[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 60 (Friday, March 28, 1997)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 14794-14796]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-7680]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 96-CE-29-AD; Amendment 39-9976; AD 97-07-03]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; The New Piper Aircraft, Inc. Models 
PA31, PA31-300, PA31-325, PA31-350, and PA31P Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This amendment supersedes Airworthiness Directive (AD) 81-11-
04 that applies to The New Piper Aircraft, Inc. (Piper) Models PA31, 
PA31-300, PA31-325, and PA31-350 airplanes that have Cleveland nose 
wheel assembly part number (P/N) 40-76B installed. AD 81-11-04 
currently requires inspecting the nose wheel flange for cracks. The 
repetitive inspections terminate by replacing the nose wheel assembly 
with

[[Page 14795]]

Cleveland P/N 40-140, which is an improved design. This action is 
prompted by the lack of designation of Piper Model PA31P in the 
Applicability section of AD 81-11-04, and the subsequent failure of a 
nose wheel assembly on a Piper Model PA31P airplane during taxiing 
operations. The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent 
the failure of the nose wheel, which if not corrected, could result in 
loss of control of the airplane during taxiing, take-off, or landing 
operations.

DATES: Effective May 15, 1997.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of May 15, 1997.

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 96-CE-29-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 Ave., suite 2-160, College Park, Georgia 30337-2748; telephone 
(404) 305-7362, facsimile (404) 305-7348.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Events Leading to the Issuance of This AD

    A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 
CFR part 39) to include an AD that would apply to PA31, PA31-325, PA31-
350, and PA31P airplanes that have Cleveland nose wheel assembly part 
number (P/N) 40-76B installed was published in the Federal Register on 
October 10, 1996 (61 FR 53155). This action would supersede AD 81-11-04 
with a new AD that retains the same action as AD 81-11-04 and include 
Piper Model PA31P airplanes in the applicability. Accomplishment of the 
proposed action would be in accordance with Piper Service Bulletin (SB) 
700A, dated October 12, 1981.
    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.

The 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. One minor editorial correction is a 
missing model number that is affected by this AD. The FAA inadvertently 
omitted Model PA31-300 from the applicability listing in the NPRM, 
however the PA31-300 serial numbers were listed. Piper manufactured 
Models PA31, PA31-300, and PA31-325 airplanes simultaneously, so the 
serial number range listed for Models PA31 and PA31-325 airplanes in 
the NPRM applicability section also included the Model PA31-300 
airplanes. The applicability section now contains Model PA31-300 with 
the appropriate serial numbers. 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.

Cost Impact

    The FAA estimates that 1,842 airplanes in the U.S. registry will be 
affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 3 workhours per 
airplane to accomplish this action, and that the average labor rate is 
approximately $60 an hour. The improved parts cost approximately $450 
per airplane. Based on these figures, the total cost impact of this AD 
on U.S. operators is estimated to be $1,160,460 or $630 per airplane. 
These figures only account for the replacement of the new part and do 
not take into account the cost for the repetitive inspections that 
would be incurred prior to installing the improved parts.
    Piper has informed the FAA that parts have been distributed to 
equip 8 airplanes in the United States which will reduce the total 
figure from $1,160,460 to $1,155,420.

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 USC 106(g), 40113, 44701.


Sec. 39.13  [Amended]

    2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding a new airworthiness directive 
(AD) to read as follows:

97-07-03  The New Piper Aircraft, Inc.: Amendment 39-9976; Docket 
No. 96-CE-29-AD, Supersedes AD 81-11-04, Amendment 39-4114.

    Applicability: The following Models and serial numbered 
airplanes equipped with Cleveland part number (P/N) 40-76B (Piper P/
N 451 784) nose wheel assembly, certificated in any category.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                  Models                           Serial numbers       
------------------------------------------------------------------------
PA31, PA31-300, and PA31-325..............  31-2 through 31-8112038     
PA31-350..................................  31-5001 through 31-8152088  
PA31P.....................................  31P-3 through 31P-7730012   
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    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 (d) of 
this AD.

[[Page 14796]]

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 the next 100 hours time-in-service 
(TIS) after May 22, 1981 (effective date of AD 81-11-04); within the 
next 100 hours TIS after the effective date of this AD; or upon the 
accumulation of 2,000 hours TIS on the nose wheel assembly, 
whichever occurs later, unless already accomplished.
    To prevent the failure of the nose wheel, which if not 
corrected, could result in loss of control of the airplane during 
taxiing, take-off, or landing operations, accomplish the following:
    (a) Inspect the nose wheel assembly, Cleveland part number (P/N) 
40-76B (The New Piper Aircraft, Inc. P/N 451 784), for cracks in 
accordance with the ``Instructions'' section of Piper Aircraft 
Corporation (Piper) Service Bulletin (SB) 700A, dated October 12, 
1981.
    (1) If cracked, prior to further flight, replace Cleveland P/N 
40-76B (Piper P/N 451 784) with a new Cleveland P/N 40-76B (Piper P/
N 451 784) nose wheel assembly. Upon the accumulation of 2,000 hours 
TIS, reinspect at 100 hour intervals or at each tire change, 
whichever occurs first; or,
    (2) As an alternative to paragraph (a)(1), if cracked, replace 
Cleveland P/N 40-76B (Piper P/N 451 784) with a serviceable 
Cleveland P/N 40-140 (Piper P/N 551 791) nose wheel assembly of 
improved design in accordance with the ``Instructions'' section of 
Piper SB 700A, dated October 12, 1981.
    (3) If no cracks are found and Cleveland P/N 40-140 (Piper P/N 
551-791) is not installed, repetitively inspect at intervals not to 
exceed 100 hours TIS or at each tire change, whichever occurs first.
    (b) The installation of Cleveland P/N 40-140 (Piper P/N 551 791) 
is considered terminating action for the inspection requirements of 
paragraph (a) and (a)(3) of this AD.
    (c) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with 
sections 21.197 and 21.199 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 
CFR 21.197 and 21.199) to operate the airplane to a location where 
the requirements of this AD can be accomplished.
    (d) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the 
compliance times that provides an equivalent level of safety may be 
approved by the Manager, FAA, Atlanta Aircraft Certification Office, 
Campus Building, 1701 Columbia Ave., 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 Atlanta Aircraft Certification Office.

    (e) The inspections and replacement required by this AD shall be 
done in accordance with Piper Aircraft Corporation Service Bulletin 
No. 700A, dated October 12, 1981. This incorporation by reference 
was approved by the Director of the Federal 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 (39-9976) becomes effective on May 15, 1997.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on March 20, 1997.
Larry E. Werth,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 97-7680 Filed 3-27-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U