Airworthiness Directives; Piper Aircraft, Inc. Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 80 (Tuesday, April 26, 2022)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 24399-24401]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-08852]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2022-0022; Project Identifier AD-2020-01264-A; 
Amendment 39-22033; AD 2022-09-13]
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 
certain Piper Aircraft, Inc. (Piper) Model PA-34-200 airplanes. This AD 
was prompted by the determination that the life limit for alternate 
bolts that attach the drag link to the nose gear were not listed as 
airworthiness limitations. This AD requires establishing a life limit 
for these bolts. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe 
condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective May 31, 2022.

ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this final rule, 
contact Piper Aircraft, Inc., 2926 Piper Drive, Vero Beach, FL 32960; 
phone: (772) 299-2141; website: https://www.piper.com. You may view 
this service information at the FAA, Airworthiness Products Section, 
Operational Safety Branch, 901 Locust, Kansas City, MO 64106. For 
information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call (817) 
222-5110.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket at https://www.regulations.gov by 
searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2022-0022; 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: Fred Caplan, Aviation Safety Engineer, 
Atlanta ACO Branch, FAA, 1701 Columbia Avenue, College Park, GA 30337; 
phone: (404) 474-5507; 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 certain serial-numbered 
Piper Model PA-34-200 airplanes. The NPRM published in the Federal 
Register on February 3, 2022 (87 FR 6089; corrected February 16, 2022, 
87 FR 8752). The NPRM was prompted by a notification from Piper that 
prior revisions of the airworthiness limitations section (ALS) for 
certain Piper Model PA-34-200 airplanes did not contain a life limit 
for bolt part number (P/N) 693-215 (standard P/N NAS6207-50D). Bolt P/N 
693-215 (NAS6207-50D) is an alternate part for P/N 400-274 (standard P/
N AN7-35). These bolts attach the drag link to the nose gear trunnion 
on Piper Model PA-34-200 airplanes. Piper did not include an ALS 
revision for the P/N 693-215 (standard P/N NAS6207-50D) bolt to 
establish the same life limit as the P/N 400-274 (AN7-35). If bolt P/N 
693-215 (standard P/N NAS6207-

[[Page 24400]]

50D) that attaches the drag link to the nose gear trunnion remains in 
service beyond its fatigue life, failure of the nose landing gear could 
occur, which could result in loss of airplane control during take-off, 
landing, or taxi operations.
    In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to require establishing a 500-hour 
life limit for bolt P/N 693-215 and P/N NAS6207-50D. The FAA is issuing 
this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

Discussion of Final Airworthiness Directive

Comments

    The FAA received comments from two individual commenters. The 
following presents the comments received on the NPRM and the FAA's 
response.
    One individual supported the NPRM without change.
    Another individual requested the FAA revise the proposed AD by 
requiring different assembly procedures and hardware as terminating 
action. The commenter stated that failure of the bolt results from the 
bolts not being tightened properly or loosening up in service. The 
commenter noted that this can be corrected with improved maintenance 
instructions to achieve the proper torque and hardware (thinner 
washers, a longer bushing, or a slightly longer bolt, for example) to 
provide sufficient lateral clearance on the bushing to avoid binding.
    The FAA disagrees with the commenter's suggestion. This AD is not 
addressing potential failure of the bolt through maintenance practices 
but instead addresses the life limit for the subject bolt, which is 
part of the aircraft's type design. The life limit was inadvertently 
omitted from the ALS, and this AD simply corrects that omission. To the 
extent the commenter requested a terminating action, this request is 
unnecessary as this AD only requires a one-time change to the aircraft 
maintenance records.
    The FAA did not change this AD based on this comment.

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. This AD is adopted as proposed in the 
NPRM.

Related Service Information

    The FAA reviewed Piper Seneca Service Manual, Airworthiness 
Limitations, 753-817, page 1-1, dated November 30, 2019. This service 
information specifies the life limits of the P/N 693-215 (standard P/N 
NAS6207-50D) bolt that attaches the drag link to the nose gear 
trunnion.

ADs Mandating Airworthiness Limitations

    The FAA has previously mandated airworthiness limitations by 
issuing ADs that require revising the ALS of the existing maintenance 
manual or instructions for continued airworthiness to incorporate new 
or revised inspections and life limits. This AD, however, requires 
incorporating new or revised inspections and life limits into the 
maintenance records required by 14 CFR 91.417(a)(2) or 135.439(a)(2) 
for your airplane. The FAA does not intend this as a substantive 
change. Requiring incorporation of the new ALS requirements into the 
maintenance records, rather than requiring individual repetitive 
inspections and replacements, allows operators to record AD compliance 
once after updating the maintenance records, rather than recording 
compliance after every inspection and part replacement.

Costs of Compliance

    The FAA estimates that this AD affects 187 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          airplane        operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Revise the Airworthiness            1 work-hour x $85 per  Not Applicable.......             $85         $15,895
 Limitations.                        hour = $85.
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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.
    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:
    (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, 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:

2022-09-13 Piper Aircraft, Inc.: Amendment 39-22033; Docket No.

[[Page 24401]]

FAA-2022-0022; Project Identifier AD-2020-01264-A.

(a) Effective Date

    This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective May 31, 2022.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Piper Aircraft, Inc. Model PA-34-200 
airplanes, serial numbers 34-7250001 through 34-7450220, 
certificated in any category.

(d) Subject

    Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 3220, Nose/Tail 
Landing Gear.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by the determination that the life limit 
for alternate bolts that attach the drag link to the nose gear were 
not included as airworthiness limitations. The FAA is issuing this 
AD to establish a life limit on bolt part numbers 693-215 and 
NAS6207-50D that attach the drag link to the nose gear trunnion. The 
unsafe condition, if not addressed, could result in failure of the 
nose landing gear and lead to loss of airplane control during take-
off, landing, or taxi operations.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Actions

    (1) Within 90 days after the effective date of this AD, 
incorporate into the maintenance records required by 14 CFR 
91.417(a)(2) or 135.439(a)(2) for your airplane a life limit of 500 
hours for bolt part numbers 693-215 and NAS6207-50D.
    Note to paragraph (g)(1): Piper Seneca Service Manual, 
Airworthiness Limitations, 753-817, page 1-1, dated November 30, 
2019, contains the life limit in paragraph (g)(1) of this AD.
    (2) Thereafter, except as provided in paragraph (h)(1) of this 
AD, no alternative replacement times may be approved for these 
bolts.

(h) 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 (i)(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.

(i) Related Information

    (1) For more information about this AD, contact Fred Caplan, 
Aviation Safety Engineer, Atlanta ACO Branch, FAA, 1701 Columbia 
Avenue, College Park, GA 30337; phone: (404) 474-5507; email: 
[email protected].
    (2) For service information identified in this AD that is not 
incorporated by reference, contact Piper Aircraft, Inc., 2926 Piper 
Drive, Vero Beach, FL 32960; phone: (772) 299-2141; website: https://www.piper.com. You may view this referenced service information at 
the FAA, Airworthiness Products Section, Operational Safety Branch, 
901 Locust, Kansas City, MO 64106. For information on the 
availability of this material at the FAA, call (817) 222-5110.

(j) Material Incorporated by Reference

    None.

    Issued on April 21, 2022.
Gaetano A. Sciortino,
Deputy Director for Strategic Initiatives, Compliance & Airworthiness 
Division, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2022-08852 Filed 4-25-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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