[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 33 (Friday, February 19, 2010)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 7407-7409]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-3288]
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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]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Piper Aircraft, Inc. Models PA-32R-301T
and PA-46-350P 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. Models PA-32R-301T and PA-46-350P
airplanes. This proposed AD would require you to replace any spot-
welded V-band exhaust coupling with a riveted V-band exhaust coupling.
This proposed AD results from reports that spot-welded V-band exhaust
couplings are failing. We are proposing 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: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by April 5, 2010.
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 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:
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-
2010-0122; Directorate Identifier 2009-CE-067-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
We have received reports that spot-welded V-band exhaust couplings
that are installed on certain Piper Aircraft, Inc. Models PA-32R-301T
and PA-46-350P airplanes are failing.
The V-band exhaust coupling attaches the exhaust pipe to the
engine's turbocharger. The spot welds on the coupling can fail and the
coupling may become detached from the turbocharger and expose the
firewall to hot exhaust gases.
Several failures of part number 40D21162-340M, a Lycoming spot-
welded coupling, on other airplane models have occurred, and some of
the failures resulted in an in-flight fire. These failures caused us to
issue the following ADs:
AD 2004-23-17, Amendment 39-13872 (69 FR 67809, November
22, 2004), applicable to Mooney Airplane Company, Inc. Model M20M
airplanes; and
AD 2000-11-04, Amendment 39-11752 (65 FR 34941, June 1,
2000), applicable to Commander Aircraft Company Model 114TC airplanes.
A newer and more robust design V-band exhaust coupling has been
developed by the Lycoming supplier that is assembled using rivets
instead of spot welds.
This condition, if not corrected, could result in 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.
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 replacing any spot-welded V-band exhaust coupling with a
riveted V-band exhaust coupling.
Costs of Compliance
We estimate that this proposed AD could affect up to 596 airplanes
in the U.S. registry provided they had the affected V-band exhaust
coupling installed.
We estimate the following costs to do the proposed replacement:
[[Page 7408]]
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Total cost on U.S.
operators based on
Total cost per all airplanes
Labor cost Parts cost airplane having the affected
V-band exhaust
coupling installed
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2 work-hours x $85 per hour = $170....................... $714 $884 $526,864
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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
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, 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-2010-0122; Directorate
Identifier 2009-CE-067-AD.
Comments Due Date
(a) We must receive comments on this airworthiness directive
(AD) action by April 5, 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:
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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 clamp
N) Lycoming 40D21162-340M maintenance event and discard.
or Eaton/Aeroquip 55677- after the effective Install the new
340M with an improved date of this AD or riveted clamp and
design Eaton/Aeroquip P/N within the next 25 tighten to an
NH1009399-10 or Lycoming P/ hours time-in- initial torque of
N 40D23255-340M. service (TIS) after 40 in. lbs. Tap the
the effective date V-band clamp around
of this AD, its circumference
whichever occurs with a rubber
first. mallet to equalize
band tension.
Retorque the clamp
to 60 in. lbs. and
again tap the clamp
around its
circumference.
Retorque the clamp
to a 60 in. lbs.
final torque and re-
safety wire the V-
band coupling.
(2) Do not install any Eaton/ As of the effective Not applicable.
Aeroquip P/N 55677-340M or date of this AD.
Lycoming P/N 40D21162-340M.
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[[Page 7409]]
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.
Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on February 9, 2010.
Steven W. Thompson,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 2010-3288 Filed 2-18-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P