Airworthiness Directives; Piper Aircraft, Inc. Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 24 (Tuesday, February 7, 2017)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 9498-9501]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-01689]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2017-0045; Directorate Identifier 2017-CE-002-AD; 
Amendment 39-18785; AD 2017-02-06]
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-31T, PA-31T1, PA-31T2, PA-31T3, and PA-
31P-350 airplanes. This AD requires repetitive detailed visual 
inspections of the wiring below the main circuit breaker panel for 
proper clearance and evidence of damage and rerouting or replacing 
wires and/or parts as necessary. This AD was prompted by a fatal 
accident where evidence of thermal damage in this area was found. We 
are issuing this AD to correct the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective February 22, 2017.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of February 22, 
2017.
    We must receive comments on this AD by March 24, 2017.

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-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 final rule, contact 
Piper Aircraft, Inc., Customer Service, 2926 Piper Drive, Vero Beach, 
Florida 32960; telephone: (877) 879-0275; fax: none; email: 
[email protected]; Internet: www.piper.com. You may view 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-2017-0045.

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-2017-
0045; 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.

[[Page 9499]]


FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Bryan Long, Aerospace Engineer, FAA, 
Atlanta Aircraft Certification Office, 1701 Columbia Avenue, College 
Park, Georgia 30337; phone: (404) 474-5578; fax: (404) 474-5606; email: 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Discussion

    We received reports of a fatal accident on a Piper Aircraft, Inc. 
Model PA-31T airplane. Although the investigation is not complete, the 
National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) found evidence of thermal 
damage near the main electrical bus circuit breaker panel. The enclosed 
space also includes hydraulic lines that run directly beneath the 
panel. The wiring in this area showed evidence of electrical arcing, 
and the hydraulic lines showed evidence of fire.
    During the accident investigation, we and the NTSB examined the 
area below the circuit breaker panel in 6 different Model PA-31T series 
airplanes. All 6 airplanes had instances of wiring and hydraulic lines 
making direct contact and some of the airplanes showed signs of wiring 
rubbing or chafing adjacent structure or flammable fluid lines.
    This condition, if not corrected, could lead to electrical arcing 
and a possible inflight fire in an area that is not accessible by the 
crew. 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. Service Bulletin No. 1301, dated 
January 6, 2017. The service information describes procedures for 
visually inspecting the area below the main circuit breaker panel and 
rerouting and replacing wires and/or parts as necessary. 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.

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, except as discussed under 
``Differences Between the AD and the Service Information.''

Differences Between the AD and the Service Information

    This AD requires the initial inspection within 30 days after the 
effective date and repetitive inspections at intervals not to exceed 12 
calendar months, which differs from the compliance time specified in 
the service bulletin. Also, the service bulletin specifies the use of a 
10X magnifying glass; however, the inspection space is very confined, 
and it is difficult to use a magnifying glass in the area. This AD 
requires the use of mirrors, a suitable light source, and other 
equipment (small cameras, borescopes, and magnification, etc.,) as 
needed to do the visual inspection of the area.
    The Summary section of the service bulletin states for you to 
contact your Factory Authorized Service Facility to make arrangements 
for compliance with the service bulletin. Any appropriately licensed 
mechanic may do the work of this AD. Please note that to receive any 
warranty credit from Piper, the work may need to be done at the Factory 
Authorized Service Facility.

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 
rubbing or chafing of the electrical wires to adjacent structure or 
flammable fluid lines could lead to electrical arcing and possible 
inflight fire in an area that is not accessible by the crew. 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-2017-0045 and 
Directorate Identifier 2017-CE-002-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 335 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
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Visual inspection...............  1 work-hour x $85 per     Not applicable....             $85          $28,475
                                   hour = $85.
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    We estimate the following costs to do any necessary 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 
replacements:

[[Page 9500]]



                                               On-condition Costs
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                                                                                                     Cost per
                  Action                                Labor cost                 Parts cost        product
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Replacement of wires, fluid lines, and/or   2 work-hours x $85 per hour = $170            $100             $270
 terminals.
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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):

2017-02-06 Piper Aircraft, Inc.: Amendment 39-18785; Docket No. FAA-
2017-0045; Directorate Identifier 2017-CE-002-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This AD is effective February 22, 2017.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Piper Aircraft, Inc. Models PA-31T, serial 
numbers (SN) 31T-7400002 through 31T-8120104; PA-31T1, SNs 31T-
7804001 through 31T-8304003 and SNs 31T-1104004 through 31T-1104017; 
PA-31T2, SNs 31T-8166001 through 31T-8166076 and 31T-1166001 through 
31T-1166008; PA-31T3, SNs 31T-8275001 through 31T-8475001 and 31T-
5575001; and PA-31P-350, SNs 31P-8414001 through 31P-8414050; 
certificated in any category.

(d) Subject

    Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC)/Air Transport Association 
(ATA) of America Code 2497, Electrical Power/Electrical Power System 
Wiring.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by a fatal accident where evidence of 
thermal damage in the area below the main circuit breaker panel was 
found. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct rubbing/chafing 
of wiring with other wires, adjacent structure, and/or flammable 
fuel lines, which could lead to electrical arcing and possible 
inflight fire in an area that is not accessible by the crew.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Inspection

    (1) Within 30 days after February 22, 2017 (the effective date 
of this AD) and repetitively thereafter at intervals not to exceed 
12 calendar months, do a detailed visual inspection of the wiring in 
the area below the main circuit breaker panel using mirrors, a 
suitable light source, and other equipment (small cameras, 
borescopes, and magnification, etc.,) as needed to do the visual 
inspection of the area. Follow paragraphs 1, 2, and 3 of the 
Instructions section of Piper Aircraft, Inc. Service Bulletin No. 
1301, dated January 6, 2017.
    Note 1 to paragraph (g)(1) of this AD: You may begin the 
repetitive inspections before 12 calendar months after the initial 
inspection to coincide the repetitive inspection with the annual 
inspection.
    (2) If any damage and/or rubbing or chafing is found during any 
of the inspections required in paragraph (g)(1) of this AD, before 
further flight, reroute, rework, or replace any wires as specified 
in paragraphs 2 and 3 of the Instructions section of Piper Aircraft, 
Inc. Service Bulletin No. 1301, dated January 6, 2017.
    (3) Perform a functional test after any inspection required by 
this AD as specified in paragraph 4 of the Instructions section of 
Piper Aircraft, Inc. Service Bulletin No. 1301, dated January 6, 
2017.
    (4) The Summary section of Piper Aircraft, Inc. Service Bulletin 
No. 1301, dated January 6, 2017, states to contact the Factory 
Authorized Piper Service Facility to make arrangements for 
compliance with the service bulletin. Any appropriately licensed 
mechanic may do the work of this AD. Please note that to receive any 
warranty credit from Piper, the work may need to be done at the 
Factory Authorized Service Facility.

(h) 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 (i) 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.

(i) Related Information

    For more information about this AD, contact Bryan Long, 
Aerospace Engineer, FAA, Atlanta Aircraft Certification Office, 1701 
Columbia Avenue, College Park, Georgia 30337; phone: (404) 474-5578; 
fax: (404) 474-5606; email: [email protected].

(j) 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.

[[Page 9501]]

    (i) Piper Aircraft, Inc. Service Bulletin No. 1301, dated 
January 6, 2017.
    (ii) Reserved.
    (3) For service information identified in this AD, contact Piper 
Aircraft, Inc., Customer Service, 2926 Piper Drive, Vero Beach, 
Florida 32960; telephone: (877) 879-0275; fax: none; email: 
[email protected]; Internet: www.piper.com.
    (4) You may view 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.
    (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 January 18, 2017.
Melvin Johnson,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2017-01689 Filed 2-6-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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