Airworthiness Directives; The New Piper Aircraft, Inc. Models PA-34-200T, PA-34-220T, PA-44-180, and PA-44-180T Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 107 (Wednesday, June 4, 2003)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 33356-33358]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-13650]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2003-CE-23-AD; Amendment 39-13173; AD 2003-11-14]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; The New Piper Aircraft, Inc. Models PA-
34-200T, PA-34-220T, PA-44-180, and PA-44-180T Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) that 
applies to certain The New Piper Aircraft, Inc. (Piper) Models PA-34-
200T, PA-34-220T, PA-44-180, and PA-44-180T airplanes that have a model 
91E92-1 or model 91E93-1 combustion heater fuel pump installed. This AD 
requires you to accomplish a one-time inspection of the combustion 
heater fuel pumps for fuel leakage. If leakage is found, repair or 
replace the fuel pump. This AD is the result of recent reports of fuel 
leakage. The actions specified by this AD are intended to correct 
quality control problems with the heater fuel pump, which could result 
in failure of the heater fuel pump. Such failure could lead to fire or 
explosion in the cockpit.

DATES: This AD becomes effective on June 20, 2003.
    The Director of the Federal Register approves the incorporation by 
reference of certain publications listed in the regulation as of June 
20, 2003.
    The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) must receive any comments 
on this rule on or before August 8, 2003.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments to FAA, Central Region, Office of the 
Regional Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket No. 2003-CE-23-AD, 901 
Locust, Room 506, Kansas City, Missouri 64106. You may view any 
comments at this location between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through 
Friday, except Federal holidays. You may also send comments 
electronically to the following address: [email protected]. 
Comments sent electronically must contain ``Docket No. 2003-CE-23-AD'' 
in the subject line. If you send comments electronically as attached 
electronic files, the files must be formatted in Microsoft Word 97 for 
Windows or ASCII text.
    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; telephone: (772) 567-4361; facsimile: (772) 978-
6584. You may view this information at FAA, Central Region, Office of 
the Regional Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket No. 2003-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: Hector Hernandez, Aerospace Engineer, 
FAA, Atlanta Aircraft Certification Office, One Crown Center, 1895 
Phoenix Boulevard, Suite 450, Atlanta, Georgia 30349; telephone: (770) 
703-6069; facsimile: (770) 703-6097.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

[[Page 33357]]

Discussion

What Events Have Caused This AD?

    The FAA has received several reports of fuel leakage from the 
combustion heater fuel pumps installed on Piper Models PA-34-200T, PA-
34-220T, PA-44-180, and PA-44-180T airplanes.
    Improper torque was applied to the mounting screws of the fuel pump 
filter cover. This condition was found during a quality control 
inspection.
    Improper torquing of the mounting screws may result in sealing 
surface abnormalities such as nicks, gouges, or warping.

What Are the Consequences If the Condition Is Not Corrected?

    This condition, if not corrected, could result in failure of the 
combustion heater fuel pump and lead to fire or explosion in the 
cockpit.

Is There Service Information That Applies to This Subject?

    Piper has issued Service Bulletin No. 1127, dated February 26, 
2003. This Piper service bulletin includes Kelly Aerospace Service 
Information Letter Bulletin No. A-110A, dated March 6, 2003.

What Are the Provisions of This Service Information?

    These service bulletins include procedures for:

--Inspecting the combustion heater fuel pump for leaks; and
--Inspecting the sealing surface of the fuel pump.

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-34-200T, PA-34-220T, PA-44-180, and 
PA-44-180T 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 incorporate the actions in the previously-
referenced service bulletin.
    In preparation of this rule, we contacted type clubs and aircraft 
operators to obtain technical information and information on 
operational and economic impacts. We have included, in the rulemaking 
docket, a discussion of information that may have influenced this 
action.

How Does the Revision to 14 CFR Part 39 Affect This AD?

    On July 10, 2002, FAA published a new version of 14 CFR part 39 (67 
FR 47997, July 22, 2002), which governs FAA's AD system. This 
regulation now includes material that relates to special flight 
permits, alternative methods of compliance, and altered products. This 
material previously was included in each individual AD. Since this 
material is included in 14 CFR part 39, we will not include it in 
future AD actions.

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 fire or explosion in the cockpit, we find 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, FAA invites 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 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 need to take additional rulemaking 
action.

Are There Any Specific Portions of the AD I Should Pay Attention to?

    We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the rule that might 
suggest a need to modify the rule. You may view 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.

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. 2003-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?

    We have 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

0
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

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


[[Page 33358]]


2003-11-14 The New Piper Aircraft, Inc.: Amendment 39-13173; Docket 
No. 2003-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, equipped with a model 91E92-1 or model 
91E93-1 aircraft heater fuel pump:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                Model                             Serial Nos.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
PA-34-200T..........................  34-7570002 through 34-8170092.
PA-34-220T..........................  34-8133002 through 3449278.
PA-44-180...........................  44-7995001 through 4496168.
PA-44-180T..........................  44-8107001 through 44-8207020.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (b) Who must comply with this AD? Anyone who wishes to operate 
any of the airplanes identified in paragraph (a) of this AD must 
comply with this AD.
    (c) What problem does this AD address? The actions specified by 
this AD are intended to correct quality control problems with the 
heater fuel pump, which could result in failure of the heater fuel 
pump. Such failure could lead to fire or explosion in the cockpit.
    (d) What must I do to address this problem? To address this 
problem, you must accomplish the following actions:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
             Actions                  Compliance          Procedures
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Visually inspect any          Within the next 10  In accordance with
 aircraft heater fuel pump (mode   hours time-in-      The New Piper
 A-91E92-1 or model 91E93-1) for   service (TIS)       Aircraft, Inc.
 leakage.                          after June 20,      Service Bulletin
                                   2003 (the           No. installed
                                   effective date of   1127, dated
                                   this AD), unless    February 26,
                                   already             2003; Kelly
                                   accomplished.       Aerospace Power
                                                       Systems Service
                                                       Information
                                                       Letter Bulletin
                                                       No. 110A, dated
                                                       March 6, 2003;
                                                       and the
                                                       applicable
                                                       airplane
                                                       maintenance
                                                       instructions.
---------------------------------
(2) If any leak is found,         Prior to further    In accordance with
 inspect the pump sealing          flight after the    The New Piper
 surface for abnormalities (for    inspection          Aircraft, Inc.
 example, nicks, gouges, or        required in         Service Bulletin
 warping). Correct any             paragraph (d)(1)    No. 1127, dated
 abnormality found. If any         of this AD.         February 26,
 abnormality cannot be                                 2003; Kelly
 corrected, replace the heater                         Aerospace Power
 fuel pump.                                            Systems Service
                                                       Information
                                                       Letter Bulletin
                                                       No. A-110A, dated
                                                       March 6, 2003;
                                                       and the
                                                       applicable
                                                       airplane
                                                       maintenance
                                                       instructions.
---------------------------------
(3) Do not install any heater     As of June 20,      In accordance with
 fuel pump (model 91E92-1 or       2003 (the           The New Piper
 model 91E93-1) unless you have    effective date of   Aircraft, Inc.
 visually inspected the pump for   this AD).           Service Bulletin
 leakage.                                              No. 1127, dated
                                                       February 26,
                                                       2003; Kelly
                                                       Aerospace Power
                                                       Systems Service
                                                       Information
                                                       Letter Bulletin
                                                       No. A-110A, dated
                                                       March 6, 2003;
                                                       and the
                                                       applicable
                                                       airplane
                                                       maintenance
                                                       instructions.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (e) Can I comply with this AD in any other way? To use an 
alternative method of compliance or adjust the compliance time, 
follow the procedures in 14 CFR 39.19. Send these requests to the 
Manager, Atlanta Aircraft Certification Office (ACO). For 
information on any already approved alternative methods of 
compliance, contact Hector Hernandez, Aerospace Engineer, FAA, 
Atlanta Aircraft Certification Office, One Crown Center, 1895 
Phoenix Boulevard, Suite 450, Atlanta, Georgia 30349; telephone: 
(770) 703-6069; facsimile: (770) 703-6097.
    (f) Are any service bulletins incorporated into this AD by 
reference? Actions required by this AD must be done in accordance 
with The New Piper Aircraft, Inc. Service Bulletin No. 1127, dated 
February 26, 2003, and Kelly Aerospace Power Systems Service 
Information Letter Bulletin No. A-110A, dated March 6, 2003.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., Customer Services, 2926 
Piper Drive, Vero Beach, Florida 32960; telephone: (772) 567-4361; 
facsimile: (772) 978-6584. You may view this information 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.
    (g) When does this amendment become effective? This amendment 
becomes effective on June 20, 2003.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on May 27, 2003.
David R. Showers,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 03-13650 Filed 6-3-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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