AD 95-23-12

[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 227 (Monday, November 27, 1995)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 58217-58218]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-28847]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 95-CE-29-AD; Amendment 39-9432; AD 95-23-12]


Airworthiness Directives; The New Piper Aircraft, Inc. (Formerly 
Piper Aircraft Corporation) Model PA-46-350P Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) that 
applies to The New Piper Aircraft, Inc. (Piper) Model PA-46-350P 
airplanes. This action requires installing a placard (to the right of 
the manifold pressure gauge in full view of the pilot) that specifies 
manifold pressure limits, and incorporating a revision into the 
Limitations section of the Pilot's Operating Handbook (POH). The 
actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent fatigue damage to 
the propeller caused by operating above certain manifold pressure 
limits.

DATES: Effective January 8, 1996.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of January 8, 1996.

ADDRESSES: Service information that applies to this AD may be obtained 
from The New Piper Aircraft, Inc., Customer Services, 2926 Piper Drive, 
Vero Beach, Florida 32960. This information may also be examined at the 
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Central Region, Office of the 
Assistant Chief Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket 95-CE-29-AD, Room 
1558, 601 E. 12th Street, Kansas City, Missouri 64106; or at the Office 
of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, 
Washington, DC.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Christina Marsh, Aerospace Engineer, 
FAA, Atlanta Aircraft Certification Office, Campus Building, 1701 
Columbia Avenue, suite 2-160, College Park, Georgia 30337-2748; 
telephone (404) 305-7362; facsimile (404) 305-7348.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal 
Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) to include an AD that would apply 
to Piper Model PA-46-350P airplanes was published in the Federal 
Register on June 5, 1995 (60 FR 29511). The action proposed installing 
a placard (to the right of the manifold pressure gauge in full view of 
the pilot) that specifies manifold pressure limits. The proposed action 
would also require incorporating revised page 2-16 (dated March 29, 
1995) of Revision 14 (PR950329) to Report: VB-1332 into the Limitations 
Section of the PA-46-350P POH. Piper Service Bulletin (SB) No. 982, 
dated April 3, 1995, contains the placard, and instructions on 
installing the placard and incorporating the POH revision. The proposed 
AD will allow an owner/operator who holds a private pilot's certificate 
as authorized by sections 43.7 and 43.11 of the Federal Aviation 
Regulations (14 CFR 43.7 and 43.11) to perform these actions. -
    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. -
    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.
    The compliance time of this AD is presented in calendar time 
instead of hours time-in-service (TIS). Although the unsafe condition 
can develop as a result of airplane usage, it cannot develop unless the 
manifold pressure limits specified in the required action are exceeded. 
Therefore, to ensure that all owners/operators of the affected 
airplanes incorporate the manifold pressure limits in a reasonable 
amount of time, a compliance based on calendar time is utilized. -

[[Page 58218]]

    The FAA estimates that 189 airplanes in the U.S. registry will be 
affected by this AD and that it will take approximately 1 workhour per 
airplane to accomplish the required action. Since an owner/operator who 
holds a private pilot's certificate as authorized by sections 43.7 and 
43.11 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 43.7 and 43.11) can 
accomplish this action, the only impact this action would have upon the 
public is the time it takes each owner/operator to install the placard 
and incorporate the POH revision. Accomplishment of the required action 
would be in accordance with Piper SB No. 982, dated April 3, 1995, 
which contains the placard, and instructions on installing the placard 
and incorporating the POH revision. -
    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 U.S.C. 106(g), 40101, 40113, 44701.


Sec. 39.13  [Amended]

    2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding a new airworthiness directive 
(AD) to read as follows:

95-23-12. The New Piper Aircraft, Inc., (formerly Piper Aircraft 
Corporation): Amendment 39-9432; Docket No. 95-CE-29-AD.

    Applicability: Model PA-46-350P airplanes, serial numbers 
4622001 through 4622189, certificated in any category.

    -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 (e) 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 2 calendar months after the 
effective date of this AD, unless already accomplished. -
    To prevent fatigue damage to the propeller caused by operating 
above certain manifold pressure limits, accomplish the following: -
    (a) Install a placard (to the right of the manifold pressure 
gauge in full view of the pilot) that specifies the following 
manifold pressure limits:

----DO NOT EXCEED -----
36'' MP ----
BELOW 2400 RPM -----
32'' MP ----
BELOW 2300 RPM

    Accomplish this installation in accordance with Piper Service 
Bulletin (SB) No. 982, dated April 3, 1995. This placard is included 
with the referenced service bulletin. -
    (b) Incorporate revised page 2-16 (dated March 29, 1995) of 
Revision 14 (PR950329) to Report: VB-1332 into the Limitations 
Section of the PA-46-350P Pilot's Operating Handbook (POH). Piper SB 
No. 982, dated April 3, 1995, contains the instructions for 
incorporating this POH revision. -
    (c) Installing the placard and incorporating the POH revision as 
required by this AD may be performed by the owner/operator holding 
at least a private pilot certificate as authorized by section 43.7 
of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 43.7), and must be 
entered into the aircraft records showing compliance with this AD in 
accordance with section 43.11 of the Federal Aviation Regulations 
(14 CFR 43.11).
    (d) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with 
sections 21.197 and 21.199 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 
CFR 21.197 and 21.199) to operate the airplane to a location where 
the requirements of this AD can be accomplished. -
    (e) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the 
compliance time that provides an equivalent level of safety may be 
approved by the Manager, Atlanta Aircraft Certification Office 
(ACO), 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 ACO.

    -Note: 2: Information concerning the existence of approved 
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be 
obtained from the Atlanta ACO. -
    (f) The installation and incorporation required by this AD shall 
be done in accordance with Piper Service Bulletin (SB) No. 982, 
dated April 3, 1995. 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., Customer Services, 2926 Piper Drive, 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., 7th Floor, suite 700, 
Washington, DC.
    (g) This amendment (39-9432) becomes effective on January 8, 
1996.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri on November 8, 1995.
Henry A. Armstrong,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 95-28847 Filed 11-24-95; 8:45 am]
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