Airworthiness Directives; The New Piper Aircraft, Inc. (Formerly Piper Aircraft Corporation) Model PA31T2 Airplanes

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 95-CE-21-AD]

RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; The New Piper Aircraft, Inc. (Formerly

Piper Aircraft Corporation) Model PA31T2 Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM); Reopening of

the comment period.

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SUMMARY: This document proposes to revise an earlier proposed

airworthiness directive (AD), which would have required rerouting the

landing gear emergency extension air line on The New Piper Aircraft,

Inc. (Piper) Model PA31T2 airplanes that have Parker Hannifin Wheel and

Brake Conversion Kit 199-111 incorporated in accordance with

Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) SA599GL. Three incidents of the

brake cylinder contacting the landing gear emergency extension air line

on both wheel wells of the affected airplanes prompted the proposal.

Since issuance of the proposal, the Federal Aviation Administration

(FAA) has determined that additional serial numbers of Piper Model

PA31T2 airplanes should be included in the Applicability section of the

proposed AD, and that revised service information should be

incorporated. The actions specified by the proposed AD are intended to

prevent the brake cylinder from chafing against the landing gear

emergency extension air line when the gear is in the up and locked

position, which could result in damage to the air line and subsequent

loss of emergency gear extension capability. Since the comment period

for the original proposal has closed and the change described above

goes beyond the scope of what was originally proposed, the FAA is

allowing additional time for the public to comment.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before August 16, 1996.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation

Administration (FAA), Central Region, Office of the Assistant Chief

Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket No. 95-CE-21-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 Parker Hannifin Corporation, Aircraft Wheel & Brake, 1160

Center Road, P.O. Box 158, Avon, Ohio 44011; telephone (216) 937-6211;

facsimile (216) 937-5409. This information also may be examined at the

Rules Docket at the address above.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Nick Miller, Aerospace Engineer,

FAA, Chicago Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, 2300 East Devon

Avenue, Des Plaines, Illinois 60018; telephone (847) 294-7837;

facsimile (847) 294-7834.

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

[[Page 29993]]

supplemental 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 supplemental notice must submit a self-

addressed, stamped postcard on which the following statement is made:

``Comments to Docket No. 95-CE-21-AD.'' The postcard will be date

stamped and returned to the commenter.

Availability of Supplemental NPRM

Any person may obtain a copy of this supplemental NPRM by

submitting a request to the FAA, Central Region, Office of the

Assistant Chief Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket No. 95-CE-21-AD, Room

1558, 601 E. 12th Street, Kansas City, Missouri 64106.

Discussion

A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14

CFR part 39) to include an AD that would apply to certain Piper Model

PA31T2 airplanes that have Parker Hannifin Wheel and Brake Conversion

Kit 199-111 incorporated in accordance with STC SA599GL was published

in the Federal Register on April 17, 1995 (60 FR 19174). The action

proposed to require rerouting the landing gear emergency extension air

line. Accomplishment of the proposed action would be in accordance with

Parker Hannifin Service Bulletin SB7034, dated March 23, 1994 (since

revised to Revision B, dated December 19, 1995).

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.

Since issuance of the notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM), the FAA

has determined that the Applicability section of the proposed AD should

be revised to include additional serial numbers of Piper Model PA31T2

airplanes. In addition, Parker Hannifin Service Bulletin SB7034 has

been revised (Revision B, dated December 19, 1995) to reflect the Piper

Model PA31T2 airplane serial numbers change.

Evaluation of All Applicable Information

After examining the circumstances and reviewing all available

information related to the subject described above, including the

comments received, the FAA has determined that the NPRM should be

revised to include the above-referenced serial number change and

revised service bulletin, and that AD action should still be taken to

prevent brake cylinders from chafing against the landing gear emergency

extension air line when the gear is in the up and locked position. This

condition could result in damage to the air line and subsequent loss of

emergency gear extension capability.

Since this revision of the NPRM to add serial numbers for the Piper

Model PA31T2 airplanes proposes actions that go beyond the scope of

what was already proposed, the FAA is reopening the comment period to

allow the public additional time to comment on this proposed action.

Explanation of the Provisions of the Proposed AD

Since an unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to

exist or develop in other Piper Model PA31T2 airplanes of the same type

design that have a Parker Hannifin Wheel and Brake Conversion Kit 199-

111 incorporated in accordance with STC SA599GL, the proposed AD would

require rerouting the landing gear emergency extension air line.

Accomplishment of the proposed action would be in accordance with

Parker Hannifin Service Bulletin SB7034, Revision B, dated December 19,

1995.

Cost Impact

The FAA has determined that there are 62 Piper Model PA31T2

airplanes in the U.S. registry that could incorporate a Parker Hannifin

Wheel and Brake Conversion Kit 199-111 (in accordance with STC

SA599GL), that it would take approximately 4 workhours per airplane to

accomplish the proposed action, and that the average labor rate is

approximately $60 an hour. Parts cost approximately $20 per airplane.

Based on these figures, the total cost impact of the proposed AD on

U.S. operators could be as much as $16,120 if all affected airplanes

had the referenced conversion kit installed.

Parker Hannifin has informed the FAA that it has distributed 31

kits (shipped after March 28, 1994) to Piper Model PA31T2 airplane

owners/operators. Kits shipped after March 28, 1994, included the

replacement parts referenced in Parker Hannifin SB7034, Revision B.

Based on each of the 31 kits being incorporated on an affected

airplane, the cost impact of the proposed AD on U.S. owners and

operators would be reduced 50 percent from $16,120 to $8,060. The

reduction results from the difference between the 62 airplanes that are

type certificated to have a Parker Hannifin Wheel and Brake Conversion

Kit 199-111 incorporated (in accordance with STC SA599GL) and the 31

kits that have already been distributed.

Regulatory Impact

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

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.

[[Page 29994]]

Sec. 39.13 [Amended]

2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding a new airworthiness directive

(AD) to read as follows:

The New Piper Aircraft, Inc.: Docket No. 95-CE-21-AD.

Applicability: Model PA31T2 airplanes (serial numbers 31T-

8166001 through 31T-8166062), certificated in any category, that

have a Parker Hannifin Wheel and Brake Conversion Kit 199-111

incorporated in accordance with Supplemental Type Certificate (STC)

SA599GL.

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

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

To prevent the brake cylinder from chafing against the landing

gear emergency extension air line when the gear is in the up and

locked position, which could result in damage to the air line and

subsequent loss of emergency gear extension capability, accomplish

the following:

(a) Reroute the landing gear emergency extension air line in

accordance with the ACCOMPLISHMENT INSTRUCTIONS section of Parker

Hannifin Service Bulletin SB7034, Revision B, dated December 19,

1995.

(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, Chicago Aircraft Certification Office

(ACO), FAA, 2300 East Devon Avenue, Des Plaines, Illinois 60018. The

request shall be forwarded through an appropriate FAA Maintenance

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

Chicago ACO.

Note 2: Information concerning the existence of approved

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

obtained from the Chicago ACO.

(d) All persons affected by this directive may obtain copies of

the document referred to herein upon request to the Parker Hannifin

Corporation, Aircraft Wheel & Brake, 1160 Center Road, P.O. Box 158,

Avon, Ohio 44011; 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 June 4, 1996.

Henry A. Armstrong,

Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification

Service.

[FR Doc. 96-14954 Filed 6-12-96; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4910-13-P