Airworthiness Directives; Piper Aircraft, Inc. Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 152 (Wednesday, August 9, 2017)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 37172-37174]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-16437]



[[Page 37172]]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2017-0759; Product Identifier 2017-CE-023-AD; Amendment 
39-18980; AD 2017-16-03]
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. (Piper) Model PA-46-600TP (M600) airplanes. This 
AD requires inspection of the aft wing spars with repair as necessary. 
This AD was prompted by a report from Piper of the aft wing spar 
cracking during wing assembly. We are issuing this AD to address the 
unsafe condition on these products.

DATES:  This AD is effective August 9, 2017.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of August 9, 
2017.
    We must receive comments on this AD by September 25, 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, Policy and Innovation 
Division, 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-2017-0759.

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-
0759; 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 final rule, the regulatory evaluation, any comments 
received, and other information. Comments will be available in the AD 
docket shortly after receipt.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:  William (Dan) McCully, Aerospace 
Engineer, Atlanta ACO Branch, FAA, 1701 Columbia Avenue, College Park, 
Georgia 30337; phone: (404) 474-5548; fax: (404) 474-5606; email: 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Discussion

    We received a report from Piper of an aft wing spar cracking during 
wing assembly on a Model PA-46-600TP (M600) airplane. An investigation 
of the incident identified that the supplier may have delivered aft 
wing spars to Piper that did not conform to Piper's type design 
specifications and requirements. A quality escape during manufacturing 
resulted in an understrength part, and these nonconforming parts may 
have been installed on some of the affected airplanes. This condition, 
if not corrected, could result in failure of the aft wing spar and lead 
to wing separation with consequent 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. Service Bulletin No. 1317A, dated 
July 26, 2017. The service bulletin describes procedures for a visual 
inspection of the affected area and describes flight restrictions for 
allowing the optional special flight permit that allows a one-time 
flight to a facility capable of doing the inspections and repair 
required by this AD. 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.

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 inspection of the aft wing spars with repair as 
necessary.

Interim Action

    We consider this AD interim action. We are coordinating with Piper 
on the development of inspection and repair procedures to address this 
unsafe condition.

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 
failure of the aft wing spar could result in wing separation with 
consequent 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 final rule. Send your comments to an address 
listed under the ADDRESSES section. Include the Docket No. FAA-2017-
0759 and Product Identifier 2017-CE-023-AD at the beginning of your 
comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this final rule. We will 
consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend this 
final rule 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 final rule.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD affects 36 airplanes of U.S. registry.
    We estimate the following costs to comply with this AD. Piper is 
currently developing the required inspection method, and the FAA 
anticipates it will

[[Page 37173]]

be approved and available shortly after publication of this AD:

                                                 Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                     Cost per      Cost on U.S.
              Action                      Labor cost             Parts cost           product        operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Inspection of the aft wing spars..  11 work-hours x $85    Not applicable.......            $935         $33,660
                                     per hour = $935.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    We have no way of knowing how many airplanes may need the repair 
based on the results of the required inspection. Since there is not an 
approved repair procedure, we have no way of knowing the cost of the 
required repair.

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.
    This AD is issued in accordance with authority delegated by the 
Executive Director, Aircraft Certification Service, as authorized by 
FAA Order 8000.51C. In accordance with that order, issuance of ADs is 
normally a function of the Compliance and Airworthiness Division, but 
during this transition period, the Executive Director has delegated the 
authority to issue ADs applicable to small airplanes and domestic 
business jet transport airplanes to the Director of the Policy and 
Innovation Division.

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):

2017-16-03 Piper Aircraft, Inc.: Amendment 39-18980; Docket No. FAA-
2017-0759; Product Identifier 2017-CE-023-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This AD is effective August 9, 2017.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Piper Aircraft, Inc. Model PA-46-600TP (M600) 
airplanes; serial numbers 4698004 through 4698042; certificated in 
any category.

(d) Subject

    Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC)/Air Transport Association 
(ATA) of America Code 5711, Wing Spar.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by a report from Piper Aircraft, Inc. 
(Piper) of an aft wing spar cracking during wing assembly of one of 
the affected airplanes. We are issuing this AD to prevent failure of 
the aft wing spar, which could lead to wing separation with 
consequent loss of control.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Inspection and Repair

    Before further flight, inspect the aft wing spars and, before 
further flight, repair as necessary following FAA-approved 
procedures obtained from the Atlanta ACO Branch approved 
specifically for this AD. Use the contact information found in 
paragraph (j) of this AD. We are coordinating with Piper on the 
development of inspection and repair procedures to address this 
unsafe condition. Piper Aircraft, Inc. Service Bulletin No. 1317, 
dated July 21, 2017 (not incorporated by reference), and Piper 
Service Bulletin No. 1317A, dated July 26, 2017, contain additional 
information related to this AD.

(h) Special Flight Permit

    A special flight permit is allowed per 14 CFR 39.23 to relocate 
the airplane to a facility capable of performing the inspection and/
or repair required by paragraph (g) of this AD provided that all 
criteria in Part II of Piper Service Bulletin No. 1317A, dated July 
26, 2017, are adhered to.

(i) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (1) The Manager, Atlanta ACO Branch, 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 certification office, send it to the attention of the 
person identified in paragraph (j) 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 William (Dan) 
McCully, Aerospace Engineer, Atlanta ACO Branch, FAA, 1701 Columbia 
Avenue, College Park, Georgia

[[Page 37174]]

30337; phone: (404) 474-5548; 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.
    (i) Piper Aircraft, Inc. Service Bulletin No. 1317A, dated July 
26, 2017.
    (ii) Reserved.
    (3) For Piper Aircraft, Inc. 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, 
Policy and Innovation Division, 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-2017-0759.
    (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 July 28, 2017.
Pat Mullen,
Acting Deputy Director, Policy and Innovation Division, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2017-16437 Filed 8-8-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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