[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 83 (Monday, April 29, 1996)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 18697-18699]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-10452]



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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 95-CE-55-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; the New Piper Aircraft, Inc. (Formerly 
Piper Aircraft Corporation) PA31, PA31P, and PA31T Series Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: This document proposes to supersede 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) PA31, PA31P and PA31T series 
airplanes. The proposed action would require the same action as AD 75-
26-18. An incorrect designation of Piper Model PA31 airplanes as Piper 
Model PA31-310 airplanes in AD 75-26-18 prompted the proposed AD 
action. The actions specified by the proposed 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: Comments must be received on or before June 28, 1996.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Central Region, Office of the Assistant Chief 
Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket No. 95-CE-55-AD, Room 1558, 601 E. 
12th Street, Kansas City, Missouri 64106. Comments may be inspected at 
this location between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, 
holidays excepted.
    Service information that applies to the proposed AD may be obtained 
from The New Piper Aircraft, Inc., Attn: Customer Service, 2926 Piper 
Dr., Vero Beach, Florida, 32960. This information also may be examined 
at the Rules Docket at the address above.

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:

Comments Invited

    Interested persons are invited to participate in the making of the 
proposed rule by submitting such written data, views, or arguments as 
they may desire. Communications should identify the Rules Docket number 
and be submitted in triplicate to the address specified above. All 
communications received on or before the closing date for comments, 
specified above, will be considered before taking action on the 
proposed rule. The proposals contained in this notice may be changed in 
light of the comments received.
    Comments are specifically invited on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the proposed rule. All 
comments submitted will be available, both before and after the closing 
date for comments, in the Rules Docket for examination by interested 
persons. A report that summarizes each FAA-public contact concerned 
with the substance of this proposal will be filed in the Rules Docket.
    Commenters wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments 
submitted in response to this notice must submit a self-addressed, 
stamped

[[Page 18698]]

postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments to Docket 
No. 95-CE-55-AD.'' The postcard will be date stamped and returned to 
the commenter.

Availability of NPRMs

    Any person may obtain a copy of this NPRM by submitting a request 
to the FAA, Central Region, Office of the Assistant Chief Counsel, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 95-CE-55-AD, Room 1558, 601 E. 12th Street, 
Kansas City, Missouri 64106.

Discussion

    It has been brought to the attention of the FAA that AD 75-26-18, 
which is applicable to Piper PA31 series airplanes, should not have 
listed a Piper Model PA31-310 airplane. The Piper Model PA31-310 
airplane is not a recognized model on the Type Certificate Data Sheet 
No. A20SO and the airplane's data plate for the airplane subject to the 
AD states Model PA31, not Model PA31-310. The concern was raised that 
some owners/operators of Model PA31 airplanes may not have complied 
with AD 75-26-18, since the AD currently describes the airplane as a 
Piper Model PA31-310, even though their serial number falls within the 
serial number range in the current AD. For this reason, the FAA is 
proposing to supersede the current AD to change the model designation 
in the Applicability section of the AD from a Piper Model PA31-310 
airplane to Piper Model PA31 airplane.
    Piper has issued service bulletin (SB) No. 488, dated October 24, 
1975, which specifies procedures for modifying the landing gear 
selector cable forward attachment pin assembly.
    After examining the circumstances and reviewing all available 
information related to the incidents described above, the FAA has 
determined that AD action should be taken to prevent the landing gear 
selector cable forward attachment pin assembly from becoming separated 
from the powerpack control arm.
    Since an unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to 
exist or develop in other Piper PA31, PA31P, and PA31T series airplanes 
of the same type design, the proposed AD would supersede AD 75-26-18 
with a new AD that would retain the same requirement as AD 75-26-18 
which is modifying the landing gear selector cable forward attachment 
pin assembly, part number (P/N) 53599-00, by installing 3 inches of 
safety lock wire (MS20995C41) onto the attachment pin assembly, and the 
proposed action requires changing the Applicability section for the 
model designations from Piper Model PA31-310 airplanes to Piper Model 
PA31 airplanes.
    The FAA estimates that 875 airplanes in the U.S. registry would be 
affected by the proposed AD, that it would take approximately 1 
workhour per airplane to accomplish the proposed action, and that the 
average labor rate is approximately $60 an hour. Parts cost 
approximately 25 cents per airplane. Based on these figures, the total 
cost impact of the proposed AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be 
$52,718.75.
    The regulations proposed herein would 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 
proposal would 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) if promulgated, 
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 draft regulatory evaluation 
prepared for this action has been placed 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, Safety.

The Proposed Amendment

    Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration proposes to amend 14 
CFR part 39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations 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:

The New Piper Aircraft, Inc.: Docket No. 95-CE-55-AD; Supersedes AD 
75-26-18, Amendment 39-2504.

    Applicability: PA31, PA31P, and PA31T series airplanes with the 
following Model and serial numbers, certificated in any category.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                  Models                             Serial Nos.        
------------------------------------------------------------------------
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

[[Page 18699]]

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) All persons affected by this directive may obtain copies of 
the document referred to herein upon request to The New Piper 
Aircraft, Inc., Attn: Customer Service, 2926 Piper Dr., Vero Beach, 
Florida, 32960; or may examine this document at the FAA, Central 
Region, Office of the Assistant Chief Counsel, Room 1558, 601 E. 
12th Street, Kansas City, Missouri 64106.
    (f) This amendment supersedes AD 75-26-18, Amendment 39-2504. 
Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on April 19, 1996.
Henry A. Armstrong,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 96-10452 Filed 4-26-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P