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2014-23-03 PIPER AIRCRAFT, INC.:
Amendment 39-18019; Docket No. FAA-2014-0437; Directorate Identifier 2012-CE-036-AD. 
(a) EFFECTIVE DATE

    This AD is effective December 18, 2014.

(b) AFFECTED ADS

    This  AD  supersedes  AD 76-06-09,  Amendment  39-3325  (43 FR  50417,
    October 30, 1978).

(c) APPLICABILITY

    This AD applies to Piper Aircraft, Inc. Model PA-31P airplanes, serial
    numbers 31P-1 through 31P-80 and 31P-7300110 through 31P-7730012, that
    are certificated in any category.

(d) SUBJECT

    Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC)/Air Transport Association (ATA)
    of America Code 78, Engine Exhaust.

(e) UNSAFE CONDITION

    This  AD  was prompted  by  reports of  exhaust  system failures,  new
    service information  issued by  the manufacturer,  and the  tailpipe v
    -band coupling used for terminating action is obsolete. We are issuing
    this AD to prevent the possibility of an in-flight powerplant fire due
    to an exhaust system failure.

(f) COMPLIANCE

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

(g) INSPECTION OF EXHAUST SYSTEM

(1) Within the next 60 hours time-in-service (TIS) after December 18, 2014
    (the effective  date of  this AD)  or within  the next  6 months after
    December 18, 2014  (the effective date  of this AD),  whichever occurs
    first, and repetitively thereafter at intervals not to exceed 60 hours
    TIS  or  6  months,  whichever  occurs  first,  inspect  the  parts as
    specified in table 1 of paragraph (g)(1) of this AD, if installed.

TABLE 1 OF PARAGRAPH (G)(1) OF THIS AD: INSPECTION FOR PIPER AND LYCOMING 
EXHAUST SYSTEM PARTS                                                      
__________________________________________________________________________
                                                   WITH A LIGHT AND
                                                   MIRROR OR OTHER
                                                   METHOD CAPABLE OF
                                                   ACHIEVING AN
                                                   EQUIVALENT VISUAL
                                                   RESOLUTION, INSPECT
PRODUCT/PART                MODEL/PART             FOR THE FOLLOWING
NOMENCLATURE     MAKE         NUMBER               CONDITIONS
__________________________________________________________________________
Airplane        Piper       PA-31P

Engine          Lycoming    TIGO-541-E series

Pipe,           Lycoming    78012                  Bulges, cracks, and ex-
exhaust,                                           haust leak stains
right-rear

Pipe,           Lycoming    78008                  Bulges, cracks, and ex-
exhaust,                                           haust leak stains
left-rear

Pipe, rear      Lycoming    LW-13027               Bulges, cracks, and ex-
exhaust                                            haust leak stains
adapter

Tail pipe       Piper       46323-05               Bulges, cracks, and ex-
assembly,                                          haust leak stains
upper

Tail pipe       Piper       48788-05               Bulges, cracks, and ex
assembly,                                          -haust leak stains
lower

V-band          Lycoming    LW-12093-5             Cracks and exhaust leak
coupling                                           stains

V-band          Piper       555-366 or 557-369     Cracks and exhaust leak
coupling                                           stains

Isolator        Piper       467-442                Cracks, looseness, and
(CA-3383-1)                                        distortion

Bracket –       Piper       47014-02               Cracks, looseness, and
isolator,                                          distortion
upper

Bracket –       Piper       47013-02               Cracks, looseness, and
isolator,                                          distortion
lower
__________________________________________________________________________

(2) If any damage is found in  any inspection required in paragraph (g)(1)
    of  this AD,  before further  flight,  do  the corrective  actions, as
    applicable, in paragraphs (g)(2)(i) through (g)(2)(iv).

(i) Replace Piper v-band couplings exhibiting cracks  and/or  exhaust leak
    stains with airworthy parts  following Piper Aircraft, Inc.  Mandatory
    Service Bulletin No. 644E, dated May 9, 2012. Replace Lycoming  v-band
    couplings exhibiting cracks and/or exhaust leak stains with  airworthy
    parts following  Lycoming Service  Instruction No. 1238B,  Revision B,
    dated January 6, 2010.

Note to paragraphs (g)(2)(i) and (h)(2)(iii): During replacement of v-band
couplings, we  recommend not  opening the  v-band coupling  more than  the
MINIMUM diameter necessary to clear coupled flanges. It is recommended  to
replace any  locknuts and/or  mating couplings  with airworthy  parts when
locknuts do not exhibit a prevailing torque when installed.

(ii) Replace Lycoming exhaust system parts exhibiting bulges, cracks, and/
     or  exhaust  leak  stains  with  airworthy  parts  following Lycoming
     Service  Instruction  No.  1320,  dated  March  7,  1975;  or Textron
     Lycoming  Service Instruction  No. 1391,  dated October  5, 1979,  as
     applicable.

(iii) Replace  Piper  tail pipe assembly parts exhibiting bulges,  cracks,
      and/or  exhaust leak  stains with  airworthy parts  following  Piper
      Aircraft, Inc.  Mandatory Service  Bulletin No.  644E,  dated May 9,
      2012.

(iv) Replace Piper isolators and brackets exhibiting cracks, looseness and
     /or distortion following Piper Aircraft Corporation Service  Bulletin
     No. 462A, dated November 3, 1975;  and Piper Aircraft, Inc. Mandatory
     Service Bulletin No. 492A, dated May 29, 2012.

(h) EXHAUST SYSTEM MODIFICATIONS

(1) Within the next 100 hours TIS  after  December 18, 2014 (the effective
    date of this AD) or  within the next 12 months after December 18, 2014
    (the effective date  of this AD),  whichever occurs first,  review the
    airplane  maintenance  records  to  positively  identify  whether  the
    modifications described in paragraphs (h)(1)(i) through (h)(1)(iii) of
    this AD have been done.

(i) Exhaust pipe slip joint  modification  following  Piper Aircraft, Inc.
    Mandatory Service Bulletin No. 492A,  dated May 29, 2012;  and Textron
    Lycoming Mandatory Service Bulletin No. 393C, dated November 26, 1976.

(ii) Installation of bracket and  clamp assembly  following  Piper Kit No.
     760-974  as  specified  in  Piper Aircraft,  Inc.  Mandatory  Service
     Bulletin No. 492A, dated May 29, 2012 or Piper Aircraft, Inc. Service
     Bulletin 462A, dated November 3, 1975.

(iii) Replacement of Piper v-band coupling part number 556-053, with Piper
      vband coupling, part number 557-369,  following Piper Aircraft, Inc.
      Mandatory Service Bulletin No. 644E, dated May 9, 2012.

(2) If you cannot positively identify that  the modifications described in
    paragraphs (h)(1)(i) through  (h)(1)(iii) of this  AD have been  done,
    before  further flight,  you must  do the  modifications described  in
    paragraphs (h)(2)(i) through (h)(2)(iii), as applicable.

(i) Exhaust pipe slip joint  modification  following  Piper Aircraft, Inc.
    Mandatory Service Bulletin No. 492A,  dated May 29, 2012, and  Textron
    Lycoming Mandatory Service Bulletin SB 393C, dated November 26, 1976.

(ii) Installation of bracket and  clamp assembly  following  Piper Kit No.
     760-974  as  specified  in  Piper Aircraft,  Inc.  Mandatory  Service
     Bulletin No. 492A, dated May 29, 2012;  or Piper Aircraft Corporation
     Service Bulletin 462A, dated November 3, 1975.

(iii) Replacement of Piper v-band coupling part number 556-053, with Piper
      vband coupling, part number 557-369,  following Piper Aircraft, Inc.
      Mandatory Service Bulletin No. 644E, dated May 9, 2012.

(i) 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 the Related Information, paragraph (j)(1) of this
    AD.

(2) Before using any approved AMOC,  notify your appropriate principal in-
    spector, or lacking  a principal inspector,  the manager of  the local
    flight standards district office/certificate holding district office.

(j) RELATED INFORMATION

    For more information about this AD,  contact Gary Wechsler,  Aerospace
    Engineer,  Atlanta  ACO,  FAA,  1701  Columbia  Avenue,  College Park,
    Georgia 30337; telephone: (404) 474-5575; fax: (404) 474-5606;  email:
    gary.wechsler@faa.gov.

(k) 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.

(3) The following service information was approved for IBR on December 18,
    2014.

(i) Piper Aircraft Corporation Service Bulletin No. 462A dated November 3,
    1975.

(ii) Piper Aircraft, Inc. Mandatory Service Bulletin No. 492A,  dated  May
     29, 2012.

(iii) Textron Lycoming Mandatory Service Bulletin SB 393C,  dated November
      26, 1976.

(4) The following service information  was  approved  for  IBR on July 17,
    2013 (78 FR 35110, June 12, 2013).

(i) Piper Aircraft, Inc. Mandatory Service Bulletin No. 644E, dated May 9,
    2012.

(ii) Lycoming Service Instruction No. 1238B, Revision B,  dated January 6,
     2010.

(iii) Lycoming Service Instruction No. 1320, dated March 7, 1975.

(iv) Textron Lycoming Service Instruction No. 1391, dated October 5, 1979.

(5) For  the  service  information  identified in this AD,  contact  Piper
    Aircraft, Inc, 2926 Piper Drive, Vero Beach, Florida 32960; telephone:
    (772) 567-4361; fax: (772) 978-6573; Internet www.piper.com/home/pages
    /Publications.cfm or Lycoming Engines, 652 Oliver Street, Williamsport
    Pennsylvania 17701;  telephone: (570) 323-6181;  Internet: http://www.
    lycoming.textron.com/support/publications/index.html; as applicable.

(6) You may review copies  of  the  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.

(7) 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: http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/
    ibr-locations.html.

Issued  in  Kansas  City, Missouri,  on  November 4, 2014.  Earl Lawrence,
Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.

FOR  FURTHER  INFORMATION  CONTACT:  Gary  Wechsler,  Aerospace  Engineer,
Atlanta Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, 1701 Columbia Avenue,  College
Park,  Georgia  30337;  telephone: (404)  474-5575;  fax:  (404) 474-5606;
email: gary.wechsler@faa.gov.
PREAMBLE 

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2014-0437; Directorate Identifier 2012-CE-036-AD;
Amendment 39-18019; AD 2014-23-03]
RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; Piper Aircraft, Inc.

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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

SUMMARY: We are superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 76-06-09 for
certain Piper Aircraft, Inc. Model PA-31P airplanes. AD 76-06-09
required repetitive inspection of certain exhaust system parts with
replacement of parts mating with the turbocharger, as necessary, and
allowed installation of a certain tailpipe v-band coupling as
terminating action. This new AD requires the use of new service
information and expands the scope of the inspections of the
turbocharger exhaust system. This AD was prompted by reports of exhaust
system failures, new service information, and the tailpipe v-band
coupling used for terminating action is obsolete. We are issuing this
AD to correct the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective December 18, 2014.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of certain publications listed in this AD as of December 18,
2014.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of certain other publications listed in this AD as of July
17, 2013 (78 FR 35110, June 12, 2013).

ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this AD, contact Piper
Aircraft, Inc., 2926 Piper Drive, Vero Beach, Florida 32960; telephone:
(772) 567-4361; fax: (772) 978-6573; Internet: www.piper.com/home/pages/
Publications.cfm; or Lycoming Engines, 652 Oliver Street,
Williamsport, Pennsylvania 17701; telephone: (570) 323-6181; Internet:
http://www.lycoming.textron.com/support/publications/index.html; as
applicable. You may review copies of the 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.

Examining the AD Docket

You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.
gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2014-
0437; 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 address for the Docket Office (phone: 800-647-
5527) is Document Management Facility, 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: Gary Wechsler, Aerospace Engineer,
Atlanta Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, 1701 Columbia Avenue,
College Park, Georgia 30337; telephone: (404) 474-5575; fax: (404) 474-
5606; email: gary.wechsler@faa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

We issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR
part 39 to supersede AD 76-06-09, Amendment 39-3325 (43 FR 50417,
October 30, 1978), (``AD 76-06-09''). AD 76-06-09 applied to certain
Piper Aircraft, Inc. Model PA-31P airplanes. The NPRM published in the
Federal Register on July 9, 2014 (79 FR 38806). The NPRM was prompted
by reports of exhaust system failure. The NPRM proposed to retain
certain requirements of AD 76-06-09. The NPRM also proposed to require
the use of the new service information and expand the scope of the
inspections of the turbocharger exhaust system. We are issuing this AD
to correct the unsafe condition on these products.

Comments

We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing
this AD. We received no comments on the NPRM (79 FR 38806, July 9,
2014) or on the determination of the cost to the public.

Conclusion

We reviewed the relevant data and determined that air safety and
the public interest require adopting this AD as proposed except for
minor editorial changes. We have determined that these minor changes:
Are consistent with the intent that was proposed in the
NPRM (79 FR 38806, July 9, 2014) for correcting the unsafe condition;
and
Do not add any additional burden upon the public than was
already proposed in the NPRM (79 FR 38806, July 9, 2014).

Costs of Compliance

We estimate that this AD affects 85 airplanes of U.S. registry.
We estimate the following costs to comply with this AD:

Estimated Costs

Action
Labor cost
Parts cost
Cost per product
Cost on U.S.
operators
Visual inspection 3 work-hours x $85 per hour = $255 Not applicable $255 $21,675
Review of maintenance records .5 work-hour x $85 per hour = $42.50 Not applicable 42.50 3,612.50

We have no way of determining how much damage may be found on each
airplane during the inspection. The scope of damage on the exhaust
system could vary from airplane to airplane due to the manner and
environments the airplane may operate. We estimate the following costs
to do any necessary modification, installation, and/or replacement that
would be required based on the results of the inspection. We have no
way of determining what damage may be found or the number of airplanes
that might need the modification, installation, and/or replacement:

On-Condition Costs

Action
Labor cost
Parts cost
Cost per product
Modification of the exhaust pipe slip joint 5 work-hours x $85 per hour = $425 $2,841 $3,266
Installation of the bracket and clamp assembly 5 work-hours x $85 per hour = $425 5,000 5,425
Replacement of v-band coupling 2 work-hours x $85 per hour = $170 780 950

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

We have 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) 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

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 removing Airworthiness Directive (AD)
76-06-09, Amendment 39-3325 (43 FR 50417, October 30, 1978), and adding
the following new AD: