Airworthiness Directives: Aerostar Aircraft Corporation PA-60-600 (Aerostar 600) and PA-60-700 (Aerostar 700) Series Airplanes

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 94-CE-04-AD; Amendment 39-8984; AD 94-15-13]

Airworthiness Directives: Aerostar Aircraft Corporation PA-60-600

(Aerostar 600) and PA-60-700 (Aerostar 700) Series Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This amendment supersedes Airworthiness Directive (AD) 92-13-

01, which currently requires inspecting the nose landing gear (NLG)

drag brace assembly for corrosion on certain Aerostar Aircraft

Corporation (Aerostar) PA-60-600 (Aerostar 600) and PA-60-700 (Aerostar

700) series airplanes, and replacing any corroded components. It also

requires replacing the existing spring and piston with new corrosion-

resistant parts. This action requires replacing the NLG drag link

assembly with a new assembly of improved design. The Federal Aviation

Administration (FAA) has received several reports of frozen moisture in

the cylinder of the over-center release system, which has led to nose

gear collapse on airplanes already in compliance with AD 92-13-01. The

actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent failure of the NLG

caused by frozen moisture in the cylinder, which could lead to nose

gear collapse and damage to the airplane.

DATES: Effective September 12, 1994.

The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in

the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as

of September 12, 1994.

ADDRESSES: Service information that applies to this AD may be obtained

from the Aerostar Aircraft Corporation, Customer Service Department,

South 3608 Davison Boulevard, Spokane, Washington 99204; telephone

(509) 455-8872. This information may also be examined at the FAA,

Central Region, Office of the Assistant Chief Counsel, 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: Mr. William A. Swope, Aerospace

Engineer, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office, 1601 Lind Avenue SW.,

Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (206) 227-2589.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal

Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) to include an AD that would apply

to certain Aerostar PA-60-600 (Aerostar 600) and PA-60-700 (Aerostar

700) series airplanes was published in the Federal Register on April 1,

1994 (59 FR 15348). The action proposed to supersede AD 92-13-01 with a

new AD that would require replacing the existing NLG drag link

assembly, part number (P/N) 450563-1, with a new assembly of improved

design, P/N 450563-501. The proposed actions would be accomplished in

accordance with the instructions to Aerostar Kit No. 045-001 (Service

Kit No. SB600-128), Drawing No. 89414, Rev. N/C, dated December 28,

1993.

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.

After careful review of all available information, 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 nor add any additional burden upon the public than was

already proposed.

The FAA estimates that 700 airplanes in the U.S. registry will be

affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 5 workhours per

airplane to accomplish the required action, and that the average labor

rate is approximately $55 an hour. Parts cost approximately $1,500 per

airplane. Based on these figures, the total cost impact of the AD on

U.S. operators is estimated to be $1,242,500. This figure is based on

the assumption that no affected airplane operator has accomplished the

proposed action. The FAA believes that numerous operators have already

incorporated the modification referenced in this proposed AD.

In addition, AD 92-13-01 requires installing a new spring and

piston. The new NLG drag link assembly includes the improved design

piston and spring. Aerostar will give a $96 credit for the piston and

spring installed as required by AD 92-13-01. Aerostar has shipped 362

of these piston and spring kits. Based on these figures, the cost

referenced above would be reduced by $34,752 (362 airplanes x $96)

from $1,242,500 to $1,207,748.

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.

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. App. 1354(a), 1421 and 1423; 49 U.S.C.

106(g); and 14 CFR 11.89.

Sec. 39.13 [Amended]

2. Section 39.13 is amended by removing AD 92-13-01, Amendment 39-

8270 (57 FR 23135, June 2, 1992), and by adding a new airworthiness

directive to read as follows:

94-15-13 Aerostar Aircraft Corporation: Amendment 39-8984; Docket

No. 94-CE-04-AD. Supersedes AD 92-13-01, Amendment 39-8270.

Applicability: The following model and serial numbered

airplanes, certificated in any category:

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Model Serial Nos.

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PA-60-600 (Aerostar 600)\1\........ 60-0001-003 through 60-0608-

7961195.

PA-60-600 (Aerostar 600)........... 60-0614-7961196 through 60-0933-

8164262.

PA-60-601 (Aerostar 601)\1\........ 61-0001-004 through 60-0605-

7962136.

PA-60-601 (Aerostar 601)........... 61-0611-7962137 through 61-0880-

8162157.

PA-60-601P (Aerostar 601P)\1\...... 61P-0157-001 through 61P-0610-

7963274.

PA-60-601P (Aerostar 601P)......... 61P-0612-7963275 through 61P-0859-

8163455.

PA-60-602P (Aerostar 602P)......... 62P-0750-8165001 through 60-

8365021.

PA-60-700P (Aerostar 700P)......... 60-8423001 through 60-8423025.

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\1\= that have been converted to Wiebel nose gear system (Option No.

199)

Note 1: The manufacturing and ownership rights of the affected

model airplanes were previously owned by the Piper Aircraft

Corporation, but these rights were recently transferred to the

Aerostar Aircraft Corporation.

Compliance: Required within the next 100 hours time-in-service

after the effective date of this AD, unless already accomplished.

To prevent failure of the nose landing gear (NLG) caused by

frozen moisture in the cylinder, which could lead to nose gear

collapse and damage to the airplane, accomplish the following:

(a) Replace the existing NLG drag link assembly, P/N 450563-1,

with a new assembly of improved design, P/N 450563-501, in

accordance with the instructions to Aerostar Kit No. 045-001

(Service Kit No. SB600-128), Drawing No. 89414, Rev. N/C, dated

December 28, 1993.

(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, Seattle Aircraft Certification Office

(ACO), 1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056. The

request shall be forwarded through an appropriate FAA Maintenance

Inspector, who may add comments and then send it to the Manager,

Seattle ACO.

Note 2: Information concerning the existence of approved

alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be

obtained from the Seattle ACO.

(d) The replacement required by this AD shall be done in

accordance with the instructions to Aerostar Kit No. 045-001

(Service Kit No. SB600-128), Drawing No. 89414, Rev. N/C, dated

December 28, 1993. This incorporation by reference was approved by

the Director of the Federal Register in accordance with 5 U.S.C.

552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. Copies may be obtained from the Aerostar

Aircraft Corporation, Customer Service Department, South 3608

Davison Boulevard, Spokane, Washington 99204. Copies may be

inspected at the FAA, Central Region, Office of the Assistant Chief

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 (39-8984) supersedes AD 92-13-01, Amendment

39-8270.

(f) This amendment (39-8984) becomes effective on September 12,

1994.

Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on July 19, 1994.

Barry D. Clements,

Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.

[FR Doc. 94-17977 Filed 7-25-94; 8:45 am]

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