Airworthiness Directives; The New Piper Aircraft, Inc. Models PA-46-310P, PA-46-350P, and PA-46-500TP Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 113 (Tuesday, June 12, 2001)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 31525-31527]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-14450]



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Federal Register / Vol. 66, No. 113 / Tuesday, June 12, 2001 / Rules 
and Regulations

[[Page 31525]]



DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2001-CE-23-AD; Amendment 39-12256; AD 2001-12-01]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; The New Piper Aircraft, Inc. Models PA-
46-310P, PA-46-350P, and PA-46-500TP Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.

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

SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) that 
applies to certain The New Piper Aircraft, Inc. (Piper) Models PA-46-
310P, PA-46-350P, and PA-46-500TP airplanes. This AD requires you to 
inspect the left and right inboard flap drive bellcrank assemblies to 
ensure that the welding is complete and adequate and replace any 
assembly that has incomplete or inadequate welding. This AD is the 
result of reports of several instances where the bellcrank in the flap 
control system failed. The actions specified by this AD are intended to 
prevent failure of the flap drive bellcrank assemblies caused by 
incorrect or inadequate welding. Such failure could cause the inability 
to control the flaps and lead to reduced or loss of control of the 
airplane.

DATES: This AD becomes effective on June 29, 2001.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of certain publications listed in the regulation as of June 
29, 2001.
    The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) must receive any comments 
on this rule on or before July 27, 2001.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to FAA, Central Region, Office 
of the Regional Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket No. 2001-CE-23-AD, 901 
Locust, Room 506, Kansas City, Missouri 64106.
    You may get the service information referenced in this AD from The 
New Piper Aircraft, Inc., Customer Services, 2926 Piper Drive, Vero 
Beach, Florida 32960. You may examine this information at FAA, Central 
Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket No. 
2001-CE-23-AD, 901 Locust, Room 506, 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: Mr. Gunnar Berg, Aerospace Engineer, 
FAA, Atlanta Aircraft Certification Office, One Crown Center, 1895 
Phoenix Boulevard, Suite 450, Atlanta, Georgia 30349; telephone: (770) 
703-6074; facsimile: (770) 703-6097; e-mail address: 
``[email protected]''.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

    What events have caused this AD? The FAA has received reports of 
several instances where the bellcrank in the flap control system failed 
on Piper Models PA-46-310P, PA-46-350P, and PA-46-500TP airplanes. 
Investigation of these instances reveals that the inboard flap drive 
bellcrank assemblies could have incomplete or inadequate welding. 
Specifically, the welding may not completely encompass the 
circumference of the tube-to-arm joint of the assemblies.
    These flap drive bellcrank assemblies incorporate Piper part number 
(P/N)
    82905-2 and P/N 82905-3.
    What are the consequences if the condition is not corrected? 
Failure of the flap drive bellcrank assemblies, if not detected and 
corrected, could cause the inability to control the flaps and lead to 
reduced or loss of control of the airplane.
    Is there service information that applies to this subject? Piper 
has issued Service Bulletin No. 1062, dated May 11, 2001. This service 
bulletin includes procedures for inspecting the left and right inboard 
flap drive bellcrank assemblies to ensure that the welding is complete 
and adequate.
    This service bulletin also specifies replacing any assembly that 
has incomplete or inadequate welding in accordance with the 
instructions in the applicable maintenance manual.

The FAA's Determination and an Explanation of the Provisions of 
This AD

    What has FAA decided? The FAA has reviewed all available 
information, including the service information referenced above, and 
determined that:

--The unsafe condition referenced in this document exists or could 
develop on other Piper Models PA-46-310P, PA-46-350P, and PA-46-500TP 
airplanes of the same type design;
--the actions specified in the previously-referenced service 
information should be accomplished on the affected airplanes; and
--AD action should be taken in order to correct this unsafe condition.

    What does this AD require? This AD requires you to inspect the left 
and right inboard flap drive bellcrank assemblies to ensure that the 
welding is complete and adequate and replace any assembly that has 
incomplete or inadequate welding.
    Will I have the opportunity to comment prior to the issuance of the 
rule? Because the unsafe condition described in this document could 
result in the inability to control the flaps and lead to reduced or 
loss of control of the airplane, FAA finds that notice and opportunity 
for public prior comment are impracticable. Therefore, good cause 
exists for making this amendment effective in less than 30 days.

Comments Invited

    How do I comment on this AD? Although this action is in the form of 
a final rule and was not preceded by notice and opportunity for public 
comment, we invite your comments on the rule. You may submit whatever 
written data, views, or arguments you choose. You need to include the 
rule's docket number and submit your comments in triplicate to the 
address specified under the caption ADDRESSES. We will consider all 
comments received on or before the closing date specified above. We may 
amend this rule in light of comments received. Factual information that 
supports your ideas and suggestions is extremely helpful in evaluating 
the effectiveness of the AD action and determining whether we

[[Page 31526]]

need to take additional rulemaking action.
    Are there any specific portions of the AD I should pay attention 
to? The FAA specifically invites comments on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the rule that might 
suggest a need to modify the rule. You may examine all comments we 
receive before and after the closing date of the rule in the Rules 
Docket. We will file a report in the Rules Docket that summarizes each 
FAA contact with the public that concerns the substantive parts of this 
AD.
    We are reviewing the writing style we currently use in regulatory 
documents, in response to the Presidential memorandum of June 1, 1998. 
That memorandum requires federal agencies to communicate more clearly 
with the public. We are interested in your comments on whether the 
style of this document is clear, and any other suggestions you might 
have to improve the clarity of FAA communications that affect you. You 
can get more information about the Presidential memorandum and the 
plain language initiative at http://www.plainlanguage.gov.
    How can I be sure FAA receives my comment? If you want us to 
acknowledge the receipt of your comments, you must include a self-
addressed, stamped postcard. On the postcard, write ``Comments to 
Docket No. 2001-CE-23-AD.'' We will date stamp and mail the postcard 
back to you.

Regulatory Impact

    Does this AD impact various entities? These regulations 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 responsibilities among the various levels of government. 
Therefore, FAA has determined that this final rule does not have 
federalism implications under Executive Order 13132.
    Does this AD involve a significant rule or regulatory action? The 
FAA has determined that this regulation is an emergency regulation that 
must be issued immediately to correct an unsafe condition in aircraft, 
and is not a significant regulatory action under Executive Order 12866. 
It has been determined further that this action involves an emergency 
regulation under DOT Regulatory Policies and Procedures (44 FR 11034, 
February 26, 1979). If it is determined that this emergency regulation 
otherwise would be significant under DOT Regulatory Policies and 
Procedures, a final regulatory evaluation will be prepared and placed 
in the Rules Docket (otherwise, an evaluation is not required). A copy 
of it, if filed, may be obtained from the Rules Docket.

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 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 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701.


Sec. 39.13  [Amended]

    2. FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by adding a new airworthiness directive 
(AD) to read as follows:

2001-12-01  The New Piper Aircraft, Inc.: Amendment 39-12256; Docket 
No. 2001-CE-23-AD.

    (a) What airplanes are affected by this AD? This AD applies to 
the following airplane models and serial numbers, that are 
certificated in any category:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Model                             Serial Nos.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
PA-46-310P........................  46-8408001 through 46-8408087, 46-
                                     8508001 through 46-8508109, 46-
                                     8608001 through 46-8608067, and
                                     4608001 through 4608140.
PA-46-350P........................  4622001 through 4622200 and 4636001
                                     through 4636313.
PA-46-500TP.......................  4697001 through 4697020, 4697023,
                                     4697024, 4697025, 4697027 through
                                     4697037, 4697040 through 4697052,
                                     4697054, 4697055, 4697058, and
                                     4697059.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (b) Who must comply with this AD? Anyone who wishes to operate 
one of the affected airplanes must comply with this
    AD.
    (c) What problem does this AD address? The actions specified by 
this AD are intended to prevent failure of the flap drive bellcrank 
assemblies caused by incorrect or inadequate welding. Such failure 
could cause the inability to control the flaps and lead to reduced 
or loss of control of the airplane.
    (d) What must I do to address this problem? To address this 
problem, you must accomplish the following actions:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
           Action                Compliance time         Procedures
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Inspect in left and right     Inspect within the    Inspect in
 inboard flap drive            next 10 hours time-   accordance with
 bellcrank assemblies, Piper   in-service (TIS)      Piper Service
 part number (P/N) 82905-2     after June 29, 2001   Bulletin No. 1062,
 and P/N 82905-3, to ensure    (the effective date   dated May 11, 2001.
 that the welding is           of this AD).          Replace in
 complete and adequate.        Replace as            accordance with the
 Replace any assembly that     necessary prior to    applicable
 has incomplete or             further flight        maintenance manual,
 inadequate welding.           after the             as referenced in
                               inspection where      the service
                               incomplete or         bulletin.
                               inadequate welding
                               is found.
(2) Do not install any        As of June 29, 2001   Ensure that the
 inboard flap drive            (the effective date   welding is complete
 bellcrank assembly, Piper P/  of this AD).          and adequate in
 N 82905-2 or P/N 82905-3,                           accordance with
 unless you have ensured                             Piper Service
 that the welding is                                 Bulletin No. 1062,
 complete and adequate.                              dated May 11, 2001.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (e) Can I comply with this AD in any other way? You may use an 
alternative method of compliance or adjust the compliance time if:
    (1) Your alternative method of compliance provides an equivalent 
level of safety; and
    (2) The Manager, Atlanta Aircraft Certification Office, approves 
your alternative. Send your request through an FAA Principal 
Maintenance Inspector, who may add comments and then send it to the 
Manager, Atlanta Aircraft Certification Office.

    Note: This AD applies to each airplane identified in paragraph 
(a) of this AD, regardless of whether it has been modified,

[[Page 31527]]

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 (e) 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 you have not eliminated the unsafe condition, specific 
actions you propose to address it.

    (f) Where can I get information about any already-approved 
alternative methods of compliance? You can contact Mr. Gunnar Berg, 
Aerospace Engineer, FAA, Atlanta Aircraft Certification Office, One 
Crown Center, 1895 Phoenix Boulevard, Suite 450, Atlanta, Georgia 
30349; telephone: (770) 703-6074; facsimile: (770) 703-6097; e-mail 
address: ``[email protected]''.
    (g) What if I need to fly the airplane to another location to 
comply with this AD? The FAA can issue a special flight permit under 
sections 21.197 and 21.199 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 
CFR 21.197 and 21.199) to operate your airplane to a location where 
you can accomplish the requirements of this AD. Use of flaps for 
this flight is prohibited.
    (h) Are any service bulletins incorporated into this AD by 
reference? Actions required by this AD must be done in accordance 
with Piper Service Bulletin No. 1062, dated May 11, 2001. The 
Director of the Federal Register approved this incorporation by 
reference under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. You can get 
copies from The New Piper Aircraft, Inc., 2926 Piper Drive, Vero 
Beach, Florida 32960. You can look at copies at FAA, Central Region, 
Office of the Regional Counsel, 901 Locust, Room 506, Kansas City, 
Missouri, or at the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North 
Capitol Street, NW, suite 700, Washington, DC.
    (i) When does this amendment become effective? This amendment 
becomes effective on June 29, 2001.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on June 1, 2001.
Michael Gallagher,
Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 01-14450 Filed 6-11-01; 8:45 am]
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