[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 110 (Thursday, June 10, 2021)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 30756-30759]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-12043]


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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.

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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: (772) 567-4361; 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: (404) 474-5548; fax: (404) 474-5606; email: 
william.mccully@faa.gov.

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

[[Page 30757]]

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.
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* 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.

[[Page 30758]]

(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

[[Page 30759]]

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: (404) 474-5548; fax: (404) 
474-5606; email: william.mccully@faa.gov.

(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: fedreg.legal@nara.gov, 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


