposed AD. Send your comments to an address 
listed under the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2012-0251; 
Directorate Identifier 2012-CE-002-AD'' at the beginning of your 
comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this proposed AD. We 
will consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend 
this proposed AD because of those comments.
    We will post all comments we receive, without change, to http://www.regulations.gov, including any personal information you provide. We 
will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact we 
receive about this proposed AD.

[[Page 14317]]

Discussion

    On May 27, 1980, AD 80-11-06, amendment 39-3776 (45 FR 35309), was 
published in the Federal Register for certain Piper Aircraft, Inc. 
(type certificate previously held by The New Piper Aircraft Inc.) 
Models PA-31T and PA-31T1 airplanes. That AD requires correcting a 
model identification error on the aircraft data plate. Certain Model 
PA-31T airplanes have been improperly identified as a Model PA-31T1 
airplane on the aircraft data plate.

Actions Since Existing AD Was Issued

    Since we issued AD 80-11-06 (45 FR 35309, May 27, 1980), we have 
become aware that the aircraft data plate on some of the affected 
airplanes have been modified in error because of confusion in the 
serial number applicability.
    The requirements in AD 80-11-06 (45 FR 35309, May 27, 1980), match 
those in Piper Service Bulletin 670, issued December 3, 1979. Also, the 
type certificate data sheet (TCDS) did not clearly distinguish the 
serial numbers for the Models PA-31T and PA-31T1 airplanes.
    As a result of the confusion, Piper Aircraft, Inc. has issued a new 
service bulletin to clarify the affected serial numbers. We are also 
working with Piper Aircraft, Inc. to clarify the serial numbers in the 
TCDS.

Relevant Service Information

    We reviewed Piper Aircraft Inc. Mandatory Service Bulletin No. 
1235, dated November 3, 2011. The service bulletin describes procedures 
for determining the airplane model based on the serial number and 
provides instructions for modifying the aircraft data plate to properly 
identify the airplane model.

FAA's Determination

    We are proposing this AD because we evaluated all the relevant 
information and determined the unsafe condition described previously is 
likely to exist or develop in other products of the same type design.

Proposed AD Requirements

    This proposed AD would retain all requirements of AD 80-11-06 (45 
FR 35309, May 27, 1980). This proposed AD would clarify the serial 
number applicability of the affected model airplanes. This proposed AD 
would also require a detailed search for all applicable airworthiness 
related documents that apply to any airplane that has an incorrectly 
marked aircraft data plate and take necessary corrective actions.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD affects 158 airplanes of U.S. 
registry.
    We estimate the following costs to comply with this proposed AD:

                                                 Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                    Cost per       Cost on U.S.
              Action                     Labor cost            Parts cost           product         operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Inspect the aircraft data plate...  1 work-hour x $85     Not applicable......             $85          $13,430
                                     per hour = $85.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    We estimate the following costs to do any necessary modification 
and/or records search that would be required based on the results of 
the proposed inspection. We have no way of determining the number of 
aircraft that might need modification:

                                               On-Condition Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                Action                          Labor cost                 Parts cost          Cost per product
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Modify the aircraft data plate........  1 work-hour x $85 per      Not applicable...........                 $85
                                         hour = $85.
Detailed search for all applicable      4 work-hours x $85 per     Not applicable...........                 340
 airworthiness related documents that    hour = $340.
 apply to any airplane that has an
 incorrectly marked aircraft data
 plate.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Authority for This Rulemaking

    Title 49 of the United States Code specifies the FAA's authority to 
issue rules on aviation safety. Subtitle I, Section 106, describes the 
authority of the FAA Administrator. Subtitle VII, Aviation Programs, 
describes in more detail the scope of the Agency's authority.
    We are issuing this rulemaking under the authority described in 
Subtitle VII, Part A, Subpart III, Section 44701, ``General 
requirements.'' Under that section, Congress charges the FAA with 
promoting safe flight of civil aircraft in air commerce by prescribing 
regulations for practices, methods, and procedures the Administrator 
finds necessary for safety in air commerce. This regulation is within 
the scope of that authority because it addresses an unsafe condition 
that is likely to exist or develop on products identified in this 
rulemaking action.

Regulatory Findings

    We have determined that this proposed AD would not have federalism 
implications under Executive Order 13132. This proposed AD would 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.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify that the proposed 
regulation:
    (1) Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive 
Order 12866,
    (2) Is not a ``significant rule'' under the DOT Regulatory Policies 
and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979),
    (3) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and
    (4) 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.

[[Page 14318]]

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by 
reference, Safety.

The Proposed Amendment

    Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the FAA proposes to amend 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. The FAA amends Sec.  39.13 by removing airworthiness directive 
(AD) 80-11-06, Amendment 39-3776 (45 FR 35309, May 27, 1980), and 
adding the following new AD:

Piper Aircraft, Inc. (Type Certificate previously held by The New 
Piper Aircraft Inc.): Docket No. FAA-2012-0251; Directorate 
Identifier 2012-CE-002-AD.

(a) Comments Due Date

    The FAA must receive comments on this AD action by April 23, 
2012.

(b) Affected ADs

    This AD supersedes AD 80-11-06, Amendment 39-3776 (45 FR 35309, 
May 27, 1980).

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to the airplanes identified in paragraphs (c)(1) 
and (c)(2) of this AD, certificated in any category.
    (1) Model PA-31T airplanes, serial numbers 31T-7820001, 31T-
7820002, 31T-7820003, 31T-7820004, 31T-7820005, 31T-7820006, 31T-
7820007, 31T-7820008, 31T-7820009, 31T-7820010, 31T-7820011, 31T-
7820012, 31T-7820013, 31T-7820014, 31T-7820015, 31T-7820016, 31T-
7820017, 31T-7820018, 31T-7820019, 31T-7820020, 31T-7820021, 31T-
7820022, 31T-7820023, 31T-7820024, 31T-7820025, 31T-7820026, 31T-
7820027, 31T-7820028, 31T-7820029, 31T-7820030, 31T-7820031, 31T-
7820032, 31T-7820033, 31T-7820034, 31T-7820035, 31T-7820036, 31T-
7820037, 31T-7820038, 31T-7820039, 31T-7820040, 31T-7820041, 31T-
7820042, 31T-7820043, 31T-7820044, 31T-7820045, 31T-7820046, 31T-
7820047, 31T-7820048, 31T-7820049, 31T-7820050, 31T-7820051, 31T-
7820052, 31T-7820053, 31T-7820054, 31T-7820055, 31T-7820056, 31T-
7820057, 31T-7820058, 31T-7820059, 31T-7820060, 31T-7820061, 31T-
7820062, 31T-7820063, 31T-7820064, 31T-7820065, 31T-7820066, 31T-
7820067, 31T-7820068, 31T-7820069, 31T-7820070, 31T-7820071, 31T-
7820072, 31T-7820073, 31T-7820074, 31T-7820075, 31T-7820076, 31T-
7820077, 31T-7820078, 31T-7820079, 31T-7820080, 31T-7820081, 31T-
7820082, 31T-7820083, 31T-7820084, 31T-7820085, 31T-7820086, 31T-
7820087, 31T-7820088, 31T-7820089, 31T-7820090, 31T-7820091, 31T-
7820092; and
    (2) Model PA-31T1 airplanes, serial numbers 31T-7804001, 31T-
7804002, 31T-7804003, 31T-7804004, 31T-7804005, 31T-7804006, 31T-
7804007, 31T-7804008, 31T-7804009, 31T-7804010, 31T-7804011, 31T-
7904001, 31T-7904002, 31T-7904003, 31T-7904004, 31T-7904005, 31T-
7904006, 31T-7904007, 31T-7904008, 31T-7904009, 31T-7904010, 31T-
7904011, 31T-7904012, 31T-7904013, 31T-7904014, 31T-7904015, 31T-
7904016, 31T-7904017, 31T-7904018, 31T-7904019, 31T-7904020, 31T-
7904021, 31T-7904022, 31T-7904023, 31T-7904024, 31T-7904025, 31T-
7904026, 31T-7904027, 31T-7904028, 31T-7904029, 31T-7904030, 31T-
7904031, 31T-7904032, 31T-7904033, 31T-7904034, 31T-7904035, 31T-
7904036, 31T-7904037, 31T-7904038, 31T-7904039, 31T-7904040, 31T-
7904041, 31T-7904042, 31T-7904043, 31T-7904044, 31T-7904045, 31T-
7904046, 31T-7904047, 31T-7904048, 31T-7904049, 31T-7904050, 31T-
7904051, 31T-7904052, 31T-7904053, 31T-7904056, 31T-7904057.

(d) Subject

    Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC)/Air Transport Association 
(ATA) of America Code 1100, Placards and Markings.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by reports that some owner/operators of the 
affected airplanes modified the aircraft data plate in error because 
of confusion in the serial number applicability. We are issuing this 
AD to correct the unsafe condition on these products.

(f) Compliance

    Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, 
unless already done.

(g) Inspect the Aircraft Data Plate

    Within the next 100 hours after the effective date of this AD, 
inspect the markings on the aircraft data plate. Do the inspection 
following Part I of Piper Aircraft, Inc. Mandatory Service Bulletin 
No. 1235, dated November 3, 2011.
    (1) If the aircraft data plate is correctly marked, make a 
logbook entry showing compliance with this AD, and no further action 
is required.
    (2) If the aircraft data plate is incorrectly marked, continue 
with paragraphs (h) and (i) of this AD.

(h) Modify the Aircraft Data Plate

    Before further flight after the inspection required in paragraph 
(g) of this AD, modify the aircraft data plate following Part II of 
Piper Aircraft, Inc. Mandatory Service Bulletin No. 1235, dated 
November 3, 2011.

(i) Detailed Aircraft Records Search

    Before further flight after the modification required in 
paragraph (h) of this AD:
    (1) Do a detailed search of the aircraft maintenance records and 
documents to include, but not limited to, ADs, special airworthiness 
information bulletins (SAIBs), service bulletins (SBs), and other 
service documents; installed supplemental type certificates (STCs) 
and parts manufacturing approval (PMAs); and instructions for 
continued airworthiness (ICAs). Each document found must be assessed 
to ensure proper actions have been made to maintain airworthiness as 
affected by the model number of the aircraft. Part 135 operators and 
other operators utilizing FAA-approved maintenance programs will 
need to address changes to their inspection programs and related 
documents.

    Note:  Although some of the above documents may not be mandatory 
for compliance, it is still necessary to evaluate them to ensure 
that any voluntary compliance does not negatively affect the 
airworthiness of the airplane.

    (2) Identify all discrepant conditions for misidentified 
aircraft and coordinate with the geographic Flight Standards 
District Office (FSDO) and the Atlanta Aircraft Certification Office 
(ACO) to determine necessary corrective actions. Also, coordinate 
with the geographic FSDO to arrange for revisions to the 
airworthiness certificate, registration, and other potential 
document/certificate revisions. The following is a list of example 
discrepant conditions that may be found during the records search:
    (i) An AD was complied with that was applicable to the incorrect 
model, but not applicable to the corrected model.
    (ii) A required AD for the corrected model was not complied 
with.
    (iii) A maintenance action was performed that was recommended, 
but not mandatory, for the incorrect model, but not applicable to 
the corrected model.
    (iv) A PMA part was installed that was applicable for the 
incorrect model, but not for the corrected model.
    (v) An STC was installed that was applicable for the incorrect 
model, but not for the corrected model.
    (vi) An STC was installed that was applicable for both the 
incorrect and corrected model, but all related, applicable ADs for 
the corrected model were not complied with.

(j) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (1) The Manager, Atlanta ACO, has the authority to approve AMOCs 
for this AD, if requested using the procedures found in 14 CFR 
39.19. In accordance with 14 CFR 39.19, send your request to your 
principal inspector or local Flight Standards District Office, as 
appropriate. If sending information directly to the manager of the 
ACO, send it to the attention of the person identified in the 
Related Information section of this AD.
    (2) Before using any approved AMOC, notify your appropriate 
principal inspector, or lacking a principal inspector, the manager 
of the local flight standards district office/certificate holding 
district office.
    (3) AMOCs approved for AD 80-11-06 (45 FR 35309, May 27, 1980), 
are approved as AMOCs for this AD.

(k) Related Information

    (1) For more information about this AD, contact Gregory 
``Keith'' Noles, Aerospace Engineer, FAA, Atlanta ACO, 1701 Columbia 
Avenue, College Park, Georgia 30337; phone:

[[Page 14319]]

(404) 474-5551; fax: (404) 474-5606; email: [email protected].
    (2) For service information identified in this AD, contact Piper 
Aircraft, Inc., 926 Piper Drive, Vero Beach, Florida 32960; 
telephone: (772) 567-4361; Internet: www.piper.com. You may review 
copies of the referenced service information at the FAA, Small 
Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Kansas City, Missouri 64106. For 
information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call 
(816) 329-4148.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on March 5, 2012.
John Colomy,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2012-5801 Filed 3-8-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P