DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2017-0759; Product Identifier 2017-CE-023-AD; Amendment
39-18980; AD 2017-16-03]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Piper Aircraft, Inc. Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain
Piper Aircraft, Inc. (Piper) Model PA-46-600TP (M600) airplanes. This
AD requires inspection of the aft wing spars with repair as necessary.
This AD was prompted by a report from Piper of the aft wing spar
cracking during wing assembly. We are issuing this AD to address the
unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective August 9, 2017.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of August 9,
2017.
We must receive comments on this AD by September 25, 2017.

ADDRESSES: You may send comments, using the procedures found in 14 CFR
11.43 and 11.45, by any of the following methods:
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 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:
customer.service@piper.com; Internet: www.piper.com. You may view this
referenced service information at the FAA, Policy and Innovation
Division, 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 http://www.regulations.gov by
searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2017-0759.

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-2017-
0759; 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 final rule, the regulatory evaluation, any comments
received, and other information. Comments will be available in the AD
docket shortly after receipt.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: William (Dan) McCully, Aerospace
Engineer, Atlanta ACO Branch, FAA, 1701 Columbia Avenue, College Park,
Georgia 30337; phone: (404) 474-5548; fax: (404) 474-5606; email:
william.mccully@faa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

We received a report from Piper of an aft wing spar cracking during
wing assembly on a Model PA-46-600TP (M600) airplane. An investigation
of the incident identified that the supplier may have delivered aft
wing spars to Piper that did not conform to Piper's type design
specifications and requirements. A quality escape during manufacturing
resulted in an understrength part, and these nonconforming parts may
have been installed on some of the affected airplanes. This condition,
if not corrected, could result in failure of the aft wing spar and lead
to wing separation with consequent loss of control. 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. 1317A, dated
July 26, 2017. The service bulletin describes procedures for a visual
inspection of the affected area and describes flight restrictions for
allowing the optional special flight permit that allows a one-time
flight to a facility capable of doing the inspections and repair
required by this AD. 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 section.

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 inspection of the aft wing spars with repair as
necessary.

Interim Action

We consider this AD interim action. We are coordinating with Piper
on the development of inspection and repair procedures to address this
unsafe condition.

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
failure of the aft wing spar could result in wing separation with
consequent loss of control. 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 final rule. Send your comments to an address
listed under the ADDRESSES section. Include the Docket No. FAA-2017-
0759 and Product Identifier 2017-CE-023-AD at the beginning of your
comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory,
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this final rule. We will
consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend this
final rule because 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 about this final rule.

Costs of Compliance

We estimate that this AD affects 36 airplanes of U.S. registry.
We estimate the following costs to comply with this AD. Piper is
currently developing the required inspection method, and the FAA
anticipates it will be approved and available shortly after publication of this AD:

Estimated Costs

We have no way of knowing how many airplanes may need the repair
based on the results of the required inspection. Since there is not an
approved repair procedure, we have no way of knowing the cost of the
required repair.

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.
This AD is issued in accordance with authority delegated by the
Executive Director, Aircraft Certification Service, as authorized by
FAA Order 8000.51C. In accordance with that order, issuance of ADs is
normally a function of the Compliance and Airworthiness Division, but
during this transition period, the Executive Director has delegated the
authority to issue ADs applicable to small airplanes and domestic
business jet transport airplanes to the Director of the Policy and
Innovation Division.

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

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 airworthiness
directive (AD):