Federal Register / Vol. 75, No. 33 / Friday, February 19, 2010 / Proposed Rules 7407 

(3) Reporting Requirements: For any 

reporting requirement in this AD, under the 

provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act 

(44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.), the Office of 

Management and Budget (OMB) has 

approved the information collection 

requirements and has assigned OMB Control 

Number 2120–0056. 

Related Information 

(h) Refer to MCAI European Aviation 

Safety Agency AD No.: 2009–0267, dated 

December 17, 2009; and BAE Systems British 

Aerospace Jetstream Series 3100 & 3200 

Service Bulletin 27–JM7861, dated February 

12, 2008, for related information. 

Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on 

February 8, 2010. 

Steven W. Thompson, 

Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, 

Aircraft Certification Service. 

[FR Doc. 2010–3190 Filed 2–18–10; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4910–13–P 

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 

Federal Aviation Administration 

14 CFR Part 39 

[Docket No. FAA–2010–0122; Directorate 

Identifier 2009–CE–067–AD] 

RIN 2120–AA64 

Airworthiness Directives; Piper 

Aircraft, Inc. Models PA–32R–301T and 

PA–46–350P Airplanes 

AGENCY: Federal Aviation 

Administration (FAA), Department of 

Transportation (DOT). 

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking 

(NPRM). 

SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new 

airworthiness directive (AD) for certain 

Piper Aircraft, Inc. Models PA–32R– 

301T and PA–46–350P airplanes. This 

proposed AD would require you to 

replace any spot-welded V-band exhaust 

coupling with a riveted V-band exhaust 

coupling. This proposed AD results 

from reports that spot-welded V-band 

exhaust couplings are failing. We are 

proposing this AD to prevent failure of 

the V-band exhaust coupling, which 

could cause the exhaust pipe to detach 

from the turbocharger. This failure 

could result in release of high 

temperature gases inside the engine 

compartment and possibly cause an inflight fire. An in-flight fire could lead to 

loss of control. 

DATES: We must receive comments on 

this proposed AD by April 5, 2010. 

ADDRESSES: Use one of the following 

addresses to comment on this proposed 

AD: 

• 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: U.S. Department of 

Transportation, Docket Operations, M– 

30, West Building Ground Floor, Room 

W12–140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., 

Washington, DC 20590, between 9 a.m. 

and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, 

except Federal holidays. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 

Darby Mirocha, Aerospace Engineer, 

FAA, Atlanta Aircraft Certification 

Office (ACO), 1701 Columbia Avenue, 

College Park, Georgia 30337; telephone: 

(404) 474–5573; fax: (404) 474–5606; 

e-mail: darby.mirocha@faa.gov. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Comments Invited 

We invite you to send any written 

relevant data, views, or arguments 

regarding this proposed AD. Send your 

comments to an address listed under the 

ADDRESSES section. Include the docket 

number, ‘‘FAA–2010–0122; Directorate 

Identifier 2009–CE–067–AD’’ at the 

beginning of your comments. We 

specifically invite comments on the 

overall regulatory, economic, 

environmental, and energy aspects of 

the proposed AD. We will consider all 

comments received by the closing date 

and may amend the proposed AD in 

light 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 

concerning this proposed AD. 

Discussion 

We have received reports that spotwelded V-band exhaust couplings that 

are installed on certain Piper Aircraft, 

Inc. Models PA–32R–301T and PA–46– 

350P airplanes are failing. 

The V-band exhaust coupling attaches 

the exhaust pipe to the engine’s 

turbocharger. The spot welds on the 

coupling can fail and the coupling may 

become detached from the turbocharger 

and expose the firewall to hot exhaust 

gases. 

Several failures of part number 

40D21162–340M, a Lycoming spotwelded coupling, on other airplane 

models have occurred, and some of the 

failures resulted in an in-flight fire. 

These failures caused us to issue the 

following ADs: 

• AD 2004–23–17, Amendment 39– 

13872 (69 FR 67809, November 22, 

2004), applicable to Mooney Airplane 

Company, Inc. Model M20M airplanes; 

and 

• AD 2000–11–04, Amendment 39– 

11752 (65 FR 34941, June 1, 2000), 

applicable to Commander Aircraft 

Company Model 114TC airplanes. 

A newer and more robust design 

V-band exhaust coupling has been 

developed by the Lycoming supplier 

that is assembled using rivets instead of 

spot welds. 

This condition, if not corrected, could 

result in failure of the V-band exhaust 

coupling, which could cause the 

exhaust pipe to detach from the 

turbocharger. This failure could result 

in release of high temperature gases 

inside the engine compartment and 

possibly cause an in-flight fire. An inflight fire could lead to loss of control. 

FAA’s Determination and Requirements 

of the Proposed AD 

We are proposing this AD because we 

evaluated all information and 

determined the unsafe condition 

described previously is likely to exist or 

develop on other products of the same 

type design. This proposed AD would 

require replacing any spot-welded 

V-band exhaust coupling with a riveted 

V-band exhaust coupling. 

Costs of Compliance 

We estimate that this proposed AD 

could affect up to 596 airplanes in the 

U.S. registry provided they had the 

affected V-band exhaust coupling 

installed. 

We estimate the following costs to do 

the proposed replacement: 


srobinson on DSKHWCL6B1PROD with PROPOSALS
7408 Federal Register / Vol. 75, No. 33 / Friday, February 19, 2010 / Proposed Rules 

Labor cost Parts cost Total cost per 

airplane 

Total cost on U.S. 

operators based on 

all airplanes having 

the affected V-band 

exhaust coupling 

installed 

2 work-hours × $85 per hour = $170 .................................................................................. $714 $884 $526,864 

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); 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. 

We prepared a regulatory evaluation 

of the estimated costs to comply with 

this proposed AD and placed it in the 

AD docket. 

Examining the AD Docket 

You may examine the AD docket that 

contains the proposed AD, the 

regulatory evaluation, any comments 

received, and other information 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 Docket Office (telephone 

(800) 647–5527) is located at the street 

address stated in the ADDRESSES section. 

Comments will be available in the AD 

docket shortly after receipt. 

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39 

Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation 

safety, 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. 

§ 39.13 [Amended] 

2. The FAA amends § 39.13 by adding 

the following new AD: 

Piper Aircraft, Inc.: Docket No. FAA–2010– 

0122; Directorate Identifier 2009–CE– 

067–AD. 

Comments Due Date 

(a) We must receive comments on this 

airworthiness directive (AD) action by April 

5, 2010. 

Affected ADs 

(b) None. 

Applicability 

(c) This AD applies to the following 

airplane models and serial numbers that are 

certificated in any category: 

Model Serial numbers 

PA–32R– 

301T.

3257001 through 3257311. 

PA–46–350P 4622001 through 4622200 

and 4636001 through 

4636341. 

Subject 

(d) Air Transport Association of America 

(ATA) Code 78: Engine Exhaust. 

Unsafe Condition 

This AD is the result of reports that spotwelded V-band exhaust couplings are failing. 

We are issuing this AD to prevent failure of 

the V-band exhaust coupling, which could 

cause the exhaust pipe to detach from the 

turbocharger. This failure could result in 

release of high temperature gases inside the 

engine compartment and possibly cause an 

in-flight fire. An in-flight fire could lead to 

loss of control. 

Compliance 

(e) To address this problem, you must do 

the following, unless already done: 

Actions Compliance Procedures 

(1) Replace V-band exhaust couplings, part 

number (P/N) Lycoming 40D21162–340M or 

Eaton/Aeroquip 55677–340M with an improved design Eaton/Aeroquip P/N 

NH1009399–10 or Lycoming P/N 40D23255– 

340M.

At the next regularly scheduled maintenance 

event after the effective date of this AD or 

within the next 25 hours time-in-service 

(TIS) after the effective date of this AD, 

whichever occurs first.

Remove the spot welded V-band clamp and 

discard. Install the new riveted clamp and 

tighten to an initial torque of 40 in. lbs. Tap 

the V-band clamp around its circumference 

with a rubber mallet to equalize band tension. Retorque the clamp to 60 in. lbs. and 

again tap the clamp around its circumference. Retorque the clamp to a 60 in. lbs. 

final torque and re-safety wire the V-band 

coupling. 

(2) Do not install any Eaton/Aeroquip P/N 

55677–340M or Lycoming P/N 40D21162– 

340M.

As of the effective date of this AD ................... Not applicable. 


srobinson on DSKHWCL6B1PROD with PROPOSALS
Federal Register / Vol. 75, No. 33 / Friday, February 19, 2010 / Proposed Rules 7409 

Alternative Methods of Compliance 

(AMOCs) 

(f) 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. Send information to ATTN: Darby 

Mirocha, Aerospace Engineer, FAA, Atlanta 

ACO, 1701 Columbia Avenue, College Park, 

Georgia 30337; telephone: (404) 474–5573; 

fax: (404) 474–5606. Before using any 

approved AMOC on any airplane to which 

the AMOC applies, notify your appropriate 

principal inspector (PI) in the FAA Flight 

Standards District Office (FSDO), or lacking 

a PI, your local FSDO. 

Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on 

February 9, 2010. 

Steven W. Thompson, 

Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, 

Aircraft Certification Service. 

[FR Doc. 2010–3288 Filed 2–18–10; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4910–13–P 

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 

Federal Aviation Administration 

14 CFR Part 39 

[Docket No. FAA–2010–0124; Directorate 

Identifier 2010–CE–002–AD] 

RIN 2120–AA64 

Airworthiness Directives; PIAGGIO 

AERO INDUSTRIES S.p.A Model 

PIAGGIO P–180 Airplanes 

AGENCY: Federal Aviation 

Administration (FAA), Department of 

Transportation (DOT). 

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking 

(NPRM). 

SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new 

airworthiness directive (AD) for the 

products listed above. This proposed 

AD results from mandatory continuing 

airworthiness information (MCAI) 

originated by an aviation authority of 

another country to identify and correct 

an unsafe condition on an aviation 

product. The MCAI describes the unsafe 

condition as: A failure of fuel pump 

sealing, due to possible incorrect 

maintenance procedures and 

subsequent testing, caused a fuel 

leakage into the main landing gear bay. 

Presence of fuel vapours in that zone 

creates a risk of fire due to presence of 

potential ignition sources such as 

electrical equipment and connectors. 

The proposed AD actions that are 

intended to address the unsafe 

condition described in the MCAI. 

DATES: We must receive comments on 

this proposed AD by April 5, 2010. 

ADDRESSES: You may send comments 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: U.S. Department of 

Transportation, Docket Operations, M– 

30, West Building Ground Floor, Room 

W12–140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., 

Washington, DC 20590, 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 

(telephone (800) 647–5527) is in the 

ADDRESSES section. Comments will be 

available in the AD docket shortly after 

receipt. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 

Sarjapur Nagarajan, Aerospace Engineer, 

FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 901 

Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, 

Missouri 64106; telephone: (816) 329– 

4145; fax: (816) 329–4090. 

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–2010–0124; Directorate Identifier 

2010–CE–002–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 

The European Aviation Safety Agency 

(EASA), which is the Technical Agent 

for the Member States of the European 

Community, has issued EASA AD No.: 

2009–0228, dated October 26, 2009 

(referred to after this as ‘‘the MCAI’’), to 

correct an unsafe condition for the 

specified products. The MCAI states: 

A failure of fuel pump sealing, due to 

possible incorrect maintenance procedures 

and subsequent testing, caused a fuel leakage 

into the main landing gear bay. Presence of 

fuel vapours in that zone creates a risk of fire 

due to presence of potential ignition sources 

such as electrical equipment and connectors. 

As a consequence, this new Airworthiness 

Directive (AD) requires a functional check of 

main and stand-by fuel pumps for absence of 

leakage and an update of the Aircraft 

Maintenance Manual (AMM). 

You may obtain further information 

by examining the MCAI in the AD 

docket. 

Relevant Service Information 

PIAGGIO AERO INDUSTRIES S.p.A. 

has issued Service Bulletin (Mandatory) 

N.: 80–0278, dated July 15, 2009. The 

actions described in this service 

information are intended to correct the 

unsafe condition identified in the 

MCAI. 

FAA’s Determination and Requirements 

of the Proposed AD 

This product has been approved by 

the aviation authority of another 

country, and is approved for operation 

in the United States. Pursuant to our 

bilateral agreement with this State of 

Design Authority, they have notified us 

of the unsafe condition described in the 

MCAI and service information 

referenced above. We are proposing this 

AD because we evaluated all 

information and determined the unsafe 

condition exists and is likely to exist or 

develop on other products of the same 

type design. 

Differences Between This Proposed AD 

and the MCAI or Service Information 

We have reviewed the MCAI and 

related service information and, in 

general, agree with their substance. But 

we might have found it necessary to use 

different words from those in the MCAI 

to ensure the AD is clear for U.S. 

operators and is enforceable. In making 

these changes, we do not intend to differ 

substantively from the information 

provided in the MCAI and related 

service information. 

We might also have proposed 

different actions in this AD from those 

in the MCAI in order to follow FAA 

policies. Any such differences are 

highlighted in a Note within the 

proposed AD. 

Costs of Compliance 

We estimate that this proposed AD 

will affect 63 products of U.S. registry. 


srobinson on DSKHWCL6B1PROD with PROPOSALS