FR Doc E8-24136

[Federal Register: October 10, 2008 (Volume 73, Number 198)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 60201-60203]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr10oc08-21]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2008-1085; Directorate Identifier 2008-CE-057-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; Piper Aircraft, Inc. Models PA-46-350P,
PA-46R-350T, and PA-46-500TP Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of
Transportation (DOT).

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for
certain Piper Aircraft, Inc. (Piper) Models PA-46-350P, PA-46R-350T,
and PA-46-500TP airplanes. This proposed AD would require you to
install a stall warning heat control modification kit. This proposed AD
results from ice forming on the stall vane heater during flights into
icing conditions with the landing gear down. We are proposing this AD
to prevent ice from forming on the stall vane, which may result in
failure of the stall warning system. This failure could result in the
pilot being unaware of an approaching stall situation.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by December 9,
2008.

ADDRESSES: Use one of the following addresses to comment on this
proposed AD:
Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://
www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
Fax: (202) 493-2251.
Mail: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New
Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590.
Hand Delivery: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New
Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.,
Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
For service information identified in this proposed AD, contact
Piper Aircraft, Inc., 2926 Piper Drive, Vero Beach, Florida 32960;
telephone: (772) 567-4361; fax: (772) 978-6573; Web site: http://
www.newpiper.com/.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: John Lee, Aerospace Engineer, Federal
Aviation Administration, Aircraft Certification Office, One Crown
Center, 1895 Phoenix Blvd., Suite 450, Atlanta, Georgia 30349;
telephone: (770) 994-6736; fax: (770) 703-6097.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or
arguments regarding this proposed AD. Send your comments to an address
listed under the ADDRESSES section. Include the docket number, ``FAA-
2008-1085; Directorate Identifier 2008-CE-057-AD'' at the beginning of
your comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall
regulatory, economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the proposed
AD. We will consider all comments received by the closing date and may
amend the proposed AD in light of those comments.
We will post all comments we receive, without change, to http://
www.regulations.gov, including any personal information you provide. We
will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact we
receive concerning this proposed AD.

Discussion

Recently, it was discovered on a Piper Model PA-46-500TP airplane
that the stall warning did not activate when expected. Upon landing,
the stall vane was found iced over, which temporarily disabled the lift
detector.
The design of the Model PA-46-500TP airplane includes a landing
gear up-lock switch. When this switch is not

[[Page 60202]]

engaged, the electrical flow to the stall vane de-icing element is
reduced. After reviewing the maintenance manual, it was determined that
the system was functioning as designed.
Piper changed the stall warning heat wiring schematic in Models PA-
46-350P, PA-46R-350T, and PA-46-500TP airplanes. All of the previous
Piper PA-46 series airplanes have a two-stage stall vane heater. They
are wired with a squat switch such that when stall warning heat is in
the on position, the heater sets to low when there is weight on wheels
(when the aircraft is on the ground) and switches to high when there is
no weight on the wheels (during all phases of flight).
Instead of using the squat switch to change the heat setting from
low to high, Piper Models PA-46-350P, PA-46R-350T, and PA-46-500TP
airplanes use the landing gear up-lock switch. When using this switch
and the stall warning heat is in the on position, the heater sets to
low when the landing gear doors are open and switches to high when the
landing gear doors are closed.
This condition, if not corrected, could result in failure of the
stall warning system. This failure could result in the pilot being
unaware of an approaching stall situation.

Relevant Service Information

We have reviewed Piper Mandatory Service Bulletin No. 1192, dated
September 15, 2008.
The service information specifies installing Stall Warning Heat
Control Modification Kit, Piper part number 88452-002.

FAA's Determination and Requirements of the Proposed AD

We are proposing this AD because we evaluated all information and
determined the unsafe condition described previously is likely to exist
or develop on other products of the same type design. This proposed AD
would require you to install a stall warning heat control modification
kit.

Costs of Compliance

We estimate that this proposed AD would affect 803 airplanes in the
U.S. registry.
We estimate the following costs to do the proposed modification:

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Total cost per Total cost on
Labor cost Parts cost airplane U.S. operators
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1.5 work-hours x $80 per hour = $120......................... $95 $215 $172,645
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Warranty credit may be given to the extent noted in the service
bulletin.

Authority for This Rulemaking

Title 49 of the United States Code specifies the FAA's authority to
issue rules on aviation safety. Subtitle I, Section 106, describes the
authority of the FAA Administrator. Subtitle VII, Aviation Programs,
describes in more detail the scope of the Agency's authority.
We are issuing this rulemaking under the authority described in
Subtitle VII, Part A, Subpart III, Section 44701, ``General
requirements.'' Under that section, Congress charges the FAA with
promoting safe flight of civil aircraft in air commerce by prescribing
regulations for practices, methods, and procedures the Administrator
finds necessary for safety in air commerce. This regulation is within
the scope of that authority because it addresses an unsafe condition
that is likely to exist or develop on products identified in this
rulemaking action.

Regulatory Findings

We have determined that this proposed AD would not have federalism
implications under Executive Order 13132. This proposed AD would 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.
For the reasons discussed above, I certify that the proposed
regulation:
1. Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive Order
12866;
2. Is not a ``significant rule'' under the 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.
We prepared a regulatory evaluation of the estimated costs to
comply with this proposed AD and placed it in the AD docket.

Examining the AD Docket

You may examine the AD docket that contains the proposed AD, the
regulatory evaluation, any comments received, and other information on
the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov; or in person at the Docket
Management Facility between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday,
except Federal holidays. The Docket Office (telephone (800) 647-5527)
is located at the street address stated in the ADDRESSES section.
Comments will be available in the AD docket shortly after receipt.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

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

The Proposed Amendment

Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the
Administrator, the FAA proposes to amend 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. The FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by adding the following new AD:

Piper Aircraft, Inc.: Docket No. FAA-2008-1085; Directorate
Identifier 2008-CE-057-AD.

Comments Due Date

(a) We must receive comments on this airworthiness directive
(AD) action by December 9, 2008.

Affected ADs

(b) None.

Applicability

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Model Serial Nos.
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PA-46-350P........................... 4622001 through 4622200 and
4636001 through 4636445.
PA-46R-350T.......................... 4692001 through 4692054.
PA-46-500TP.......................... 4697001 through 4697365.
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Unsafe Condition

(d) This AD results from ice forming on the stall vane heater
during flights into icing conditions with the landing gear down. We
are issuing this AD to prevent ice from forming on the stall vane,
which may result in failure of the stall warning system. This
failure could result in the pilot being unaware of an approaching
stall situation.

[[Page 60203]]

Compliance

(e) To address this problem, you must do the following, unless
already done:

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Actions Compliance Procedures
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Install Stall Warning Heat Control Within the next 100 hours time-in- As specified in Piper Mandatory
Modification Kit, Piper part number service after the effective date of Service Bulletin No. 1192, dated
88452-002. this AD. September 15, 2008, following
Drawing No. 88452 dated June 19,
2008.
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Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

(f) The Manager, Atlanta Aircraft Certification Office (ACO),
FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested
using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. Send information to
ATTN: John Lee, Aerospace Engineer, Federal Aviation Administration,
Atlanta ACO, One Crown Center, 1895 Phoenix Blvd., Suite 450,
Atlanta, Georgia 30349; telephone: (770) 994-6736; fax: (770) 703-
6097. Before using any approved AMOC on any airplane to which the
AMOC applies, notify your appropriate principal inspector (PI) in
the FAA Flight Standards District Office (FSDO), or lacking a PI,
your local FSDO.

Related Information

(g) To get copies of the service information referenced in this
AD, contact Piper Aircraft, Inc., 2926 Piper Drive, Vero Beach,
Florida 32960; telephone: (772) 567-4361; fax: (772) 978-6573; Web
site: http://www.newpiper.com/. To view the AD docket, go to U.S.
Department of Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30, West Building
Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington,
DC 20590, or on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov.

Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on October 3, 2008.
Kim Smith,
Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. E8-24136 Filed 10-9-08; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4910-13-P