AD 2017-02-06

Recurring final rule

Airworthiness Directives; Piper Aircraft, Inc. Airplanes

AD Number: 2017-02-06
Status: final_rule
Effective Date: February 22, 2017
Product Category: aircraft
Docket: Docket No. FAA-2017-0045
FR Citation: 82 FR 9498

Applicability

Type	Manufacturer	Model	Details
aircraft	Piper Aircraft Inc.	PA-31P-350	Airworthiness Directives; Piper Aircraft, Inc. Airplanes
aircraft	Piper Aircraft Inc.	PA-31T	Airworthiness Directives; Piper Aircraft, Inc. Airplanes
aircraft	Piper Aircraft Inc.	PA-31T1	Airworthiness Directives; Piper Aircraft, Inc. Airplanes
aircraft	Piper Aircraft Inc.	PA-31T2	Airworthiness Directives; Piper Aircraft, Inc. Airplanes
aircraft	Piper Aircraft Inc.	PA-31T3	Airworthiness Directives; Piper Aircraft, Inc. Airplanes

Unsafe Condition

Electrical arcing and possible inflight fire in an area not accessible by the crew, due to rubbing or chafing of electrical wires to adjacent structure or flammable fluid lines.

AI-generated summary from the source AD text. Verify against the official source before acting.

Required Actions

Inspect the wiring below the main circuit breaker panel for proper clearance and evidence of damage using mirrors, a suitable light source, and other equipment as needed. Reroute or replace wires and/or parts as necessary.

AI-generated summary from the source AD text. Verify against the official source before acting.

Compliance Time

Initial inspection within 30 days after the effective date, with repetitive inspections at intervals not to exceed 12 calendar months.

AI-generated summary from the source AD text. Verify against the official source before acting.

Affected Aircraft

Piper Aircraft, Inc. Models PA-31T, PA-31T1, PA-31T2, PA-31T3, and PA-31P-350 airplanes.

AI-generated summary from the source AD text. Verify against the official source before acting.

Federal Register Abstract

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Piper Aircraft, Inc. Models PA-31T, PA-31T1, PA-31T2, PA-31T3, and PA- 31P-350 airplanes. This AD requires repetitive detailed visual inspections of the wiring below the main circuit breaker panel for proper clearance and evidence of damage and rerouting or replacing wires and/or parts as necessary. This AD was prompted by a fatal accident where evidence of thermal damage in this area was found. We are issuing this AD to correct the unsafe condition on these products.

Applicability Source Text

Show captured applicability text from the source AD

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Piper Aircraft, Inc. Models PA-31T, serial 
numbers (SN) 31T-7400002 through 31T-8120104; PA-31T1, SNs 31T-
7804001 through 31T-8304003 and SNs 31T-1104004 through 31T-1104017; 
PA-31T2, SNs 31T-8166001 through 31T-8166076 and 31T-1166001 through 
31T-1166008; PA-31T3, SNs 31T-8275001 through 31T-8475001 and 31T-
5575001; and PA-31P-350, SNs 31P-8414001 through 31P-8414050; 
certificated in any category.

Document Text

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[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 24 (Tuesday, February 7, 2017)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 9498-9501]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2017-01689]

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

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2017-0045; Directorate Identifier 2017-CE-002-AD;
Amendment 39-18785; AD 2017-02-06]
RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; Piper Aircraft, Inc. Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.

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

SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain
Piper Aircraft, Inc. Models PA-31T, PA-31T1, PA-31T2, PA-31T3, and PA-
31P-350 airplanes. This AD requires repetitive detailed visual
inspections of the wiring below the main circuit breaker panel for
proper clearance and evidence of damage and rerouting or replacing
wires and/or parts as necessary. This AD was prompted by a fatal
accident where evidence of thermal damage in this area was found. We
are issuing this AD to correct the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective February 22, 2017.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of February 22,
2017.
We must receive comments on this AD by March 24, 2017.

ADDRESSES: You may send comments, using the procedures found in 14 CFR
11.43 and 11.45, by any of the following methods:
<bullet> Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to <a href="http://www.regulations.gov">http://www.regulations.gov</a>. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
<bullet> Fax: 202-493-2251.
<bullet> 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.
<bullet> 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 service information identified in this final rule, contact
Piper Aircraft, Inc., Customer Service, 2926 Piper Drive, Vero Beach,
Florida 32960; telephone: (877) 879-0275; fax: none; email:
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#7714020403181a120559041205011e141237071e0712055914181a">[email&#160;protected]</a>; Internet: <a href="http://www.piper.com">www.piper.com</a>. You may view this
referenced service information at the FAA, Small Airplane Directorate,
901 Locust, Kansas City, Missouri 64106. For information on the
availability of this material at the FAA, call (816) 329-4148. It is
also available on the Internet at <a href="http://www.regulations.gov">http://www.regulations.gov</a> by
searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2017-0045.

Examining the AD Docket

You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at <a href="http://www.regulations.gov">http://www.regulations.gov</a> by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2017-
0045; or in person at the Docket Management Facility between 9 a.m. and
5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The AD docket
contains this AD, the regulatory evaluation, any comments received, and
other information. The street address for the Docket Office (phone:
800-647-5527) is in the ADDRESSES section. Comments will be available
in the AD docket shortly after receipt.

[[Page 9499]]

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Bryan Long, Aerospace Engineer, FAA,
Atlanta Aircraft Certification Office, 1701 Columbia Avenue, College
Park, Georgia 30337; phone: (404) 474-5578; fax: (404) 474-5606; email:
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#4624343f2728682a2928210620272768212930">[email&#160;protected]</a>.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

We received reports of a fatal accident on a Piper Aircraft, Inc.
Model PA-31T airplane. Although the investigation is not complete, the
National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) found evidence of thermal
damage near the main electrical bus circuit breaker panel. The enclosed
space also includes hydraulic lines that run directly beneath the
panel. The wiring in this area showed evidence of electrical arcing,
and the hydraulic lines showed evidence of fire.
During the accident investigation, we and the NTSB examined the
area below the circuit breaker panel in 6 different Model PA-31T series
airplanes. All 6 airplanes had instances of wiring and hydraulic lines
making direct contact and some of the airplanes showed signs of wiring
rubbing or chafing adjacent structure or flammable fluid lines.
This condition, if not corrected, could lead to electrical arcing
and a possible inflight fire in an area that is not accessible by the
crew. We are issuing this AD to correct the unsafe condition on these
products.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

We reviewed Piper Aircraft, Inc. Service Bulletin No. 1301, dated
January 6, 2017. The service information describes procedures for
visually inspecting the area below the main circuit breaker panel and
rerouting and replacing wires and/or parts as necessary. 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 the ADDRESSES.

FAA's Determination

We are issuing this AD because we evaluated all the relevant
information and determined the unsafe condition described previously is
likely to exist or develop in other products of the same type design.

AD Requirements

This AD requires accomplishing the actions specified in the service
information described previously, except as discussed under
``Differences Between the AD and the Service Information.''

Differences Between the AD and the Service Information

This AD requires the initial inspection within 30 days after the
effective date and repetitive inspections at intervals not to exceed 12
calendar months, which differs from the compliance time specified in
the service bulletin. Also, the service bulletin specifies the use of a
10X magnifying glass; however, the inspection space is very confined,
and it is difficult to use a magnifying glass in the area. This AD
requires the use of mirrors, a suitable light source, and other
equipment (small cameras, borescopes, and magnification, etc.,) as
needed to do the visual inspection of the area.
The Summary section of the service bulletin states for you to
contact your Factory Authorized Service Facility to make arrangements
for compliance with the service bulletin. Any appropriately licensed
mechanic may do the work of this AD. Please note that to receive any
warranty credit from Piper, the work may need to be done at the Factory
Authorized Service Facility.

FAA's Justification and Determination of the Effective Date

An unsafe condition exists that requires the immediate adoption of
this AD. The FAA has found that the risk to the flying public justifies
waiving notice and comment prior to adoption of this rule because
rubbing or chafing of the electrical wires to adjacent structure or
flammable fluid lines could lead to electrical arcing and possible
inflight fire in an area that is not accessible by the crew. Therefore,
we find that notice and opportunity for prior public comment are
impracticable and that good cause exists for making this amendment
effective in less than 30 days.

Comments Invited

This AD is a final rule that involves requirements affecting flight
safety and was not preceded by notice and an opportunity for public
comment. However, we invite you to send any written data, views, or
arguments about this AD. Send your comments to an address listed under
the ADDRESSES section. Include the docket number FAA-2017-0045 and
Directorate Identifier 2017-CE-002-AD at the beginning of your
comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory,
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this AD. We will
consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend this
AD because of those comments.
We will post all comments we receive, without change, to <a href="http://www.regulations.gov">http://www.regulations.gov</a>, including any personal information you provide. We
will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact we
receive about this AD.

Costs of Compliance

We estimate that this AD affects 335 airplanes of U.S. registry.
We estimate the following costs to comply with this AD:

Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cost per Cost on U.S.
Action Labor cost Parts cost product operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Visual inspection............... 1 work-hour x $85 per Not applicable.... $85 $28,475
hour = $85.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

We estimate the following costs to do any necessary replacements
that would be required based on the results of the inspection. We have
no way of determining the number of aircraft that might need these
replacements:

[[Page 9500]]

On-condition Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cost per
Action Labor cost Parts cost product
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Replacement of wires, fluid lines, and/or 2 work-hours x $85 per hour = $170 $100 $270
terminals.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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

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) Is not a ``significant rule'' under DOT Regulatory Policies and
Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979),
(3) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and
(4) 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.

Adoption of 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 adding the following new airworthiness
directive (AD):

2017-02-06 Piper Aircraft, Inc.: Amendment 39-18785; Docket No. FAA-
2017-0045; Directorate Identifier 2017-CE-002-AD.

(a) Effective Date

This AD is effective February 22, 2017.

(b) Affected ADs

None.

This AD applies to Piper Aircraft, Inc. Models PA-31T, serial
numbers (SN) 31T-7400002 through 31T-8120104; PA-31T1, SNs 31T-
7804001 through 31T-8304003 and SNs 31T-1104004 through 31T-1104017;
PA-31T2, SNs 31T-8166001 through 31T-8166076 and 31T-1166001 through
31T-1166008; PA-31T3, SNs 31T-8275001 through 31T-8475001 and 31T-
5575001; and PA-31P-350, SNs 31P-8414001 through 31P-8414050;
certificated in any category.

(d) Subject

Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC)/Air Transport Association
(ATA) of America Code 2497, Electrical Power/Electrical Power System
Wiring.

(e) Unsafe Condition

This AD was prompted by a fatal accident where evidence of
thermal damage in the area below the main circuit breaker panel was
found. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct rubbing/chafing
of wiring with other wires, adjacent structure, and/or flammable
fuel lines, which could lead to electrical arcing and possible
inflight fire in an area that is not accessible by the crew.

(f) Compliance

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

(g) Inspection

(1) Within 30 days after February 22, 2017 (the effective date
of this AD) and repetitively thereafter at intervals not to exceed
12 calendar months, do a detailed visual inspection of the wiring in
the area below the main circuit breaker panel using mirrors, a
suitable light source, and other equipment (small cameras,
borescopes, and magnification, etc.,) as needed to do the visual
inspection of the area. Follow paragraphs 1, 2, and 3 of the
Instructions section of Piper Aircraft, Inc. Service Bulletin No.
1301, dated January 6, 2017.
Note 1 to paragraph (g)(1) of this AD: You may begin the
repetitive inspections before 12 calendar months after the initial
inspection to coincide the repetitive inspection with the annual
inspection.
(2) If any damage and/or rubbing or chafing is found during any
of the inspections required in paragraph (g)(1) of this AD, before
further flight, reroute, rework, or replace any wires as specified
in paragraphs 2 and 3 of the Instructions section of Piper Aircraft,
Inc. Service Bulletin No. 1301, dated January 6, 2017.
(3) Perform a functional test after any inspection required by
this AD as specified in paragraph 4 of the Instructions section of
Piper Aircraft, Inc. Service Bulletin No. 1301, dated January 6,
2017.
(4) The Summary section of Piper Aircraft, Inc. Service Bulletin
No. 1301, dated January 6, 2017, states to contact the Factory
Authorized Piper Service Facility to make arrangements for
compliance with the service bulletin. Any appropriately licensed
mechanic may do the work of this AD. Please note that to receive any
warranty credit from Piper, the work may need to be done at the
Factory Authorized Service Facility.

(h) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

(1) 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. 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 ACO, send it to the
attention of the person identified in paragraph (i) of this AD.
(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.

(i) Related Information

For more information about this AD, contact Bryan Long,
Aerospace Engineer, FAA, Atlanta Aircraft Certification Office, 1701
Columbia Avenue, College Park, Georgia 30337; phone: (404) 474-5578;
fax: (404) 474-5606; email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#1270606b737c3c7e7d7c75527473733c757d64">[email&#160;protected]</a>.

(j) Material Incorporated by Reference

(1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the
incorporation by reference (IBR) 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.

[[Page 9501]]

(i) Piper Aircraft, Inc. Service Bulletin No. 1301, dated
January 6, 2017.
(ii) Reserved.
(3) For service information identified in this AD, contact Piper
Aircraft, Inc., Customer Service, 2926 Piper Drive, Vero Beach,
Florida 32960; telephone: (877) 879-0275; fax: none; email:
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#2e4d5b5d5a41434b5c005d4b5c58474d4b6e5e475e4b5c004d4143">[email&#160;protected]</a>; Internet: <a href="http://www.piper.com">www.piper.com</a>.
(4) You may view this referenced service information at the FAA,
Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Kansas City, Missouri 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, call 202-741-6030, or go to: <a href="http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html">http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html</a>.

Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on January 18, 2017.
Melvin Johnson,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 2017-01689 Filed 2-6-17; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

Source: Official FAA Source ↗

Retrieved: Apr 6, 2026

Rights: U.S. Government Public Domain

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View Official Source ↗ Find More ADs for Piper Aircraft Inc. PA-31P-350

Airworthiness Directives; Piper Aircraft, Inc. Airplanes

Applicability

Unsafe Condition

Required Actions

Compliance Time

Affected Aircraft

Federal Register Abstract

Applicability Source Text

Document Text

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