Airworthiness Directives; Piper Aircraft, Inc. Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 102 (Friday, May 25, 2012)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 31169-31172]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-12092]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2012-0251; Directorate Identifier 2012-CE-002-AD; 
Amendment 39-17058; AD 2012-10-09]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Piper Aircraft, Inc. Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: We are superseding an existing airworthiness directive (AD) 
for certain Piper Aircraft, Inc. (type certificate previously held by 
The New Piper Aircraft Inc.) Models PA-31T and PA-31T1 airplanes. That 
AD currently requires correcting a model identification error on the 
aircraft data plate. Since we issued that AD, we have become aware that 
some owner/operators of the affected airplanes modified the aircraft 
data plate in error because of confusion in the serial number 
applicability. Because of the confusion, the manufacturer has issued 
new service information to clarify affected airplane serial numbers. 
This new AD requires determining the airplane model based on the serial 
number and modifying the aircraft data plate to properly identify the 
airplane model. This new AD also requires doing a detailed search for 
all applicable airworthiness related documents that apply to any 
airplane that has an incorrectly marked data plate and take necessary 
corrective actions based on the search findings. We are issuing this AD 
to correct the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective June 29, 2012.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in the AD as of June 29, 
2012.

ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this AD, contact Piper 
Aircraft, Inc., 926 Piper Drive, Vero Beach, Florida 32960; telephone: 
(772) 567-4361; Internet: www.piper.com. You may review copies of 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; 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 AD, the regulatory evaluation, 
any comments received, and other information. The address for the 
Docket Office (phone: 800-647-5527) is Document Management Facility, 
U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30, West 
Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., 
Washington, DC 20590.

[[Page 31170]]


FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Gregory ``Keith'' Noles, Aerospace 
Engineer, FAA, Atlanta Aircraft Certification Office, 1701 Columbia 
Avenue, College Park, Georgia 30337; phone: (404) 474-5551; fax: (404) 
474-5606; email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

    We issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR 
part 39 to supersede AD 80-11-06, amendment 39-3776 (45 FR 35309, May 
27, 1980). That AD applies to the specified products. The NPRM 
published in the Federal Register on March 9, 2012 (77 FR 14316). The 
NPRM proposed to retain all requirements of AD 80-11-06, amendment 39-
3776 (45 FR 35309, May 27, 1980) and clarify the serial number 
applicability of the affected model airplanes. The NPRM also proposed 
to require a detailed search for all applicable airworthiness related 
documents that apply to any airplane that has an incorrectly marked 
aircraft data plate and take necessary corrective actions.

Comments

    We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing 
this AD. We received no comments on the NPRM (77 FR 14316, March 9, 
2012) or on the determination of the cost to the public.

Conclusion

    We reviewed the relevant data and determined that air safety and 
the public interest require adopting the AD as proposed except for 
minor editorial changes. We have determined that these minor changes:
    <bullet> Are consistent with the intent that was proposed in the 
NPRM (77 FR 14316, March 9, 2012) for correcting the unsafe condition; 
and
    <bullet> Do not add any additional burden upon the public than was 
already proposed in the NPRM (77 FR 14316, March 9, 2012).

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD affects 158 airplanes of U.S. registry.
    We estimate the following costs to comply with this AD:

                                                 Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                     Cost per      Cost on U.S.
              Action                      Labor cost             Parts cost           product        operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Inspect the aircraft data plate...  1 work-hour x $85 per  Not applicable.......             $85         $13,430
                                     hour = $85.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    We estimate the following costs to do any necessary modification 
and/or records search that will be required based on the results of the 
inspection. We have no way of determining the number of aircraft that 
might need modification:

                                               On-Condition Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                     Cost per
                 Action                           Labor cost                  Parts cost              product
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Modify the aircraft data plate.........  1 work-hour x $85 per hour   Not applicable............             $85
                                          = $85.
Detailed search for all applicable       4 work-hours x $85 per hour  Not applicable............            $340
 airworthiness related documents that     = $340.
 apply to any airplane that has an
 incorrectly marked aircraft data plate.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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 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.
    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 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.

Adoption of the Amendment

    Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the FAA amends 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 removing airworthiness directive (AD) 
80-11-06, amendment 39-3776 (45 FR 35309, May 27, 1980), and adding the 
following new AD:


[[Page 31171]]


2012-10-09 Piper Aircraft, Inc. (Type Certificate Previously Held by 
The New Piper Aircraft Inc.): Amendment 39-17058; Docket No. FAA-
2012-0251; Directorate Identifier 2012-CE-002-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective June 29, 2012.

(b) Affected ADs

    This AD supersedes AD 80-11-06, Amendment 39-3776 (45 FR 35309, 
May 27, 1980).

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to the airplanes identified in paragraphs (c)(1) 
and (c)(2) of this AD, certificated in any category.
    (1) Model PA-31T airplanes, serial numbers 31T-7820001, 31T-
7820002, 31T-7820003, 31T-7820004, 31T-7820005, 31T-7820006, 31T-
7820007, 31T-7820008, 31T-7820009, 31T-7820010, 31T-7820011, 31T-
7820012, 31T-7820013, 31T-7820014, 31T-7820015, 31T-7820016, 31T-
7820017, 31T-7820018, 31T-7820019, 31T-7820020, 31T-7820021, 31T-
7820022, 31T-7820023, 31T-7820024, 31T-7820025, 31T-7820026, 31T-
7820027, 31T-7820028, 31T-7820029, 31T-7820030, 31T-7820031, 31T-
7820032, 31T-7820033, 31T-7820034, 31T-7820035, 31T-7820036, 31T-
7820037, 31T-7820038, 31T-7820039, 31T-7820040, 31T-7820041, 31T-
7820042, 31T-7820043, 31T-7820044, 31T-7820045, 31T-7820046, 31T-
7820047, 31T-7820048, 31T-7820049, 31T-7820050, 31T-7820051, 31T-
7820052, 31T-7820053, 31T-7820054, 31T-7820055, 31T-7820056, 31T-
7820057, 31T-7820058, 31T-7820059, 31T-7820060, 31T-7820061, 31T-
7820062, 31T-7820063, 31T-7820064, 31T-7820065, 31T-7820066, 31T-
7820067, 31T-7820068, 31T-7820069, 31T-7820070, 31T-7820071, 31T-
7820072, 31T-7820073, 31T-7820074, 31T-7820075, 31T-7820076, 31T-
7820077, 31T-7820078, 31T-7820079, 31T-7820080, 31T-7820081, 31T-
7820082, 31T-7820083, 31T-7820084, 31T-7820085, 31T-7820086, 31T-
7820087, 31T-7820088, 31T-7820089, 31T-7820090, 31T-7820091, 31T-
7820092; and
    (2) Model PA-31T1 airplanes, serial numbers 31T-7804001, 31T-
7804002, 31T-7804003, 31T-7804004, 31T-7804005, 31T-7804006, 31T-
7804007, 31T-7804008, 31T-7804009, 31T-7804010, 31T-7804011, 31T-
7904001, 31T-7904002, 31T-7904003, 31T-7904004, 31T-7904005, 31T-
7904006, 31T-7904007, 31T-7904008, 31T-7904009, 31T-7904010, 31T-
7904011, 31T-7904012, 31T-7904013, 31T-7904014, 31T-7904015, 31T-
7904016, 31T-7904017, 31T-7904018, 31T-7904019, 31T-7904020, 31T-
7904021, 31T-7904022, 31T-7904023, 31T-7904024, 31T-7904025, 31T-
7904026, 31T-7904027, 31T-7904028, 31T-7904029, 31T-7904030, 31T-
7904031, 31T-7904032, 31T-7904033, 31T-7904034, 31T-7904035, 31T-
7904036, 31T-7904037, 31T-7904038, 31T-7904039, 31T-7904040, 31T-
7904041, 31T-7904042, 31T-7904043, 31T-7904044, 31T-7904045, 31T-
7904046, 31T-7904047, 31T-7904048, 31T-7904049, 31T-7904050, 31T-
7904051, 31T-7904052, 31T-7904053, 31T-7904056, 31T-7904057.

(d) Subject

    Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC)/Air Transport Association 
(ATA) of America Code 1100, Placards and Markings.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by reports that some owner/operators of the 
affected airplanes modified the aircraft data plate in error because 
of confusion in the serial number applicability. We are issuing this 
AD to correct the unsafe condition on these products.

(f) Compliance

    Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, 
unless already done.

(g) Inspect the Aircraft Data Plate

    Within the next 100 hours after June 29, 2012 (the effective 
date of this AD), inspect the markings on the aircraft data plate. 
Do the inspection following Part I of Piper Aircraft, Inc. Mandatory 
Service Bulletin No. 1235, dated November 3, 2011.
    (1) If the aircraft data plate is correctly marked, make a 
logbook entry showing compliance with this AD, and no further action 
is required.
    (2) If the aircraft data plate is incorrectly marked, continue 
with paragraphs (h) and (i) of this AD.

(h) Modify the Aircraft Data Plate

    Before further flight after the inspection required in paragraph 
(g) of this AD, modify the aircraft data plate following Part II of 
Piper Aircraft, Inc. Mandatory Service Bulletin No. 1235, dated 
November 3, 2011.

(i) Detailed Aircraft Records Search

    Before further flight after the modification required in 
paragraph (h) of this AD:
    (1) Do a detailed search of the aircraft maintenance records and 
documents to include, but not limited to, ADs, special airworthiness 
information bulletins (SAIBs), service bulletins (SBs), and other 
service documents; installed supplemental type certificates (STCs) 
and parts manufacturing approval (PMAs); and instructions for 
continued airworthiness (ICAs). Each document found must be assessed 
to ensure proper actions have been made to maintain airworthiness as 
affected by the model number of the aircraft. Part 135 operators and 
other operators utilizing FAA-approved maintenance programs will 
need to address changes to their inspection programs and related 
documents.

    Note 1 to paragraph (i)(1) of this AD: Although some of the 
above documents may not be mandatory for compliance, it is still 
necessary to evaluate them to ensure that any voluntary compliance 
does not negatively affect the airworthiness of the airplane.

    (2) Identify all discrepant conditions for misidentified 
aircraft and coordinate with the geographic Flight Standards 
District Office (FSDO) and the Atlanta Aircraft Certification Office 
(ACO) to determine necessary corrective actions. Also, coordinate 
with the geographic FSDO to arrange for revisions to the 
airworthiness certificate, registration, and other potential 
document/certificate revisions. The following is a list of example 
discrepant conditions that may be found during the records search:
    (i) An AD was complied with that was applicable to the incorrect 
model, but not applicable to the corrected model.
    (ii) A required AD for the corrected model was not complied 
with.
    (iii) A maintenance action was performed that was recommended, 
but not mandatory, for the incorrect model, but not applicable to 
the corrected model.
    (iv) A PMA part was installed that was applicable for the 
incorrect model, but not for the corrected model.
    (v) An STC was installed that was applicable for the incorrect 
model, but not for the corrected model.
    (vi) An STC was installed that was applicable for both the 
incorrect and corrected model, but all related, applicable ADs for 
the corrected model were not complied with.

(j) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (1) The Manager, Atlanta Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), 
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 the Related Information section 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.
    (3) AMOCs approved for AD 80-11-06 (45 FR 35309, May 27, 1980), 
are approved as AMOCs for this AD.

(k) Related Information

    For more information about this AD, contact Gregory ``Keith'' 
Noles, Aerospace Engineer, FAA, Atlanta ACO, 1701 Columbia Avenue, 
College Park, Georgia 30337; phone: (404) 474-5551; fax: (404) 474-
5606; email: [email protected].

(l) Material Incorporated by Reference

    (1) You must use Piper Aircraft, Inc. Mandatory Service Bulletin 
No. 1235, dated November 3, 2011, to do the actions required by this 
AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise. The Director of the Federal 
Register approved the incorporation by reference (IBR) under 5 
U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
    (2) For service information identified in this AD, contact Piper 
Aircraft, Inc., 926 Piper Drive, Vero Beach, Florida 32960; 
telephone: (772) 567-4361; Internet: www.piper.com.
    (3) You may review copies of the 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.
    (4) You may also review copies of the service information that 
is incorporated by reference at the National Archives and

[[Page 31172]]

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/cfr/ibr_locations.html.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on May 14, 2012.
Earl Lawrence,
Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2012-12092 Filed 5-24-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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