Airworthiness Directives; Piper Aircraft, Inc. Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 99 (Monday, May 23, 2022)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 31095-31097]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-10863]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2022-0021; Project Identifier AD-2020-01283-A; 
Amendment 39-22060; AD 2022-11-10]
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-46-600TP airplanes. This 
AD was prompted by testing that showed that the wing splice assembly 
could fail before the assembly reaches its established life limit. This 
AD requires revising the Airworthiness Limitations section (ALS) of the 
existing maintenance manual (MM) or instructions for continued 
airworthiness (ICA) to reduce the life limit of the wing splice 
assembly. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on 
these products.

DATES: This AD is effective June 27, 2022.

ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this final rule, 
contact Piper Aircraft, Inc., 2926 Piper Drive, Vero Beach, FL 32960; 
phone: (772) 291-2141; 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-2022-0021; 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-46-600TP airplanes. The NPRM published in the Federal 
Register on February 1, 2022 (87 FR 5428). The NPRM was prompted by 
testing that showed that the wing splice assembly, part number (P/N) 
46W57A100-001, could fail before reaching its established life limit on 
Model PA-46-600TP airplanes. The wing splice assembly was certificated 
with a life limit of 5,132 hours time-in-service (TIS); however, the 
failures of the test assembly occurred before reaching that established 
life limit. The stress levels used in the life limit analysis were not 
adequate. After a new fatigue test article analysis, Piper reduced the 
life limit of the wing splice assembly P/N 46W57A100-001 from 5,132 
hours TIS to 3,767 hours TIS and revised the Airworthiness Limitations 
section in the MM accordingly.
    In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to require revising the Airworthiness 
Limitations section of the existing MM or ICA to reduce the life limit 
of the wing splice assembly. Failure of the wing splice assembly, if 
not addressed, could result in loss of airplane control. 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 Piper. The following presents the 
comments received on the NPRM and the FAA's response to each comment.

[[Page 31096]]

Request Regarding Applicability and Cost of Compliance

    Piper requested that the FAA update the applicable serial numbers. 
The applicable serial numbers in the proposed AD were based upon the 
understanding that airworthiness limitations with the new wing splice 
assembly life limit would be delivered with new airplanes beginning 
with serial number 4698186. However, while the AD was in development, 
airworthiness limitations with the new life limit were actually 
delivered with new airplanes with serial numbers 4698147, 4698149, and 
4698158 and larger.
    The FAA agrees and has revised the applicability of this AD 
accordingly.
    Based on its comment regarding the applicable serial numbers, Piper 
also requested that the FAA revise the estimated Costs of Compliance 
section. Piper stated that the costs would be reduced because there are 
fewer affected airplanes.
    The FAA agrees that the estimated Costs of Compliance should be 
updated to reflect the correct number of affected airplanes. However, 
the FAA's original estimate of the number of affected airplanes was in 
error. The FAA has corrected that error in the Costs of Compliance 
section of this final rule, resulting in a higher count of airplanes.

Request Regarding Required Actions

    Piper stated that operators cannot physically comply with paragraph 
(g), Action, of the proposed AD, which proposed to require revising the 
ALS by reducing the life limit of the wing splice assembly. Piper 
stated that the ICA are delivered with the airplane in an electronic 
format on a CD-ROM. Piper requested that the FAA change this action by 
requiring a logbook entry documenting the change in life limit of the 
wing splice assembly.
    The FAA does not agree that operators are unable to comply with the 
AD as proposed. While the AD mandates revising the ALS to reduce the 
life limit, it does not specify any particular method that operators 
must use to do the revision. One acceptable method is to replace the 
existing CD-ROM document with a new CD-ROM that includes the new life 
limit. As long as the ALS of an operator's existing MM or ICA includes 
the new life limit, then the operator has complied with this AD. The 
FAA did not change this AD based on this comment.

Request Regarding Related Information

    Piper requested that the FAA revise Note 1 to paragraph (g) of the 
proposed AD to include the December 4, 2020, version of the ALS. Piper 
stated the initial life limit reduction for wing splice assembly P/N 
46W57A100-001 was introduced in the December 4, 2020, version of the 
ALS. The August 31, 2021, version of the ALS, which was included in the 
proposed AD, contains the reduced life limit for wing splice assembly 
P/N 46W57A100-001 and introduces new part numbers for the wing splice 
assembly (P/N 46W57A100-002) and a service wing assembly (P/N 
46W00A700-702).
    The FAA agrees that the December 4, 2020, version of the ALS 
contains the reduced wing splice assembly life limit, but does not 
agree that a change to this AD is necessary. As previously explained, 
the AD does not specify any particular method that operators must use 
to revise the ALS. One acceptable method is incorporating the life 
limit specified in Piper Aircraft, Inc. PA-46-600TP, M600 Maintenance 
Manual, Airworthiness Limitations, Page 1, dated December 4, 2020.
    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 this AD as 
proposed. Accordingly, the FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe 
condition on these products. Except for the changes described 
previously, this AD is adopted as proposed in the NPRM. None of the 
changes will increase the economic burden on any operator.

Related Service Information

    The FAA reviewed Piper Aircraft, Inc., PA-46-600TP, M600 
Maintenance Manual, Airworthiness Limitations, Section 4-00-00, dated 
August 31, 2021. This service information specifies the life limits of 
structural parts for the Model PA-46-600TP airplane and reduces the 
life limit for the wing splice assembly.

Costs of Compliance

    The FAA estimates that this AD affects 139 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 ALS...................  1 work-hour x $85    Not Applicable..........             $85         $11,815
                                    per hour = $85.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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.

[[Page 31097]]

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:

2022-11-10 Piper Aircraft, Inc.: Amendment 39-22060; Docket No. FAA-
2022-0021; Project Identifier AD-2020-01283-A.

(a) Effective Date

    This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective June 27, 2022.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Piper Aircraft, Inc. Model PA-46-600TP 
airplanes, serial numbers 4698001, 4698004 through 4698146 
inclusive, 4698148, and 4698150 through 4698157 inclusive, 
certificated in any category.

(d) Subject

    Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 5711, Wing Spar.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD results from testing that showed that the wing splice 
assembly could fail before the assembly reaches its established life 
limit. The FAA is issuing this AD to prevent failure of the wing 
splice assembly before the current established life limit. The 
unsafe condition, if not addressed, could result in loss of airplane 
control.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Action

    Within 90 days after the effective date of this AD, revise the 
Airworthiness Limitations section in the existing maintenance manual 
or instructions for continued airworthiness by reducing the life 
limit of the wing splice assembly part number 46W57A100-001 to 3,767 
hours time-in-service.
    Note 1 to paragraph (g): Section 4-00-00 of Piper Aircraft, Inc. 
PA-46-600TP, M600 Maintenance Manual, Airworthiness Limitations, 
Page 1, dated August 31, 2021, contains the life limit in paragraph 
(g) of this AD.

(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, contact Piper 
Aircraft, Inc., 2926 Piper Drive, Vero Beach, FL, 32960; phone: 
(772) 291-2141; website: https://www.piper.com.

(j) Material Incorporated by Reference

    None.

    Issued on May 17, 2022.
Gaetano A. Sciortino,
Deputy Director for Strategic Initiatives, Compliance & Airworthiness 
Division, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2022-10863 Filed 5-20-22; 8:45 am]
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