Airworthiness Directives; The New Piper Aircraft, Inc.; Models PA-23-235, PA-23-250, and PA-E23-250 Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 204 (Thursday, October 22, 1998)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 56547-56548]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-28301]



[[Page 56547]]

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 82-CE-36-AD; Amendment 39-10852; AD 83-22-01 R1]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; The New Piper Aircraft, Inc.; Models 
PA-23-235, PA-23-250, and PA-E23-250 Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule; correction.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: This amendment clarifies information contained in 
Airworthiness Directive (AD) 83-22-01, which currently requires 
inserting certain zero fuel weight limitations into the Limitations 
Section of the airplane flight manual (AFM) on certain The New Piper 
Aircraft, Inc. (Piper) Models PA-23-235, PA-23-250, and PA-E23-250 
airplanes. The FAA has received reports that reference in the AD to two 
of the AFM reports contains incorrect information. In particular, 
reference to Report 1308, Revision B, contains the words ``normally 
aspirated''; and reference to Report 1360, Revision B, contains the 
word ``Turbocharged.'' These references should be removed. This 
document clarifies AD 83-22-01 by removing the words ``normally 
aspirated'' and ``Turbocharged'' from the reference to these reports. 
The actions specified in this AD are intended to continue to prevent 
possible wing structure damage caused by excessive fuel weight, which 
could result in loss of control of the airplane.

EFFECTIVE DATE: November 25, 1998.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Central Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 82-CE-36-AD, Room 1558, 601 E. 12th Street, 
Kansas City, Missouri 64106.
    The AFM reports referenced in this AD may be obtained from The New 
Piper Aircraft, Inc., Customer Services, 2926 Piper Drive, Vero Beach, 
Florida 32960. This information may also be examined at the Federal 
Aviation Administration (FAA), Central Region, Office of the Regional 
Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket No. 82-CE-36-AD, Room 1558, 601 E. 
12th Street, Kansas City, Missouri 64106.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. William Herderich, Aerospace 
Engineer, FAA, Atlanta Aircraft Certification Office, One Crown Center, 
1895 Phoenix Boulevard, suite 450, Atlanta, GA 30349; telephone: (770) 
703-6084; facsimile: (770) 703-6097.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Discussion
    AD 83-22-01, Amendment 39-4758, currently requires inserting 
certain zero fuel weight limitations into the Limitations Section of 
the airplane flight manual (AFM) on The New Piper Aircraft, Inc. 
(Piper) Models PA-23-235, PA-23-250, and PA-E23-250 airplanes. These 
limitations are included in the following reports:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
          Airplane Model                    Serial Numbers                             Report
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PA-23-235.........................  27-505 through 27-622........  Report 1207, Rev. B.
PA-23-250.........................  27-1 through 27-1999.........  Report 1036, Rev. B.
PA-23-250.........................  27-2000 through 27-2504......  Report 1204, Rev. C.
PA-23-250.........................  27-2505 through 27-3836; and   Report 1308, Rev. B
                                     27-3838 through 27-3943.      (4800 lbs. Gross weight).
PA-23-250.........................  27-2505 through 27-3836; and   Report 1360, Rev. B
                                     27-3838 through 27-3943.      (5200 lbs. Gross weight).
PA-23-250.........................  27-3837, 27-3944 through 27-   Report 1520, Rev. B.
                                     4425, and 27-4427 through 27-
                                     4523.
PA-23-250.........................  27-4426, 27-4574 through 27-   Report 1630, Rev. 17.
                                     7554168.
PA-23-250.........................  7654001 and up...............  Report 1948, Rev. 13.
PA-E23-250........................  27-2505 through 27-3836, and   Report 1378, Rev. B.
                                     27-3838 through 27-3943.
PA-E23-250........................  27-3837, 27-3944 through 27-   Report 1521, Rev. B.
                                     4425; and 27-4427 through 27-
                                     4573.
PA-E23-250........................  27-4426 and 27-4574 through    Report 1631, Rev. B.
                                     27-7554168.
PA-E23-250........................  27-7654001 and up............  Report 2049,
                                                                   Amendment 5.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Need for the Correction

    The FAA has received reports that reference in the AD to two of the 
AFM reports contains incorrect information. In particular, reference to 
Report 1308, Revision B, contains the words ``normally aspirated''; and 
reference to Report 1360, Revision B, contains the word 
``Turbocharged.'' Both of these reports apply to both normally 
aspirated and turbocharged airplanes.
    Consequently, the FAA has determined that there is a need to 
clarify AD 83-22-01 to eliminate any confusion concerning the 
particular report that the owners/operators of the affected airplanes 
need to incorporate into their AFM.

Correction of Publication

    This document clarifies the intent of AD 83-22-01 by eliminating 
reference to ``normally aspirated'' and ``Turbocharged'' in the 
applicable reports. This document also adds the amendment to section 
39.13 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 39.13).
    Since this action only clarifies the intent of AD 83-22-01, it has 
no adverse economic impact and imposes no additional burden on any 
person than would have been necessary by the existing AD. Therefore, 
the FAA has determined that prior notice and opportunity for public 
comment are unnecessary.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Safety.

Adoption of the Amendment

    Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration amends part 39 of 
the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) as follows:

PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES

    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]

    2. Section 39.13 is amended by removing

[[Page 56548]]

    Airworthiness Directive (AD) 83-22-01, Amendment 39-4758, and by 
adding a new AD to read as follows:

83-22-01 R1 The New Piper Aircraft, Inc.: Amendment 39-10852; Docket 
No. 82-CE-36-AD; Revises AD 83-22-01, Amendment 39-4758.

    Applicability: The following models and serial numbers, 
certificated in any category:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                 Model                           Serial Numbers
------------------------------------------------------------------------
PA-23-235.............................  27-505 through 27-622.
PA-23-250.............................  27-1 and up.
PA-E23-250............................  27-2505 through 27-7554168, and
                                         27-7654001 and up
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Note 1: This AD applies to each airplane identified in the 
preceding applicability provision, regardless of whether it has been 
modified, altered, or repaired in the area subject to the 
requirements of this AD. For airplanes that have been modified, 
altered, or repaired so that the performance of the requirements of 
this AD is affected, the owner/operator must request approval for an 
alternative method of compliance in accordance with paragraph (e) of 
this AD.
    The request should include an assessment of the effect of the 
modification, alteration, or repair on the unsafe condition 
addressed by this AD; and, if the unsafe condition has not been 
eliminated, the request should include specific proposed actions to 
address it.
    Compliance: Required as indicated in the body of this AD, unless 
already accomplished.
    To prevent possible wing structure damage caused by excessive 
fuel weight, which could result in loss of control of the airplane, 
accomplish the following:
    (a) Within 30 days after the effective date of this AD, unless 
already accomplished (compliance with AD 83-22-01), insert a copy of 
this AD into the Limitations Section of the airplane flight manual 
(AFM), and operate the airplane in accordance with the Zero Fuel 
Weight Limitations specified below:
    (1) Models PA-23-235 and PA-23-250 (S/N's 27-1 through 27-1999) 
airplanes: Zero Fuel weight--4,000 lbs.
    (2) Models PA-23-250 and PA-E23-250 (serial number 27-2000 and 
up) airplanes: Zero Fuel weight (normally aspirated)--4,400 lbs.; 
(Turbo-charged)--4,500 lbs.
    (b) Within 12 months after November 3, 1983 (the effective date 
of AD 83-22-01) or prior to further flight after the effective date 
of this AD, whichever occurs later, incorporate the appropriate AFM 
report as follows:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
          Airplane Model                    Serial Numbers                             Report
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PA-23-235.........................  27-505 through 27-622........  Report 1207, Rev. B.
PA-23-250.........................  27-1 through 27-1999.........  Report 1036, Rev. B.
PA-23-250.........................  27-2000 through 27-2504......  Report 1204, Rev. C.
PA-23-250.........................  27-2505 through 27-3836; and   Report 1308, Rev. B
                                     27-3838 through 27-3943.      (4800 lbs. Gross weight).
PA-23-250.........................  27-2505 through 27-3836; and   Report 1360, Rev. B
                                     27-3838 through 27-3943.      (5200 lbs. Gross weight).
PA-23-250.........................  27-3837, 27-3944 through 27-   Report 1520, Rev. B.
                                     4425, and 27-4427 through 27-
                                     4523.
PA-23-250.........................  27-4426, 27-4574 through 27-   Report 1630, Rev. 17.
                                     7554168.
PA-23-250.........................  7654001 and up...............  Report 1948, Rev. 13.
PA-E23-250........................  27-2505 through 27-3836, and   Report 1378, Rev. B.
                                     27-3838 through 27-3943.
PA-E23-250........................  27-3837, 27-3944 through 27-   Report 1521, Rev. B.
                                     4425; and 27-4427 through 27-
                                     4573.
PA-E23-250........................  27-4426 and 27-4574 through    Report 1631, Rev. B.
                                     27-7554168.
PA-E23-250........................  27-7654001 and up............  Report 2049, Amendment 5.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (c) The actions required by this AD may be performed by the 
owner/operator holding at least a private pilot certificate as 
authorized by section 43.7 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 
CFR 43.7), and must be entered into the aircraft records showing 
compliance with this AD in accordance with section 43.9 of the 
Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 43.9).
    (d) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with 
sections 21.197 and 21.199 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 
CFR 21.197 and 21.199) to operate the airplane to a location where 
the requirements of this AD can be accomplished.
    (e) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the 
compliance time that provides an equivalent level of safety may be 
approved by the Manager, Atlanta Aircraft Certification Office 
(ACO), One Crown Center, 1895 Phoenix Boulevard, suite 450, Atlanta, 
GA 30349.
    (1) The request shall be forwarded through an appropriate FAA 
Maintenance Inspector, who may add comments and then send it to the 
Manager, Atlanta ACO.
    (2) Alternative methods of compliance approved in accordance 
with AD 83-22-01 (revised by this action) are considered approved as 
alternative methods of compliance for this AD.

    Note 2: Information concerning the existence of approved 
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be 
obtained from the Atlanta ACO.
    (f) The AFM reports referenced in this AD may be obtained from 
The New Piper Aircraft, Inc., Customer Services, 2926 Piper Drive, 
Vero Beach, Florida 32960. These documents may be examined at the 
FAA, Central Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, Room 1558, 601 
E. 12th Street, Kansas City, Missouri 64106.
    (g) This amendment revises AD 83-22-01, Amendment 39-4758.
    (h) This amendment becomes effective on November 25, 1998.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on October 15, 1998.
Michael Gallagher,
Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 98-28301 Filed 10-21-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U

The complete text was extracted from the official GovInfo HTML edition for this publication. Acquired 2026-10-09T04:57:04.316007+00:00. Text extraction preserves the recorded source wording; it does not determine current requirements.

Open the captured official edition

Source SHA-256

10b2ad0bc98971ac46d25b5f54efb42a605a0d3410dd071d9f8a899362f83c85

Text SHA-256

972c56c8ef65f93f7561f034a7c061b68b46e4f46fe5552526ab890d6ee05808