[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 231 (Tuesday, December 1, 2020)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 76953-76955]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-26473]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2020-0712; Product Identifier 2019-CE-013-AD; Amendment 
39-21339; AD 2020-24-09]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Piper Aircraft, Inc. Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for 
certain Piper Aircraft, Inc., Model PA-34-220T airplanes. This AD was 
prompted by a report of damage to the rudder flight control cables and 
the emergency power supply (EPS) system wiring due to inadequate 
clearance from the EPS wiring harness. This AD requires inspecting the 
rudder flight control cables and the EPS wiring for damage, replacing 
damaged cables and wires if necessary, and re-routing the EPS wiring 
harness to ensure proper clearance between the EPS and the rudder 
flight control cables. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe 
condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective January 5, 2021.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of January 5, 
2021.

ADDRESSES: Piper Aircraft, Inc., 2916 Piper Drive, Vero Beach, Florida 
32960; telephone: (772) 567-4361; email: [email protected]; 
internet: https://www.piper.com. You may view this referenced service 
information at the FAA, Airworthiness Products Section, Operational 
Safety Branch, 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 https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2020-
0712; or in person at Docket Operations

[[Page 76954]]

between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal 
holidays. The AD docket contains this final rule, any comments 
received, and other information. The address for Docket Operations is 
U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30, West 
Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, 
Washington, DC 20590.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Bryan Long, Aerospace Engineer, 
Atlanta ACO Branch, FAA, 1701 Columbia Avenue, College Park, Georgia 
30337; phone: (404) 474-5578; fax: (404) 474-5606; email: 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Discussion

    The FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 
CFR part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to certain serial-numbered 
Piper Aircraft, Inc., Model PA-34-220T airplanes. The NPRM published in 
the Federal Register on July 28, 2020 (85 FR 45353). The NPRM was 
prompted by a report of damage to the rudder flight control cables and 
the EPS system wiring due to inadequate clearance from the EPS wiring 
harness. Use of the rudder flight control cable and the motion of the 
cable rubbing against the EPS wiring can wear through the rudder flight 
control cable insulation and cause an electrical path to ground. The 
flow of the electrical current can burn (arc) through the rudder flight 
control cable strands, eventually severing the rudder flight control 
cable. In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to require inspecting the rudder 
flight control cables and the EPS wiring for damage, replacing damaged 
cables and wires if necessary, and re-routing the EPS wiring harness to 
ensure proper clearance between the EPS and the rudder flight control 
cables.
    This condition, if not addressed, could result in electrical arcing 
between the EPS and the rudder flight control cables with consequent 
failure of the rudder flight control system. This failure could cause 
loss of yaw control and lead to loss of control of the airplane during 
an engine out condition/operation. The FAA is issuing this AD to 
address the unsafe condition on these products.

Comments

    The FAA received no comments on the NPRM or on the determination of 
the costs.

Conclusion

    The FAA reviewed the relevant data and determined that air safety 
requires adopting this AD as proposed in the NPRM. Accordingly, the FAA 
is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    The FAA reviewed Piper Aircraft, Inc., Service Bulletin No. 1337, 
dated February 15, 2019. The service bulletin contains procedures for 
inspecting the rudder flight control cables and the EPS wiring for 
damage, replacing damaged cables and wires, and re-routing the EPS 
wiring harness to the opposite side of the EPS bracket to improve 
clearance from the rudder flight control cable. This service 
information is reasonably available because the interested parties have 
access to it through their normal course of business or by the means 
identified in the ADDRESSES section.

Costs of Compliance

    The FAA estimates that this AD affects 25 airplanes of U.S. 
registry.
    The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this AD:

                                                 Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                     Cost per      Cost on U.S.
              Action                    Labor cost              Parts cost            product        operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Inspect the rudder flight control  1 work-hour x $85     Not applicable.........             $85          $2,125
 cables and the EPS wiring.         per hour = $85.
Re-routing the EPS wiring harness  2 work-hours x $85    $100...................             270           6,750
                                    per hour = $170.
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    The FAA estimates the following costs to do any necessary 
replacements that would be required based on the results of the 
inspection. The FAA has no way of determining the number of airplanes 
that might need actions:

                                               On-Condition Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                     Cost per
                    Action                                 Labor cost               Parts cost        product
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Replace damaged rudder flight control cable...  8 work-hours x $85 per hour =               $157            $837
                                                 $680.
Replace damaged EPS wiring....................  10 work-hours x $85 per hour =             2,770           3,620
                                                 $850.
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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.
    The FAA is 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

    This AD will not have federalism implications under Executive Order 
13132. This AD 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.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this AD:
    (1) Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive 
Order 12866,
    (2) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and
    (3) Will not have a significant economic impact, positive or 
negative, on a substantial number of small entities

[[Page 76955]]

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 Amendment

    Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the FAA amends 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 adding the following new airworthiness 
directive:

2020-24-09 Piper Aircraft, Inc.: Amendment 39-21339; Docket No. FAA-
2020-0712; Product Identifier 2019-CE-013-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective January 5, 2021.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Piper Aircraft, Inc., Model PA-34-220T 
airplanes, serial numbers 3449459 and 3449467 through 3449508, 
certificated in any category.

(d) Subject

    Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC)/Air Transport Association 
(ATA) of America Code 27. Flight Controls.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by a report of damage to the rudder flight 
control cables and the emergency power supply (EPS) system wiring 
due to inadequate clearance from the EPS wiring harness. The FAA is 
issuing this AD to detect, correct, and prevent damaged rudder 
flight control cables and EPS system wiring. The unsafe condition, 
if not addressed, could result in electrical arcing between the EPS 
and the rudder flight control cables with consequent failure of the 
rudder flight control system. This failure could cause loss of yaw 
control and lead to loss of control of the airplane during an engine 
out condition/operation.

(f) Compliance

    Unless already done, comply with this AD within 50 hours time-
in-service after the effective date of this AD or within 6 months 
after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs first.

(g) Inspect, Replace, and Relocate

    (1) Inspect the rudder flight control cables and the EPS wiring 
for chafing and damage by following step 3 of the Instructions in 
Piper Service Bulletin No. 1337, dated February 15, 2019 (Piper SB 
No. 1337). If there is any chafing or damage, before further flight, 
replace the rudder flight control cable and EPS wiring.
    (2) Relocate the EPS wiring harness by following steps 4 through 
12 of the Instructions in Piper SB No. 1337.

(h) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (1) The Manager, Atlanta ACO Branch, 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 certification office, send it to the attention of the 
person identified in paragraph (i) 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) For service information that contains steps that are labeled 
as Required for Compliance (RC), the following provisions apply.
    (i) The steps labeled as RC, including substeps under an RC step 
and any figures identified in an RC step, must be done to comply 
with the AD. An AMOC is required for any deviations to RC steps, 
including substeps and identified figures.
    (ii) Steps not labeled as RC may be deviated from using accepted 
methods in accordance with the operator's maintenance or inspection 
program without obtaining approval of an AMOC, provided the RC 
steps, including substeps and identified figures, can still be done 
as specified, and the airplane can be put back in an airworthy 
condition.

(i) Related Information

    For more information about this AD, contact Bryan Long, 
Aerospace Engineer, Atlanta ACO Branch, FAA, 1701 Columbia Avenue, 
College Park, Georgia 30337; phone: (404) 474-5578; fax: (404) 474-
5606; email: [email protected].

(j) Material Incorporated by Reference

    (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the 
incorporation by reference of the service information listed in this 
paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
    (2) You must use this service information as applicable to do 
the actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise.
    (i) Piper Service Bulletin No. 1337, dated February 15, 2019.
    (ii) [Reserved]
    (3) For the service information identified in this AD, contact 
Piper Aircraft, Inc., 2916 Piper Drive, Vero Beach, Florida 32960; 
telephone: (772) 567-4361; email: [email protected]; 
internet: https://www.piper.com.
    (4) You may view this service information at FAA, Airworthiness 
Products Section, Operational Safety Branch, 901 Locust, Kansas 
City, Missouri 64106. For information on the availability of this 
material at the FAA, call (816) 329-4148.
    (5) You may view this service information that is incorporated 
by reference at the National Archives and Records Administration 
(NARA). For information on the availability of this material at 
NARA, email: [email protected], or go to: https://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.

    Issued on November 17, 2020.
Lance T. Gant,
Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2020-26473 Filed 11-30-20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P