[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 87 (Friday, May 3, 1996)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 19813-19815]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-10913]



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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 95-CE-51-AD; Amendment 39-9606; AD 96-10-01]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; The New Piper Aircraft, Inc. (Formerly 
Piper Aircraft Corporation) Models PA-28-140, PA-28-150, PA-28-160, and 
PA-28-180 Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) that 
applies to certain The New Piper Aircraft, Inc. (Piper) Models PA-28-
140, PA-28-150, PA-28-160, and PA-28-180 airplanes. This action 
requires a

[[Page 19814]]

complete landing light support replacement. This AD action is prompted 
by reports of two accidents and two incidents resulting from the 
landing light retainer support seal breaking apart and entering the 
carburetor. The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent 
the landing light retainer support seal from being ingested by the 
updraft carburetor, which, if not detected and corrected, could result 
in rough engine operation or possible engine failure and loss of 
control of the airplane.

DATES: Effective June 10, 1996.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of June 10, 1996.

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-51-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: Juanita Craft-Lloyd, Aerospace 
Engineer, FAA, Atlanta Aircraft Certification Office, Campus Building, 
1701 Columbia Avenue, suite 2-160, College Park, Georgia 30337-2748; 
telephone (404) 305-7373; facsimile (404) 305-7348.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal 
Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) to include an AD that would apply 
to Piper Models PA-28-140, PA-28-150, PA-28-160, and PA-28-180 
airplanes was published in the Federal Register on October 5, 1995 (60 
FR 52131). The action proposed replacing the landing light support and 
seal assembly. Accomplishment of this action will be in accordance with 
Piper Service Bulletin (SB) No. 975, dated November 2, 1994.
    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.
    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.
    The FAA estimates that 16,440 airplanes in the U.S. registry will 
be affected by this AD, that it would take approximately 2 workhours 
per airplane to accomplish the proposed action, and that the average 
labor rate is approximately $60 an hour. Parts cost approximately $140 
per airplane. Based on these figures, the total cost impact of this AD 
on U.S. operators is estimated to be $4,274,400. This figure is based 
on the assumption that all of the affected airplanes have old landing 
light support and seal assemblies and that none of the owners/operators 
of the affected airplanes have replaced the landing light support and 
seal assemblies with parts of improved design.
    Piper has informed the FAA that parts have been distributed to 
equip approximately 850 airplanes. Assuming that these distributed 
parts are incorporated on the affected airplanes, the cost of this AD 
will be reduced by $221,000 from $4,274,400 to $4,053,400.
    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. Sec. 39.13 is amended by adding a new airworthiness directive 
(AD) to read as follows:

96-10-01.  The New Piper Aircraft, Inc. (formerly Piper Aircraft 
Corporation): Amendment No. 39-9606; Docket No. 95-CE-51-AD.

    Applicability: The following airplane models and serial numbers, 
certificated in any category:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
            Models                           Serial Numbers             
------------------------------------------------------------------------
PA-28-140....................  28-20000 through 28-7725290.             
PA-28-150, PA-28-160, and PA-  28-1 through 28-7505259, and 28-E13.     
 28-180.                                                                
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    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 the next 100 hours time-in-service 
(TIS) after the effective date of this AD, or upon replacement of 
the landing light, whichever occurs first, unless already 
accomplished.

    Note 2: Early compliance is encouraged.

    To prevent the landing light seal from lodging in the 
carburetor, which, if not

[[Page 19815]]

detected and corrected, could result in rough engine operation or 
possible engine failure and possible loss of control of the 
airplane, accomplish the following:
    (a) Replace landing light support and seal assembly in 
accordance with the ACCOMPLISHMENT INSTRUCTIONS section of Piper 
Service Bulletin No. 975, dated November 2, 1994.
    (b) 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.
    (c) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the 
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 3: 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) The replacements required by this AD shall be done in 
accordance with The New Piper Aircraft Inc. Piper Service Bulletin 
No. 975, dated November 2, 1994. 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.
    (e) This amendment (39-9606) becomes effective on June 10, 1996.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on April 24, 1996.
Henry A. Armstrong,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 96-10913 Filed 5-2-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P