Airworthiness Directives; Piper Aircraft, Inc.

[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 219 (Thursday, November 13, 2014)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 67340-67343]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-26706]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2014-0437; Directorate Identifier 2012-CE-036-AD; 
Amendment 39-18019; AD 2014-23-03]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Piper Aircraft, Inc.

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: We are superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 76-06-09 for 
certain Piper Aircraft, Inc. Model PA-31P airplanes. AD 76-06-09 
required repetitive inspection of certain exhaust system parts with 
replacement of parts mating with the turbocharger, as necessary, and 
allowed installation of a certain tailpipe v-band coupling as 
terminating action. This new AD requires the use of new service 
information and expands the scope of the inspections of the 
turbocharger exhaust system. This AD was prompted by reports of exhaust 
system failures, new service information, and the tailpipe v-band 
coupling used for terminating action is obsolete. We are issuing this 
AD to correct the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective December 18, 2014.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of certain publications listed in this AD as of December 18, 
2014.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of certain other publications listed in this AD as of July 
17, 2013 (78 FR 35110, June 12, 2013).

ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this AD, contact Piper 
Aircraft, Inc., 2926 Piper Drive, Vero Beach, Florida 32960; telephone: 
(772) 567-4361; fax: (772) 978-6573; Internet: www.piper.com/home/pages/Publications.cfm; or Lycoming Engines, 652 Oliver Street, 
Williamsport, Pennsylvania 17701; telephone: (570) 323-6181; Internet: 
http://www.lycoming.textron.com/support/publications/index.html; as 
applicable. 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.govby searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2014-
0437; 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.

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: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Discussion

    We issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR 
part 39 to supersede AD 76-06-09, Amendment 39-3325 (43 FR 50417, 
October 30, 1978), (``AD 76-06-09''). AD 76-06-09 applied to certain 
Piper Aircraft, Inc. Model PA-31P airplanes. The NPRM published in the 
Federal Register on July 9, 2014 (79 FR 38806). The NPRM was prompted 
by reports of exhaust system failure. The NPRM proposed to retain 
certain requirements of AD 76-06-09. The NPRM also proposed to require 
the use of the new service information and expand the scope of the 
inspections of the turbocharger exhaust system. We are issuing this AD 
to correct the unsafe condition on these products.

Comments

    We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing 
this AD. We received no comments on the NPRM (79 FR 38806, July 9, 
2014) 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 this 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 (79 FR 38806, July 9, 2014) for correcting the unsafe condition; 
and
    <bullet> Do not add any additional burden upon the public than was 
already proposed in the NPRM (79 FR 38806, July 9, 2014).

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD affects 85 airplanes of U.S. registry.
    We estimate the following costs to comply with this AD:

[[Page 67341]]



                                                 Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                     Cost per      Cost on U.S.
              Action                      Labor cost              Parts cost          product        operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Visual inspection................  3 work-hours x $85 per    Not applicable.....         $255         $21,675
                                    hour = $255.
Review of maintenance records....  .5 work-hour x $85 per    Not applicable.....           42.50        3,612.50
                                    hour = $42.50.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    We have no way of determining how much damage may be found on each 
airplane during the inspection. The scope of damage on the exhaust 
system could vary from airplane to airplane due to the manner and 
environments the airplane may operate. We estimate the following costs 
to do any necessary modification, installation, and/or replacement that 
would be required based on the results of the inspection. We have no 
way of determining what damage may be found or the number of airplanes 
that might need the modification, installation, and/or replacement:

                                               On-Condition Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                     Cost per
                    Action                                 Labor cost               Parts cost        product
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Modification of the exhaust pipe slip joint...  5 work-hours x $85 per hour =             $2,841          $3,266
                                                 $425.
Installation of the bracket and clamp assembly  5 work-hours x $85 per hour =              5,000           5,425
                                                 $425.
Replacement of v-band coupling................  2 work-hours x $85 per hour =                780             950
                                                 $170.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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) 
76-06-09, Amendment 39-3325 (43 FR 50417, October 30, 1978), and adding 
the following new AD:

2014-23-03 Piper Aircraft, Inc.: Amendment 39-18019; Docket No. FAA-
2014-0437; Directorate Identifier 2012-CE-036-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This AD is effective December 18, 2014.

(b) Affected ADs

    This AD supersedes AD 76-06-09, Amendment 39-3325 (43 FR 50417, 
October 30, 1978).

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Piper Aircraft, Inc. Model PA-31P airplanes, 
serial numbers 31P-1 through 31P-80 and 31P-7300110 through 31P-
7730012, that are certificated in any category.

(d) Subject

    Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC)/Air Transport Association 
(ATA) of America Code 78, Engine Exhaust.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by reports of exhaust system failures, new 
service information issued by the manufacturer, and the tailpipe v-
band coupling used for terminating action is obsolete. We are 
issuing this AD to prevent the possibility of an in-flight 
powerplant fire due to an exhaust system failure.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Inspection of Exhaust System

    (1) Within the next 60 hours time-in-service (TIS) after 
December 18, 2014(the effective date of this AD) or within the next 
6 months after December 18, 2014 (the effective date of this AD), 
whichever occurs first, and repetitively thereafter at intervals not 
to exceed 60 hours TIS or 6 months, whichever occurs first, inspect 
the parts as specified in table 1 of paragraph (g)(1) of this AD, if 
installed.

[[Page 67342]]



                             Table 1 of Paragraph (g)(1) of This AD: Inspection for Piper and Lycoming Exhaust System Parts
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                           With a light and mirror or other method  capable of achieving
      Product/part nomenclature                  Make                 Model/part No.       an equivalent visual  resolution, inspect for the  following
                                                                                                                    conditions
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Airplane.............................  Piper...................  PA-31P.................  ..............................................................
Engine...............................  Lycoming................  TIGO-541-E series......  ..............................................................
Pipe, exhaust, right-rear............  Lycoming................  78012..................  Bulges, cracks, and exhaust leak stains.
Pipe, exhaust, left-rear.............  Lycoming................  78008..................  Bulges, cracks, and exhaust leak stains.
Pipe, rear exhaust adapter...........  Lycoming................  LW-13027...............  Bulges, cracks, and exhaust leak stains.
Tail pipe assembly, upper............  Piper...................  46323-05...............  Bulges, cracks, and exhaust leak stains.
Tail pipe assembly, lower............  Piper...................  48788-05...............  Bulges, cracks, and exhaust leak stains.
V-band coupling......................  Lycoming................  LW-12093-5.............  Cracks and exhaust leak stains.
V-band coupling......................  Piper...................  555-366 or 557-369.....  Cracks and exhaust leak stains.
Isolator (CA-3383-1).................  Piper...................  467-442................  Cracks, looseness, and distortion.
Bracket--isolator, upper.............  Piper...................  47014-02...............  Cracks, looseness, and distortion.
Bracket--isolator, lower.............  Piper...................  47013-02...............  Cracks, looseness, and distortion.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (2) If any damage is found in any inspection required in 
paragraph (g)(1) of this AD, before further flight, do the 
corrective actions, as applicable, in paragraphs (g)(2)(i) through 
(g)(2)(iv).
    (i) Replace Piper v-band couplings exhibiting cracks and/or 
exhaust leak stains with airworthy parts following Piper Aircraft, 
Inc. Mandatory Service Bulletin No. 644E, dated May 9, 2012. Replace 
Lycoming v-band couplings exhibiting cracks and/or exhaust leak 
stains with airworthy parts following Lycoming Service Instruction 
No. 1238B, Revision B, dated January 6, 2010.
    Note to paragraphs (g)(2)(i) and (h)(2)(iii): During replacement 
of v-band couplings, we recommend not opening the v-band coupling 
more than the MINIMUM diameter necessary to clear coupled flanges. 
It is recommended to replace any locknuts and/or mating couplings 
with airworthy parts when locknuts do not exhibit a prevailing 
torque when installed.
    (ii) Replace Lycoming exhaust system parts exhibiting bulges, 
cracks, and/or exhaust leak stains with airworthy parts following 
Lycoming Service Instruction No. 1320, dated March 7, 1975; or 
Textron Lycoming Service Instruction No. 1391, dated October 5, 
1979, as applicable.
    (iii) Replace Piper tail pipe assembly parts exhibiting bulges, 
cracks, and/or exhaust leak stains with airworthy parts following 
Piper Aircraft, Inc. Mandatory Service Bulletin No. 644E, dated May 
9, 2012.
    (iv) Replace Piper isolators and brackets exhibiting cracks, 
looseness and/or distortion following Piper Aircraft Corporation 
Service Bulletin No. 462A, dated November 3, 1975; and Piper 
Aircraft, Inc. Mandatory Service Bulletin No. 492A, dated May 29, 
2012.

(h) Exhaust System Modifications

    (1) Within the next 100 hours TIS after December 18, 2014 (the 
effective date of this AD) or within the next 12 months after 
December 18, 2014 (the effective date of this AD), whichever occurs 
first, review the airplane maintenance records to positively 
identify whether the modifications described in paragraphs (h)(1)(i) 
through (h)(1)(iii) of this AD have been done.
    (i) Exhaust pipe slip joint modification following Piper 
Aircraft, Inc. Mandatory Service Bulletin No. 492A, dated May 29, 
2012; and Textron Lycoming Mandatory Service Bulletin No. 393C, 
dated November 26, 1976.
    (ii) Installation of bracket and clamp assembly following Piper 
Kit No. 760-974 as specified in Piper Aircraft, Inc. Mandatory 
Service Bulletin No. 492A, dated May 29, 2012; or Piper Aircraft, 
Inc. Service Bulletin 462A, dated November 3, 1975.
    (iii) Replacement of Piper v-band coupling, part number 556-053, 
with Piper v-band coupling, part number 557-369, following Piper 
Aircraft, Inc. Mandatory Service Bulletin No. 644E, dated May 9, 
2012.
    (2) If you cannot positively identify that the modifications 
described in paragraphs (h)(1)(i) through (h)(1)(iii) of this AD 
have been done, before further flight, you must do the modifications 
described in paragraphs (h)(2)(i) through (h)(2)(iii), as 
applicable.
    (i) Exhaust pipe slip joint modification following Piper 
Aircraft, Inc. Mandatory Service Bulletin No. 492A, dated May 29, 
2012, and Textron Lycoming Mandatory Service Bulletin SB 393C, dated 
November 26, 1976.
    (ii) Installation of bracket and clamp assembly following Piper 
Kit No. 760-974 as specified in Piper Aircraft, Inc. Mandatory 
Service Bulletin No. 492A, dated May 29, 2012; or Piper Aircraft 
Corporation Service Bulletin 462A, dated November 3, 1975.
    (iii) Replacement of Piper v-band coupling, part number 556-053, 
with Piper v-band coupling, part number 557-369, following Piper 
Aircraft, Inc. Mandatory Service Bulletin No. 644E, dated May 9, 
2012.

(i) 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, 
paragraph (j)(1) 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.

(j) 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: [email protected].

 (k) 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.
    (3) The following service information was approved for IBR on 
December 18, 2014.
    (i) Piper Aircraft Corporation Service Bulletin No. 462A, dated 
November 3, 1975.
    (ii) Piper Aircraft, Inc. Mandatory Service Bulletin No. 492A, 
dated May 29, 2012.
    (iii) Textron Lycoming Mandatory Service Bulletin SB 393C, dated 
November 26, 1976.
    (4) The following service information was approved for IBR on 
July 17, 2013 (78 FR 35110, June 12, 2013).
    (i) Piper Aircraft, Inc. Mandatory Service Bulletin No. 644E, 
dated May 9, 2012.
    (ii) Lycoming Service Instruction No. 1238B, Revision B, dated 
January 6, 2010.
    (iii) Lycoming Service Instruction No. 1320, dated March 7, 
1975.
    (iv) Textron Lycoming Service Instruction No. 1391, dated 
October 5, 1979.
    (5) For the service information identified in this AD, contact 
Piper Aircraft, Inc., 2926 Piper Drive, Vero Beach, Florida 32960; 
telephone: (772) 567-4361; fax: (772) 978-6573; Internet: 
www.piper.com/home/pages/Publications.cfm; or Lycoming Engines, 652 
Oliver Street, Williamsport, Pennsylvania 17701; telephone: (570) 
323-6181; Internet: http://www.lycoming.textron.com/support/publications/index.html; as applicable.
    (6) 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.

[[Page 67343]]

    (7) 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 November 4, 2014.
Earl Lawrence,
Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2014-26706 Filed 11-12-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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