Airworthiness Directives; The New Piper Aircraft, Inc. Model PA-46-500TP Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 146 (Friday, July 30, 2004)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 45573-45575]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-17218]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2003-CE-52-AD; Amendment 39-13753; AD 2004-15-19]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; The New Piper Aircraft, Inc. Model PA-
46-500TP Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: The FAA adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain 
the New Piper Aircraft, Inc. (Piper) Model PA-46-500TP airplanes. This 
AD requires you to inspect (one-time) for the existence of any 
protective cover over the percussion caps or silicon tube installed 
over the end of the trigger mechanism pin of the oxygen generators, and 
remove any protective cover or silicon tube found. This AD is the 
result of reports of the above conditions found on the affected 
airplanes. We are issuing this AD to detect and remove any protective 
cover over the percussion cap, or any silicon tube over the end of the 
trigger mechanism pin, which could result in failure of the emergency 
oxygen system. This failure could lead to the crew and passengers not 
being able to get oxygen in an emergency situation.

[[Page 45574]]


DATES: This AD becomes effective on September 13, 2004.
    As of September 13, 2004, the Director of the Federal Register 
approved the incorporation by reference of certain publications listed 
in the regulation.

ADDRESSES: You may get the service information identified 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 the AD docket at FAA, Central Region, Office of the 
Regional Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket No. 2003-CE-52-AD, 901 
Locust, Room 506, Kansas City, Missouri 64106. Office hours are 8 a.m. 
to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.

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:

Discussion

    What events have caused this AD? The FAA has received several 
reports of the protective cover installed over the percussion cap on 
the oxygen generator on the Models PA-46-310P, PA-46-350P and PA-46-
500TP airplanes. Also, a silicon tube may exist over the end of the 
trigger mechanism pin. Any protective cover installed over the 
percussion cap, or any silicon tube installed over the trigger, on the 
oxygen generator renders the emergency oxygen system inoperative.
    The affected models in the service bulletin referenced in this AD 
include the Models PA-46-310P and PA-46-350P airplanes. However, these 
models are certificated at a lower service ceiling than the Model PA-
46-500TP airplane. Since Piper has demonstrated an emergency descent to 
a lower altitude with no oxygen to the pilot, neither Model PA-46-310P 
nor PA-46-350P airplanes are affected by the identified condition.
    What is the potential impact if FAA took no action? Any protective 
cover on the percussion cap or silicon tube installed over the end of 
the trigger mechanism pin could result in failure of the emergency 
oxygen system. This failure could lead to the crew or passengers not 
being able to get oxygen in an emergency situation.
    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 certain Piper Model PA-46-500TP 
airplanes. This proposal was published in the Federal Register as a 
notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) on March 31, 2004 (69 FR 16836). 
The NPRM proposed to require you to inspect (one-time) for the 
existence of any protective cover over the percussion caps or silicon 
tube installed over the end of the trigger mechanism pin of the oxygen 
generators, and remove any protective cover or silicon tube found.

Comments

    Was the public invited to comment? We provided the public the 
opportunity to participate in developing this AD. We received no 
comments on the proposal or on the determination of the cost to the 
public.

Conclusion

    What is FAA's final determination on this issue? We have carefully 
reviewed the available data and determined that air safety and the 
public interest require adopting the AD as proposed except for minor 
editorial corrections. We have determined that these minor corrections:
    <bullet> Are consistent with the intent that was proposed in the 
NPRM for correcting the unsafe condition; and
    <bullet> Do not add any additional burden upon the public than was 
already proposed in the NPRM.

Changes to 14 CFR Part 39--Effect on the AD

    How does the revision to 14 CFR part 39 affect this AD? On July 10, 
2002, the FAA published a new version of 14 CFR part 39 (67 FR 47997, 
July 22, 2002), which governs the FAA's AD system. This regulation now 
includes material that relates to altered products, special flight 
permits, and alternative methods of compliance. 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.

Costs of Compliance

    How many airplanes does this AD impact? We estimate that this AD 
affects 135 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 do this 
inspection (and removal of any protective cover on the percussion cap 
or any silicon tube installed over the end of the trigger mechanism 
pin):

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                          Total cost per
            Labor cost                  Parts cost           airplane          Total cost on U.S.  operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1 workhour x $65 per hour = $65..  No cost for parts...              $65  135 x $65 = $8,775.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Regulatory Findings

    Will this AD impact various entities? We have determined that this 
AD will not have federalism implications under Executive Order 13132. 
This AD 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.
    Will this AD involve a significant rule or regulatory action? For 
the reasons discussed above, I certify that this AD:
    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); 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.
    We prepared a summary of the costs to comply with this AD and 
placed it in the AD Docket. You may get a copy of this summary by 
sending a request to us at the address listed under ADDRESSES. Include 
``AD Docket No. 2003-CE-52-AD'' in your request.

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:


[[Page 45575]]


    Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701.


Sec.  39.13  [Amended]

0
2. FAA amends Sec.  39.13 by adding a new AD to read as follows:

2004-15-19 The New Piper Aircraft, Inc.: Amendment 39-13753; Docket 
No. 2003-CE-52-AD.

When Does This AD Become Effective?

    (a) This AD becomes effective on September 13, 2004.

What Other ADs Are Affected by This Action?

    (b) None.

What Airplanes Are Affected by This AD?

    (c) This AD affects Model PA-46-500TP airplanes, serial numbers 
4697001 through 4697163, that are certificated in any category.

What Is the Unsafe Condition Presented in This AD?

    (d) This AD is the result of reports of a protective cover 
installed over the percussion cap or a silicon tube installed over 
the end of the trigger mechanism pin, on the oxygen generator, 
rendering the emergency oxygen system inoperative. The actions 
specified in this AD are intended to detect and remove any 
protective cover over the percussion cap or any silicon tube over 
the end of the trigger mechanism pin, which could result in failure 
of the emergency oxygen system. This failure could lead to the crew 
or passengers not being able to get oxygen in an emergency 
situation.

What Must I Do To Address This Problem?

    (e) To address this problem, you must do the following:

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               Actions                             Compliance                            Procedures
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Inspect:                          Within the next 50 hours time-in-     Follow the INSTRUCTIONS paragraph in
(i) the percussion cap of any oxygen   service after September 13, 2004      The New Piper Aircraft, Inc.
 generator (part number (P/N) 471-     (the effective date of this AD) or    Service Bulletin No. 1140, dated
 025) for the presence of any          within the next 30 calendar days      September 16, 2003, and the
 protective cover; and                 after September 13, 2004 (the         applicable airplane maintenance
(ii) the end of the trigger            effective date of this AD),           manual.
 mechanism of any oxygen generator     whichever occurs first, unless
 (P/N 471-025) for the presence of     already done.
 any silicon tube.
-------------------------------------
(2) If during the inspections         Before further flight after the       Follow the INSTRUCTIONS paragraph in
 required by paragraphs (e)(1)(i)      inspection required in paragraph      The New Piper Aircraft, Inc.
 and (e)(1)(ii) of this AD, you find   (e)(1) of this AD, unless already     Service Bulletin No. 1140, dated
 any protective cover over the         done.                                 September 16, 2003, and the
 percussion cap or any silicon tube                                          applicable airplane maintenance
 over the end of the trigger                                                 manual.
 mechanism, remove any protective
 cover or silicon tube.
-------------------------------------
(3) Do not operate the airplane       As of September 13, 2004 (the         Not applicable.
 after installation of any oxygen      effective date of this AD).
 generator (P/N 471-025) referenced
 in this AD unless any protective
 cover of the percussion cap or any
 silicon tube over the end of the
 trigger mechanism has been removed.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


    Note 1: Standard procedure is to remove the protective cover 
after installation. Refer to the applicable airplane maintenance 
manual for specific procedures for removing any protective cover of 
the percussion cap or any silicon tube over the end of the trigger 
mechanism.


    Note 2: The affected models in the service bulletin referenced 
in this AD include the Models PA-46-310P and PA-46-350P airplanes. 
However, these models are certificated at a lower service ceiling 
than the Model PA-46-500TP airplane. Since Piper has demonstrated an 
emergency descent to a lower altitude with no oxygen to the pilot, 
neither Model PA-46-310P nor PA-46-350P airplanes are affected by 
the identified condition.

May I Request an Alternative Method of Compliance?

    (f) You may request a different method of compliance or a 
different compliance time for this AD by following the procedures in 
14 CFR 39.19. Unless FAA authorizes otherwise, send your request to 
your principal inspector. The principal inspector may add comments 
and will send your request to the Manager, Atlanta Aircraft 
Certification Office (ACO), FAA. For information on any already 
approved alternative methods of compliance, contact Hector 
Hernandez, Aerospace Engineer, FAA, Atlanta ACO, One Crown Center, 
1895 Phoenix Boulevard, Suite 450, Atlanta, Georgia 30349; 
telephone: (770) 703-6069; facsimile: (770) 703-6097.

Does This AD Incorporate Any Material by Reference?

    (g) You must do the actions required by this AD following the 
instructions in The New Piper Aircraft, Inc. Service Bulletin No. 
1140, dated September 16, 2003. The Director of the Federal Register 
approved the incorporation by reference of this service bulletin in 
accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. You may get a 
copy 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 review copies at FAA, Central 
Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, 901 Locust, Room 506, Kansas 
City, Missouri 64106; or at the National Archives and Records 
Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of this 
material at NARA, call (202) 741-6030, or go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on July 22, 2004.
Dorenda D. Baker,
Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 04-17218 Filed 7-29-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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