[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 139 (Thursday, July 19, 2012)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 42455-42457]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-17589]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2012-0756; Directorate Identifier 2012-CE-012-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Piper Aircraft, Inc. Airplanes
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
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[[Page 42456]]
SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all
Piper Aircraft, Inc. (type certificate previously held by The New Piper
Aircraft Inc.) Models PA-18 and PA-19 airplanes. This proposed AD was
prompted by incidents of inadvertent magneto switch shut off in flight.
This proposed AD would require moving all magneto switches that are now
or are at any time located on the left cabin panel, adjacent to the
front seat, to the instrument panel. We are proposing this AD to
correct the unsafe condition on these products.
DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by September 4,
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.
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: Gary Wechsler, Aerospace Engineer,
FAA, Atlanta Aircraft Certification Office, 1701 Columbia Avenue,
College Park, Georgia 30337; phone: (404) 474-5575; 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 proposal. Send your comments to an address listed
under the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2012-0756;
Directorate Identifier 2012-CE-012-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.
Discussion
Three forced landings of Piper Aircraft, Inc. Model PA-18 airplanes
with magneto switches located on the left cabin panel, adjacent to the
front seat, were caused by pilots unknowingly turning off the magneto
switches and causing in-flight engine shutdowns. In each event, the
pilot was performing other flight tasks, such as re-trimming the
airplane, and the pilot's arm and/or article of clothing accidently
turned off the magneto switches.
Those parties that may desire an alternative method of compliance
(AMOC) are encouraged to work together with pertinent type clubs toward
a single global AMOC.
Any Piper Aircraft, Inc. Model PA-18 airplane with the magneto
switch currently located away from the left cabin panel, adjacent to
the front seat, including those already placed on an airplane's wing
root, is not at a high risk of an inadvertent in-flight engine shutdown
and loss of flight control and are not the subject of this proposed AD.
This condition, if not corrected, could result in engine shut down
and possible loss of control.
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 require removing the magneto switch and
ignition leads from the left cabin panel adjacent to the front seat and
install a key-type ignition switch on the instrument panel.
Costs of Compliance
We estimate that this proposed AD affects 295 airplanes of U.S.
registry.
We estimate the following costs to comply with this proposed AD:
Estimated Costs
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Cost per Cost on U.S.
Action Labor cost Parts cost product operators
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Relocate the magneto switch from the 3.5 work-hours x $85 $125 $422.50 $124,637.50
port side interior cabin wall to per hour = $297.50.
the instrument panel and replace
the magneto switch with a keyed
switch.
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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 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.
[[Page 42457]]
For the reasons discussed above, I certify this 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.
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 adding the following new
airworthiness directive (AD):
Piper Aircraft, Inc. (Type Certificate Previously Held by The New
Piper Aircraft Inc.): Docket No. FAA-2012-0756; Directorate
Identifier 2012-CE-012-AD.
(a) Comments Due Date
We must receive comments by September 4, 2012.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to Piper Aircraft, Inc. (type certificate
previously held by The New Piper Aircraft Inc.) Models PA-18, PA-18
``105'' (Special), PA-18S, PA-18S ``105'' (Special), PA-18A, PA-18
``125'' (Army L-21A), PA-18S ``125'', PA-18AS ``125'', PA-18 ``135''
(Army L-21B), PA-18A ``135'', PA-18S ``135'', PA-18AS ``135'', PA-18
``150'', PA-18A ``150'', PA-18S ``150'', PA-18AS ``150'', PA-19
(Army L-18C), and PA-19S airplanes, all serial numbers, that:
(1) Are certificated in any category; and
(2) Are now or at any time equipped with a magneto switch
installed on the left cabin panel, adjacent to the front seat.
Note 1 to paragraph (c) of this AD: Model PA-18 airplanes with
the magneto switch located away from the left cabin panel, adjacent
to the front seat, including those currently placed on an airplane's
wing root, are not subject to the requirements of this AD.
(d) Subject
Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC)/Air Transport Association
(ATA) of America Code 74, Engine Ignition.
(e) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by incidents of inadvertent magneto switch
shut off in flight. We are issuing this AD to prevent engine shut
down and possible loss of control.
(f) Compliance
Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified,
unless already done.
(g) Relocate the Magneto Switch and Replace With Key-Type Ignition
Switch
Within the next 12 months after the effective date of this AD,
do the following in accordance with FAA Advisory Circular 43.13-2B,
Chapter 11, which can be found at http://rgl.faa.gov/:
(1) Remove the magneto switch and ignition leads from the left
cabin panel, adjacent to the front seat, install either a Piper part
number 15302-02, -04 or -05 (or FAA approved equivalent part number)
key-type ignition switch on the instrument panel, not adjacent to or
below (the height of) the engine fuel primer, attach ignition leads,
maintaining shielded or unshielded configuration existing at time of
new switch installation, and secure leads following the procedures
in FAA Advisory Circular 43.13-2B, Chapter 11, which can be found at
http://rgl.faa.gov/.
(2) Perform engine run to verify proper engine operation.
Following regular run-up procedures, allow the engine to reach
operating temperatures and do a normal magneto check.
(h) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)
(1) The Manager, Atlanta Aircraft Certification Office (ACO),
FAA, 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.
(i) Related Information
For more information about this AD, contact Gary Wechsler,
Aerospace Engineer, FAA, Atlanta ACO, 1701 Columbia Avenue, College
Park, Georgia 30337; phone: (404) 474-5575; fax: (404) 474-5606;
email: [email protected].
Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on July 13, 2012.
Earl Lawrence,
Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2012-17589 Filed 7-18-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P