Airworthiness Directives; Piper Aircraft, Inc. Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 34 (Tuesday, February 23, 2021)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 10770-10772]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-03499]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2020-0830; Project Identifier 2020-CE-002-AD; Amendment 
39-21428; AD 2021-04-07]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Piper Aircraft, Inc. Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all 
Piper Aircraft, Inc., (Piper) Models PA-46-350P (Malibu Mirage), PA-
46R-350T (Malibu Matrix), and PA-46-500TP (Malibu Meridian) airplanes. 
This AD was prompted by a finding of several airplanes with wing 
assemblies that did not have the proper stall warning heater 
modification design. Without the proper stall warning heat control 
modification kit installed, during flights into icing conditions with 
the landing gear down, ice can form on the stall vane, which may result 
in failure of the stall warning system. This AD requires identifying 
and correcting nonconforming stall warning heat control systems. The 
FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these 
products.

DATES: This AD is effective March 30, 2021.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of March 30, 
2021.

ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this final rule, 
contact Piper Aircraft Inc., 2926 Piper Drive, Vero Beach, FL 32960; 
phone: 772-299-2686; email: [email protected]; website: https://www.piper.com/. You may view this service information at the FAA, 
Airworthiness Products Section, Operational Safety Branch, 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 at 
https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. 
FAA-2020-0830.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket at https://www.regulations.gov by 
searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2020-0830; 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, any 
comments received, and other information. The address for Docket 
Operations is U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket Operations, M-
30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue 
SE, Washington, DC 20590.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: John Lee, Aviation Safety Engineer, 
Atlanta ACO Branch, FAA, 1701 Columbia Avenue, College Park, GA 30337; 
phone: (404) 474-5568; email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    The FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 
CFR part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to all Piper Models PA-46-
350P (Malibu Mirage), PA-46R-350T (Malibu Matrix), and PA-46-500TP 
(Malibu Meridian) airplanes. The NPRM published in the Federal Register 
on October 28, 2020 (85 FR 68255). The NPRM was prompted by the finding 
of

[[Page 10771]]

airplanes without the proper stall warning heater modification design 
change. In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to require identifying and 
correcting nonconforming stall warning heat control systems.
    The FAA issued AD 2008-26-11, Amendment 39-15777 (73 FR 78934, 
December 24, 2008) (``AD 2008-26-11'') for certain serial-numbered 
Piper Model PA-46-350P, PA-46R-350T, and PA-46-500TP airplanes. AD 
2008-26-11 requires installing stall warning heat control modification 
kit part number 88452-002. For those serial-numbered airplanes to which 
AD 2008-26-11 does not apply, Piper incorporated the modification kit 
in production.
    Since the FAA issued AD 2008-26-11, Piper found 11 airplanes (9 
domestic) with the left wing replaced with a wing assembly from salvage 
that did not have the proper stall warning heater modification design 
change. Without the proper stall warning heat control modification kit 
during flights into icing conditions with the landing gear down, ice 
can form on the stall vane, which may result in failure of the stall 
warning system. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe 
condition on these products.
    This action will not affect AD 2008-26-11 and all actions of that 
AD will remain in place.

Discussion of Final Airworthiness Directive

Comments

    The FAA received a comment from 1 commenter. The commenter 
supported the NPRM without change.

Conclusion

    The FAA reviewed the relevant data, considered the comments 
received, and determined that air safety requires adopting the AD as 
proposed. Accordingly, the FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe 
condition on these products. Except for minor editorial changes, this 
AD is adopted as proposed in the NPRM.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    The FAA reviewed Piper Service Letter No. 1261, dated July 19, 
2019. This service information specifies procedures to identify and 
correct nonconforming stall warning heat control systems. The intent of 
these service letters is to ensure that wiring for the stall warning 
heat control system meets current type design. 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 ADDRESSES.

Other Related Service Information

    The FAA reviewed Piper Mandatory Service Bulletin No. 1192, dated 
September 15, 2008. This service bulletin is incorporated by reference 
in AD 2008-26-11.

Differences Between This AD and the Service Information

    This AD does not require the first step, which is identified as a 
``required for compliance'' (RC) step, of Piper Service Letter No. 
1261, dated July 19, 2019. The first step specifies reviewing the 
aircraft records to determine whether the inspection of the stall 
warning heat control configuration must be done. This AD does not 
require a records review. Instead, all airplanes identified in the 
applicability of this AD have to inspect the stall warning heat control 
configuration.

Costs of Compliance

    The FAA estimates that this AD will affect 1,261 airplanes of U.S. 
registry.
    The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this AD:

                                                 Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                     Cost per      Cost on U.S.
                Action                         Labor cost           Parts cost        product        operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Inspect stall warning heat control      1 work-hour x $85 per                 $0             $85        $107,185
 system.                                 hour = $85.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The FAA estimates the following costs to do any necessary repairs 
that will be required based on the results of the inspection. The FAA 
has no way of determining the number of airplanes that might need these 
repairs:

                                               On-Condition Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                     Cost per
                    Action                                 Labor cost               Parts cost        product
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Install modification kit......................  1.5 work-hours x $85 per hour =          $230.00         $357.50
                                                 $127.50.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The FAA has included all known costs in its cost estimate. 
According to the manufacturer, however, some or all of the costs of 
this AD may be covered under warranty, thereby reducing the cost impact 
on affected individuals.

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.
    The FAA is 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:

[[Page 10772]]

    (1) Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive 
Order 12866,
    (2) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and
    (3) 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.

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:

2021-04-07 Piper Aircraft, Inc.: Amendment 39-21428; Docket No. FAA-
2020-0830; Project Identifier 2020-CE-002-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective March 30, 2021.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to the following Piper Aircraft, Inc., 
airplanes, certificated in any category:
    (1) Model PA-46-350P (Malibu Mirage) airplanes, serial numbers 
(S/Ns) 4622041, 4636041, 4636142, 4636143, 4636313, 4636341, and 
4636379;
    (2) Model PA-46-500TP (Malibu Meridian) airplanes, S/Ns 4697141, 
4697161, 4697086, and 4697020; and
    (3) Models PA-46-350P (Malibu Mirage), PA-46R-350T (Malibu 
Matrix), and PA-46-500TP (Malibu Meridian) airplanes, all serial 
numbers, if the left wing has been replaced with a serviceable (more 
than zero hours time-in-service) wing.

(d) Subject

    Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) 3700, VACUUM SYSTEM.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by nonconforming stall warning heat control 
systems, utilizing a left wing assembly without the proper stall 
warning modification design. Without the proper stall warning heat 
control modification kit during flights into icing conditions with 
the landing gear down, ice can form on the stall vane, which may 
result in failure of the stall warning system. The FAA is issuing 
this AD to identify and correct nonconforming stall warning heat 
control systems. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could 
result in the pilot being unaware of an approaching stall situation.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Actions

    (1) Within 100 hours time-in-service (TIS) after the effective 
date of this AD or within 12 months after the effective date of this 
AD, whichever occurs first, inspect the configuration of stall 
warning heat control system and, if required, install stall warning 
heat control modification kit part number (P/N) 8452-002 before 
further flight in accordance with steps 2 and 3 of the Instructions 
in Piper Aircraft, Inc., Service Letter No. 1261, dated July 19, 
2019.
    (2) As of the effective date of this AD, do not install a wing 
on any Model PA-46-350P (Malibu Mirage), PA-46R-350T (Malibu 
Matrix), or PA-46-500TP (Malibu Meridian) airplane unless you have 
determined that the wing has the correct stall warning heat control 
system as required by paragraph (g)(1) of this AD.

(h) Special Flight Permit

    A special flight permit may be issued to operate the airplane to 
a location where the requirements of this AD can be accomplished 
provided flight into known icing conditions is prohibited.

(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)(1) 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) An AMOC that provides an acceptable level of safety may be 
used for any repair, modification, or alteration required by this AD 
if it is approved by a Piper Aircraft, Inc. Organization Designation 
Authorization (ODA) that has been authorized by the Manager, Atlanta 
ACO Branch to make those findings. To be approved, the repair 
method, modification deviation, or alteration deviation must meet 
the certification basis of the airplane, and the approval must 
specifically refer to this AD.
    (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 the 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.

(j) Related Information

    For more information about this AD, contact John Lee, Aviation 
Safety Engineer, Atlanta ACO Branch, FAA, 1701 Columbia Avenue, 
College Park, GA 30337; phone: (404) 474-5568; 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 Service Letter No. 1261, dated July 19, 2019.
    (ii) [Reserved]
    (3) For Piper Aircraft, Inc. service information identified in 
this AD, contact Piper Aircraft Inc., 2926 Piper Drive, Vero Beach, 
FL 32960; phone: 772-299-2686; email: [email protected]; 
website: https://www.piper.com/.
    (4) You may view this service information at FAA, Airworthiness 
Products Section, Operational Safety Branch, 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, email: [email protected], or go to: https://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.

    Issued on February 4, 2021.
Lance T. Gant,
Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2021-03499 Filed 2-22-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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