AD 96-24-13

This document supersedes AD 75-26-18, which currently requires modifying the landing gear selector cable forward attachment pin assembly by installing a safety lock wire on certain The New Piper Aircraft Inc., (Piper) PA-31, PA-31P, and PA-31T series airplanes. The action will require the same action as AD 75-26-18. An incorrect designation of Piper Model PA-31 airplanes as Piper Model PA-31-310 airplanes in AD 75-26-18 prompted the proposed AD action. The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent the landing gear selector cable forward attachment pin assembly from becoming separated from the powerpack control arm, which, if not corrected, could cause loss of landing gear retraction or extension.

Final rule

96-24-13 THE NEW PIPER AIRCRAFT, INC.: Amendment No. 39-9837; Docket No. 95- CE-55-AD. Supersedes AD 75-26-18, Amendment 39-2504.

Applicability: PA-31, PA-31P, and PA-31T series airplanes with the following Model and serial numbers, certificated in any category.

Models
Serial Numbers
PA-31 and PA-31-325
31-7300950 through 31-7612017
PA-31-350
31-7305048, 31-7305049, and 31-7305052 through 31-7652032
PA-31P
31P-7300128 through 31P-7630005
PA-31T
31T-7400002 through 31T-7620013

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 50 hours time-in-service (TIS) after February 9, 1976 (effective date of AD 75-26-18) or within the next 25 hours TIS after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs later, unless already accomplished.

To prevent the landing gear selector cable forward attachment pin assembly from becoming separated from the powerpack control arm, which if not corrected, could cause loss of landing gear retraction or extension, accomplish the following:

(a) Modify the landing gear selector cable forward attachment pin assembly by installing a safety lock wire in accordance with the Instructions section of Piper Service Bulletin No. 488, dated October 24, 1975.

(b) Special flight permits may be issuedin accordance with 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 compliance time that provides an equivalent level of safety may be approved by the Manager, FAA, Atlanta Aircraft Certification Office, Campus Building, 1701 Columbia Avenue, suite 2-160, College Park, Georgia 30337-2748. The request shall be forwarded through an appropriate FAA Maintenance Inspector, who may add comments and then send it to the Manager, Atlanta Aircraft Certification Office.

NOTE 2: Information concerning the existence of approved alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be obtained from the Atlanta Aircraft Certification Office.

(d) Alternative methods of compliance approved in accordance with AD 75-26-18 (superseded by this action) are considered approved as alternative methods of compliance with this AD.

(e) The modification requiredby this AD shall be done in accordance with Piper Service Bulletin No. 488, dated October 24, 1975. This incorporation by reference was approved by the Director of the Federal Register in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. Copies may be obtained from The New Piper Aircraft, Inc., Attn: Customer Service, 2926 Piper Dr., Vero Beach, Florida, 32960. Copies may be inspected at the FAA, Central Region, Office of the Assistant Chief Counsel, Room 1558, 601 E. 12th Street, Kansas City, Missouri, or at the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.

(f) This amendment supersedes AD 75-26-18, Amendment 39-2504.

(g) This amendment becomes effective on January 17, 1997.

Events Leading to This Action
A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) to include an AD that would apply to Piper PA-31, PA-31P, and PA-31T series airplanes was published in the Federal Register on April 29, 1996 (61 FR 18697). This action would supersede AD 75-26-18 with a new AD that would retain the same requirements as AD 75-26-18 and change the model designation in the Applicability section from Piper Model PA-31-310 airplanes to Piper Model PA-31 airplanes. With this in mind, the proposed action would not provide any additional cost impact upon U.S. operators over that already required by AD 75-26-18.

Related Service Information
Accomplishment of this action will be in accordance with Piper Service Bulletin (SB) No. 488, dated October 24, 1975.

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.

FAA s Determination
After careful review of all available information related to the subject presented above, the FAA has determined that air safety and the public interest require the adoption of the rule as proposed except for minor editorial corrections. The FAA has determined that these minor corrections will not change the meaning of the AD and will not add any additional burden upon the public than was already proposed.

Regulatory Impact
The regulations adopted herein will 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 final rule does 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) 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 final evaluation prepared for this action is contained 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, Incorporation by reference, 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 39continues to read as follows:
Authority: 49 USC 106(g), 40113, 44701.

Section 39.13 - [AMENDED]
2. Section 39.13 is amended by removing Airworthiness Directive (AD) 75-26-18 Amendment 39-2504, and by adding a new AD to read as follows: