DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2020-0830; Project Identifier 2020-CE-002-AD; Amendment
39-21428; AD 2021-04-07]
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 all
Piper Aircraft, Inc., (Piper) Models PA-46-350P (Malibu Mirage), PA-
46R-350T (Malibu Matrix), and PA-46-500TP (Malibu Meridian) airplanes.
This AD was prompted by a finding of several airplanes with wing
assemblies that did not have the proper stall warning heater
modification design. Without the proper stall warning heat control
modification kit installed, during flights into icing conditions with
the landing gear down, ice can form on the stall vane, which may result
in failure of the stall warning system. This AD requires identifying
and correcting nonconforming stall warning heat control systems. The
FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these
products.

DATES: This AD is effective March 30, 2021.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of March 30,
2021.

ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this final rule,
contact Piper Aircraft Inc., 2926 Piper Drive, Vero Beach, FL 32960;
phone: 772-299-2686; email: customerservice@piper.com; website:
https://www.piper.com/. You may view this 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. It is also available at
https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No.
FAA-2020-0830.

Examining the AD Docket

You may examine the AD docket at https://www.regulations.gov by
searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2020-0830; 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: John Lee, Aviation Safety Engineer,
Atlanta ACO Branch, FAA, 1701 Columbia Avenue, College Park, GA 30337;
phone: (404) 474-5568; email: john.lee@faa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

The FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14
CFR part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to all Piper Models PA-46-
350P (Malibu Mirage), PA-46R-350T (Malibu Matrix), and PA-46-500TP
(Malibu Meridian) airplanes. The NPRM published in the Federal Register
on October 28, 2020 (85 FR 68255). The NPRM was prompted by the finding
of airplanes without the proper stall warning heater modification design
change. In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to require identifying and
correcting nonconforming stall warning heat control systems.
The FAA issued AD 2008-26-11, Amendment 39-15777 (73 FR 78934,
December 24, 2008) (``AD 2008-26-11'') for certain serial-numbered
Piper Model PA-46-350P, PA-46R-350T, and PA-46-500TP airplanes. AD
2008-26-11 requires installing stall warning heat control modification
kit part number 88452-002. For those serial-numbered airplanes to which
AD 2008-26-11 does not apply, Piper incorporated the modification kit
in production.
Since the FAA issued AD 2008-26-11, Piper found 11 airplanes (9
domestic) with the left wing replaced with a wing assembly from salvage
that did not have the proper stall warning heater modification design
change. Without the proper stall warning heat control modification kit
during flights into icing conditions with the landing gear down, ice
can form on the stall vane, which may result in failure of the stall
warning system. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe
condition on these products.
This action will not affect AD 2008-26-11 and all actions of that
AD will remain in place.

Discussion of Final Airworthiness Directive

Comments

The FAA received a comment from 1 commenter. The commenter
supported the NPRM without change.

Conclusion

The FAA reviewed the relevant data, considered the comments
received, and determined that air safety requires adopting the AD as
proposed. Accordingly, the FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe
condition on these products. Except for minor editorial changes, this
AD is adopted as proposed in the NPRM.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

The FAA reviewed Piper Service Letter No. 1261, dated July 19,
2019. This service information specifies procedures to identify and
correct nonconforming stall warning heat control systems. The intent of
these service letters is to ensure that wiring for the stall warning
heat control system meets current type design. 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 reviewed Piper Mandatory Service Bulletin No. 1192, dated
September 15, 2008. This service bulletin is incorporated by reference
in AD 2008-26-11.

Differences Between This AD and the Service Information

This AD does not require the first step, which is identified as a
``required for compliance'' (RC) step, of Piper Service Letter No.
1261, dated July 19, 2019. The first step specifies reviewing the
aircraft records to determine whether the inspection of the stall
warning heat control configuration must be done. This AD does not
require a records review. Instead, all airplanes identified in the
applicability of this AD have to inspect the stall warning heat control
configuration.

Costs of Compliance

The FAA estimates that this AD will affect 1,261 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 repairs
that will be required based on the results of the inspection. The FAA
has no way of determining the number of airplanes that might need these
repairs:

On-Condition Costs

The FAA has included all known costs in its cost estimate.
According to the manufacturer, however, some or all of the costs of
this AD may be covered under warranty, thereby reducing the cost impact
on affected individuals.

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: