[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 161 (Tuesday, August 20, 2013)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 51121-51123]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-20328]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2013-0742; Directorate Identifier 2013-CE-012-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Piper Aircraft, Inc.

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: We propose to supersede an existing airworthiness directive 
(AD) that applies to certain Piper Aircraft, Inc. Models PA-28-140, PA-
28-150, PA-28-160, PA-28-180, PA-28R-180, and PA-28R-200 airplanes. AD 
71-21-08, Amendment 39-1312 (36 FR 19572, October 8, 1971) currently 
requires replacement of the fuel selector valve cover. Since we issued 
AD 71-21-08, it has been found that a similar fuel selector valve issue 
exists in additional serial numbered airplanes not identified in the 
existing AD. This proposed AD would add additional airplanes to the 
AD's applicability section and changes the compliance time of the 
required actions. We are proposing this AD to correct the unsafe 
condition on these products.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by October 4, 2013.

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., 2926 Piper Drive, Vero Beach, Florida 32960; telephone: 
(772) 567-4361; fax: (772) 978-6573; email: [email protected]; 
Internet: www.piper.com/home/pages/Publications.cfm. 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: Gary Wechsler, Aerospace Engineer, 
Atlanta Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, 1701 Columbia Avenue, 
College Park, Georgia 30337; telephone: (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 proposed AD. Send your comments to an address 
listed under the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2013-0742; 
Directorate Identifier 2013-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

    On September 29, 1971, we issued AD 71-21-08, Amendment 39-1312 (36 
FR 19572, October 8, 1971), for certain Piper Aircraft, Inc. Models PA-
28-140, PA-28-180, PA-28R-180, and PA-28R-200 airplanes. That AD 
requires a replacement of the fuel selector valve cover to prevent 
possible binding of the fuel selector handle.

Actions Since Existing AD Was Issued

    Since we issued AD 71-21-08, Amendment 39-1312 (36 FR 19572, 
October 8, 1971), a safety event in 2011 caused the loss of a Model PA-
28-180C airplane and the serious injury to one occupant. A subsequent 
FAA investigation revealed eight additional PA-28 series events dating 
from 1999 to the present were the result of a similar fuel selector 
valve assembly issue. Additionally, the FAA was unable to determine and 
locate records of notification when Piper Service Letter (SL) 590, 
dated May 25, 1972, and Piper Service Bulletin (SB) 840, dated June 19, 
1986, were released indicating a similar fuel selector valve issue 
existed in additional serial numbered airplanes not identified in AD 
71-21-08.
    Although reliable FAA records do not exist for events prior to 
1995, it is likely that the AD and Piper service information referenced 
above was released due to the frequency of similar events occurring 
during the periods in which the documents were released. Piper has 
indicated the majority of the airplanes added to the applicability of 
this NPRM have likely already complied with the proposed action.

Relevant Service Information

    The 2011 safety event prompted us to review the Piper Aircraft, 
Inc. service information history, specifically Piper Mandatory Service 
Bulletin No. 840, dated June 19, 1986. The service information 
describes applicability and where to find procedures for replacement of 
the fuel selector valve cover.

FAA's Determination

    We are proposing this AD because we evaluated all the relevant 
information

[[Page 51122]]

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 actions from AD 71-21-08, 
Amendment 39-1312 (36 FR 19572, October 8, 1971), add additional 
airplanes to the applicability, and change the compliance times for the 
required actions.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD affects 6,928 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 airplane records and     .5 work-hour x $85  Not applicable.........          $42.50  $294,440.
 fuel selector valve.             per hour = $42.50.
Install Piper Kit part number    1.5 work-hours x    $519...................         $646.50  523 airplanes x
 760-545V and one (1) each Air    $85 per hour =                                               $646.50 =
 Vent Flange Kit part number      $127.50.                                                     $338,119.50.
 65735-219.
Install Piper Kit part number    1.5 work-hours x    $513...................         $640.50  6,405 airplanes x
 760-546V.                        $85 per hour =                                               $640.50 =
                                  $127.50.                                                     $4,102,402.50.
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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 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.

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

0
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]

0
2. The FAA amends Sec.  39.13 by removing Airworthiness Directive (AD) 
71-21-08, Amendment 39-1312 (36 FR 19572, October 8, 1971), and adding 
the following new AD:

Piper Aircraft, Inc.: Docket No. FAA-2013-0742; Directorate 
Identifier 2013-AD-012-AD.

(a) Comments Due Date

    The FAA must receive comments on this AD action by October 4, 
2013.

(b) Affected ADs

    This AD supersedes AD 71-21-08, Amendment 39-1312 (36 FR 19572, 
October 8, 1971).

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to the following Piper Aircraft, Inc. airplanes, 
certificated in any category, as identified in table 1, paragraph 
(c), of this AD:

           Table 1 to Paragraph (c) of This AD--Applicability
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                   Model                             Serial Nos.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
PA-28-140.................................  28-20000 through 28-26946,
                                             and 28-7125001 through 28-
                                             7125666.
PA-28-150/160/180.........................  28-01 through 28-5859, and
                                             28-7105001 through 28-
                                             7105259.
PA-28R-180................................  28R-30000 through 28R-31270,
                                             and 28R-7130001 through 28R-
                                             7130038.
PA-28R-200................................  28R-35001 through 28R-35820,
                                             and 28R-7135001 through 28R-
                                             7135254.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

(d) Subject

    Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC)/Air Transport Association 
(ATA) of America Code, 2823; Fuel Selector/Shut-Off Valve.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by a safety event in 2011 that resulted in 
serious injury and substantial airplane damage and was caused by an 
in-flight engine stoppage due to binding of the fuel selector 
handle, thus the need to add additional airplanes to the 
applicability of AD 71-21-08, Amendment

[[Page 51123]]

39-1312 (36 FR 19572, October 8, 1971). We are issuing this AD to 
detect and correct defective fuel valve covers, which could result 
in fuel selector handle binding leading to fuel flow interruption 
resulting in engine stoppage.

(f) Compliance

    Unless already done, within the next 100 hours time-in-service 
(TIS) after the effective date of this AD or within the next 12 
months after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs first, 
do the following actions as applicable in paragraphs (g) through (h) 
of this AD, including all subparagraphs.

(g) Inspection

    Inspect to verify if the appropriate kit, Piper part number (P/
N) 760-545V or P/N 760-546V, has been installed on the applicable 
airplanes, using one of two methods defined in paragraphs (g)(1), 
(g)(2), or (g)(3) of this AD:
    (1) Review the prior logbook entries of the airplanes identified 
in table 2 to paragraph (g) of this AD for documentation of Piper 
Mandatory Service Bulletin (MSB) 840, dated June 19, 1986, or Piper 
Service Letter (SL) 588, dated September 3, 1971, compliance; or 
kit, Piper P/N 760-545V installation.

      Table 2 to Paragraph (G) of this Ad--Kit, Piper P/N 760-545V,
                              Applicability
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                   Model                             Serial Nos.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
PA-28-140.................................  28-7125001 through 28-
                                             7125666.
PA-28-180.................................  28-7105001 through 28-
                                             7105259.
PA-28R-180................................  28R-7130001 through 28R-
                                             7130038.
PA-28R-200................................  28R-7135001 through 28R-
                                             7135254.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (2) Review the prior logbook entries of the airplanes identified 
in table 3 to paragraph (g) of this AD for documentation of Piper 
Mandatory Service Bulletin (MSB) 840, dated June 19, 1986, or Piper 
Service Letter (SL) 588, dated September 3, 1971 compliance; or kit, 
Piper P/N 760-546V installation.

      Table 3 to Paragraph (G) of this Ad--Kit, Piper P/N 760-546V,
                              Applicability
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                   Model                             Serial Nos.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
PA-28-140.................................  28-20000 through 28-26946.
PA-28-150/160/180.........................  28-01 through 28-5859.
PA-28R-180................................  28R-30000 through 28R-31270.
PA-28R-200................................  28R-35001 through 28R-35820.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (3) Visually examine the fuel selector cover installed on the 
applicable airplanes referenced in table 1 to paragraph (c) of this 
AD. Airplanes that have installed the kit,
    Piper P/N 760-545V or 760-546V, will have a fuel selector cover 
with a silver-gray, spring loaded, metal stop located at the 5 
o'clock position, approximately 1.75 inches from the center of the 
fuel selector cover.

(h) Replacement

    If after doing the inspections required in paragraph (g)(1), 
(g)(2), and (g)(3) of this AD you do not find fuel selector valve 
kit, Piper P/N 760-545V or P/N 760-546V, installed on the airplane, 
replace the fuel selector valve as specified in paragraphs (h)(1) 
and (h)(2) of this AD:
    (1) For Model PA-28-140 airplanes, serial numbers (S/Ns) 28-
7125001 through 28-7125666; Model PA-28-180 airplanes, S/Ns 28-
7105001 through 28-7105259; Model PA-28R-180 airplanes, S/Ns 28R-
7130001 through 28R-7130038; and Model PA-28R-200 airplanes, S/Ns 
28R-7135001 through 28R-7135254: Replace with FuelSelector Valve 
Cover Replacement Kit, Piper P/N 760-545V; and Air Vent Flange Kit, 
Piper P/N 65735-219. Do the replacement following the instructions 
referenced in Piper MSB No. 840, dated June 19, 1986.
    (2) For Model PA-28-140 airplanes, S/Ns 28-20000 through 28-
26946; Model PA-28-150/160/180 airplanes, S/Ns 28-01 through 28-
5859; Model PA-28R-180 airplanes, S/Ns 28R-30000 through 28R-31270; 
and Model PA-28R-200 airplanes, S/Ns 28R-35001 through 28R-35820: 
Replace with Fuel Selector Valve Cover Replacement Kit, Piper P/N 
760-546V. Do the replacement following the instructions referenced 
in Piper MSB No. 840, dated June 19, 1986.

(i) 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.

(j) Related Information

    (1) For more information about this AD, contact Gary Wechsler, 
Aerospace Engineer, Atlanta Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, 1701 
Columbia Avenue, College Park, Georgia 30337; telephone: (404) 474-
5575; fax: (404) 474-5606; email: [email protected].
    (2) For service information identified in this AD, contact Piper 
Aircraft, Inc., 2926 Piper Drive, Vero Beach, Florida 32960; 
telephone: (772) 567-4361; fax: (772) 978-6573; email: 
[email protected]; Internet: www.piper.com/home/pages/Publications.cfm. You may view this service information at 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 August 14, 2013.
John Colomy,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2013-20328 Filed 8-19-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P