[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 110 (Thursday, June 10, 2021)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 30756-30759]
[FR Doc No: 2021-12043]

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2020-0881; Project Identifier 2018-CE-024-AD; Amendment
39-21578; AD 2021-11-16]
RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; Piper Aircraft, Inc. Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The FAA is superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 79-01-03,
which applied to certain Piper Aircraft, Inc. (Piper) Model PA-36-285
airplanes, and AD 83-20-03, which applied to Piper Models PA-36-285,
PA-36-300, and PA-36-375 airplanes. AD 79-01-03 required repetitive
inspections of the spar carry through assembly until replaced with a
different part numbered spar carry through assembly. AD 83-20-03
established life limits for the wing spar structural components. This
AD retains the requirements in AD 79-01-03 and AD 83-20-03 and requires
the spar carry through assembly inspection from AD 79-01-03 for
additional airplanes and adds life limits for certain wing structural
components previously omitted from AD 83-20-03 for certain serial
numbered airplanes. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe
condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective July 15, 2021.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of certain publications listed in this AD as of July 15,
2021.

ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this final rule,
contact Piper Aircraft, Inc., 2926 Piper Drive, Vero Beach, FL 32960;
phone:<PHONE_NUMBER>; website: https://www.piper.com. You may view
this service information at the FAA, Airworthiness Products Section,
Operational Safety Branch, 901 Locust, Kansas City, MO 64106. For
information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call (816)
329-4148. It is also available at https://www.regulations.gov by
searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2020-0881.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket at https://www.regulations.gov by
searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2020-0881; or in person at
Docket Operations between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday,
except Federal holidays. The AD docket contains this final rule, any
comments received, and other information. The address for Docket
Operations is U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket Operations, M-
30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue
SE, Washington, DC 20590.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dan McCully, Aviation Safety Engineer,
FAA, Atlanta ACO Branch, 1701 Columbia Avenue, College Park, GA 30337;
phone:<PHONE_NUMBER>; fax:<PHONE_NUMBER>; email:
<EMAIL_ADDRESS>
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    The FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14
CFR part 39 to supersede AD 79-01-03, Amendment 39-3383 (44 FR 36,
January 2, 1979), Docket No. 78-EA-69 (AD 79-01-03) and AD 83-20-03,
Amendment 39-4739 (48 FR 45535, October 6, 1983), Docket No. 83-CE-23-
AD (AD 83-20-03). AD 79-01-03 applied to certain Piper Model PA-36-285
airplanes and required repetitive inspections of spar carry through
assembly part number (P/N) 97370-00, with repair as necessary, until
the spar carry through assembly is replaced with P/N 76824-02. AD 83-
20-03 applied to Piper Models PA-36-285, PA-36-300, and PA-36-375
airplanes and established life limits for certain wing structural
components.
    The NPRM published in the Federal Register on March 23, 2021 (86 FR
15439). The NPRM was prompted by inconsistencies between the two ADs
and the airplanes' type certificate. The FAA determined that the life
limits for the spar carry through assembly, P/N 97370-00 or 76824-02,
were inadvertently omitted from AD 83-20-03 for certain airplanes. In
the NPRM, the FAA proposed to add the life limit for the spar carry
through assembly for Models PA-36-285 and PA-36-300 airplanes, serial
numbers 36-7660123 through 36-8160023; and Model PA-36-375 airplanes,
serial numbers 36-7802001 through 36-8302025. The FAA also determined
the repetitive inspections of the spar carry through assembly required
by AD 79-01-03 should apply to both Model PA-36-285 and Model PA-36-300
airplanes until the life limit replacement of the spar carry through
assembly with P/N 76824-02. In the NPRM, the FAA also proposed to
require adding the repetitive inspections for the Model PA-36-300
airplanes. After the initial life limit replacement of the wing spar
carry through assembly, P/N 97370-00 with P/N 76824-02, the repetitive
inspections will no longer be required.
    The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these
products.

Discussion of Final Airworthiness Directive

Comments

    The FAA received no comments on the NPRM or on the determination of
the costs.

Conclusion

    The FAA reviewed the relevant data and determined that air safety
requires adoption of the AD as proposed. Accordingly, the FAA is
issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products. This
AD is adopted as proposed in the NPRM.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    The FAA reviewed Piper Service Bulletin No. 552A, dated August 3,
2018 (Piper SB No. 552A); Piper Aircraft PA-36, Pawnee Brave Kit 764-
394, Right Wing Main Spar Caps Replacement, dated June 9, 2012 (Piper
Kit 764-394); and Piper Aircraft PA-36, Pawnee Brave

Kit 764-393, Left Wing Main Spar Caps Replacement, dated June 9, 2012
(Piper Kit 764-393). Piper SB No. 552A applies to Models PA-36-285 and
PA-36-300 airplanes and contains procedures for repetitively inspecting
wing spar carry through assembly P/N 97370-00. Piper Kit 764-394
identifies the applicable parts and specifies procedures for replacing
the right wing main spar caps, which includes the attachment bolts and
wing carry through spar fittings and assembly. Piper Kit 764-393
identifies the applicable parts and specifies procedures for replacing
the left wing main spar caps, which includes the attachment bolts and
wing carry through spar fittings and assembly. This service information
is reasonably available because the interested parties have access to
it through their normal course of business or by the means identified
in ADDRESSES.

Other Related Service Information

    The FAA also reviewed Piper Aircraft Corporation Service Bulletin
No. 552, dated February 3, 1978 (Piper SB No. 552). Piper SB No. 552
contains the same procedures as Piper SB No. 552A, but Piper SB No. 552
only applies to Model PA-36-285 airplanes.

Costs of Compliance

    The FAA estimates that this AD will affect 123 airplanes of U.S.
registry.
    The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this AD:

                                                 Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                Cost per      Cost on U.S.
            Action                Labor cost                Parts cost                product        operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Inspection of P/N 97370-00     8 work-hours x    Not applicable.................            $680         $83,640
 wing spar carry through        $85 per hour =
 assembly.                      $680.
Replacement of the wing        10 work-hours x   $1,310 (both bolts)............           2,160         265,680
 attachment upper bolt and      $85 per hour =
 lower bolt.                    $850.
Replacement of wing carry      30 work-hours x   $23,467........................          26,017       3,200,091
 through spar assembly *.       $85 per hour =
                                $2,550.
Replacement of Piper Kit 764-  20 work-hours x   $26,867 (both kits)............          28,567       3,513,741
 393 (Left) and Piper Kit 764-  $85 per hour =
 394 (Right) **.                $1,700.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* The wing carry through spar fitting, P/N 97713-03, is included in the wing carry through spar assembly, P/N
  76824-02.
** The replacement for the wing spar fitting P/N 97712-00 and the replacement for spar assembly P/Ns 97701-00
  and 97701-01 are included in Piper Kit 764-393 and Piper Kit 764-394.

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.
    The FAA is 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

    The FAA has 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) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska to the extent
that it justifies making a regulatory distinction, 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.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by
reference, Safety.

The Amendment

    Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the
Administrator, the FAA amends 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. The FAA amends Sec.  39.13 by:
0
a. Removing Airworthiness Directive 79-01-03, Amendment 39-3383 (44 FR
36, January 2, 1979), Docket No. 78-EA-69; and Airworthiness Directive
83-20-03, Amendment 39-4739 (48 FR 45535, October 6, 1983), Docket No.
83-CE-23-AD; and
0
b. Adding the following new airworthiness directive:

2021-11-16 Piper Aircraft, Inc.: Amendment 39-21578; Docket No. FAA-
2020-0881; Project Identifier 2018-CE-024-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective July 15, 2021.

(b) Affected ADs

    This AD replaces AD 79-01-03, Amendment 39-3383 (44 FR 36,
January 2, 1979) (AD 79-01-03); and AD 83-20-03, Amendment 39-4739
(48 FR 45535, October 6, 1983) (AD 83-20-03).

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Piper Aircraft, Inc. Models PA-36-285, PA-36-
300, and PA-36-375 airplanes, certificated in any category.

(d) Subject

    Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 5700, Wings.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by a review of AD 83-20-03 and AD 79-01-03
and the determination that the requirements of those ADs did not
address all of the affected airplanes. The FAA is issuing this AD to
prevent fatigue damage to the wing structural components. The unsafe
condition, if not addressed, could result in failure of the wing
structure with consequent loss of control.

(f) Compliance

    Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified,
unless already done.

(g) Inspection of the Wing Spar Carry Through Assembly

    (1) For Models PA-36-285 and PA-36-300 airplanes, serial numbers
36-7360001 through 36-7560003, with a wing spar carry through
assembly part number (P/N) 97370-00 installed, before the airplane
accumulates a total of 2,000 hours time-in-service (TIS) or within
25 hours TIS after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs
later, and thereafter at intervals not to exceed 100 hours TIS,
inspect the wing spar carry through assembly by following the
Instructions, section 1, of Piper Service Bulletin No. 552A, dated
August 3, 2018, (Piper SB No. 552A).
    (2) If any damage is found during any inspection required by
paragraph (g)(1) of this AD, before further flight, repair or
replace the wing spar carry through assembly by following the
Instructions, section 2, of Piper SB No. 552A.
    (3) Replacing wing spar carry through assembly P/N 97370-00 with
wing spar carry through assembly P/N 76824-02 terminates the
repetitive inspections required by paragraph (g)(1) of this AD.

(h) Life Limit Replacement of Wing Structural Components

    Remove from service the wing structural components specified in
paragraphs (h)(1) through (8) of this AD before the part accumulates
the life limit hours TIS set forth in table 1 to paragraph (h) of
this AD. If, on the effective date of this AD, the component will
reach its life limit within 100 hours TIS or has already reached its
life limit, remove the part from service within 100 hours TIS after
the effective date of this AD.
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR10JN21.012

BILLING CODE 4910-13-C
    (1) Remove from service wing attachment upper bolt P/N 77245-00
and replace with an unused (zero hours TIS) wing attachment upper
bolt P/N 77245-00.
    (2) Remove from service any wing carry through spar fitting P/Ns
97713-00, 97713-02, or 97713-03 and replace with an unused (zero
hours TIS) wing carry through spar fitting P/N 97713-03.
    Note 1 to paragraph (h)(2): Wing carry through spar fitting P/N
97713-03 is included as part of spar carry through assembly P/N
76824-02.
    (3) Remove from service wing spar fitting P/N 97712-00 and
replace with an unused (zero hours TIS) wing spar fitting P/N 97712-
00 by following steps D(1)(a) through D(1)(c) or section D(2), in
Piper Aircraft PA-36, Pawnee Brave Kit 764-393, Left Wing Main Spar
Caps Replacement, dated June 9, 2012 (Piper Kit 764-393), or Piper
Aircraft PA-36, Pawnee Brave Kit 764-394, Right Wing Main

Spar Caps Replacement, dated June 9, 2012 (Piper Kit 764-394), as
applicable.
    Note 2 to paragraphs (h)(3): This note applies to paragraphs
(h)(3) and (7) of this AD. Replacement parts for the left and right
wing spar fittings P/N 97712-00 and the right, left, top, and bottom
spar assemblies P/Ns 97701-00 and 97701-01 are included with Piper
Kit 764-393 and Piper Kit 764-394.
    (4) Remove from service spar carry through assembly P/N 97370-00
or 76824-02, as applicable, and replace with an unused (zero hours
TIS) spar carry through assembly P/N 76824-02.
    (5) Remove from service spar assembly P/Ns 97701-00 and 97701-
01, Revision P or later revision, and replace with an unused (zero
hours TIS) spar assembly by following the Instructions, sections B.
and C., in Piper Kit 764-393 or Piper Kit 764-394, as applicable.
    (6) Remove from service any spar carry through assembly P/N
76767-00 or P/N 76824-02 and replace with an unused (zero hours TIS)
spar carry through assembly P/N 76824-02.
    (7) Remove from service spar assemblies P/Ns 97701-00 and 97701-
01, Revision N or earlier revision, and replace with an unused (zero
hours TIS) left spar cap replacement kit P/N 764-393 and right spar
cap replacement kit P/N 764-394 by following the Instructions,
sections B. and C., in Piper Kit 764-393 or Piper Kit 764-394, as
applicable.
    (8) Remove from service wing attachment lower bolt P/N 77245-00
and replace with an unused (zero hours TIS) P/N 77245-00 bolt.

(i) Credit for Previous Actions

    You may take credit for the actions required by paragraph (g) of
this AD if you performed those actions before the effective date of
this AD using Piper Aircraft Corporation Service Bulletin No. 552,
dated February 3, 1978.

(j) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (1) The Manager, Atlanta ACO Branch, FAA, has the authority to
approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the procedures found
in 14 CFR 39.19. In accordance with 14 CFR 39.19, send your request
to your principal inspector or local Flight Standards District
Office, as appropriate. If sending information directly to the
manager of the certification office, send it to the attention of the
person identified in Related Information.
    (2) Before using any approved AMOC, notify your appropriate
principal inspector, or lacking a principal inspector, the manager
of the local flight standards district office/certificate holding
district office.
    (3) AMOCs approved for AD 79-01-03 and AD 83-20-03 are approved
as AMOCs for the corresponding provisions of this AD.

(k) Related Information

    For more information about this AD, contact Dan McCully,
Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, Atlanta ACO Branch, 1701 Columbia
Avenue, College Park, GA 30337; phone:<PHONE_NUMBER>; fax: (404)
474-5606; email<EMAIL_ADDRESS>
(l) Material Incorporated by Reference

    (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the
incorporation by reference of the service information listed in this
paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
    (2) You must use this service information as applicable to do
the actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise.
    (i) Piper Service Bulletin No. 552A, dated August 3, 2018;
    (ii) Piper Aircraft PA-36, Pawnee Brave Kit 764-394, Right Wing
Main Spar Caps Replacement, dated June 9, 2012; and
    Note 3 to paragraph (l)(2)(ii): The Kit List and Sketch A for
Piper Aircraft PA-36, Pawnee Brave Kit 764-394, Right Wing Main Spar
Caps Replacement, dated June 9, 2012; and Piper Aircraft PA-36,
Pawnee Brave Kit 764-393, Left Wing Main Spar Caps Replacement,
dated June 9, 2012, were revised and dated June 9, 2012. The
instructions and sketches in the rest of the documents were
reformatted but retain the previous date of March 30, 1982, because
the content of those pages was unchanged.
    (iii) Piper Aircraft PA-36, Pawnee Brave Kit 764-393, Left Wing
Main Spar Caps Replacement, dated June 9, 2012.
    (3) For service information identified in this AD, contact Piper
Aircraft, Inc., 2926 Piper Drive, Vero Beach, FL 32960; phone: (772)
567-4361; website: www.piper.com.
    (4) You may view this service information at FAA, Policy and
Innovation Division, 901 Locust, Kansas City, MO 64106. For
information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call
(816) 329-4148.
    (5) You may view this service information that is incorporated
by reference at the National Archives and Records Administration
(NARA). For information on the availability of this material at
NARA, email<EMAIL_ADDRESS>or go to: https://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.

    Issued on May 19, 2021.
Lance T. Gant,
Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 2021-12043 Filed 6-9-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P