[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 120 (Wednesday, June 23, 2010)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 35619-35622]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-14991]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2010-0122; Directorate Identifier 2009-CE-067-AD;
Amendment 39-16338; AD 2010-13-07]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Piper Aircraft, Inc. Models PA-32R-301T
and PA-46-350P Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain
Piper Aircraft, Inc. Models PA-32R-301T and PA-46-350P airplanes. This
AD requires you to replace any spot-welded, V-band exhaust coupling
with a riveted, V-band exhaust coupling. This AD results from reports
that spot-welded, V-band exhaust couplings are failing. We are issuing
this AD to prevent failure of the V-band exhaust coupling, which could
cause the exhaust pipe to detach from the turbocharger. This failure
could result in release of high-temperature gases inside the engine
compartment and possibly cause an in-flight fire. An in-flight fire
could lead to loss of control.
DATES: This AD becomes effective on July 28, 2010.
[[Page 35620]]
On July 28, 2010, the Director of the Federal Register approved the
incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in this AD.
ADDRESSES: To get the service information identified in this AD,
contact Lycoming, 652 Oliver Street, Williamsport, PA 17701; telephone:
(570) 323-6181; fax: (570) 327-7101; Internet: http://www.lycoming.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. The docket number is FAA-2010-0122;
Directorate Identifier; 2009-CE-067-AD.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Darby Mirocha, Aerospace Engineer,
FAA, Atlanta Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), 1701 Columbia Avenue,
College Park, Georgia 30337; telephone: (404) 474-5573; fax: (404) 474-
5606; e-mail: [email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Discussion
On February 9, 2010, we issued a proposal to amend part 39 of the
Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) to include an AD that
would apply to Piper Aircraft, Inc. Models PA-32R-301T and PA-46-350P
airplanes. This proposal was published in the Federal Register as a
notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) on February 19, 2010 (75 FR 7407).
The NPRM proposed to require replacing any spot-welded, V-band exhaust
coupling with a riveted, V-band exhaust coupling.
Comments
We provided the public the opportunity to participate in developing
this AD. We received one comment in support of the AD. The following
presents the additional comments received on the proposal and FAA's
response to each comment:
Comment Issue No. 1: Incorporate Additional Lycoming Service
Instructions
Gerald Stroum and Gerald Blank suggest that Lycoming Service
Instructions 1448 and 1238B be incorporated into the AD because they
contain helpful instructions and procedures for the proper installation
of exhaust components.
Mr. Stroum also suggests that adding a requirement to free all slip
joints when replacing the clamp will assist in enabling the exhaust
system to be installed and aligned correctly.
The commenters state that these types of clamps (spot welded) have
been used with a long history of success in the automotive diesel
industry, and the issue is more readily solved by proper installation
than by a change in clamp design. Their experience shows proper
installation, torque techniques, and pre-torque alignments of
components go a long way in preventing clamp failures down the road.
We agree with the commenters that proper installation and
maintenance, which includes freeing the slip joint to ensure proper
operation, plays a key role in the longevity and proper function of the
exhaust system.
The data in Lycoming Service Instruction 1448 contains references
to part numbers that are not the subject of this AD; therefore, we have
determined including reference to that service instruction would
provide confusing and contradictory information. However, we agree
Lycoming Service Instruction 1238B provides beneficial information
about the proper assembly and torque procedures of V-band clamps.
We will change the final rule AD action to incorporate by reference
Lycoming Service Instruction 1238B. We will not change the final rule
AD action to incorporate reference to Lycoming Service Instruction
1448.
Comment Issue No. 2: Correct the Cost of Compliance
Gerald Blank, Ed Novak, and Shoreline Aviation, Inc. state that the
Cost of Compliance section in the proposed AD incorrectly reflects the
number of V-band clamps installed on the airplanes affected by this AD.
All three commenters suggest changing the Cost of Compliance
section to accurately reflect the number of V-band clamps installed on
each affected model airplane.
We agree with the commenters. After further research, we determined
that Model PA-32R-301T (Saratoga II TC) has two of the affected V-Band
clamps installed, and Model PA-46-350P (Mirage) has one. We will change
the final rule AD action to incorporate this change.
Comment Issue No. 3: The AD Should Be Written Against the V-Band Clamp
Instead of the Airplanes
Ed Novak and Shoreline Aviation, Inc. both suggest that since
identical clamps have failed on other airplane models that prompted two
previous ADs (AD 2000-11-04 for Commander Aircraft Company (Commander)
Model 114TC airplanes and AD 2004-23-17 for Mooney Airplane Company,
Inc., (Mooney) Model M20M airplanes), this AD should be written against
the Lycoming engine/clamp combination restricting its use on any
exhaust system.
Shoreline Aviation, Inc. states the incident that prompted this AD
would not have happened if the previous ADs had been written against
the clamp and not the airplanes.
Based on the specific reports the FAA has received to date
regarding Piper Aircraft, Inc. Models PA-32R-301T and PA-46-350P
airplanes and with the subsequent issuance of Piper Service Bulletin
1180A, the FAA initiated this AD action against certain Piper airplanes
only.
We will continue to collect and analyze all available data to
determine whether the condition exists in any other airplane
configurations. We may take additional rulemaking action in the future
to address either additional airplane configurations or the engine
design depending on the FAA's determination of all existing and future
information received.
Conclusion
We have carefully reviewed the available data and determined that
air safety and the public interest require adopting the AD as proposed
except for incorporating reference to Lycoming Service Instruction
1238B and updating the Cost of Compliance section to accurately reflect
how many V-band clamps each model of the airplanes affected by this AD
has installed, and minor editorial corrections. We have determined that
these minor corrections:
Are consistent with the intent that was proposed in the
NPRM for correcting the unsafe condition; and
Do not add any additional burden upon the public than was
already proposed in the NPRM.
Costs of Compliance
We estimate that this AD affects 596 airplanes in the U.S. registry
provided they have the affected V-band exhaust coupling installed.
We estimate the following costs to do the replacement for Model PA-
46-350P airplanes. These airplanes have one V-band clamp installed:
[[Page 35621]]
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Total cost per
model PA-46-
Labor cost Parts cost 350P airplane
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2 work-hours x $85 per hour = $170...... $714 $884
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We estimate the following costs to do the replacement for Model
PA-32R-301T airplanes. These airplanes have two V-band clamps
installed:
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Total cost per
model PA-32R-
Labor cost Parts cost 301T airplane
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2 work-hours per V-band clamp. 2 clamps per airplane: 4 $714 per V-band clamp. $714 x 2 = $1,768
work-hours x $85 per hour = $340. $1,428..
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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 AD.
Regulatory Findings
We have determined that this AD will not have federalism
implications under Executive Order 13132. This AD 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.
For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this AD:
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 summary of the costs to comply with this AD (and
other information as included in the Regulatory Evaluation) and placed
it in the AD Docket. You may get a copy of this summary by sending a
request to us at the address listed under ADDRESSES. Include ``Docket
No. FAA-2010-0122; Directorate Identifier 2009-CE-067-AD'' in your
request.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by
reference, Safety.
Adoption of the Amendment
0
Accordingly, under 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
0
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]
0
2. FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by adding a new AD to read as follows:
2010-13-07 Piper Aircraft, Inc.: Amendment 39-16338; Docket No. FAA-
2010-0122; Directorate Identifier 2009-CE-067-AD.
Effective Date
(a) This AD becomes effective on July 28, 2010.
Affected ADs
(b) None.
Applicability
(c) This AD applies to the following airplane models and serial
numbers that are certificated in any category:
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Model Serial numbers
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PA-32R-301T...................... 3257001 through 3257311.
PA-46-350P....................... 4622001 through 4622200 and 4636001
through 4636341.
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Subject
(d) Air Transport Association of America (ATA) Code 78: Engine
Exhaust.
Unsafe Condition
This AD is the result of reports that spot-welded, V-band
exhaust couplings are failing. We are issuing this AD to prevent
failure of the V-band exhaust coupling, which could cause the
exhaust pipe to detach from the turbocharger. This failure could
result in release of high-temperature gases inside the engine
compartment and possibly cause an in-flight fire. An in-flight fire
could lead to loss of control.
Compliance
(e) To address this problem, you must do the following, unless
already done:
[[Page 35622]]
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Actions Compliance Procedures
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(1) Replace V-band exhaust At the next Remove the spot
couplings, part number (P/ regularly scheduled welded V-band
N) Lycoming 40D21162-340M maintenance event clamp(s) and
or Eaton/Aeroquip 55677- after July 28, 2010 discard. Then, do
340M with an improved (the effective date either of the
design Eaton/Aeroquip P/N of this AD) or following actions:
NH1009399-10 or Lycoming P/ within the next 25 (i) Install the new
N 40D23255-340M. hours time-in- riveted clamp(s)
service (TIS) after and tighten to an
July 28, 2010 (the initial torque of
effective date of 40 in. lbs. Tap the
this AD), whichever V-band clamp(s)
occurs first. around its
circumference with
a rubber mallet to
equalize band
tension. Retorque
the clamp(s) to 60
in. lbs. and again
tap the clamp(s)
around its
circumference.
Retorque the
clamp(s) to a 60
in. lbs. final
torque and re-
safety wire the V-
band coupling(s);
or
(ii) Install the new
riveted clamp(s)
follow Lycoming
Service Instruction
No. 1238B, dated
January 6, 2010,
and re-safety wire
the V-band
coupling(s).
(2) Do not install any Eaton/ As of July 28, 2010 Not applicable.
Aeroquip P/N 55677-340M or (the effective date
Lycoming P/N 40D21162-340M. of this AD).
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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: Darby Mirocha, Aerospace Engineer, FAA, Atlanta ACO, 1701
Columbia Avenue, College Park, Georgia 30337; telephone: (404) 474-
5573; fax: (404) 474-5606. 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.
Material Incorporated by Reference
(g) You must use Lycoming Service Instruction No. 1238B, dated
January 6, 2010, or the procedures specified in paragraph (e)(1) of
this AD to do the actions required by this AD, unless the AD
specifies otherwise.
(1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the
incorporation by reference of this service information under 5
U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
(2) For service information identified in this AD, contact
Lycoming, 652 Oliver Street, Williamsport, PA 17701; telephone:
(570) 323-6181; fax: (570) 327-7101; Internet: http://www.lycoming.com.
(3) You may review copies of the service information
incorporated by reference for this AD at the FAA, Central Region,
Office of the Regional Counsel, 901 Locust, Kansas City, Missouri
64106. For information on the availability of this material at the
Central Region, call (816) 329-3768.
(4) You may also review copies of the service information
incorporated by reference for this AD at the National Archives and
Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability
of this material at NARA, call (202) 741-6030, or go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html.
Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on June 14, 2010.
Sandra J. Campbell,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 2010-14991 Filed 6-22-10; 8:45 am]
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