[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 229 (Tuesday, November 26, 1996)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 60016-60018]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-29986]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 95-CE-55-AD; Amendment 39-9837; AD 96-24-13]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; The New Piper Aircraft, Inc. (Formerly
Piper Aircraft Corporation) PA-31, PA-31P, and PA-31T Series Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: This document supersedes AD 75-26-18, which currently requires
modifying the landing gear selector cable forward attachment pin
assembly by installing a safety lock wire on certain The New Piper
Aircraft Inc., (Piper) PA-31, PA-31P, and PA-31T series airplanes. The
action will require the same action as AD 75-26-18. An incorrect
designation of Piper Model PA-31 airplanes as Piper Model PA-31-310
airplanes in AD 75-26-18 prompted the proposed AD action. The actions
specified by this AD are intended to prevent the landing gear selector
cable forward attachment pin assembly from becoming separated from the
powerpack control arm, which, if not corrected, could cause loss of
landing gear retraction or extension.
DATES: Effective January 17, 1997.
The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as
of January 17, 1997.
[[Page 60017]]
ADDRESSES: Service information that applies to this AD may be obtained
from The New Piper Aircraft, Inc., Attn: Customer Service, 2926 Piper
Dr., Vero Beach, Florida, 32960. This information may also be examined
at the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Central Region, Office of
the Assistant Chief Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket 95-CE-55-AD, Room
1558, 601 E. 12th Street, Kansas City, Missouri 64106; or at the Office
of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700,
Washington, DC.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Christina Marsh, Aerospace Engineer,
FAA, Atlanta Aircraft Certification Office, Campus Building, 1701
Columbia Avenue, suite 2-160, College Park, Georgia 30337-2748;
telephone (404) 305-7362; facsimile (404) 305-7348.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Events Leading to This Action
A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14
CFR part 39) to include an AD that would apply to Piper PA-31, PA-31P,
and PA-31T series airplanes was published in the Federal Register on
April 29, 1996 (61 FR 18697). This action would supersede AD 75-26-18
with a new AD that would retain the same requirements as AD 75-26-18
and change the model designation in the Applicability section from
Piper Model PA-31-310 airplanes to Piper Model PA-31 airplanes. With
this in mind, the proposed action would not provide any additional cost
impact upon U.S. operators over that already required by AD 75-26-18.
Related Service Information
Accomplishment of this action will be in accordance with Piper
Service Bulletin (SB) No. 488, dated October 24, 1975.
Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate
in the making of this amendment. No comments were received on the
proposed rule or the FAA's determination of the cost to the public.
FAA's Determination
After careful review of all available information related to the
subject presented above, the FAA has determined that air safety and the
public interest require the adoption of the rule as proposed except for
minor editorial corrections. The FAA has determined that these minor
corrections will not change the meaning of the AD and will not add any
additional burden upon the public than was already proposed.
Regulatory Impact
The regulations adopted herein will not have substantial direct
effects 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. Therefore, in
accordance with Executive Order 12612, it is determined that this final
rule does not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant the
preparation of a Federalism Assessment.
For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this action (1) is
not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive Order 12866;
(2) is not a ``significant rule'' under DOT Regulatory Policies and
Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979); and (3) 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. A copy of the final evaluation prepared for this
action is contained in the Rules Docket. A copy of it may be obtained
by contacting the Rules Docket at the location provided under the
caption ADDRESSES.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by
reference, Safety.
Adoption of the Amendment
Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration amends part 39 of
the Federal Aviation Regulations (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. Section 39.13 is amended by removing Airworthiness Directive
(AD) 75-26-18 Amendment 39-2504, and by adding a new AD to read as
follows:
96-24-13. The New Piper Aircraft, Inc.: Docket No. 95-CE-55-AD;
Amendment No. 39-9837 Supersedes AD 75-26-18, Amendment 39-2504.
Applicability: PA-31, PA-31P, and PA-31T series airplanes with
the following Model and serial numbers, certificated in any
category.
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Models Serial Nos.
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PA-31 and PA-31-325....................... 31-7300950 through 31-
7612017.
PA-31-350................................. 31-7305048, 31-7305049, and
31-7305052 through 31-
7652032.
PA-31P.................................... 31P-7300128 through 31P-
7630005.
PA-31T.................................... 31T-7400002 through 31T-
7620013.
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Note 1: This AD applies to each airplane identified in the
preceding applicability provision, regardless of whether it has been
modified, altered, or repaired in the area subject to the
requirements of this AD. For airplanes that have been modified,
altered, or repaired so that the performance of the requirements of
this AD is affected, the owner/operator must request approval for an
alternative method of compliance in accordance with paragraph (c) of
this AD. The request should include an assessment of the effect of
the modification, alteration, or repair on the unsafe condition
addressed by this AD; and, if the unsafe condition has not been
eliminated, the request should include specific proposed actions to
address it.
Compliance: Required within 50 hours time-in-service (TIS) after
February 9, 1976 (effective date of AD 75-26-18) or within the next
25 hours TIS after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs
later, unless already accomplished.
To prevent the landing gear selector cable forward attachment
pin assembly from becoming separated from the powerpack control arm,
which if not corrected, could cause loss of landing gear retraction
or extension, accomplish the following:
(a) Modify the landing gear selector cable forward attachment
pin assembly by installing a safety lock wire in accordance with the
Instructions section of Piper Service Bulletin No. 488, dated
October 24, 1975.
(b) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with 14
CFR 21.197 and 21.199 to operate the airplane to a location where
the requirements of this AD can be accomplished.
(c) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of
compliance time that provides an equivalent level of safety may be
approved by the Manager, FAA, Atlanta Aircraft Certification Office,
Campus Building, 1701 Columbia Avenue, suite 2-160, College Park,
Georgia 30337-2748. The request shall be forwarded through an
appropriate FAA Maintenance Inspector, who may add comments and then
send it to the Manager, Atlanta Aircraft Certification Office.
Note 2: Information concerning the existence of approved
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be
obtained from the Atlanta Aircraft Certification Office.
(d) Alternative methods of compliance approved in accordance
with AD 75-26-18 (superseded by this action) are considered approved
as alternative methods of compliance with this AD.
(e) The modification required by this AD shall be done in
accordance with Piper Service Bulletin No. 488, dated October 24,
1975. This incorporation by reference was approved by the Director
of the Federal
[[Page 60018]]
Register in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
Copies may be obtained from The New Piper Aircraft, Inc., Attn:
Customer Service, 2926 Piper Dr., Vero Beach, Florida, 32960. Copies
may be inspected at the FAA, Central Region, Office of the Assistant
Chief Counsel, Room 1558, 601 E. 12th Street, Kansas City, Missouri,
or at the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street,
NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.
(f) This amendment supersedes AD 75-26-18, Amendment 39-2504.
(g) This amendment (39-9837) becomes effective on January 17,
1997.
Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on November 18, 1996.
James E. Jackson,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 96-29986 Filed 11-25-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U
