Airworthiness Directives; Piper Aircraft, Inc. Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 132 (Wednesday, July 10, 2013)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 41277-41280]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-15149]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2013-0535; Directorate Identifier 2013-CE-018-AD; 
Amendment 39-17489; AD 2013-13-01]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Piper Aircraft, Inc. Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain 
Piper Aircraft, Inc. Models PA-46-310P, PA-46-350P, PA-46R-350T, and 
PA-46-500TP airplanes. This AD requires inspecting the fuel vent valves 
to identify if the nitrile parts are installed and modifying and 
eventually replacing the fuel vent valves if the nitrile parts are 
installed. This AD was prompted by nitrile fuel vent valves not 
providing the correct ventilation. If not corrected, this unsafe 
condition may lead to structural damage of the wings, which could 
result in loss of control. We are issuing this AD to correct the unsafe 
condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective July 10, 2013.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in the AD as of July 10, 
2013.
    We must receive comments on this AD by August 26, 2013.

ADDRESSES: You may send comments, using the procedures found in 14 CFR 
11.43 and 11.45, by any of the following methods:
    <bullet> Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.

[[Page 41278]]

    <bullet> Fax: 202-493-2251.
    <bullet> Mail: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket 
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590.
    <bullet> Hand Delivery: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket 
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., 
Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
    For service information identified in this AD, contact Piper 
Aircraft, Inc., 2926 Piper Drive, Vero Beach, FL 32960; telephone: 1-
877-879-0275; fax: (772) 978-6573; email: [email protected]; 
Internet: http://www.piper.com/pages/publications.cfm. 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 street address for 
the Docket Office (phone: 800-647-5527) is in the ADDRESSES section. 
Comments will be available in the AD docket shortly after receipt.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Gary Wechsler, Aerospace Engineer, 
Atlanta Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, 1701 Columbia Avenue, 
College Park, Georgia 30337; telephone: (404) 474-5575; fax: (404) 474-
5606; email: gary.wechsler@faa.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

    We were notified by Piper Aircraft, Inc. that during a 
demonstration emergency descent from 27,000 feet to 14,000 feet there 
was an incident on a Model PA-46 airplane. The fuel vent valve of the 
main fuel tank assembly did not provide proper ventilation, which 
resulted in structural damage to the wing.
    The material used to manufacture the fuel vent valve was changed 
from fluorosilicone to nitrile, which affected the fuel vent valve's 
ability to vent atmospheric pressure to the main wing fuel tank during 
the rapid descent. The nitrile-made part did not allow enough air to 
flow through it because the stiffer nitrile-made part did not expand 
and open as large as the fluorosilicone-made part under the same 
pressure and temperature conditions.
    Also, in combination with the temperature and pressure changes, the 
airplane had a low fuel condition, which increased the loading upon the 
main wing that caused the wing skin and underlying wing structure to 
buckle.
    This condition, if not corrected, may lead to structural damage of 
the wings, which could result in loss of control.

Relevant Service Information

    We reviewed Piper Aircraft, Inc. Mandatory Service Bulletin No. 
1258, dated June 5, 2013. The service bulletin describes procedures for 
inspecting the fuel vent valves to identify if the nitrile parts are 
installed and modifying and eventually replacing the fuel vent valves 
if the nitrile parts are installed.

FAA's Determination

    We are issuing this AD because we evaluated all the relevant 
information and determined the unsafe condition described previously is 
likely to exist or develop in other products of the same type design.

AD Requirements

    This AD requires accomplishing the actions specified in the service 
information described previously.

FAA's Justification and Determination of the Effective Date

    An unsafe condition exists that requires the immediate adoption of 
this AD. The FAA has found that the risk to the flying public justifies 
waiving notice and comment prior to adoption of this rule because 
nitrile fuel vent valves do not provide correct ventilation and may 
lead to structural damage of the wings, which could result in loss of 
control. Therefore, we find that notice and opportunity for prior 
public comment are impracticable and that good cause exists for making 
this amendment effective in less than 30 days.

Comments Invited

    This AD is a final rule that involves requirements affecting flight 
safety and was not preceded by notice and an opportunity for public 
comment. However, we invite you to send any written data, views, or 
arguments about this AD. Send your comments to an address listed under 
the ADDRESSES section. Include the Docket Number FAA-2013-0535 and 
Directorate Identifier 2013-CE-018-AD at the beginning of your 
comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this AD. We will 
consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend this 
AD because of those comments.
    We will post all comments we receive, without change, to http://www.regulations.gov, including any personal information you provide. We 
will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact we 
receive about this AD.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD affects 1,379 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
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Inspection to identify          .5 work-hour x     Not applicable.............          $42.50       $58,607.50
 installation of nitrile fuel    $85 per hour =
 vent valves.                    $42.50.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    We estimate the following costs to do any necessary modifications 
and replacements that would be required based on the results of the 
inspection. We have no way of determining the number of aircraft that 
might need these modifications and replacements:

[[Page 41279]]



                                               On-Condition Costs
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                                                                                                     Cost per
               Action                        Labor cost                    Parts cost                 product
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Modification of the nitrile fuel      6 work-hours x $85 per   Not applicable...................            $510
 vent valve (non O-ring panels).       hour = $510.
Modification of the nitrile fuel      2.5 work-hours x $85     Not applicable...................          212.50
 vent valve (O-ring panels).           per hour = $212.50.
Replacement of the nitrile fuel vent  6 work-hours x $85 per   $9...............................             519
 valve with a fluorosilicone fuel      hour = $510.
 vent valve (non O-ring panels).
Replacement of the nitrile fuel vent  2.5 work-hours x $85     $9...............................          221.50
 valve with a fluorosilicone fuel      per hour = $212.50.
 vent valve (O-ring panels).
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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

    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 adding the following new airworthiness 
directive (AD):

2013-13-01 Piper Aircraft, Inc.: Amendment 39-17489; Docket No. FAA-
2013-0535; Directorate Identifier 2013-CE-018-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This AD is effective July 10, 2013.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to the following Piper Aircraft, Inc. airplanes, 
listed in table 1 of paragraph (c) of this AD, certificated in any 
category:

        Table 1 of Paragraph (c) of This AD--Applicable Airplanes
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                 Model                             Serial Nos.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
PA-46-310P (Malibu)....................  46-8408001 through 46-8408087;
                                          46[dash]8508001 through 46-
                                          8508109; 46[dash]8608001
                                          through 46-8608067; and
                                          4608001 through 4608140.
PA-46-350P (Mirage)....................  4622001 through 4622200;
                                          4636001 through 4636591; and
                                          4636593.
PA-46R-350T (Matrix)...................  4692001 through 4692190 and
                                          4692192.
PA-46-500TP (Meridian).................  4697001 through 4697520.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

(d) Subject

    Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC)/Air Transport Association 
(ATA) of America Code 2810, Fuel Storage.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by certain fuel vent valves not providing 
the correct ventilation. If not corrected, this unsafe condition may 
lead to structural damage of the wings, which could result in loss 
of control. 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) Inspection and Modification

    (1) Within the next 10 hours time-in-service (TIS) after July 
10, 2013 (the effective date of this AD), inspect the left and right 
fuel vent valves of the main fuel tank vent assemblies to identify 
if they are the nitrile (black) valves following Part I of Piper 
Aircraft Inc. Mandatory Service Bulletin No. 1258, dated June 5, 
2013.
    (2) If during the inspection required in paragraph (g)(1) of 
this AD, you find that a nitrile (black) fuel vent valve is not 
installed, except for the requirement of paragraph (h)(3) of this 
AD, no further action is required by this AD.
    (3) If during the inspection required in paragraph (g)(1) of 
this AD, you find that a nitrile (black) fuel vent valve is 
installed, before further flight, modify the fuel vent valve 
following Part II of Piper Aircraft, Inc. Mandatory Service Bulletin 
No. 1258, dated June 5, 2013. This includes the limitations 
requirement in paragraphs 3 and 4 of Part II of the service 
bulletin.

[[Page 41280]]

    (4) In lieu of doing the modification required in paragraph 
(g)(3) of this AD, you may within the next 10 hours TIS after July 
10, 2013 (the effective date of this AD), do the fuel vent valve 
replacement required in paragraph (h)(1) of this AD following Part 
III of Piper Aircraft, Inc. Mandatory Service Bulletin No. 1258, 
dated June 5, 2013.

(h) Replacement

    (1) If during the inspection required in paragraph (g)(1) of 
this AD, you find that a nitrile (black) fuel vent valve is 
installed, within the next 90 days after July 10, 2013 (the 
effective date of this AD) if not already done before further flight 
as specified in paragraph (i)(4) of this AD, replace the nitrile 
(black) fuel vent valve with the fluorosilicone (orange) fuel vent 
valve following Part III of Piper Aircraft, Inc. Mandatory Service 
Bulletin No. 1258, dated June 5, 2013. This would include removing 
the limitations requirement in paragraphs 3 and 4 of Part II of the 
service bulletin.
    (2) You may at any time before 90 days after July 10, 2013 (the 
effective date of this AD), replace the nitrile (black) fuel vent 
valve with the flourosilicone (orange) fuel vent valve. This would 
include removing the limitations requirement in paragraphs 3 and 4 
of Part II of the service bulletin.
    (3) After July 10, 2013 (the effective date of this AD), do not 
install the nitrile (black) fuel vent valve on any of the affected 
airplanes.

(i) Positioning Flight

    For the purpose of complying with paragraph (g)(1) of this AD, a 
single-positioning flight is allowed to a location where the 
inspection required in paragraph (g)(1) can be done provided the 
actions and limitations specified in paragraphs (i)(1) through 
(i)(4) of this AD are followed, and the flight is done within the 
initial 10-hour TIS inspection compliance time. A copy of the 
limitations from paragraphs 3 and 4 of Part II of Piper Aircraft, 
Inc. Mandatory Service Bulletin No. 1258, dated June 5, 2013, must 
be inserted in the pilot's operating handbook before the positioning 
flight and removed after the flight. An owner/operator (pilot) 
holding at least a private pilot certificate is allowed to insert 
these limitations and do the action of paragraph (i)(1) of this AD.
    (1) During normal procedures checklist of every preflight 
inspection, check condition of wing surface for buckling, skin 
wrinkling, distortion or other damage. If any damage is found during 
the preflight inspection, before further flight, repairs must be 
done. Contact Piper Aircraft, Inc. at contact information found in 
paragraph (l)(3) of this AD for an FAA-approved repair and 
incorporate the repair. At the operator's discretion, this preflight 
inspection may be delegated to an appropriately certified mechanic.
    (2) Flights must be limited to the minimum required crew. No 
passenger flights are allowed.
    (3) Outside air temperature must not be lower than -34 degrees 
Celsius (-30 degrees Fahrenheit) during all phases of flight.
    (4) Avoid unnecessary rapid decent maneuvers.

(j) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (1) The Manager, Atlanta Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), 
FAA, 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.

(k) Related Information

    For more information about this AD, contact Gary Wechsler, 
Aerospace Engineer, Atlanta ACO, FAA, 1701 Columbia Avenue, College 
Park, Georgia 30337; telephone: (404) 474-5575; fax: (404) 474-5606; 
email: gary.wechsler@faa.

(l) Material Incorporated by Reference

    (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the 
incorporation by reference (IBR) of the service information listed 
in this paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
    (2) You must use this service information as applicable to do 
the actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise.
    (i) Piper Aircraft, Inc. Mandatory Service Bulletin No. 1258, 
dated June 5, 2013.
    (ii) Reserved.
    (3) For Piper Aircraft, Inc. service information identified in 
this AD, contact Piper Aircraft, Inc., 2926 Piper Drive, Vero Beach, 
FL 32960; telephone: 1-877-879-0275; fax: (772) 978-6573; email: 
[email protected]; Internet: http://www.piper.com/pages/publications.cfm.
    (4) You may view this service information at 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.
    (5) You may view this service information that is incorporated 
by reference 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/cfr/ibr-locations.html.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on June 18, 2013.
James E. Jackson,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2013-15149 Filed 7-9-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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