Airworthiness Directives; Piper Aircraft, Inc.

[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 66 (Thursday, April 5, 2018)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 14568-14574]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-06336]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2018-0245; Product Identifier 2018-CE-012-AD; Amendment 
39-19234; AD 2018-07-03]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Piper Aircraft, Inc.

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: We are superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2018-02-05 for 
certain Piper Aircraft, Inc. Models PA-28-140, PA-28-150, PA-28-151, 
PA-28-160, PA-28-161, PA-28-180, PA-28-181, PA-28-236, PA-28-201T, PA-
28R-180, PA-28R-200, PA-28R-201, PA-28R-201T, PA-28RT-201, and PA-28RT-
201T airplanes. AD 2018-02-

[[Page 14569]]

05 required inspecting the fuel tank selector cover to verify the left 
and right fuel tank selector placards are located at the proper 
positions and replacing those that are improperly located with new 
placards. This AD addresses the same unsafe condition and requires the 
same actions as AD 2018-02-05, but changes the inspection of the fuel 
tank selector cover to a preflight check and allows for various fuel 
selector clocking configurations. This AD was prompted by our 
determination to allow the owner/operator (pilot) holding at least a 
private pilot certificate to perform the preflight check. We are 
issuing this AD to allow the pilot to do a preflight check of the fuel 
selector placards.

DATES: This AD is effective April 20, 2018.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of April 20, 
2018.
    We must receive any comments on this AD by May 21, 2018.

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., 2926 Piper Drive, Vero Beach, FL 32960; 
telephone: (772) 567-4361; internet: www.piper.com/technical-publications-documents/. You may view this 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-2018-
0245.

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-2018-
0245; or in person at Docket Operations 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. The street address for Docket Operations (phone: 
800-647-5527) is listed above. Comments will be available in the AD 
docket shortly after receipt.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:  Boyce Jones, Aerospace Engineer, 
Atlanta ACO Branch, FAA, 1701 Columbia Avenue, College Park, Georgia 
30337; phone: (404) 474-5535; fax: (404) 474-5606; email: 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Discussion

    We issued AD 2018-02-05, Amendment 39-19158 (83 FR 3064, January 
23, 2018), (``AD 2018-02-05''), for certain Piper Aircraft, Inc. Models 
PA-28-140, PA-28-150, PA-28-151, PA-28-160, PA-28-161, PA-28-180, PA-
28-181, PA-28-236, PA-28-201T, PA-28R-180, PA-28R-200, PA-28R-201, PA-
28R-201T, PA-28RT-201, and PA-28RT-201T airplanes. AD 2018-02-05 
required inspecting the fuel tank selector cover to verify the left and 
right fuel tank selector placards are located at the 12:00 and 3:00 
clock positions, respectively, and replacing those that are improperly 
located with new placards. AD 2018-02-05 resulted from a quality 
control issue that resulted in the installation of fuel tank selector 
covers with the placement of the left and right fuel tank selector 
placards installed in reverse. We issued AD 2018-02-05 to prevent fuel 
management error. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could result 
in fuel starvation and loss of engine power in flight.

Actions Since AD 2018-02-05 Was Issued

    Since we issued AD 2018-02-05, we have determined that the owner/
operator (pilot) holding at least a private pilot certificate will be 
allowed to perform the preflight check of the fuel tank selector 
placards.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    We reviewed Piper Aircraft, Inc. Service Bulletin No. 1309A, dated 
March 6, 2018. The service bulletin describes procedures for doing a 
preflight check of the fuel tank selector cover to verify the left and 
right fuel tank selector placards are located in the proper positions, 
and replacing those that are improperly located with a new placard. 
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 doing a preflight check of the fuel tank selector 
cover to verify the left and right fuel tank selector placards are 
located at the proper positions and replacing those that are improperly 
located with new placards. The preflight check required in this AD may 
be performed by the owner/operator (pilot) holding at least a private 
pilot certificate and must be entered into the airplane records showing 
compliance with this AD in accordance with 14 CFR 43.9 (a)(1)-(4) and 
14 CFR 91.417(a)(2)(v). The record must be maintained as required by 14 
CFR 91.417, 121.380, or 135.439.

FAA's Justification and Determination of the Effective Date

    The FAA previously determined that the risk to the flying public 
justified waiving notice and comment prior to the adoption of AD 2018-
02-05. This AD is being issued to relieve the maintenance requirements 
found in 2018-02-05, by changing the inspection of the fuel tank 
selector cover to a preflight check, while also allowing for various 
fuel selector clocking configurations. Because the substance of AD 
2018-02-05 remains the same, but for the relieving aspects noted in 
this AD, we find good cause that notice and opportunity for prior 
public comment are unnecessary. In addition, for the reasons stated 
above, we find 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 we did not provide you with notice and an opportunity to 
provide your comments before it becomes effective. 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 number FAA-2018-0245 and product identifier 
2018-CE-012-AD at the beginning of your comments. We specifically 
invite comments on the overall regulatory, economic, environmental, and 
energy

[[Page 14570]]

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 17,957 airplanes, of U.S. 
registry.
    We estimate the following costs to comply with this AD:
    Since this AD allows the owner/operator (pilot) holding at least a 
private pilot certificate to perform the required preflight check of 
the fuel tank selector placards, there is a reduction in cost 
associated with this AD.
    We estimate the following costs to do any necessary replacements 
that will be required based on the results of the preflight check of 
the left and right fuel tank selector placards for proper installation 
inspection. We have no way of determining the number of aircraft that 
might need this replacement:

                                               On-Condition Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                     Cost per
                    Action                                 Labor cost               Parts cost        product
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Install new fuel selector placards on the fuel  .5 work-hour x $85 per hour =              $9.26          $51.76
 selector cover.                                 $42.50.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    According to the manufacturer, some of the costs of this AD may be 
covered under warranty, thereby reducing the cost impact on affected 
individuals. We do not control warranty coverage for affected 
individuals. As a result, we have included all costs in our cost 
estimate.

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, gliders, 
balloons, airships, domestic business jet transport airplanes, and 
associated appliances 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 part 39 of the Federal Aviation 
Regulations (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) 
2018-02-05, Amendment 39-19158 (83 FR 3064, January 23, 2018) and 
adding the following new AD:

2018-07-03 Piper Aircraft, Inc: Amendment 39-19234; Docket No. FAA-
2018-0245; Product Identifier 2018-CE-012-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This AD is effective April 20, 2018.

(b) Affected ADs

    This AD replaces 2018-02-05, Amendment 39-19158 (83 FR 3064, 
January 23, 2018) (``AD 2018-02-05'').

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to the following Piper Aircraft, Inc. airplane 
models and serial numbers (S/Ns) that are certificated in any 
category:

 Table--1 to Paragraph (c) of This AD--Applicable Airplane Models and S/
                                   Ns
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                       Model                             Serial No.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
PA-28-140.........................................  28-20001 through 28-
                                                     26946; 28-7125001
                                                     through 28-7725290.
PA-28-150.........................................  28-03, 28-1 through
                                                     28-4377, and 28-
                                                     1760A.
PA-28-151.........................................  28-7415001 through
                                                     28-7715314.
PA-28-160.........................................  28-03, 28-1 through
                                                     28-4377, and 28-
                                                     1760A.

[[Page 14571]]

 
PA-28-161.........................................  2841001 through
                                                     2841365, 28-7716001
                                                     through 28-8216300,
                                                     28-8316001 through
                                                     28-8616057, 2816001
                                                     through 2816109,
                                                     2816110 through
                                                     2816119, and
                                                     2842001 through
                                                     2842420.
PA-28-180.........................................  28-03, 28-671
                                                     through 28-5859, 28-
                                                     7105001 through 28-
                                                     7205318, 28-E13,
                                                     and 28-7305001
                                                     through 28-7505261.
PA-28-181.........................................  28-7690001 through
                                                     28-8690056, 28-
                                                     8690061, 28-
                                                     8690062, 2890001
                                                     through 2890205,
                                                     2890206 through
                                                     2890231, and
                                                     2843001 through
                                                     2843879.
PA-28-236.........................................  28-7911001 through
                                                     28-8611008 and
                                                     2811001 through
                                                     2811050.
PA-28-201T........................................  28-7921001 through
                                                     28-7921095.
PA-28R-180........................................  28R-30002 through
                                                     28R-31270 and 28R-
                                                     7130001 through 28R-
                                                     7130019.
PA-28R-200........................................  28R-30482, 28R-35001
                                                     through 28R-35820,
                                                     28R-7135001 through
                                                     28R-7135238, and
                                                     28R-7235001 through
                                                     28R-7635545.
PA-28R-201........................................  28R-7737002 through
                                                     28R-7837317,
                                                     2837001 through
                                                     2837061, and
                                                     2844001 through
                                                     2844171.
PA-28R-201T.......................................  28R-7703001 through
                                                     28R-7803374 and
                                                     2803001 through
                                                     2803015.
PA-28RT-201.......................................  28R-7918001 through
                                                     28R-8218026.
PA-28RT-201T......................................  28R-7931001 through
                                                     28R-8631005, and
                                                     2831001 through
                                                     2831038.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

(d) Subject

    Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC)/Air Transport Association 
(ATA) of America Code 11, Placard and Markings.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by our determination to change the 
inspection of the fuel tank selector cover to a preflight check and 
allows for various fuel selector clocking configurations. We are 
issuing this AD to allow the pilot to do a preflight check of the 
fuel selector placards.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Preflight Check of the Fuel Selector Cover

    Before further flight after April 20, 2018 (the effective date 
of this AD), check the left and right fuel selector cover placards 
for proper installation using the Appendix to this AD. If the fuel 
selector placards are properly installed, no further action is 
required. The preflight check of the fuel selector cover may be 
performed by the owner/operator (pilot) holding at least a private 
pilot certificate and must be entered into the airplane records 
showing compliance with this AD in accordance with 14 CFR 43.9 
(a)(1)-(4) and 14 CFR 91.417(a)(2)(v). The record must be maintained 
as required by 14 CFR 91.417, 121.380, or 135.439.

(h) Install Temporary Fuel Selector Placards

    If improper (reversed clock positions) installation of the left 
and right fuel selector placards is found during the preflight check 
of the fuel selector cover required in paragraph (g) of this AD, 
before further flight, fabricate and install temporary left and 
right fuel selector placards using Part II of Piper SB No. 1309A, 
dated March 6, 2018. In lieu of installing the temporary placards 
required by this paragraph, you may install the permanent placards 
specified in paragraph (i) of this AD. An FAA-approved licensed 
mechanic authorized to do maintenance is required to do any 
fabrication and installation of the fuel selector placards required 
in this AD.

(i) Install Permanent Fuel Selector Placards

    Within the next 100 hours time-in-service (TIS) after April 20, 
2018 (the effective date of this AD), replace the temporary placard 
installed in paragraph (h) of this AD with permanent left and right 
fuel selector placards using Part III of Piper SB No. 1309A, dated 
March 6, 2018, unless already done in lieu of installing the 
temporary placards specified in paragraph (h) of this AD.

(j) Credit for Previous Actions

    This AD allows credit for doing the actions required in 
paragraphs (g) through (i) of this AD using Piper Aircraft, Inc. 
Service Bulletin No. 1309, dated October 10, 2017, if done before 
the effective date of this AD in compliance with AD 2018-02-05.

(k) Special Flight Permit

    A special flight permit is allowed for this AD per 14 CFR 39.23 
with the following limitations: Flights are not to exceed a total of 
100 hours TIS with temporary placards installed.

(l) 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 (m) 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.
    (3) AMOCs approved for AD 2018-02-05 are not approved as AMOCs 
for the corresponding provisions of this AD.

(m) Related Information

    For more information about this AD, contact Boyce Jones, 
Aerospace Engineer, Atlanta ACO Branch, FAA, 1701 Columbia Avenue, 
College Park, Georgia 30337; phone: (404) 474-5535; fax: (404) 474-
5606; email: [email protected].

(n) 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 this AD specifies otherwise.
    (i) Piper Aircraft, Inc. Service Bulletin No. 1309A, dated March 
6, 2018.
    (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: (772) 567-4361; internet: www.piper.com/technical-publications-documents/.
    (4) You may view this service information at 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.
    (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.

Appendix to AD 2018-07-03

Special Preflight Check

    Note: This action may be performed by the owner/operator (pilot) 
holding at least a private pilot certificate and must be entered 
into the airplane records showing compliance with AD 2018-07-03 in 
accordance with 14 CFR 43.9 (a)(1)-(4) and 14 CFR 91.417(a)(2)(v). 
The record must be maintained as required by 14 CFR 91.417, 121.380, 
or 135.439. This action may also be performed by an FAA-approved 
licensed mechanic.
    (1) Compare the currently installed fuel selector cover against 
the covers shown in Figure 2, View A-A:
    (a) If the currently installed fuel selector cover matches the 
cover shown in Figure 2, View A-A, then proceed to Step 2.
    (b) If the currently installed fuel selector cover does not 
match the cover shown Figure 2, View A-A (Note: The fuel selector 
cover

[[Page 14572]]

that does not match View A-A is a flat round plate without any 
features that limit the rotational travel of the fuel selector 
lever), then the remaining instructions in AD 2018-07-03 do not 
apply and no further action is required. Compliance with this part 
of AD 2018-07-03 must be documented by the owner/operator (pilot) 
holding at least a private pilot certificate, and must be entered 
into the aircraft records showing compliance with this AD in 
accordance with 14 CFR 43.9 (a)(1)-(4) and 14 CFR 91.417(a)(2)(v). 
The record must be maintained as required by 14 CFR 91.417, 121.380, 
or 135.439.

    Note: Documentation in the aircraft logbook should include: (1) 
Current Date (2) Tach Time (3) Statement that the comparison has 
been accomplished, including the AD number and Revision date (4) 
Sign and Print Name (5) Certificate Type & Number.
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR05AP18.001


[[Page 14573]]


[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR05AP18.002

BILLING CODE 4910-13-C
    (2) Compare the currently installed fuel selector cover to the 
illustration in Figure 2, View A-A. Examine all placards for proper 
placement, with specific emphasis on the location of the placards 
labeled L TANK and R TANK.

    Note: The fuel selector cover placard positions will vary. See 
Figure 2, View A-A.

    (a) If the placards are in the proper locations, then no further 
action is required. Compliance with this part AD 2018-07-03 must be 
documented by the owner/operator (pilot) holding at least a private 
pilot

[[Page 14574]]

certificate, and must be entered into the aircraft records showing 
compliance with this AD in accordance with 14 CFR 43.9 (a)(1)-(4) 
and 14 CFR 91.417(a)(2)(v). The record must be maintained as 
required by 14 CFR 91.417, 121.380, or 135.439.

    Note: Documentation in the aircraft logbook should include: (1) 
Current Date (2) Tach Time (3) Statement that the comparison has 
been accomplished, including the AD number and Revision date (4) 
Sign and Print Name (5) Certificate Type & Number.

    (b) If replacement is required, proceed to either paragraph (h) 
and (i) of AD 2018-07-03.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on March 23, 2018.
Melvin J. Johnson,
Deputy Director, Policy & Innovation Division, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2018-06336 Filed 4-4-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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