Document ID: FAA-2012-0756-0001
Agency: faa
Document Type: Proposed Rule
Title: Airworthiness Directives: Piper Aircraft, Inc. Airplanes
Posted Date: 2012-07-19T04:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 139 (Thursday, July 19, 2012)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 42455-42457]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-17589]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2012-0756; Directorate Identifier 2012-CE-012-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; Piper Aircraft, Inc. Airplanes

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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[[Page 42456]]

SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all 
Piper Aircraft, Inc. (type certificate previously held by The New Piper 
Aircraft Inc.) Models PA-18 and PA-19 airplanes. This proposed AD was 
prompted by incidents of inadvertent magneto switch shut off in flight. 
This proposed AD would require moving all magneto switches that are now 
or are at any time located on the left cabin panel, adjacent to the 
front seat, to the instrument panel. We are proposing this AD to 
correct the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by September 4, 
2012.

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: Deliver to Mail address above 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 (phone: 800-647-5527) is in the ADDRESSES 
section. Comments will be available in the AD docket shortly after 
receipt.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Gary Wechsler, Aerospace Engineer, 
FAA, Atlanta Aircraft Certification Office, 1701 Columbia Avenue, 
College Park, Georgia 30337; phone: (404) 474-5575; fax: (404) 474-
5606; email: gary.wechsler@faa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Comments Invited

    We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or 
arguments about this proposal. Send your comments to an address listed 
under the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2012-0756; 
Directorate Identifier 2012-CE-012-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

    Three forced landings of Piper Aircraft, Inc. Model PA-18 airplanes 
with magneto switches located on the left cabin panel, adjacent to the 
front seat, were caused by pilots unknowingly turning off the magneto 
switches and causing in-flight engine shutdowns. In each event, the 
pilot was performing other flight tasks, such as re-trimming the 
airplane, and the pilot's arm and/or article of clothing accidently 
turned off the magneto switches.
    Those parties that may desire an alternative method of compliance 
(AMOC) are encouraged to work together with pertinent type clubs toward 
a single global AMOC.
    Any Piper Aircraft, Inc. Model PA-18 airplane with the magneto 
switch currently located away from the left cabin panel, adjacent to 
the front seat, including those already placed on an airplane's wing 
root, is not at a high risk of an inadvertent in-flight engine shutdown 
and loss of flight control and are not the subject of this proposed AD.
    This condition, if not corrected, could result in engine shut down 
and possible loss of control.

FAA's Determination

    We are proposing 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.

Proposed AD Requirements

    This proposed AD would require removing the magneto switch and 
ignition leads from the left cabin panel adjacent to the front seat and 
install a key-type ignition switch on the instrument panel.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD affects 295 airplanes of U.S. 
registry.
    We estimate the following costs to comply with this proposed AD:

                                                 Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                    Cost per       Cost on U.S.
               Action                        Labor cost           Parts cost        product         operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Relocate the magneto switch from the  3.5 work-hours x $85               $125          $422.50      $124,637.50
 port side interior cabin wall to      per hour = $297.50.
 the instrument panel and replace
 the magneto switch with a keyed
 switch.
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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 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.

[[Page 42457]]

    For the reasons discussed above, I certify this 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),
    (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.

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.

Sec.  39.13  [Amended]

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

Piper Aircraft, Inc. (Type Certificate Previously Held by The New 
Piper Aircraft Inc.): Docket No. FAA-2012-0756; Directorate 
Identifier 2012-CE-012-AD.

(a) Comments Due Date

    We must receive comments by September 4, 2012.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Piper Aircraft, Inc. (type certificate 
previously held by The New Piper Aircraft Inc.) Models PA-18, PA-18 
``105'' (Special), PA-18S, PA-18S ``105'' (Special), PA-18A, PA-18 
``125'' (Army L-21A), PA-18S ``125'', PA-18AS ``125'', PA-18 ``135'' 
(Army L-21B), PA-18A ``135'', PA-18S ``135'', PA-18AS ``135'', PA-18 
``150'', PA-18A ``150'', PA-18S ``150'', PA-18AS ``150'', PA-19 
(Army L-18C), and PA-19S airplanes, all serial numbers, that:
    (1) Are certificated in any category; and
    (2) Are now or at any time equipped with a magneto switch 
installed on the left cabin panel, adjacent to the front seat.

    Note 1 to paragraph (c) of this AD:  Model PA-18 airplanes with 
the magneto switch located away from the left cabin panel, adjacent 
to the front seat, including those currently placed on an airplane's 
wing root, are not subject to the requirements of this AD.

(d) Subject

    Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC)/Air Transport Association 
(ATA) of America Code 74, Engine Ignition.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by incidents of inadvertent magneto switch 
shut off in flight. We are issuing this AD to prevent engine shut 
down and possible loss of control.

(f) Compliance

    Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, 
unless already done.

(g) Relocate the Magneto Switch and Replace With Key-Type Ignition 
Switch

    Within the next 12 months after the effective date of this AD, 
do the following in accordance with FAA Advisory Circular 43.13-2B, 
Chapter 11, which can be found at http://rgl.faa.gov/:
    (1) Remove the magneto switch and ignition leads from the left 
cabin panel, adjacent to the front seat, install either a Piper part 
number 15302-02, -04 or -05 (or FAA approved equivalent part number) 
key-type ignition switch on the instrument panel, not adjacent to or 
below (the height of) the engine fuel primer, attach ignition leads, 
maintaining shielded or unshielded configuration existing at time of 
new switch installation, and secure leads following the procedures 
in FAA Advisory Circular 43.13-2B, Chapter 11, which can be found at 
http://rgl.faa.gov/.
    (2) Perform engine run to verify proper engine operation. 
Following regular run-up procedures, allow the engine to reach 
operating temperatures and do a normal magneto check.

(h) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (1) 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. 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 the Related Information 
section 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 Gary Wechsler, 
Aerospace Engineer, FAA, Atlanta ACO, 1701 Columbia Avenue, College 
Park, Georgia 30337; phone: (404) 474-5575; fax: (404) 474-5606; 
email: gary.wechsler@faa.gov.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on July 13, 2012.
Earl Lawrence,
Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2012-17589 Filed 7-18-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P