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CFR Citation: 14 CFR Part 39

Docket ID: [Docket No. 2003-CE-52-AD]

RIN ID: RIN 2120-AA64

NOTICE: PROPOSED RULES

ACTION: Airworthiness directives:

DOCUMENT ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

SUBJECT CATEGORY: Airworthiness Directives; The New Piper Aircraft, Inc. Model PA- 46-500TP Airplanes

DATES: We must receive any comments on this proposed AD by June 1, 2004.

DOCUMENT SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain The New Piper Aircraft, Inc. (Piper) Model PA46500TP airplanes. This proposed AD would require you to inspect (onetime) for the existence of any protective cover over the percussion caps or silicon tube installed over the end of the trigger mechanism pin of the oxygen generators, and remove any protective cover or silicon tube found. This proposed AD is the result of reports of the above conditions found on the affected airplanes. We are issuing this proposed AD to detect and remove any protective cover over the percussion cap, or any silicon tube over the end of the trigger mechanism pin, which could result in failure of the emergency oxygen system. This failure could lead to the crew and passengers not being able to get oxygen in an emergency situation.

SUMMARY: New Piper Aircraft, Inc.,

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION

How do I comment on this proposed AD? We invite you to submit any written relevant data, views, or arguments regarding this proposal. Send your comments to an address listed under ADDRESSES. Include ``AD Docket No. 2003CE52AD'' in the subject line of your comments. If you want us to acknowledge receipt of your mailed comments, send us a self addressed, stamped postcard with the docket number written on it. We will datestamp your postcard and mail it back to you.

Are there any specific portions of this proposed AD I should pay attention to? We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this proposed AD. If you contact us through a nonwritten communication and that contact relates to a substantive part of this proposed AD, we will summarize the contact and place the summary in the docket. We will consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend this proposed AD in light of those comments and contacts.

Discussion

What events have caused this proposed AD? The FAA has received several reports of the protective cover installed over the percussion cap on the oxygen generator on the Models PA46310P, PA46350P and PA46500TP airplanes. Also, a silicon tube may exist over the end of the trigger mechanism pin. Any protective cover installed over the percussion cap, or any silicon tube installed over the trigger, on the oxygen generator renders the emergency oxygen system inoperative.

What is the potential impact if FAA took no action? Any protective cover on the percussion cap or silicon tube installed over the end of the trigger mechanism pin could result in failure of the emergency oxygen system. This failure could lead to the crew or passengers not being able to get oxygen in an emergency situation.

Is there service information that applies to this subject? Piper has issued Service Bulletin No. 1140, dated September 16, 2003.

What are the provisions of this service information? The service bulletin includes procedures for:
Inspecting the oxygen generators for any protective cover of the percussion caps installed over the percussion cap or any silicon tube installed over the end of the trigger mechanism pin; and
If any protective cover over the percussion cap or silicon tube installed over the end of the trigger mechanism pin is found, removing the protective cover or silicon tube.

FAA's Determination and Requirements of This Proposed AD

What has FAA decided? We have evaluated all pertinent information and identified an unsafe condition that is likely to exist or develop on other products of this same type design. Therefore, we are proposing AD action.

What would this proposed AD require? This proposed AD would require you to incorporate the actions in the previouslyreferenced service bulletin on the Model PA46500TP airplanes.

The affected models in the previouslyreferenced service bulletin include the Models PA46310P and PA46350P airplanes. However, these models are certificated at a lower service ceiling than the Model PA 46500TP airplane. Since Piper has demonstrated an emergency descent to a lower altitude with no oxygen to the pilot, neither Model PA46310P nor PA46350P airplanes are affected by the identified condition. [[Page 16837]]

How does the revision to 14 CFR part 39 affect this proposed AD? On July 10, 2002, we published a new version of 14 CFR part 39 (67 FR 47997, July 22, 2002), which governs FAA's AD system. This regulation now includes material that relates to altered products, special flight permits, and alternative methods of compliance. This material previously was included in each individual AD. Since this material is included in 14 CFR part 39, we will not include it in future AD actions.

Costs of Compliance

How many airplanes would this proposed AD impact? We estimate that this proposed AD affects 135 airplanes in the U.S. registry.

What would be the cost impact of this proposed AD on owners/ operators of the affected airplanes? We estimate the following costs to accomplish this proposed inspection (and removal of any protective cover on the percussion cap or any silicon tube installed over the end of the trigger mechanism pin):
Total cost per Labor cost Parts cost airplane Total cost on U.S. operators 1 workhour x $65 per hour= $65..... No cost for parts.... $65 135 x $65 = $8,775. Compliance Time of This Proposed AD

What would be the compliance time of this proposed AD? The compliance time of this proposed AD is within the next 50 hours time inservice (TIS) or 30 calendar days after the effective date of the proposed AD.

Why is the compliance time of this proposed AD presented in both hours TIS and calendar time? Any protective cover on a percussion cap or silicon tube installed over the end of the trigger mechanism pin on the emergency oxygen generator of the affected airplanes is a result of a manufacturer quality control problem. The presence of any installed protective cover on a percussion cap or silicon tube installed over the end of the trigger mechanism pin can occur regardless of whether the airplane is in flight or on the ground. To ensure that any installed protective cover on a percussion cap or silicon tube installed over the end of the trigger mechanism pin does not go undetected, a compliance time of specific hours TIS and calendar time is utilized.

Regulatory Findings

Would this proposed AD impact various entities? 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.

Would this proposed AD involve a significant rule or regulatory action? For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this proposed

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT Hector Hernandez, Aerospace Engineer, FAA, Atlanta Aircraft Certification Office, One Crown Center, 1895 Phoenix Boulevard, Suite 450, Atlanta, Georgia 30349; telephone: (770) 7036069; facsimile: (770) 7036097.