AD 96-21-11

This amendment supersedes Airworthiness Directive (AD) 93-25-08, which currently requires replacing the main landing gear (MLG) actuator reinforcement bracket with a part of improved design on certain The New Piper Aircraft, Inc. (Piper) PA31, PA31P, and PA31T series airplanes. This AD action will require the same action as AD 93-25-08. An incorrect designation of Piper Model PA31-310 airplanes made in AD 93-25-08 prompted the proposed AD action. The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent the MLG from extending, when not selected and while the airplane is in flight, caused by actuator reinforcement bracket failure, which could result in substantial airplane damage or loss of control of the airplane.

Final rule

96-21-11 THE NEW PIPER AIRCRAFT, INC.: Amendment 39-9788. Docket No. 95-CE- 45-AD; Supersedes AD 93-25-08, Amendment 39-8774.

Applicability: The following Model and serial number airplanes, certificated in any category.

Model
Serial Number
PA31, PA31-300,
and PA31-325
31-2 through 31-8312019
PA31-350
31-5001 through 31-8553002
PA31P
31P-1 through 31P-7730012
PA31P-350
31P-8414001 through 31P-8414050
PA31T
31T-7400001 through 31T-8120104
PA31T1
31T-7804001 through 31T-8304003
and 31T-1104004 through 31T-1104017
PA31T2
31T-8166001 through 31T-8166076
and 31T-1166001 through 31T-1166008
PA31T3
31T-8275001 through 31T-8475001
and 31T-5575001

NOTE 1: This AD applies to each airplane identified in the preceding applicability revision, 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 the next 200 hours time-in-service (TIS) after February 11, 1994 (effective date of AD 93-25-08) or within the next 25 hours TIS after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs later, unless already accomplished.

To prevent the main landing gear (MLG) from extending, when not selected and while the airplane is in flight, because of actuator reinforcement bracket failure, which could result in substantial airplane damage or loss of control of the airplane, accomplish the following:

(a) Replace any MLG actuator reinforcement bracket having part number (P/N) 40776-00 with a new MLG actuator reinforcement bracket, P/N 73786-02, in accordance with the INSTRUCTIONS section of Piper Service Bulletin (SB) No. 923, dated August 16, 1989.

(b) Special flight permits may be issued in 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 the 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 beobtained from the Atlanta Aircraft Certification Office.

(d) Alternative methods of compliance approved in accordance with AD 93-25-08 (superseded by this action) are considered approved as alternative methods of compliance with this AD.

(e) The replacement required by this AD shall be done in accordance with Piper Service Bulletin No. 923, dated August 16, 1989. 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 93-25-08, Amendment 39-8774.

(g) This amendment becomes effective onDecember 16, 1996.

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 PA31, PA31P, and PA31T series airplanes was published in the Federal Register on May 3, 1996 (61 FR 19865). This action would supersede AD 93-25-08 with a new AD that would retain the same requirements as AD 93-25-08 and change the model designation in the Applicability section from Piper Model PA31-310 airplanes to Piper Model PA31 airplanes.

Related Service Information
Accomplishment of this action will be in accordance with Piper Service Bulletin (SB) No. 923, dated August 16, 1989.

Comments
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.

The FAA s Determination
After careful review of all available information related to the subjectpresented 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.

Cost Impact
The FAA estimates that 2,448 airplanes in the U.S. registry will be affected by this AD, that it will take 4 workhours per airplane to accomplish the inspection and that the average labor rate is approximately $60 an hour. Parts cost approximately $308 per airplane. Based on these figures, the total cost impact of this AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $1,341,504. This AD requires the same action as AD 93-25-08. The only difference between this AD and AD 93-25-08 is the change in model designation from PA31-310 to PA31. With this in mind, the proposed action would not provide any additional cost impact upon U.S. operators overthat already required by AD 93-25-08.

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 39 continues to read as follows:
Authority: 49 USC 106(g), 40113, 44701.

Section 39.13 - [AMENDED]
2. Section 39.13 is amended by removing AD 93-25-08, Amendment 39-8774, and by adding a new airworthiness directive (AD) to read as follows: