Document ID: FAA-2015-8311-0001
Agency: faa
Document Type: Rule
Title: Airworthiness Directives: Piper Aircraft, Inc.
Posted Date: 2016-01-05T05:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 2 (Tuesday, January 5, 2016)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 145-147]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-32907]

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  Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 2 / Tuesday, January 5, 2016 / Rules 
and Regulations  

[[Page 145]]

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2015-8311; Directorate Identifier 2015-CE-039-AD; 
Amendment 39-18356; AD 2015-26-08]
RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; Piper Aircraft, Inc.

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain 
Piper Aircraft, Inc. Model PA-44-180 and PA-44-180T airplanes. This AD 
requires an inspection and, if necessary, modification of the emergency 
gear extension cable. This AD was prompted by a report of a misrouted 
emergency gear extension cable. We are issuing this AD to correct the 
unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective January 20, 2016.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of January 20, 
2016.
    We must receive comments on this AD by February 19, 2016.

ADDRESSES: You may send comments, using the procedures found in 14 CFR 
11.43 and 11.45, 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.
    For service information identified in this final rule, contact 
Piper Aircraft, Inc., Customer Service, 2926 Piper Drive, Vero Beach, 
Florida 32960; telephone: (877) 879-0275; fax: none; email: 
customer.service@piper.com; Internet: www.piper.com. You may review the 
referenced service information at the FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 
901 Locust, Kansas City, Missouri 64106. For information on the 
availability of this material at the FAA, call (816) 329-4148. It is 
also available on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by 
searching for locating Docket No. FAA-2015-4085.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2015-
8311; 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 AD, the regulatory evaluation, any comments received, and 
other information. The street address for the Docket Office (phone: 
800-647-5527) is in the ADDRESSES section. Comments will be available 
in the AD docket shortly after receipt.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Hector Hernandez, Aerospace Engineer, 
FAA, Atlanta Aircraft Certification Office, 1701 Columbia Avenue, 
College Park, Georgia 30337; telephone: (404) 474-5587; fax: (404) 474-
5606; email: hector.hernandez@faa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

    The FAA has received recent reports of misrouted emergency gear 
extension cables on Piper Models PA-44-180 and PA-44-180T airplanes. 
This condition spans many years beginning in 2007 where one of the 
airplanes experienced the left-side copilot rudder pedal snagging on 
the emergency landing gear extension cable during taxi maneuvers. Piper 
Modification Kit 884333 (Piper Service Bulletin No. 1188, dated April 
14, 2008) provides the parts and instructions to reroute the cable away 
from the pedal for airplanes in service and a production change was 
made to duplicate the kit configuration.
    In 2009, there was a quality escape on the production aircraft 
(after issuance of SB 1188), which was addressed with Piper Service 
Bulletin No. 1213, dated March 24, 2010. Recently, there has been 
another quality escape reported of the cable being routed incorrectly, 
resulting in the issuance of Piper Service Bulletin 1213A, dated 
October 23, 2015 to more fully address the incorrect routing of the 
emergency gear extension cables.
    Although the incidents occurred on the ground, the airworthiness 
concern is the potential for this rudder restriction to occur in flight 
at high angles of rudder deflection.
    The FAA believes that a majority of the airplanes have already 
incorporated Service Bulletin 1188 and Service Bulletin 1213. However, 
the only way to mandate its incorporation is through AD action. In 
addition, the FAA believes that a large percentage of the airplanes 
that were manufactured after SB 1213 was issued could have the 
emergency gear extension cable routed incorrectly because the P-clamp 
that secures the cable could be installed on the inboard bolt just as 
easily as the outboard bolt (the type design configuration).
    Piper is establishing a very robust assembly/inspection procedure 
going forward to ensure that the quality escape issue does not reoccur. 
The FAA has determined that this condition can be addressed by 
requiring:
     The modification in Service Bulletin 1188 for all Models 
PA-44-180 and PA-44-180T airplanes manufactured prior to April 14, 2008 
(the date of SB 1188); and
     The inspection of the emergency gear inspection cable for 
correct routing of all Model PA-44-180 airplanes manufactured after 
April 14, 2008 (the date of SB 1188) following SB 1213A, dated October 
23, 2015.
    This condition, if not corrected, could result in restriction of 
the rudder movement at high angles of rudder deflection with consequent 
loss of control. We are issuing this AD to correct the unsafe condition 
on these products.

[[Page 146]]

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    We reviewed Piper Aircraft, Inc. Service Bulletin No. 1213A, dated 
October 23, 2015. The service information describes procedures for 
inspection of the routing and security of the emergency gear extension 
cable and, if necessary, instructions to reroute the emergency gear 
extension cable. Piper considers compliance with this service bulletin 
mandatory.
    We reviewed Piper Aircraft, Inc. Service Bulletin No. 1188, dated 
April 14, 2008. The service information describes procedures to reroute 
and restrain the emergency gear extension cable. Piper considers 
compliance with this service bulletin mandatory.
    This service information is reasonably available because the 
interested parties have access to it through their normal course of 
business or by the means identified in the ADDRESSES section.

FAA's Determination

    We are issuing this AD because we evaluated all the relevant 
information and determined the unsafe condition described previously is 
likely to exist or develop in other products of the same type design.

AD Requirements

    This AD requires accomplishing the actions specified in the service 
information described previously.

FAA's Justification and Determination of the Effective Date

    An unsafe condition exists that requires the immediate adoption of 
this AD. The FAA has found that the risk to the flying public justifies 
waiving notice and comment prior to adoption of this rule because if 
the emergency gear extension cable is left routed incorrectly, it could 
allow the copilot's left rudder pedal to become entangled with the 
cable, resulting in a restriction of rudder movement at high angles of 
rudder deflection with consequent loss of control. Therefore, we find 
that notice and opportunity for prior public comment are impracticable 
and that good cause exists for making this amendment effective in less 
than 30 days.

Comments Invited

    This AD is a final rule that involves requirements affecting flight 
safety and was not preceded by notice and an opportunity for public 
comment. However, we invite you to send any written data, views, or 
arguments about this AD. Send your comments to an address listed under 
the ADDRESSES section. Include the docket number FAA-2015-8311 and 
Directorate Identifier 2015-CE-039-AD at the beginning of your 
comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this AD. We will 
consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend this 
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 AD.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD affects 415 airplanes of U.S. registry.
    We estimate the following costs to comply with this AD:

                                                 Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                Cost per        Cost on  U.S.
              Action                    Labor cost           Parts cost          product          operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Inspect the emergency gear         .5 work-hour x $85   Not applicable.....          $42.50  (Estimated 35
 extension cable for proper         per hour = $42.50.                                        airplanes)
 routing.                                                                                     $1,487.75.
Install Piper emergency gear       2 work-hours x $85   $21................            $191  (Estimated 380
 extension modification kit.        per hour = $170.                                          airplanes)
                                                                                              $72,580.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    We estimate the following costs to do any necessary replacements 
that would be required based on the either the results of the 
inspection or other requirements. We have no way of determining the 
number of aircraft that might need this replacement:

                                               On-Condition Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                     Cost per
                    Action                                Labor cost               Parts cost        product
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Reroute the emergency gear extension cable...  2 work-hours x $85 per hour =               $21             $191
                                                $170.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    According to the manufacturer, some of the costs of this AD may be 
covered under warranty, thereby reducing the cost impact on affected 
individuals. We do not control warranty coverage for affected 
individuals. As a result, we have included all costs in our cost 
estimate.

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

    This AD will not have federalism implications under Executive Order 
13132. This AD will 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

[[Page 147]]

responsibilities among the various levels of government.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this AD:
    (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),
    (3) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and
    (4) 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.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by 
reference, Safety.

Adoption of the Amendment

    Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the FAA amends 14 CFR part 39 as follows:

PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES

0
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]

0
2. The FAA amends Sec.  39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness 
directive (AD):

2015-26-08: Amendment 39-18356; Docket No. FAA-2015-8311; 
Directorate Identifier 2015-CE-039-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This AD is effective January 20, 2016.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Piper Aircraft, Inc. Model PA-44-180 Seminole 
airplanes, serial numbers (S/Ns) 44-7995001 through 44-8195026, 
4495001 through 4496377, 4496379, 4496380, and 4496384 through 
4496386; and Piper Aircraft, Inc. Model PA-44-180T Seminole 
airplanes, S/Ns 44-8107001 through 44-8207020, certificated in any 
category.

(d) Subject

    Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC)/Air Transport Association 
(ATA) of America Code 2720, Rudder Control System.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by a report of a misrouted emergency gear 
extension cable. We are issuing this AD to require an inspection 
and, if necessary, modification of the emergency gear extension 
cable. We are issuing this AD to correct the unsafe condition on 
these products.

(f) Compliance

    Comply with paragraphs (g)(1) through (g)(2) including all 
subparagraph's of this AD within the compliance times specified, 
unless already done.

(g) Actions

    (1) For Piper Model PA-44-180 Seminole airplanes serial numbers 
(S/N) 4496245 through 4496377, 4496379, 4496380, and 4496384 through 
4496386: Within 30 days after January 20, 2016 (the effective date 
of this AD), inspect the emergency gear extension cable for proper 
routing and appropriate attachment of the cable to the rudder pedal 
assembly following the Part 1 instructions in Piper Aircraft, Inc. 
Service Bulletin (SB) No. 1213A, dated October 23, 2015.
    (i) If the inspection required in paragraph (g)(1) of this AD 
reveals a misrouted cable, before further flight, correct the 
emergency gear extension cable following the Part 2 instructions in 
Piper Aircraft, Inc. SB No. 1213A, dated October 23, 2015.
    (ii) If the inspection required in paragraph (g)(1) of this AD 
reveals a correct installation following the Part 1 instructions in 
Piper Aircraft, Inc. SB No. 1213A, dated October 23, 2015, no 
further action is required.
    (2) For Piper Model PA-44-180 Seminole airplanes SNs 44-7995001 
through 44-8195026, 4495001 through 4496244; and Piper Model PA-44-
180T Seminole airplanes, SNs 44-8107001 through 44-8207020: Within 
30 days after January 20, 2016 (the effective date of this AD), 
install the Piper emergency gear extension cable modification kit, 
part number 88433-002, following the instructions in Piper Aircraft, 
Inc. SB No. 1188, dated April 14, 2008.

(h) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (1) The Manager, Atlanta ACO, FAA, has the authority to approve 
AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the procedures found in 14 CFR 
39.19. In accordance with 14 CFR 39.19, send your request to your 
principal inspector or local Flight Standards District Office, as 
appropriate. If sending information directly to the manager of the 
ACO, send it to the attention of the person identified in paragraph 
(k) of this AD.
    (2) Before using any approved AMOC, notify your appropriate 
principal inspector, or lacking a principal inspector, the manager 
of the local flight standards district office/certificate holding 
district office.

(i) Related Information

    For more information about this AD, contact Hector Hernandez, 
Aerospace Engineer, FAA, Atlanta Aircraft Certification Office, 1701 
Columbia Avenue, College Park, Georgia 30337; telephone: (404) 474-
5587; fax: (404) 474-5606; email: hector.hernandez@faa.gov.

(j) Material Incorporated by Reference

    (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the 
incorporation by reference (IBR) of the service information listed 
in this paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
    (2) You must use this service information as applicable to do 
the actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise.
    (i) Piper Aircraft, Inc. Service Bulletin No. 1188, dated April 
14, 2008.
    (ii) Piper Aircraft, Inc. Service Bulletin No. 1213A, dated 
October 23, 2015.
    (3) For Piper Aircraft, Inc. service information identified in 
this AD, contact Piper Aircraft, Inc., Customer Service, 2926 Piper 
Drive, Vero Beach, Florida 32960; telephone: (877) 879-0275; fax: 
none; email: customer.service@piper.com; Internet: www.piper.com.
    (4) You may review the referenced service information at the 
FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Kansas City, Missouri 
64106. For information on the availability of this material at the 
FAA, call (816) 329-4148.
    (5) You may view this service information that is incorporated 
by reference at the National Archives and Records Administration 
(NARA). For information on the availability of this material at 
NARA, call 202-741-6030, or go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on December 23, 2015.
Pat Mullen,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2015-32907 Filed 1-4-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P