DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2020-0712; Product Identifier 2019-CE-013-AD; Amendment
39-21339; AD 2020-24-09]
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 adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for
certain Piper Aircraft, Inc., Model PA-34-220T airplanes. This AD was
prompted by a report of damage to the rudder flight control cables and
the emergency power supply (EPS) system wiring due to inadequate
clearance from the EPS wiring harness. This AD requires inspecting the
rudder flight control cables and the EPS wiring for damage, replacing
damaged cables and wires if necessary, and re-routing the EPS wiring
harness to ensure proper clearance between the EPS and the rudder
flight control cables. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe
condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective January 5, 2021.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of January 5,
2021.

ADDRESSES: Piper Aircraft, Inc., 2916 Piper Drive, Vero Beach, Florida
32960; telephone: (772) 567-4361; email: customer.service@piper.com;
internet: https://www.piper.com. You may view this referenced service
information at the FAA, Airworthiness Products Section, Operational
Safety Branch, 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 https://www.regulations.
gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2020-0712; 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: Bryan Long, Aerospace Engineer,
Atlanta ACO Branch, FAA, 1701 Columbia Avenue, College Park, Georgia
30337; phone: (404) 474-5578; fax: (404) 474-5606; email:
bryan.long@faa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

The FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14
CFR part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to certain serial-numbered
Piper Aircraft, Inc., Model PA-34-220T airplanes. The NPRM published in
the Federal Register on July 28, 2020 (85 FR 45353). The NPRM was
prompted by a report of damage to the rudder flight control cables and
the EPS system wiring due to inadequate clearance from the EPS wiring
harness. Use of the rudder flight control cable and the motion of the
cable rubbing against the EPS wiring can wear through the rudder flight
control cable insulation and cause an electrical path to ground. The
flow of the electrical current can burn (arc) through the rudder flight
control cable strands, eventually severing the rudder flight control
cable. In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to require inspecting the rudder
flight control cables and the EPS wiring for damage, replacing damaged
cables and wires if necessary, and re-routing the EPS wiring harness to
ensure proper clearance between the EPS and the rudder flight control
cables.
This condition, if not addressed, could result in electrical arcing
between the EPS and the rudder flight control cables with consequent
failure of the rudder flight control system. This failure could cause
loss of yaw control and lead to loss of control of the airplane during
an engine out condition/operation. The FAA is issuing this AD to
address the unsafe condition on these products.

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 adopting this AD as proposed in the NPRM. Accordingly, the FAA
is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

The FAA reviewed Piper Aircraft, Inc., Service Bulletin No. 1337,
dated February 15, 2019. The service bulletin contains procedures for
inspecting the rudder flight control cables and the EPS wiring for
damage, replacing damaged cables and wires, and re-routing the EPS
wiring harness to the opposite side of the EPS bracket to improve
clearance from the rudder flight control cable. 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.

Costs of Compliance

The FAA estimates that this AD affects 25 airplanes of U.S.
registry.
The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this AD:

Estimated Costs

The FAA estimates the following costs to do any necessary
replacements that would be required based on the results of the
inspection. The FAA has no way of determining the number of airplanes
that might need actions:

On-Condition Costs

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

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, 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

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: