Airworthiness Directives; Aerostar Aircraft Corporation Models PA-60-600 (Aerostar 600), PA-60-601 (Aerostar 601), PA-60-601P (Aerostar 601P), PA-60-602P (Aerostar 602P), and PA-60-700P (Aerostar 700P) Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 81 (Thursday, April 26, 2001)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 20902-20904]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-9749]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2000-CE-31-AD; Amendment 39-12187; AD 2001-08-10]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Aerostar Aircraft Corporation Models 
PA-60-600 (Aerostar 600), PA-60-601 (Aerostar 601), PA-60-601P 
(Aerostar 601P), PA-60-602P (Aerostar 602P), and PA-60-700P (Aerostar 
700P) Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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

SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) that 
applies to certain Aerostar Aircraft Corporation (Aerostar) Models PA-
60-600, PA-60-601, PA-60-601P, PA-60-602P, and PA-60-700P airplanes. 
This AD requires you to replace both of the existing main landing gear 
lower side brace assemblies with parts of improved design. This AD is 
the result of several reports of cracking of the main landing gear 
lower side brace at the upper bolt lug discovered on preflight 
inspection. The actions specified by this AD are intended to correct 
damage or cracks in the main landing gear lower side brace at the upper 
bolt lug where the upper and lower side braces connect. This could 
result in failure of the main landing gear lower side brace. Such 
failure could lead to loss of control of the airplane.

DATES: This AD becomes effective on June 12, 2001.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of certain publications listed in the regulations as of June 
12, 2001.

ADDRESSES: You may get the service information referenced in this AD 
from Aerostar Aircraft Corporation, 10555 Airport Drive, Hayden Lake, 
ID 83835; telephone: (208) 762-0338; facsimile: (208) 762-8349. You may 
read this information at the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), 
Central Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket 
No. 2000-CE-31-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: Richard Simonson, Aerospace Engineer, 
FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW, Renton,

[[Page 20903]]

Washington 98055; telephone: (425) 227-2597; facsimile: (425) 227-1181.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

    The FAA has received several reports of cracking of the main 
landing gear lower side brace at the upper bolt lug discovered on 
preflight inspection of Aerostar PA-60 Model airplanes. Damage or 
cracking of the main landing gear lower side brace, if not detected and 
corrected, could result in failure of this part. Such failure could 
lead to loss of the main landing gear with consequent loss of control 
of the airplane.
    Aerostar has issued Service Bulletin SB600-134A, dated March 31, 
2000. The service bulletin includes procedures for replacing both 
existing main landing gear lower side brace assemblies with parts of 
improved design, Aerostar part number 400084-001, lower side brace 
assemblies.
    Has FAA taken any action to this point? We issued a proposal to 
amend part 39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) to 
include an AD that would apply to all Aerostar Models PA-60-600, PA-60-
601, PA-60-601P, PA-60-602P, and PA-60-700P airplanes. This proposal 
was published in the Federal Register as a notice of proposed 
rulemaking (NPRM) on November 24, 2000 (65 FR 70535). The NPRM proposed 
to require you to replace both of the existing main landing gear lower 
side brace assemblies with parts of improved design
    What is the potential impact if FAA took no action? Damage or 
cracks in the main landing gear lower side brace at the upper bolt lug 
where the upper and lower side braces connect could result in failure 
of the main landing gear lower side brace. Such failure could lead to 
loss of control of the airplane.
    Was the public invited to comment? The FAA encouraged interested 
persons to participate in the making of this amendment. The following 
presents the comments received on the proposal and FAA's response to 
these comments:

Comment Issue: Why Not Withdraw the NPRM or Revise the AD To 
Require Only Repetitive Inspections?

    What is the commenter's concern? Ten commenters state that their 
inspections have not shown any evidence of the problem described in the 
NPRM. They note that requiring replacement of these side braces with 
new parts imposes an undue financial burden on the airplane owners. 
Lastly, the commenters write that the repetitive inspections provide a 
sufficient level of safety for this airplane.
    What is FAA's response to the concern? The FAA disagrees. There 
have been four reported cases, so far, of cracking in the upper bolt 
lug of this brace. More sophisticated analysis techniques than those 
available at the time of the initial airplane design show that the 
original braces do not meet the requirements of the Federal Aviation 
Regulations (14 CFR). As a result, the part was redesigned.
    Fatigue cracks are extremely hard to detect early to avoid failure 
of the main landing gear lower side brace. The failure of a brace is 
hazardous. At the very least, the failure will result in severe damage 
to the airplane, with the possibility of follow-on damage to the 
airplane, and death or injury to the flight crew, passengers, and 
bystanders. For the above reasons, the original side braces must be 
replaced.
    We are not changing the AD based on these comments.

FAA's Determination

    What is FAA's Final Determination on this Issue? We carefully 
reviewed all available information related to the subject presented 
above and determined that air safety and the public interest require 
the adoption of the rule as proposed except for minor editorial 
corrections. We determined that these minor corrections:

--Will not change the meaning of the AD; and
--Will not add any additional burden on the public than was already 
proposed.

Cost Impact

    How many airplanes does this AD impact? We estimate that this AD 
affects 650 airplanes in the U.S. registry.
    What is the cost impact of this AD on owners/operators of the 
affected airplanes? We estimate the following costs to accomplish the 
modification:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                           Total cost on U.S.
            Labor cost                     Parts cost          Total cost per airplane          operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
20 workhours  x  $60 per hour =    $1,682 for each airplane.  $1,200 + $1,682 = $2,882   $2,882  x  650 =
 $1,200.                                                       for each airplane.        $1,873,300.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Regulatory Impact

    Does this AD impact various entities? The regulations adopted 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. 
We have determined that this rule would not have federalism 
implications under Executive Order 13132.
    Does this AD involve a significant rule or regulatory action? 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. You may get a copy of it from 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, 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 AD to read as follows:

2001-08-10  Aerostar Aircraft Corporation: Amendment 39-12187; 
Docket No. 2000-CE-31-AD.

    (a) What airplanes are affected by this AD? This AD affects the 
following airplane models, serial numbers 1 through 1026 that are 
certificated in any category: Models PA-60-600 (Aerostar 600), PA-
60-601 (Aerostar 601), PA-60-601P (Aerostar 601P), PA-60-602P 
(Aerostar 602P), and PA-60-700P (Aerostar 700P).

[[Page 20904]]

    (b) Who must comply with this AD? Anyone who wishes to operate 
any of the above airplanes must comply with this AD.
    (c) What problem does this AD address? The actions specified by 
this AD are intended to correct damage or cracks in the main landing 
gear lower side brace at the upper bolt lug where the upper and 
lower side braces connect. This could result in cracking and failure 
of the main landing gear lower side brace. Such failure could lead 
to loss of control of the airplane.
    (d) What actions must I accomplish to address this problem? To 
address this problem, you must do the following:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
           Actions                 Compliance            Procedures
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Replace both main         Within the next 50    Do these
 landing gear lower side       hours time-in-        replacements
 brace assemblies with         service after June    following the
 Aerostar part number 400084-  12, 2001, unless      INSTRUCTIONS PART
 001 lower side brace          already performed.    II: Replacement
 assemblies.                                         paragraph of
                                                     Aerostar Service
                                                     Bulletin SB600-
                                                     134A, dated March
                                                     31, 2000, and the
                                                     Aerostar
                                                     Maintenance Manual.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(2) Do not install, on any    As of June 12, 2001.  Not applicable.
 affected airplane, main
 landing gear lower side
 brace assemblies that are
 not Aerostar part number
 400084-001 or FAA-approved
 equivalent part number.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (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, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), 
approves your alternative. Send your request through an FAA 
Principal Maintenance Inspector, who may add comments and then send 
it to the Manager, Seattle ACO, 1601 Lind Avenue, SW, Renton, 
Washington 98055.

    Note: This AD applies to each airplane identified in paragraph 
(a) of this AD, 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 following 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? Contact Richard Simonson, 
Aerospace Engineer, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601 Lind 
Avenue, SW, Renton, Washington 98055; telephone: (425) 227-2597; 
facsimile: (425) 227-1181.
    (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.
    (h) Are any service bulletins incorporated into this AD by 
reference? Actions required by this AD must be done following 
Aerostar Aircraft Corporation Service Bulletin SB600-134A, dated 
March 31, 2000. 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 Aerostar Aircraft Corporation, 10555 Airport 
Drive, Coeur d'Alene Airport, Hayden Lake, Idaho 83835-8742. You can 
look at copies at the 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 12, 2001.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on April 13, 2001.
David R. Showers,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 01-9749 Filed 4-25-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U

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