Airworthiness Directives; The New Piper Aircraft, Inc. Models PA- 28-140, PA-28-150, PA-28-160, and PA-28-180 Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 210 (Friday, October 30, 1998)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 58290-58291]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-28970]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 95-CE-51-AD; Amendment 39-10862; AD 96-10-01 R1]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; The New Piper Aircraft, Inc. Models PA-
28-140, PA-28-150, PA-28-160, and PA-28-180 Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This amendment revises Airworthiness Directive
    (AD) 96-10-01, which currently requires a complete landing light 
support replacement on certain The New Piper Aircraft, Inc. (Piper) 
Models PA-28-140, PA-28-150, PA-28-160, and PA-28-180 airplanes. Some 
of the serial numbers for these airplanes were incorrectly referenced 
in the Applicability section of AD 96-10-01. This AD maintains the 
requirements of AD 96-10-01, and corrects the serial numbers referenced 
in the Applicability section. The actions specified by this AD are 
intended to prevent the landing light retainer support seal from being 
ingested by the updraft carburetor, which could result in rough engine 
operation or possible engine failure and loss of control of the 
airplane.

DATES: Effective December 14, 1998.
    The incorporation by reference of Piper Service Bulletin No. 975, 
dated November 2, 1994, as listed in the regulations, was previously 
approved by the Director of the Federal Register as of June 10, 1996 
(61 FR 19813, May 3, 1996).

ADDRESSES: Service information that applies to this AD may be obtained 
from The New Piper Aircraft, Inc., Attn: Customer Service, 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. 95-CE-51-AD, Room 
1558, 601 E. 12th Street, Kansas City, Missouri 64106; or at the Office 
of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW, suite 700, 
Washington, DC.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: William O. Herderich, Aerospace 
Engineer, Atlanta Aircraft Certification Office, One Crown Center, 1895 
Phoenix Blvd., Suite 450, Atlanta, Georgia 30349; telephone: (770) 703-
6069; facsimile: (770) 703-6097.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Events Leading to the Issuance of This AD

    A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 
CFR part 39) to include an AD that would apply to Piper Models PA-28-
140, PA-28-150, PA-28-160, and PA-28-180 airplanes was published in the 
Federal Register as a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) on June 9, 
1998 (63 FR 31374). The NPRM proposed to revise AD 96-10-01 to retain 
the requirement of accomplishing a complete landing light support 
replacement, and proposed to change the applicability of the AD, as 
follows: Models PA-28-140 airplanes, serial numbers (S/N) 28-20000 
through 28-7725290, Models PA-28-150, 160, and 180 airplanes, S/N 28-1 
through 28-7505259, and S/N 28-E13 to Models PA-28-140 airplanes, S/N 
28-20000 through 28-7725290, PA-28-150, PA-28-160, and PA-28-180, 
serial numbers 28-1 through 28-1760. Accomplishment of the proposed 
action as specified in the NPRM would be required in accordance with 
Piper Service Bulletin No. 975, dated November 2, 1994.
    The NPRM was the result of inadvertent mistakes in the serial 
number effectivity of certain airplane models referenced in AD 96-10-
01.
    Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate 
in the making of this amendment. No comments were received on the 
proposed rule or the FAA's determination of the cost to the public.

The FAA's Determination

    After careful review of all available information related to the 
subject presented above, the FAA has determined that air safety and the 
public interest require the adoption of the rule as proposed except for 
minor editorial corrections. The FAA has determined that these minor 
corrections will not change the meaning of the AD and will not add any 
additional burden upon the public than was already proposed.

Cost Impact

    The FAA estimates that 10,100 airplanes in the U.S. registry will 
be affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 2 workhours per 
airplane to accomplish this action, and that the average labor rate is 
approximately $60 an hour. Parts cost approximately $140 per airplane. 
Based on these figures, the total cost impact of this AD on U.S. 
operators is estimated to be $2,626,000. This figure is based on the 
assumption that all of the affected airplanes have old landing light 
support and seal assemblies and that none of the owners/operators of 
the affected airplanes have replaced the landing light support and seal 
assemblies with parts of improved design.
    Piper has informed the FAA that parts have been distributed to 
equip approximately 7,021 airplanes. Assuming that these distributed 
parts are incorporated on the affected airplanes, the cost of this AD 
will be reduced by $1,825,460, from $2,626,000 to $800,540.

Regulatory Impact

    The regulations adopted herein will not have substantial direct 
effects 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. Therefore, in 
accordance with Executive Order 12612, it is determined that this final 
rule does not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant the 
preparation of a Federalism Assessment.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this action (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); 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. A copy of the final evaluation prepared for this 
action is contained in the Rules Docket. A copy of it may be obtained 
by contacting the Rules Docket at the location provided under the 
caption ADDRESSES.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by 
reference, Safety.

[[Page 58291]]

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 Airworthiness Directive 
(AD) 96-10-01, Amendment 39-9606 (61 FR 19813, May 3, 1996), and adding 
a new AD to read as follows:

96-10-01  R1 The New Piper Aircraft, Inc.: Amendment 39-10862; 
Docket No. 95-CE-51-AD; Revises AD 96-10-01, Amendment 39-9606.

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

------------------------------------------------------------------------
            Models                            Serial Nos.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
PA-28-140....................  28-20000 through 28-7725290.
PA-28-150, PA-28-160, and PA-  28-1 through 28-1760.
 28-180.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    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 (c) 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 within the next 100 hours time-in-service 
(TIS) after the effective date of this AD, unless already 
accomplished.

    Note 2: Early compliance is encouraged.

    To prevent the landing light seal from lodging in the 
carburetor, which could result in rough engine operation or possible 
engine failure and loss of control of the airplane, accomplish the 
following:
    (a) Replace the landing light support and seal assembly in 
accordance with the ACCOMPLISHMENT INSTRUCTIONS section of Piper 
Service Bulletin No. 975, dated November 2, 1994.
    (b) 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.
    (c) 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 Blvd., Suite 450, Atlanta, 
Georgia 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 96-10-01, are considered approved as alternative methods of 
compliance for this AD.

    Note 3: Information concerning the existence of approved 
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be 
obtained from the Atlanta ACO.

    (d) The replacements required by this AD shall be done in 
accordance with Piper Service Bulletin No. 975, dated November 2, 
1994. This incorporation by reference was previously approved by the 
Director of the Federal Register as of June 10, 1996 (61 FR 19813, 
May 3, 1996). Copies may be obtained from The New Piper Aircraft, 
Inc., Attn: Customer Service, 2926 Piper Dr., Vero Beach, Florida 
32960. Copies may be inspected at the FAA, Central Region, Office of 
the Regional Counsel, Room 1558, 601 E. 12th Street, Kansas City, 
Missouri, or at the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North 
Capitol Street, NW, suite 700, Washington, DC.
    (e) This amendment becomes effective on December 14, 1998.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on October 22, 1998.
Michael Gallagher,
Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 98-28970 Filed 10-29-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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