Airworthiness Directives; Piper Aircraft, Inc. Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 129 (Tuesday, July 7, 2015)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 38617-38620]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-16181]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2015-2434; Directorate Identifier 2015-CE-023-AD; 
Amendment 39-18196; AD 2015-13-09]
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-46-350P and PA-46-500TP airplanes. This 
AD requires installing cable ties around the cabin altitude encoder and 
the supporting structure, adding thread-locking compound to the threads 
of the existing single fastener; and repetitively inspecting the cable 
ties and the fastener to ensure security and proper condition. This AD 
was prompted by a report that a cabin altitude encoder came free from 
its mounting bracket, which interfered with motion of the elevator 
flight control. We are issuing this AD to correct the unsafe condition 
on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective July 13, 2015.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of July 13, 
2015.
    We must receive comments on this AD by August 21, 2015.

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.
    <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-

[[Page 38618]]

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, Florida 32960; telephone: 
(877) 879-0275; email: [email protected]; Internet: 
www.piper.com. You may review this 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. It is also available on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2015-
2434.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2015-
2434; 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: Gregory ``Keith'' Noles, Aerospace 
Engineer, FAA, Atlanta Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), 1701 
Columbia Avenue, College Park, Georgia 30337; phone: (404) 474-5551; 
fax: (404) 474-5606; email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Discussion

    We received a report that a Piper Aircraft, Inc. (Piper) Model PA-
46-500TP airplane experienced a pitch control system problem that 
resulted in a limited ability to control the elevator. The pilot was 
able to land the aircraft safely with a combination of primary pitch 
control and pitch trim. Initial speculation was that this was an 
installation error.
    Follow-on investigation revealed that a Garmin avionics box 
installed behind the instrument panel had fallen down on the elevator 
control sector adjacent to the column and jammed the primary pitch 
control. The box is the cabin altitude encoder and is installed upside 
down above the elevator control sector. This configuration was 
introduced in December 2014 as part of a type design change to Piper 
Model PA-46-500TP airplanes. A similar configuration was also 
introduced on the PA-46-350P through a type design change. The box is 
installed with one fastener with no locking features. The one fastener 
uses a knurled nut that is also installed upside down. Vibration and 
low installation torque could easily cause the nut to come loose. The 
reported airplane had only 12 hours time in service.
    This condition, if not corrected, could result in loss of control. 
We are issuing this AD to correct the unsafe condition on these 
products.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    We reviewed Piper Aircraft, Inc. Mandatory Service Bulletin No. 
1283, dated June 12, 2015. The service bulletin describes procedures 
for installing cable ties around the avionics box and the supporting 
structure; repetitively inspecting the cable ties and the knurled nut 
to ensure security and proper condition; and applying thread-locking 
compound to the knurled nut to ensure proper security. This service 
information is reasonably available because the interested parties have 
access to it through their normal course of business or by the means 
identified in the ADDRESSES section of this AD.

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.

Differences Between the AD and the Service Information

    Piper Aircraft, Inc. Mandatory Service Bulletin No. 1283, dated 
June 12, 2015, includes more airplane serial numbers than we have 
included in this AD. The cabin altitude encoders on the airplanes for 
the additional serial numbers affected in the service bulletin use a 
similar installation, but are located and oriented differently so that 
they do not create the unsafe condition. Piper is working on a 
permanent modification to incorporate on all airplanes affected by the 
service bulletin.

Interim Action

    We consider this AD interim action. The design approval holder is 
currently developing a modification to correct the unsafe condition 
identified in this AD. Once this modification is developed, approved, 
and available, we might consider additional rulemaking.

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 if 
the cabin altitude encoder mouting becomes loose and intereferes with 
the elevator control system, this 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-2015-2434 and 
Directorate Identifier 2015-CE-023-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 28 airplanes of U.S. registry.
    We estimate the following costs to comply with this AD:

[[Page 38619]]



                                                 Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                     Cost per      Cost on U.S.
              Action                    Labor cost             Parts cost             product        operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Modify the encoder mounting        1 work-hour x $85    $10.....................             $95          $2,660
 installation by installing 2       per hour = $85.
 cable ties and thread-locking
 compound.
Inspect the encoder mounting       1 work-hour x $85    Not applicable..........              85           2,389
 installation to verify proper      per hour = $85
 condition and security of the      (per inspection
 cable ties and security of the     cycle).
 knurled nut.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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

                                               On-Condition Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                     Cost per
                    Action                                 Labor cost               Parts cost        product
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Replace cable ties and/or apply thread-locking  1 work-hour x $85 per hour = $85             $10             $95
 compound.
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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):

2015-13-09 Piper Aircraft, Inc.: Amendment 39-18196; Docket No. FAA-
2015-2434; Directorate Identifier 2015-CE-023-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This AD is effective July 13, 2015.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

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

           Table 1 of Paragraph (c) of This AD--Applicability
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                 Model                             Serial No.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
PA-46-350P............................  4636652 through 4636662.
PA-46-500TP...........................  4697549, 4697569, 4697582
                                         through 4697591, 4697593
                                         through 4697595, 4697597, and
                                         4697598.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

(d) Subject

    Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC)/Air Transport Association 
(ATA) of America Code 2130, Cabin Pressure Control System.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by a report that a cabin altitude encoder 
came free from its mounting bracket, which interfered with motion of 
the elevator flight control. This condition, if not prevented, 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 as specified in paragraphs (g) and (h) of 
this AD, including all subparagraphs, unless already done.

(g) Modification

    Do one of the following in paragraphs (g)(1) or (g)(2) of this 
AD:
    (1) Before further flight after July 13, 2015 (the effective 
date of this AD), modify the encoder mounting installation by 
installing two cable ties and adding thread-locking compound to the 
knurled holddown nut. Do the modification following Part I of Piper 
Aircraft, Inc. Mandatory Service Bulletin No. 1283, dated June 12, 
2015.
    (2) Before each flight after July 13, 2015 (the effective date 
of this AD) do a pre-flight security check by grasping the knurled 
holddown nut with a bare hand and verifying that the nut is tight 
and secure. Within the next 10 hours time-in-service after July 13, 
2015 (the effective date of this AD), you must do the modification 
required in paragraph (g)(1) of this AD.

[[Page 38620]]

    (i) The pre-flight security check required in paragraph (g)(2) 
of this AD may be performed by the owner/operator holding at least a 
private pilot certificate as authorized by section 43.7 of the 
Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 43.7), and must be entered into 
the aircraft records showing compliance with this AD in accordance 
with section 43.9 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 43.9).

    Note 1 to paragraph (g)(2)(i):  Piper Aircraft, Inc. Mandatory 
Service Bulletin No. 1283, dated June 12, 2015, which is 
incorporated by reference in this AD, includes pictures for 
accessing and locating the cabin altitude encoder and can be used as 
guidance for performing this preflight check. See paragraphs (l)(3) 
and (l)(4) for the availability of this service information.

    (ii) The pre-flight security check required in paragraph (g)(2) 
of this AD is no longer necessary after the modification required by 
either paragraph (g)(1) or (g)(2) of this AD.

(h) Inspection

    Within 50 hours TIS after doing the modification required in 
paragraph (g)(1) or (g)(2) of this AD and repetitively thereafter 
not to exceed 50 hours TIS, inspect the encoder mounting 
installation to verify the proper condition and security of the 
cable ties and the security of the knurled holddown nut. Do the 
inspection following Part II of Piper Aircraft, Inc. Mandatory 
Service Bulletin No. 1283, dated June 12, 2015.
    (1) If the cable ties are found to not be properly secure or are 
not in proper condition during the inspection required in paragraph 
(h) of this AD, before further flight, replace with new cable ties 
following Part I of Piper Aircraft, Inc. Mandatory Service Bulletin 
No. 1283, dated June 12, 2015.
    (2) If the knurled holddown nut is found to not be properly 
secure during the inspection required in paragraph (h) of this AD, 
before further flight, apply thread-locking compound following Part 
I of Piper Aircraft, Inc. Mandatory Service Bulletin No. 1283, dated 
June 12, 2015.

(i) Special Flight Permit

    Special flight permits are permitted with the following 
limitation: The pre-flight security check required in paragraph 
(g)(2) of this AD must be done.

(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 paragraph (k) 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 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) 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. 1283, 
dated June 12, 2015.
    (ii) Reserved.
    (3) For Piper Aircraft, Inc. service information identified in 
this AD, contact Piper Aircraft, Inc., 2926 Piper Drive, Vero Beach, 
Florida 32960; telephone: (877) 879-0275; email: 
[email protected]; Internet: www.piper.com.
    (4) You may view this service information at FAA, 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 24, 2015.
Earl Lawrence,
Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2015-16181 Filed 7-6-15; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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