Document ID: FAA-2015-0627-0001
Agency: faa
Document Type: Proposed Rule
Title: Airworthiness Directives: Piper Aircraft, Inc. Airplanes
Posted Date: 2015-03-23T04:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 55 (Monday, March 23, 2015)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 15171-15173]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-06414]

 ========================================================================
 Proposed Rules
                                                 Federal Register
 ________________________________________________________________________
 
 This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains notices to the public of 
 the proposed issuance of rules and regulations. The purpose of these 
 notices is to give interested persons an opportunity to participate in 
 the rule making prior to the adoption of the final rules.
 
 ========================================================================
 

  Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 55 / Monday, March 23, 2015 / 
Proposed Rules  

[[Page 15171]]

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2015-0627; Directorate Identifier 2015-CE-002-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; Piper Aircraft, Inc. Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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

SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for 
certain Piper Aircraft, Inc. Models PA-23-250, PA-24-250, PA-24-260, 
PA-24-400, PA-30, PA-31, PA-31-300, PA-31P, PA-39, and PA-E23-250 
airplanes. This proposed AD was prompted by an accident caused by fuel 
starvation where the shape of the wing fuel tanks and fuel below a 
certain level in that tank may have allowed the fuel to move away from 
the tank outlet during certain maneuvers. This proposed AD would 
require installing a fuel system management placard on the aircraft 
instrument panel and adding text to the Limitations section of the 
pilot's operating handbook (POH)/airplane flight manual (AFM). We are 
proposing this AD to correct the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by May 7, 2015.

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.
    For service information identified in this proposed 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. 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.

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-
0627; 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: Ansel James, Aerospace Engineer, 
Atlanta Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, 1701 Columbia Avenue, 
College Park, Georgia 30337; telephone: (404) 474-5576; fax: (404) 474-
5606; email: ansel.james@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-2015-0627; 
Directorate Identifier 2015-CE-002-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

    We received a report of an accident where the shape of the wing 
fuel tanks on Piper Aircraft, Inc. Models PA-23-250, PA-24-250, PA-24-
260, PA-24-400, PA-30, PA-31, PA-31-300, PA-31P, PA-39, and PA-E23-250 
airplanes, combined with fuel below a certain level in the selected 
tank, may have allowed the fuel to move away from the tank outlet 
during certain maneuvers causing fuel starvation. These airplanes do 
not have baffles in the fuel tanks. Baffles in the fuel tanks slow the 
movement of fuel in the tank during certain maneuvers and prevent the 
unsafe condition. Certain maneuvers, such as prolonged turns during 
taxi prior to takeoff and inflight maneuvers like prolonged slips and 
skids at any pitch attitude, can cause the fuel in the tanks to 
temporarily move away from the tank outlet. This could result in an 
interruption in the flow of the fuel to the engine. It was also noted, 
the manufacturer insufficiently defined procedures for low fuel 
operation. This condition, if not corrected, could lead to loss of 
engine power or engine shutdown, which may result in loss of control.

Relevant Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    We reviewed Piper Aircraft, Inc. Service Bulletin No. 1266, dated 
December 16, 2014. Piper Aircraft, Inc. Service Bulletin No. 1266, 
dated December 16, 2014, calls for/describes actions for, when 
necessary, installing the correct fuel warning placard on the 
instrument panel and adding correct text of that fuel warning placard 
in the Limitations section of the POH/AFM. This service information is 
reasonably available; see ADDRESSES for ways to access this service 
information.

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.

[[Page 15172]]

Proposed AD Requirements

    This proposed AD would require accomplishing the actions specified 
in the service information described previously.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD affects 3,000 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
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Inspection to determine if          .5 work-hour x $85     Not Applicable.......          $42.50        $127,500
 placard, if installed, and          per hour = $42.50.
 Limitations section of the POH/
 AFM are compliant with Piper
 Aircraft, Inc. Service Bulletin
 No. 1266, dated December 16, 2014.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    We estimate the following costs to do any necessary placard/POH/AFM 
order and installation that would be required based on the results of 
the proposed inspection. We have no way of determining the number of 
aircraft that might need any necessary placard/POH/AFM order and 
installation:

                                               On-Condition Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                     Cost per
                    Action                                 Labor cost               Parts cost        product
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Order and install replacement placard.........  1 work-hour x $85 per hour = $85             $40            $125
Order updated POH/AFM and install updated       .5 work-hour x $85 per hour =                300          342.50
 pages.                                          $42.50.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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.
    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

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):

Piper Aircraft, Inc. Airplanes: Docket No. FAA-2015-0627; 
Directorate Identifier 2015-CE-002-AD.

(a) Comments Due Date

    We must receive comments by May 7, 2015.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Piper Aircraft, Inc. Models PA-23-250, PA-24-
250, PA-24-260, PA-24-400, PA-30, PA-31, PA-31-300, PA-31P, PA-39, 
and PA-E23-250 airplanes, certificated in any category, as 
identified in Piper Aircraft, Inc. Mandatory Service Bulletin No. 
1266, dated December 16, 2014.

(d) Subject

    Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC)/Air Transport Association 
(ATA) of America Code 1130, PLACARDS AND MARKINGS; Interior 
Placards.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by an accident caused by fuel starvation 
where the shape of the wing fuel tanks and fuel below a certain 
level in that tank may have allowed the fuel to move away from the 
tank outlet during certain maneuvers. We are issuing this AD to 
prevent loss of engine power due to fuel starvation. This condition, 
if not corrected, could lead to loss of engine power or engine 
shutdown, which may result in loss of control.

(f) Compliance

    Unless already done, within the next 50 hours time-in-service 
(TIS) after the effective date of this AD, do the actions in 
paragraphs (g) and (h), as applicable, including all subparagraphs:

[[Page 15173]]

(g) Fuel Warning Placard Inspection

    (1) Inspect the fuel warning placard, if existing, following the 
Instructions section, of Piper Aircraft, Inc. Mandatory Service 
Bulletin No. 1266, dated December 16, 2014. If the placard is 
present and compliant with the Instructions section of Piper 
Aircraft, Inc. Mandatory Service Bulletin No. 1266, dated December 
16, 2014, then no further action regarding the placard is required.
    (2) If the fuel warning placard is not present or not compliant 
with the Instructions section of Piper Aircraft, Inc. Mandatory 
Service Bulletin No. 1266, dated December 16, 2014, then order or, 
as applicable, fabricate, and install the applicable fuel warning 
placard following the Instructions section of Piper Aircraft, Inc. 
Mandatory Service Bulletin No. 1266, dated December 16, 2014. You 
may order the applicable placard from Piper Aircraft, Inc. at the 
address identified in paragraph (j)(2) of this AD.

(h) Pilot's Operating Handbook (POH)/Airplane Flight Manual (AFM) 
Inspection

    (1) Inspect the Limitations section of the applicable POH/AFM 
following the Instructions section of Piper Aircraft, Inc. Mandatory 
Service Bulletin No. 1266, dated December 16, 2014.
    (2) If the Limitations section of the applicable POH/AFM 
contains the exact text found in table 2 of Piper Aircraft, Inc. 
Mandatory Service Bulletin No. 1266, dated December 16, 2014, there 
is no need for a POH/AFM revision.
    (3) If the Limitations section of the applicable POH/AFM does 
not contain the exact text found in table 2, a POH/AFM revision is 
required. Contact Piper Aircraft, Inc. at the address identified in 
paragraph (j)(2) of this AD and request the applicable POH/AFM 
revision.

(i) 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 paragraph (j)(1) 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.

(j) Related Information

    (1) For more information about this AD, contact Ansel James, 
Aerospace Engineer, Atlanta Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, 1701 
Columbia Avenue, College Park, Georgia 30337; telephone: (404) 474-
5576; fax: (404) 474-5606; email: ansel.james@faa.gov.
    (2) For 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. You may view 
this 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.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on March 12, 2015.
Robert Busto,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2015-06414 Filed 3-20-15; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P