Airworthiness Directives; Piper Aircraft, Inc.

[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 132 (Tuesday, July 10, 2018)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 31850-31853]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-14080]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2018-0606; Product Identifier 2018-CE-018-AD; Amendment 
39-19321; AD 2018-14-01]
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 adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain 
Piper Aircraft, Inc. (Piper) Models PA-46-600TP (M600) airplanes. This 
AD requires inserting temporary airspeed limitations into the pilot's 
operating handbook, installing a temporary placard, inspecting rivets 
on the cockpit canopy above the left and right cockpit side windows, 
and installing a repair kit based on the findings of the rivet 
inspection. This AD was prompted by a report of undersized fasteners 
installed during manufacturing. We are issuing this AD to address the 
unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective July 25, 2018.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of July 25, 
2018.
    We must receive comments on this AD by August 24, 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, Florida 32960; 
telephone: (772) 567-4361; internet: www.piper.com. 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-2018-0606.

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-
0606; 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: Dan McCully, Aerospace Engineer, FAA, 
Atlanta ACO Branch, 1701 Columbia Avenue, College Park, Georgia 30337; 
telephone: (404) 474-5548; fax: (404) 474-5606; email: 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Discussion

    We received a report from Piper that some rivets installed through 
the fuselage skin at the cockpit area during manufacture are below the 
minimum required strength on certain Model PA-46-600TP (M600) 
airplanes. This condition, if not corrected, could result in failure of 
the skin joint resulting in loss of pressurization or fuselage 
structural failure. 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. 1318B, dated 
June 7, 2018. The service bulletin describes procedures for 
incorporating temporary airspeed limitations into the pilot's operating 
handbook (POH) and fabricating and installing an airspeed limitations 
placard on the airplane until an inspection is completed and a minimum 
of 16 specific rivets are replaced. The service bulletin also describes 
procedures for the inspection of the rivets on the cockpit canopy above 
the left and right cockpit side window and the replacement of the 
rivets. This service information is reasonably available because the

[[Page 31851]]

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 inserting temporary airspeed limitations into the 
POH, installing a temporary placard with the airspeed limitations in 
the cockpit, inspecting the rivets on the cockpit canopy above the left 
and right cockpit side windows, and installing a repair kit based on 
the findings of the inspection.

FAA's Justification and Determination of the Effective Date

    An unsafe condition exists that requires the immediate adoption of 
this AD without providing an opportunity for public comments prior to 
adoption. The FAA has found that the risk to the flying public 
justifies waiving notice and comment prior to adoption of this rule 
because undersized and understrength rivets through the fuselage skin 
at the cockpit area could result in failure of the skin joint, which 
could result in loss of pressurization or fuselage structural failure. 
Therefore, we find good cause that notice and opportunity for prior 
public comment are impracticable. In addition, for the reason 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 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 number FAA-2018-
0606 and product identifier 2018-CE-018-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 31 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
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Insert airspeed limitations into  .5 work-hour x $85   Not applicable...........          $42.50       $1,317.50
 the POH and install an airspeed   per hour = $42.50.
 temporary placard.
Inspect the size of the cockpit   2 work-hours (1      Not applicable...........             170           5,270
 side window rivets.               work-hour on each
                                   side) x $85 per
                                   hour = $170.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    We estimate the following costs to do any necessary replacements 
that would be required based on the results of the inspection. Each 
airplane would require one of the kits on each side based on the 
inspection. We have presented what the cost on U.S. operators would be 
for each kit on both sides even though each airplane would have one of 
the two kits on each side and could have different kits on each side. 
This would make the total cost on U.S. operators significantly less, 
but we have no way of determining how many would require each kit.

 
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                     Cost per      Cost on U.S.
              Action                      Labor cost             Parts cost           product        operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Replace rivets using Rivet          16 work-hours (8 work- $6 ($3 each side)....          $1,366         $42,346
 Replacement Kit, Piper part         hours each side) x
 number P/N 88623-701.               $85 per hour =
                                     $1,360.
Replace rivets using Rivet          60 work-hours (30      244 ($122 each side).           5,344         165,664
 Replacement Kit, Piper part         work-hours each
 number P/N 88624-701.               side) x $85 per hour
                                     = $5,100.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    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

[[Page 31852]]

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 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):

2018-14-01 Piper Aircraft, Inc.: Amendment 39-19321; Docket No. FAA-
2018-0606; Product Identifier 2018-CE-018-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This AD is effective July 25, 2018.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Piper Aircraft, Inc. (Piper) Model PA-46-
600TP (M600) airplanes, serial numbers 4698004 through 4698041, 
certificated in any category.

(d) Subject

    Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC)/Air Transport Association 
(ATA) of America Code 5330, Fuselage Skin.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by a report from Piper of rivets installed 
through the fuselage skin at the cockpit area during manufacture 
that are below the minimum required strength. We are issuing this AD 
to prevent failure of the skin joint, which could result in loss of 
pressurization or fuselage structural failure.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Insert Temporary Airspeed Limitations Into Pilot's Operating 
Handbook

    (1) Before further flight after July 25, 2018 (the effective 
date of this AD), insert the temporary airspeed limitations page 
into the pilot's operating handbook (POH), following the 
instructions in Part 1 of Piper Aircraft, Inc. Service Bulletin (SB) 
No. 1318B, dated June 7, 2018.
    (2) The insertion of the temporary operating limitations page 
into the POH 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 paragraph (g) of this AD in 
accordance with 14 CFR 43.9(a)(1) through (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) Temporary Placard

    (1) Before further flight after July 25, 2018 (the effective 
date of this AD), install onto the cockpit instrument panel 
Placard--Flight Limitations, Piper P/N 46G110013-701, following the 
instructions in Part 1, paragraph 2.a. of Piper Aircraft, Inc. 
Service Bulletin (SB) No. 1318B, dated June 7, 2018; or fabricate a 
placard from locally sourced materials following the instructions in 
Part 1, paragraph 2.a.1 and 2.a.2 of Piper Aircraft, Inc. Service 
Bulletin (SB) No. 1318B, dated June 7, 2018.
    (2) This action may be performed 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) through (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.

(i) Install Rivet Replacement Kit

    (1) At the next inspection after July 25, 2018 (the effective 
date of this AD), but no later than the next 100 hours time-in-
service (TIS) after July 25, 2018 (the effective date of this AD), 
inspect the rivets at the canopy area above both cockpit side 
windows, determine their size, and replace with either Rivet 
Replacement Kit Piper part number (P/N) 88623-701, Revision A or 
Rivet Replacement Kit Piper P/N 88624-701, Revision A, as 
applicable, following Part II of the instructions in Piper Aircraft, 
Inc. Service Bulletin (SB) No. 1318B, dated June 7, 2018.
    (2) After the rivets have been replaced following the 
requirement in paragraph (i)(1) of this AD, the temporary airspeed 
limitations required in paragraph (g) and (h) of this AD are no 
longer in effect, and you should remove the temporary airspeed 
limitations page inserted into the POH that was required for 
compliance with paragraph (g) of this AD, and the temporary placard 
required for compliance with paragraph (h) of this AD, and update 
aircraft records showing compliance with this AD in accordance with 
14 CFR 43.9(a)(1) through (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.

(j) Credit for Previous Actions

    This AD allows credit for doing the actions required in 
paragraphs (g) and (i) of this AD using Piper Aircraft, Inc. SB No. 
1318, dated December 20, 2017; or Piper Aircraft, Inc. SB No. 1318A, 
dated March 6, 2018, if done before the effective date of this AD.

(k) Special Flight Permit

    A special flight permit is allowed per 14 CFR 39.23 with the 
following limitations: No special flight permit is required for the 
POH insertion. A one-time special flight with fuel stops is 
permitted to the Piper service facility for the inspection and 
replacement. Maximum operating speed (V<INF>mo</INF>) is restricted 
to 230 knots calibrated air speed (KCAS).

(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.
    (4) For service information that contains steps that are labeled 
as Required for Compliance (RC), the provisions of paragraphs 
(l)(4)(i) and (ii) of this AD apply.
    (i) The steps labeled as RC, including substeps under an RC step 
and any figures identified in an RC step, must be done to comply 
with this AD. An AMOC is required for any deviations to RC steps, 
including substeps and identified figures.
    (ii) Steps not labeled as RC may be deviated from using accepted 
methods in accordance with the operator's maintenance or inspection 
program without obtaining approval of an AMOC, provided the RC 
steps, including substeps and identified figures, can still be done 
as specified, and the airplane can be put back in an airworthy 
condition.

[[Page 31853]]

(m) Related Information

    For more information about this AD, contact Dan McCully, 
Aerospace Engineer, FAA, Atlanta ACO Branch, 1701 Columbia Avenue, 
College Park, Georgia 30337; telephone: (404) 474-5548; 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 the AD specifies otherwise.
    (i) Piper Aircraft, Inc. Service Bulletin (SB) No. 1318B, dated 
June 7, 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.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on June 22, 2018.
Melvin J. Johnson,
Aircraft Certification Service, Deputy Director, Policy and Innovation 
Division, AIR-601.
[FR Doc. 2018-14080 Filed 7-9-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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