[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 23 (Thursday, February 3, 2022)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 6089-6091]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-02072]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2022-0222; Project Identifier AD-2020-01264-A]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Piper Aircraft, Inc., Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) 
for certain Piper Aircraft, Inc., (Piper) Model PA-34-200 airplanes. 
This proposed AD was prompted by the determination that the life limit 
for alternate bolts that attach the drag link to the nose gear were not 
listed as airworthiness limitations. This proposed AD would require 
establishing a life limit for these bolts. The FAA is proposing this AD 
to address the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: The FAA must receive comments on this proposed AD by March 21, 
2022.

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 https://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 NPRM, contact Piper 
Aircraft, Inc., 2926 Piper Drive, Vero Beach, FL 32960; phone: (772) 
299-2141; website: https://www.piper.com. You may view this service 
information at the FAA, Airworthiness Products Section, Operational 
Safety Branch, 901 Locust, Kansas City, MO 64106. For information on 
the availability of this material at the FAA, call (817) 222-5110.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket at https://www.regulations.gov by 
searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2022-0222; or in person at 
Docket Operations between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, 
except Federal holidays. The AD docket contains this NPRM, any comments 
received, and other information. The street address for Docket 
Operations is listed above.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: John Marshall, Aviation Safety 
Engineer, Atlanta ACO Branch, FAA, 1701 Columbia Avenue, College Park, 
GA 30337; phone: (404) 474-5524; email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

    The FAA invites you to send any written relevant data, views, or 
arguments about this proposal. Send your comments to an address listed 
under ADDRESSES. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2022-0222; Project Identifier 
AD-2020-01264-A'' at the beginning of your comments. The most helpful 
comments reference a specific portion of the proposal, explain the 
reason for any recommended change, and include supporting data. The FAA 
will consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend 
this proposal because of those comments.
    Except for Confidential Business Information (CBI) as described in 
the following paragraph, and other information as described in 14 CFR 
11.35, the FAA will post all comments received, without change, to 
https://www.regulations.gov, including any personal information you 
provide. The agency will also post a report summarizing each 
substantive verbal contact received about this NPRM.

Confidential Business Information

    CBI is commercial or financial information that is both customarily 
and

[[Page 6090]]

actually treated as private by its owner. Under the Freedom of 
Information Act (FOIA) (5 U.S.C. 552), CBI is exempt from public 
disclosure. If your comments responsive to this NPRM contain commercial 
or financial information that is customarily treated as private, that 
you actually treat as private, and that is relevant or responsive to 
this NPRM, it is important that you clearly designate the submitted 
comments as CBI. Please mark each page of your submission containing 
CBI as ``PROPIN.'' The FAA will treat such marked submissions as 
confidential under the FOIA, and they will not be placed in the public 
docket of this NPRM. Submissions containing CBI should be sent to John 
Marshall, Aviation Safety Engineer, Atlanta ACO Branch, FAA, 1701 
Columbia Avenue, College Park, GA 30337. Any commentary that the FAA 
receives that is not specifically designated as CBI will be placed in 
the public docket for this rulemaking.

Background

    Piper notified the FAA that prior revisions of the ALS for certain 
Piper Model PA-34-200 airplanes did not contain a life limit for bolt 
part number (P/N) 693-215 (standard P/N NAS6207-50D). Bolt P/N 693-215 
(NAS6207-50D) is an alternate part for P/N 400-274 (standard P/N AN7-
35). These bolts attach the drag link to the nose gear trunnion on 
Piper Model PA-34-200 airplanes. Piper did not include an ALS revision 
for the P/N 693-215 (standard P/N NAS6207-50D) bolt to establish the 
same life limit as the P/N 400-274 (AN7-35).
    If bolt P/N 693-215 (standard P/N NAS6207-50D) that attaches the 
drag link to the nose gear trunnion remains in service beyond its 
fatigue life, failure of the nose landing gear could occur, which could 
result in loss of airplane control during take-off, landing, or taxi 
operations.

FAA's Determination

    The FAA is issuing this NPRM after determining that the unsafe 
condition described previously is likely to exist or develop on other 
products of the same type design.

Related Service Information

    The FAA reviewed Piper Seneca Service Manual, Airworthiness 
Limitations, 753-817, page 1-1, dated November 30, 2019. This service 
information specifies the life limits of the P/N 693-215 (standard P/N 
NAS6207-50D) bolt that attaches the drag link to the nose gear 
trunnion.

ADs Mandating Airworthiness Limitations

    The FAA has previously mandated airworthiness limitations by 
issuing ADs that require revising the ALS of the existing maintenance 
manual or instructions for continued airworthiness to incorporate new 
or revised inspections and life limits. This AD, however, requires 
incorporating new or revised inspections and life limits into the 
maintenance records required by 14 CFR 91.417(a)(2) or 135.439(a)(2) 
for your airplane. The FAA does not intend this as a substantive 
change. Requiring incorporation of the new ALS requirements into the 
maintenance records, rather than requiring individual repetitive 
inspections and replacements, allows operators to record AD compliance 
once after updating the maintenance records, rather than recording 
compliance after every inspection and part replacement.

Proposed AD Requirements in This NPRM

    This proposed AD would require establishing a 500-hour life limit 
for bolt P/N 693-215 and P/N NAS6207-50D.

Costs of Compliance

    The FAA estimates that this AD, if adopted as proposed, would 
affect 187 airplanes of U.S. registry.
    The FAA estimates 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             airplane        operators
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Revise the Airworthiness         1 work-hour x $85   Not Applicable.............             $85         $15,895
 Limitations.                     per hour = $85.
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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

    The FAA 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 this proposed 
regulation:
    (1) Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive 
Order 12866,
    (2) Would not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and
    (3) Would 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.

[[Page 6091]]

Sec.  39.13  [Amended]

0
2. The FAA amends Sec.  39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness 
directive:

Piper Aircraft, Inc.: Docket No. FAA-2022-0222; Project Identifier 
AD-2020-01264-A.

(a) Comments Due Date

    The FAA must receive comments on this airworthiness directive 
(AD) by March 21, 2022.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Piper Aircraft, Inc., Model PA-34-200 
airplanes, serial numbers 34-7250001 through 34-7450220, 
certificated in any category.

(d) Subject

    Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 3220, Nose/Tail 
Landing Gear.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by the determination that the life limit 
for alternate bolts that attach the drag link to the nose gear were 
not included as airworthiness limitations. The FAA is issuing this 
AD to establish a life limit on bolt part numbers 693-215 and 
NAS6207-50D that attach the drag link to the nose gear trunnion. The 
unsafe condition, if not addressed, could result in failure of the 
nose landing gear and lead to loss of airplane control during take-
off, landing, or taxi operations.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Actions

    (1) Within 90 days after the effective date of this AD, 
incorporate into the maintenance records required by 14 CFR 
91.417(a)(2) or 135.439(a)(2) for your airplane a life limit of 500 
hours for bolt part numbers 693-215 and NAS6207-50D.
    Note to paragraph (g)(1): Piper Seneca Service Manual, 
Airworthiness Limitations, 753-817, page 1-1, dated November 30, 
2019, contains the life limit in paragraph (g)(1) of this AD.
    (2) Thereafter, except as provided in paragraph (h)(1) of this 
AD, no alternative replacement times may be approved for these 
bolts.

(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)(1) 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

    (1) For more information about this AD, contact John Marshall, 
Aviation Safety Engineer, Atlanta ACO Branch, FAA, 1701 Columbia 
Avenue, College Park, GA 30337; phone: (404) 474-5524; email: 
[email protected].
    (2) For service information identified in this AD, contact Piper 
Aircraft, Inc., 2926 Piper Drive, Vero Beach, FL 32960; phone: (772) 
299-2141; website: https://www.piper.com. You may view this 
referenced service information at the FAA, Airworthiness Products 
Section, Operational Safety Branch, 901 Locust, Kansas City, MO 
64106. For information on the availability of this material at the 
FAA, call (817) 222-5110.

    Issued on January 27, 2022.
Lance T. Gant,
Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2022-02072 Filed 2-2-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P