Airworthiness Directives; The New Piper Aircraft, Inc. Models PA- 25, PA-25-235, PA-25-260, PA-28S-160, PA-28S-180, PA-32S-300, PA-28- 151, and PA-28-161 Airplanes

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 99-CE-69-AD; Amendment 39-11464; AD 99-26-05]

RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; The New Piper Aircraft, Inc. Models PA-

25, PA-25-235, PA-25-260, PA-28S-160, PA-28S-180, PA-32S-300, PA-28-

151, and PA-28-161 Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) that

applies to the following airplanes that incorporate certain Facet

(manufactured by the Purolator Products Company) induction air filters:

--All The New Piper Aircraft, Inc. (Piper) Models PA-25, PA-25-235, PA-

25-260, PA-28S-160, PA-28S-180, and PA-32S-300 airplanes; and--Piper

Models PA-28-151 and PA-28-161 airplanes that incorporate a certain

supplemental type certificate (STC).

This AD requires replacing these induction air filters. This AD results

from reports of cracking, splitting, crumbling, and deterioration

(referred to as damage hereon) of Facet/Purolator induction air filters

manufactured between a certain time period. The actions specified by

this AD are intended to prevent pieces of a damaged induction air

filter from being ingested into the engine, which could result in

reduced or loss of engine power.

DATES: Effective January 13, 2000.

Comments for inclusion in the Rules Docket must be received on or

before February 17, 2000.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation

Administration (FAA), Central Region, Office of the Regional Counsel,

Attention: Rules Docket No. 99-CE-69-AD, Room 1558, 901 Locust, Room

506, Kansas City, Missouri 64106.

Service information that applies to 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 FAA,

Central Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket

No. 99-CE-69-AD, 901 Locust, Room 506, Kansas City, Missouri 64106.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Juanita Craft, Aerospace Engineer,

FAA, Atlanta Aircraft Certification Office, One Crown Center, 1895

Phoenix Boulevard, Suite 450, Atlanta, Georgia 30349; telephone: (770)

703-6089; facsimile: (770) 703-6097; e-mail address:

``Juanita.C[email protected]''.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

AD 99-05-09, Amendment 39-111057 (64 FR 10211, March 3, 1999),

currently requires replacing certain Purolator/Facet induction air

filters, Purolator part number (P/N) 638873, Model No. CA161PL, Piper

P/N 460-632 (PS60007-2), that are installed on certain Piper PA-23, PA-

24, PA-28, PA-32, and PA-34 series airplanes. These induction air

filters were manufactured from January 1997 through September 1998; and

are identified with a .250 (1/4)-inch high (white) ink stamp ``FACET-

638873'', and may include ``FAA-PMA''.

Accomplishment of the actions required by AD 99-05-09 is required

in accordance with the applicable maintenance manual, as specified in

Piper Service Bulletin No. 1022, dated September 22, 1998, and

Purolator Service Bulletin No.: SB090298.01, dated September 16, 1998.

The AD was the result of reports of deterioration, cracking,

splitting, and crumbling (referred hereon as damage) of these

Purolator/Facet induction air filters. Purolator utilized an incorrect

curing time in the manufacturing process of the plastisol used in the

induction air filters from January 1997 through September 1998. This

incorrect curing time makes the induction air filters susceptible to

the damage described above.

The actions specified in AD 99-05-09 are intended to prevent pieces

of a damaged induction air filter from being ingested into the engine,

which could result in reduced or loss of engine power.

Actions Since AD 99-05-09 Became Effective and The FAA's

Determination

Since AD 99-05-09 became effective, the FAA has learned that the

following airplanes also incorporate these Facet induction air filters:

--All The New Piper Aircraft, Inc. (Piper) Models PA-25, PA-25-235, PA-

25-260, PA-28S-160, PA-28S-180, and PA-32S-300 airplanes; and

--Piper Models PA-28-151 and PA-28-161 airplanes that incorporate STC

SA2946SO.

Because of this, the FAA has determined that (1) the same actions

of AD 99-05-09 should apply to these Piper Models PA-25, PA-25-235, PA-

25-260, PA-28S-160, PA-28S-180, PA-32S-300, PA-28-151, and PA-28-161

airplanes; and (2) AD action should be taken to prevent pieces of a

damaged induction air filter from being ingested into the engine, which

could result in reduced or loss of engine power.

Explanation of the Provisions of the AD

Since an unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to

exist or develop in other airplanes of the same type design to those

referenced above, the FAA is issuing an AD. The AD requires replacing

any Purolator/Facet

[[Page 69630]]

induction air filter, Purolator P/N 638873, Model No. CA161PL, Piper P/

N 460-632 (PS60007-2), that:

--was manufactured anytime from January 1997 through September 1998;

and

--is identified with a .250 (1/4)-inch high (white) ink stamp ``FACET-

638873'', and may include ``FAA-PMA''.

Accomplishment of the replacement is required in accordance with

the applicable maintenance manual, as specified in Piper Service

Bulletin No. 1022, dated September 22, 1998, and Purolator Service

Bulletin No.: SB090298.01, dated September 16, 1998.

Determination of the Effective Date of the AD

Since a situation exists (possible reduced or loss of engine power)

that requires the immediate adoption of this regulation, it is found

that notice and opportunity for public prior comment hereon are

impracticable, and that good cause exists for making this amendment

effective in less than 30 days.

Comments Invited

Although this action is in the form of a final rule that involves

requirements affecting immediate flight safety and, thus, was not

preceded by notice and opportunity to comment, comments are invited on

this rule. Interested persons are invited to comment on this 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 will be considered,

and this rule may be amended in light of the comments received. Factual

information that supports the commenter's ideas and suggestions is

extremely helpful in evaluating the effectiveness of the AD action and

determining whether additional rulemaking action would be needed.

Comments are specifically invited on the overall regulatory,

economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the rule that might

suggest a need to modify the 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

AD will be filed in the Rules Docket.

Commenters wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments

submitted in response to this rule must submit a self-addressed,

stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments

to Docket No. 99-CE-69-AD.'' The postcard will be date stamped and

returned to the commenter.

Regulatory Impact

The regulations adopted herein will not have a substantial direct

effect 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, it

is determined that this final rule does not have federalism

implications under Executive Order 13132.

The FAA has determined that this regulation is an emergency

regulation that must be issued immediately to correct an unsafe

condition in aircraft, and is not a significant regulatory action under

Executive Order 12866. It has been determined further that this action

involves an emergency regulation under DOT Regulatory Policies and

Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979). If it is determined that

this emergency regulation otherwise would be significant under DOT

Regulatory Policies and Procedures, a final regulatory evaluation will

be prepared and placed in the Rules Docket (otherwise, an evaluation is

not required). A copy of it, if filed, may be obtained from the Rules

Docket.

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 adding a new airworthiness directive

(AD) to read as follows:

99-26-05 The New Piper Aircraft, Inc.: Amendment 39-11464; Docket

No. 99-CE-69-AD.

Applicability: The following airplane model and serial numbers,

certificated in any category, that are equipped with Purolator air

filter part number (P/N) 638873, Model CA161PL, or Piper P/N 460-632

(PS60007-2):

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

Models Serial numbers

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

PA-25................................ all serial number airplanes

PA-25-235............................ all serial number airplanes

PA-25-260............................ all serial number airplanes

PA-28S-160........................... all serial number airplanes

PA-28S-180........................... all serial number airplanes

PA-32S-300........................... all serial number airplanes

PA-28-151/161........................ all serial number airplanes that

have Supplemental Type

Certificate SA2946SO

incorporated

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

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 pieces of a damaged induction air filter from being

ingested into the engine, which could result in reduced or loss of

engine power, accomplish the following:

(a) Within the next 25 hours time-in-service (TIS) after the

effective date of this AD, replace, with an FAA-approved induction

air filter, any Purolator/Facet induction air filter, Purolator part

number (P/N) 638873, Model No. CA161PL, Piper P/N 460-632 (PS60007-

2), that incorporates the criteria presented in both paragraphs

(a)(1) and (a)(2) of this AD. Accomplish this replacement in

accordance with the applicable maintenance manual.

[[Page 69631]]

(1) Was manufactured anytime from January 1997 through September

1998; and

(2) Is identified with a .250 (1/4)-inch high (white) ink stamp

``FACET-638873'', and may include ``FAA-PMA''.

Note 2: This AD allows the aircraft owner or pilot to check the

maintenance records to determine whether any Purolator/Facet

induction air filter, Purolator P/N 638873, Model No. CA161PL, Piper

P/N 460-632 (PS60007-2), has been installed between January 1, 1997,

and January 13, 2000 (the effective date of this AD). See paragraph

(c) of this AD for authorization.

Note 3: Piper Service Bulletin No. 1022, dated September 22,

1998, and Purolator Service Bulletin No.: SB090298.01, dated

September 16, 1998, provide information relating to the subject of

this AD, including procedures on how to identify the affected

induction air filters.

(b) As of the effective date of this AD, no person shall

install, on any affected airplane, any Purolator/Facet induction air

filter, Purolator P/N 638873, Model No. CA161PL, Piper P/N 460-632

(PS60007-2), that incorporates the criteria presented in both

paragraphs (a)(1) and (a)(2) of this AD.

(c) The owner/operator holding at least a private pilot's

certificate as authorized by section 43.7 of the Federal Aviation

Regulations (14 CFR 43.7) may check the maintenance records to

determine whether any Purolator/Facet induction air filter,

Purolator P/N 638873, Model No. CA161PL, Piper P/N 460-632 (PS60007-

2), has been installed between January 1, 1997, and January 13, 2000

(the effective date of this AD). If one of these induction air

filters is not installed, the AD does not apply and the owner/

operator must make an entry into the aircraft records showing

compliance with this AD in accordance with Sec. 43.9 of the Federal

Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 43.9).

(d) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with

Secs. 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 times 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,

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 4: Information concerning the existence of approved

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

obtained from the Atlanta ACO.

(f) The service information that relates to the subject

presented in this AD may be obtained from The New Piper Aircraft,

Inc., 2926 Piper Drive, Vero Beach, Florida 32960. This information

may be inspected at the FAA, Central Region, Office of the Regional

Counsel, 901 Locust, Room 506, Kansas City, Missouri.

(g) This amendment becomes effective on January 13, 2000.

Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on December 8, 1999.

Marvin R. Nuss,

Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification

Service.

[FR Doc. 99-32369 Filed 12-13-99; 8:45 am]

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