# Airworthiness Directives: Piper Aircraft Corporation PA28R, PA28RT, and PA44 Series Airplanes > Briefs, arguments, decisions, and more. URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/documents/fr%3A94-4126 ## Record - **Collection:** Federal Register - **Document type:** Uncategorized Document - **Published:** February 24, 1994 ## Text DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 14 CFR Part 39 [Docket No. 94-CE-01-AD] Airworthiness Directives: Piper Aircraft Corporation PA28R, PA28RT, and PA44 Series Airplanes AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT. ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM). ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: This document proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) that would apply to certain Piper Aircraft Corporation (Piper) PA28R, PA28RT, and PA44 series airplanes. The proposed action would require installing a certain nose landing gear modification kit. Several service difficulty reports of collapsed nosegear on the affected airplanes prompted this action. In particular, these reports reveal failure of the bolt (AN4-20) connecting the lower drag link of the nosegear to the upper drag link. The actions specified by the proposed AD are intended to prevent nose gear collapse because of AN4- 20 bolt failure, which could lead to airplane damage. DATES: Comments must be received on or before May 2, 1994. ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Central Region, Office of the Assistant Chief Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket No. 94-CE-01-AD, room 1558, 601 E. 12th Street, Kansas City, Missouri 64106. Comments may be inspected at this location between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, holidays excepted. Service information that applies to the proposed AD may be obtained from the Piper Aircraft Corporation, Customer Services, 2926 Piper Drive, Vero Beach, Florida 32960. This information also may be examined at the Rules Docket at the address above. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Christina Marsh, Aerospace Engineer, FAA, Atlanta Aircraft Certification Office, 1669 Phoenix Parkway, suite 210C, Atlanta, Georgia 30349; telephone (404) 991-2910; facsimile (404) 991-3606. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Comments Invited Interested persons are invited to participate in the making of the proposed rule by submitting such written data, views, or arguments as they may desire. Communications should identify the Rules Docket number and be submitted in triplicate to the address specified above. All communications received on or before the closing date for comments, specified above, will be considered before taking action on the proposed rule. The proposals contained in this notice may be changed in light of the comments received. Comments are specifically invited on the overall regulatory, economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the proposed rule. All comments submitted will be available, both before and after the closing date for comments, in the Rules Docket for examination by interested persons. A report that summarizes each FAA-public contact concerned with the substance of this proposal will be filed in the Rules Docket. Commenters wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments submitted in response to this notice must submit a self-addressed, stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments to Docket No. 94-CE-01-AD.'' The postcard will be date stamped and returned to the commenter. Availability of NPRMs Any person may obtain a copy of this NPRM by submitting a request to the FAA, Central Region, Office of the Assistant Chief Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket No. 94-CE-01-AD, room 1558, 601 E. 12th Street, Kansas City, Missouri 64106. Discussion The FAA has received several service difficulty reports of collapsed nosegear on certain Piper PA28R, PA28RT, and PA44 series airplanes. In particular, these reports reveal failure of the bolt (AN4-20) connecting the lower drag link of the nosegear to the upper drag link. For example, the nose landing gear of a Piper Model PA44-180 airplane collapsed during the landing roll. The accident occurred during a normal touchdown and was a result of AN4-20 bolt failure. Both the left and right propellers struck the ground and were damaged beyond repair. Piper Service Letter No. 988, dated July 29, 1986, references Nose Landing Gear Modification Kit, Piper part number (P/N) 764-377 (for PA28R and PA28RT series airplanes) and Piper P/N 764-378 (for PA44 series airplanes). The modification kits consist of a close tolerance bolt (NAS464P4-27), four bearings, and all other associated hardware for installation on the draglink assembly. This NAS464P4-27 bolt replaces the AN4-20 bolt used to connect the upper and lower draglinks. Instructions to these kits specify complete installation procedures for these parts, including a check of the nosegear downlock hook to ensure that it rotates freely. After examining the circumstances and reviewing all available information related to the accident and incidents described above, the FAA has determined that AD action should be taken to prevent nose gear collapse because of failure of the AN4-20 bolt, which could lead to airplane damage. Since an unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to exist or develop in other Piper PA28R, PA28RT, and PA44 series airplanes of the same type design, the proposed AD would require installing Nose Landing Gear Modification Kit, Piper part number (P/N) 764-377 (for PA28R and PA28RT series airplanes) or Piper P/N 764-378 (for PA44 series airplanes). The proposed action would be accomplished in accordance with the instructions included with the referenced kits. The FAA estimates that 6,888 airplanes in the U.S. registry would be affected by the proposed AD, that it would take approximately 6 workhours per airplane to accomplish the proposed action, and that the average labor rate is approximately $55 an hour. Parts cost approximately $52 per airplane. Based on these figures, the total cost impact of the proposed AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $2,631,216. This figure is based on the assumption that none of the affected airplane owners/operators have accomplished the proposed modification. The regulations proposed herein would 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 proposal would 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) if promulgated, 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 draft regulatory evaluation prepared for this action has been placed 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, Safety. The Proposed Amendment Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration proposes to amend 14 CFR part 39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations 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 adding the following new AD: Piper Aircraft Corporation: Docket No. 94-CE-01-AD. Applicability: The following model and serial number airplanes, certificated in any category: ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Model Serial Nos. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ PA28R-180....... 28R-30004 through 28R-7130013. PA28R-200....... 28R-35001 through 28R-7635545. PA28R-201....... 28R-7737001 through 28R-7837317. PA28R-201T...... 28R-7703001 through 28R-7803373. PA28RT-201...... 28R-7918001 through 28R-8218003. PA28RT-201T..... 28R-7931001 through 28R-8231009. PA44-180........ 44-7995001 through 44-8195026. PA44-180T....... 44-8107001 through 44-8207005. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Compliance: Required within the next 100 hours time-in-service after the effective date of this AD, unless already accomplished. To prevent nose gear collapse, which could lead to airplane damage, accomplish the following: (a) Incorporate Nose Landing Gear Modification Kit, Piper part number (P/N) 764-377 (for PA28R and PA28RT series airplanes) or Piper P/N 764-378 (for PA44 series airplanes). Accomplish this action in accordance with the procedures and sketches included with the instructions to the above referenced kits. Note 1: The modification kits referenced in paragraph (a) of this AD consist of a close tolerance bolt (NAS464P4-27), four bearings, and all other associated hardware for installation on the draglink assembly. This NAS464P4-27 bolt replaces the AN4-20 bolt used to connect the upper and lower draglinks. (b) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with 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), 1669 Phoenix Parkway, Suite 210C, Atlanta, Georgia 30349. The request shall be forwarded through an appropriate FAA Maintenance Inspector, who may add comments and then send it to the Manager, Atlanta ACO. Note 2: Information concerning the existence of approved alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be obtained from the Atlanta ACO. (d) All persons affected by this directive may obtain copies of the document referred to herein upon request to the Piper Aircraft Corporation, 2926 Piper Drive, Vero Beach, Florida 32960; or may examine this document at the FAA, Central Region, Office of the Assistant Chief Counsel, Room 1558, 601 E. 12th Street, Kansas City, Missouri 64106. Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on February 15, 1994. John R. Colomy, Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. 94-4126 Filed 2-23-94; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910-13-U --- Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/documents/fr%3A94-4126. Public record. Not legal advice.