DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2010-0122; Directorate Identifier 2009-CE-067-AD] RIN
2120-AA64
AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES; Piper Aircraft, Inc. Models PA-32R-301T and PA-
46-350P Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of Transportat-
ion (DOT).
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for
certain Piper Aircraft, Inc. Models PA-32R-301T and PA-46-350P airplanes.
This proposed AD would require you to replace any spot-welded V-band
exhaust coupling with a riveted V-band exhaust coupling. This proposed AD
results from reports that spot-welded V-band exhaust couplings are
failing. We are proposing this AD to prevent failure of the V-band exhaust
coupling, which could cause the exhaust pipe to detach from the
turbocharger. This failure could result in release of high temperature
gases inside the engine compartment and possibly cause an in-flight fire.
An in-flight fire could lead to loss of control.
DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by April 5, 2010.
ADDRESSES: Use one of the following addresses to comment on this proposed
AD:
Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the
instructions for submitting comments.
Fax: (202) 493-2251.
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.
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 FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Darby Mirocha, Aerospace Engineer, FAA,
Atlanta Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), 1701 Columbia Avenue, College
Park, Georgia 30337; telephone: (404)474-5573; fax: (404)474-5606; e-mail:
darby.mirocha@faa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
COMMENTS INVITED
We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or arguments
regarding this proposed AD. Send your comments to an address listed under
the ADDRESSES section. Include the docket number, "FAA-2010-0122;
Directorate Identifier 2009-CE-067-AD" at the beginning of your comments.
We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, economic,
environmental, and energy aspects of the proposed AD. We will consider all
comments received by the closing date and may amend the proposed AD in
light of those comments.
We will post all comments we receive, without change, to http://www.
regulations.gov, including any personal information you provide. We will
also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact we receive
concerning this proposed AD.
DISCUSSION
We have received reports that spot-welded V-band exhaust couplings that
are installed on certain Piper Aircraft, Inc. Models PA-32R-301T and PA
-46-350P airplanes are failing.
The V-band exhaust coupling attaches the exhaust pipe to the engine's
turbocharger. The spot welds on the coupling can fail and the coupling may
become detached from the turbocharger and expose the firewall to hot
exhaust gases.
Several failures of part number 40D21162-340M, a Lycoming spot-welded
coupling, on other airplane models have occurred, and some of the failures
resulted in an in-flight fire. These failures caused us to issue the
following ADs:
AD 2004-23-17, Amendment 39-13872 (69 FR 67809, November 22, 2004),
applicable to Mooney Airplane Company, Inc. Model M20M airplanes; and
AD 2000-11-04, Amendment 39-11752 (65 FR 34941, June 1, 2000), applicable
to Commander Aircraft Company Model 114TC airplanes.
A newer and more robust design V-band exhaust coupling has been developed
by the Lycoming supplier that is assembled using rivets instead of spot
welds.
This condition, if not corrected, could result in failure of the V-band
exhaust coupling, which could cause the exhaust pipe to detach from the
turbocharger. This failure could result in release of high temperature
gases inside the engine compartment and possibly cause an in-flight fire.
An in-flight fire could lead to loss of control.
FAA'S DETERMINATION AND REQUIREMENTS OF THE PROPOSED AD
We are proposing this AD because we evaluated all information and
determined the unsafe condition described previously is likely to exist or
develop on other products of the same type design. This proposed AD would
require replacing any spot-welded V-band exhaust coupling with a riveted
V-band exhaust coupling.
COSTS OF COMPLIANCE
We estimate that this proposed AD could affect up to 596 airplanes in the
U.S. registry provided they had the affected V-band exhaust coupling
installed.
We estimate the following costs to do the proposed replacement:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL COST ON U.S.
OPERATORS BASED ON
TOTAL COST PER ALL AIRPLANES
LABOR COST PARTS COST AIRPLANE HAVING THE AFFECTED
V-BAND EXHAUST
COUPLING INSTALLED
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
2 work-hours x
$85 per hour = $170... $714 $884 $526,864
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
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 devel-
op on products identified in this rulemaking action.
REGULATORY FINDINGS
We have determined that this proposed AD would not have federalism
implications under Executive Order 13132. This proposed AD would 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 the proposed regulation:
1. Is not a "significant regulatory action" under Executive Order 12866;
2. Is not a "significant rule" under the DOT Regulatory Policies and Pro-
cedures (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.
We prepared a regulatory evaluation of the estimated costs to comply with
this proposed AD and placed it in the AD docket.
EXAMINING THE AD DOCKET
You may examine the AD docket that contains the proposed AD, the
regulatory evaluation, any comments received, and other information on the
Internet at http://www.regulations.gov; or in person at the Docket
Management Facility between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday,
except Federal holidays. The Docket Office (telephone (800) 647-5527) is
located at the street address stated in the ADDRESSES section. Comments
will be available in the AD docket shortly after receipt.
LIST OF SUBJECTS IN 14 CFR PART 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Safety.
THE PROPOSED AMENDMENT
Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the Administrator, the
FAA proposes to amend 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), 40113, 44701.
SEC. 39.13 [AMENDED]
2. The FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by adding the following new AD: