Airworthiness Directives; FS 2001 Corp, FS 2002 Corporation, FS 2003 Corporation, Piper, and Piper Aircraft, Inc. Airplanes, 69556-69558 [2023-22259]
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Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 193 / Friday, October 6, 2023 / Proposed Rules
III. Proposed Action
The NRC is requesting public
comments on the draft RIS. All
comments that are to receive
consideration in the final RIS must still
be submitted electronically or in writing
as indicated in the ADDRESSES section of
this document. The NRC staff will make
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of the RIS after it considers any public
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request.
Dated: October 3, 2023.
For the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
Lisa M. Regner,
Chief, Generic Communication and Operating
Experience Branch, Division of Reactor
Oversight, Office of Nuclear Reactor
Regulation.
[FR Doc. 2023–22287 Filed 10–5–23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7590–01–P
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
• 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: Deliver to Mail
address above between 9 a.m. and 5
p.m., Monday through Friday, except
Federal holidays.
AD Docket: You may examine the AD
docket at regulations.gov by searching
for and locating Docket No. FAA–2023–
1893; 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 NPRM, any
comments received, and other
information. The street address for
Docket Operations is listed above.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Joseph Zuklic, Aviation Safety Engineer,
FAA, 2200 South 216th Street, Des
Moines, WA 98198; phone: (206) 231–
3858; email: joseph.r.zuklic@faa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments Invited
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA–2023–1893; Project
Identifier AD–2023–00389–A]
RIN 2120–AA64
Airworthiness Directives; FS 2001
Corp, FS 2002 Corporation, FS 2003
Corporation, Piper, and Piper Aircraft,
Inc. Airplanes
Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking
(NPRM).
AGENCY:
The FAA proposes to adopt a
new airworthiness directive (AD) for
certain FS 2001 Corp, FS 2002
Corporation, FS 2003 Corporation,
Piper, and Piper Aircraft, Inc. (Piper)
airplanes. This proposed AD was
prompted by reports of broken rudders.
This proposed AD would require
replacing any rudder equipped with a
rudder post made from a certain carbon
steel with a rudder equipped with a
rudder post made from a certain lowalloy steel. The FAA is proposing this
AD to address the unsafe condition on
these products.
DATES: The FAA must receive comments
on this proposed AD by November 20,
2023.
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
regulations.gov. Follow the instructions
for submitting comments.
lotter on DSK11XQN23PROD with PROPOSALS1
SUMMARY:
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16:11 Oct 05, 2023
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The FAA invites you to send any
written relevant data, views, or
arguments about this proposal. Send
your comments to an address listed
under ADDRESSES. Include ‘‘Docket No.
FAA–2023–1893; Project Identifier AD–
2023–00389–A’’ at the beginning of your
comments. The most helpful comments
reference a specific portion of the
proposal, explain the reason for any
recommended change, and include
supporting data. The FAA will consider
all comments received by the closing
date and may amend this proposal
because of those comments.
Except for Confidential Business
Information (CBI) as described in the
following paragraph, and other
information as described in 14 CFR
11.35, the FAA will post all comments
received, without change, to
regulations.gov, including any personal
information you provide. The agency
will also post a report summarizing each
substantive verbal contact received
about this NPRM.
Confidential Business Information
CBI is commercial or financial
information that is both customarily and
actually treated as private by its owner.
Under the Freedom of Information Act
(FOIA) (5 U.S.C. 552), CBI is exempt
from public disclosure. If your
comments responsive to this NPRM
contain commercial or financial
information that is customarily treated
as private, that you actually treat as
private, and that is relevant or
responsive to this NPRM, it is important
PO 00000
Frm 00002
Fmt 4702
Sfmt 4702
that you clearly designate the submitted
comments as CBI. Please mark each
page of your submission containing CBI
as ‘‘PROPIN.’’ The FAA will treat such
marked submissions as confidential
under the FOIA, and they will not be
placed in the public docket of this
NPRM. Submissions containing CBI
should be sent to Joseph Zuklic,
Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 2200
South 216th Street, Des Moines, WA
98198. Any commentary that the FAA
receives which is not specifically
designated as CBI will be placed in the
public docket for this rulemaking.
Background
The FAA received reports of two nonfatal accidents involving airplanes
designed and built by Piper that were
caused by broken rudder posts that
structurally failed above the upper
hinge in flight. Both accidents occurred
in Anchorage, Alaska. The first accident
occurred on June 8, 2020, and involved
an FS 2003 Model PA–12 airplane and
the second accident occurred on July 23,
2021, and involved an FS 2002 Model
PA–14 airplane. Both airplanes
sustained substantial damage when the
rudder structurally failed.
The National Transportation Safety
Board (NTSB) published the report
Structural Failure of Piper Part Number
40622 Rudder Posts Made of 1025
Carbon Steel, NTSB/AIR–22/02, dated
January 10, 2022, which provides
information regarding the NTSB’s
investigations of these two accidents.
The NTSB accident investigation report
included a recommendation (Safety
Recommendation No. A–22–3) to the
FAA to issue an airworthiness directive
addressing this unsafe condition. The
NTSB report can be found on ntsb.gov.
The NTSB examined the rudders
involved in these accidents and
determined that the rudder posts
fractured above the upper hinge and the
top portion of the rudder folded over the
upper tail brace wires. The NTSB also
determined that the rudder posts were
made from 1025 carbon steel and
fractured due to fatigue.
Prior to this proposed rulemaking
action the FAA issued an Airworthiness
Concern Sheet, dated September 4,
2020, that requested information from
the aviation community regarding inflight failure of the rudder just above the
upper hinge on all Piper and FS2003
Corp (type certificate previously held by
Piper) Model J–5A, J–5B, J–5C, J–5D,
AE–1, HE–1, PA–12, PA–12S, PA–14,
PA–16, PA–18, L–21, PA–20, and PA–
22 airplanes. The responses revealed
that there were five additional broken
rudder incidents dating as far back as
1979.
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Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 193 / Friday, October 6, 2023 / Proposed Rules
Prior to 1974, all rudders installed on
Piper model airplanes were equipped
with rudder posts manufactured from
1025 carbon steel and starting in 1974,
the rudder posts were manufactured
from 4130N low-alloy steel (Chromoly).
Most parts manufacturer approval
rudders are equipped with rudder posts
made from 4130N low-alloy steel.
The NTSB determined that the broken
rudder incidents resulted from the
combination of fatigue loading and
corrosion affecting the rudder
assemblies made from 1025 carbon
steel. This condition, if not addressed,
could result in a broken rudder and
consequent reduced ability of the
flightcrew to maintain the safe flight
and landing of the airplane.
FAA’s Determination
The FAA is issuing this NPRM after
determining that the unsafe condition
described previously is likely to exist or
develop on other products of the same
type design.
69557
Proposed AD Requirements in This
NPRM
This proposed AD would require
replacing any rudder equipped with a
rudder post made from 1025 carbon
steel with a rudder equipped with a
rudder post made from 4130N low-alloy
steel.
Costs of Compliance
The FAA estimates that this AD, if
adopted as proposed, would affect
30,992 airplanes of U.S. registry.
The FAA estimates the following
costs to comply with this proposed AD:
ESTIMATED COSTS
Action
Labor cost
Replace rudder ......................................
8 work-hours × $85 per hour = $680 ....
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
The FAA 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
Cost per
product
Parts cost
$2,320
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 this proposed regulation:
(1) Is not a ‘‘significant regulatory
action’’ under Executive Order 12866,
(2) Would not affect intrastate
aviation in Alaska, and
(3) Would 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 Proposed Amendment
Accordingly, under the authority
delegated to me by the Administrator,
the FAA proposes to amend 14 CFR part
39 as follows:
PART 39—AIRWORTHINESS
DIRECTIVES
1. The authority citation for part 39
continues to read as follows:
■
$3,000
§ 39.13
[Amended]
2. The FAA amends § 39.13 by adding
the following new airworthiness
directive:
■
FS 2001 Corp, FS 2002 Corporation, FS 2003
Corporation, Piper, and Piper Aircraft,
Inc.: Docket No. FAA–2023–1893;
Project Identifier AD–2023–00389–A.
(a) Comments Due Date
The FAA must receive comments on this
airworthiness directive (AD) by November
20, 2023.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to all airplane models
specified in Table 1 to paragraph (c) of this
AD, certificated in any category, that are not
equipped with a rudder having a rudder post
made from 4130N low-alloy steel.
Note 1 to paragraph (c): Most parts
manufacturer approval (PMA) rudders are
equipped with a rudder post made from
4130N low-alloy steel. This can be verified
by reviewing the individual PMA.
Note 2 to paragraph (c): Piper Service
Bulletin 1379, dated December 2, 2022,
contains information related to this AD.
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Airplane model
FS 2001 Corp .................................
FS 2002 Corporation ......................
FS 2003 Corporation ......................
Piper Aircraft, Inc ............................
Piper Aircraft, Inc ............................
Piper Aircraft, Inc ............................
Piper Aircraft, Inc ............................
Piper Aircraft, Inc ............................
Piper ................................................
VerDate Sep<11>2014
16:11 Oct 05, 2023
J5A (Army L–4F), J5A–80, J5B (Army L–4G), J5C, AE–1, HE–1.
PA–14.
PA–12, PA–12S.
J3C–40, J3C–50, J3C–50S, J3C–65, J3C–65S, PA–11, PA–11S.
J3F–50, J3F–50S, J3F–60, J3F–60S, (Army L–4D) J3F–65, J3F–65S.
J3L, J3L–S, J3L–65 (ARMY L–4C), J3L–65S.
J4, J4A, J4A–S.
J4E (ARMY L–4E).
J4F.
Jkt 262001
PO 00000
Frm 00003
Fmt 4702
Sfmt 4702
$92,976,000
Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701.
TABLE 1 TO PARAGRAPH (c)—APPLICABLE AIRPLANE MODELS
Type certificate holder
Cost on U.S.
operators
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69558
Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 193 / Friday, October 6, 2023 / Proposed Rules
TABLE 1 TO PARAGRAPH (c)—APPLICABLE AIRPLANE MODELS—Continued
Type certificate holder
Piper
Piper
Piper
Piper
Aircraft,
Aircraft,
Aircraft,
Aircraft,
Inc
Inc
Inc
Inc
Airplane model
............................
............................
............................
............................
Piper Aircraft, Inc ............................
Piper Aircraft, Inc ............................
Piper Aircraft, Inc ............................
PA–15.
PA–16, PA–16S.
PA–17.
PA–18, PA–18S, PA–18 ‘‘105’’ (Special), PA–18S ‘‘105’’ (Special), PA–18A, PA–18 ‘‘125’’ (Army L–21A),
PA–18S ‘‘125’’, PA–18AS ‘‘125’’, PA–18 ‘‘135’’ (Army L–21B), PA–18A ‘‘135’’, PA–18S ‘‘135’’, PA–18AS
‘‘135’’, PA–18 ‘‘150’’, PA–18A ‘‘150’’, PA–18S ‘‘150’’, PA–18AS ‘‘150’’, PA–19 (Army L–18C), PA–19S.
PA–18A (Restricted), PA–18A ‘‘135’’ (Restricted), PA–18A ‘‘150’’ (Restricted).
PA–20, PA–20S, PA–20 ‘‘115’’, PA–20S ‘‘115’’, PA–20 ‘‘135’’, PA–20S ‘‘135’’.
PA–22, PA–22–108, PA–22–135, PA–22S–135, PA–22–150, PA–22S–150, PA–22–160, PA–22S–160.
(d) Subject
Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC)
Code 5540, Rudder Structure.
(e) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by reports of
broken rudders. The FAA is issuing this AD
to address fatigue loading and corrosion of
rudder posts made from 1025 carbon steel
which, if not addressed, could result in a
broken rudder and consequent reduced
ability of the flightcrew to maintain the safe
flight and landing of the airplane.
(f) Compliance
Comply with this AD within the
compliance times specified, unless already
done.
(g) Required Actions
(1) At the applicable compliance time for
the category type for your airplane specified
in Table 2 to paragraph (g) of this AD, replace
the rudder with a rudder that is equipped
with a rudder post made from 4130N lowalloy steel.
TABLE 2 TO PARAGRAPH (g)—COMPLIANCE TIMES
Airplane model
Category type
J–3, J3C–40, J3C–50, J3C–50S, J3C–65, J3C–65S, J3F–50,
J3F–50S, J3F–60, J3F–60S, J3F–65 (Army L–4D), J3F–
65S, J3L, J3L–S, J3L–65 (ARMY L–4C), J3L–65S.
J–4, J4, J4A, J4A–S, J4E (ARMY L–4E), J4F.
PA–11, PA–11S.
PA–15.
PA–16, PA–16S.
PA–17.
PA–18, PA–18S, PA–18 ‘‘105’’ (Special), PA–18S ‘‘105’’ (Special), PA–18A, PA–18 ‘‘125’’ (Army L–21A), PA–18S ‘‘125’’,
PA–18AS ‘‘125’’, PA–18 ‘‘135’’ (Army L–21B), PA–18A
‘‘135’’, PA–18S ‘‘135’’, PA–18AS ‘‘135’’, PA–18 ‘‘150’’, PA–
18A ‘‘150’’, PA–18S ‘‘150’’, PA–18AS ‘‘150’’, PA–18A (Restricted), PA–18A ‘‘135’’ (Restricted), PA–18A ‘‘150’’ (Restricted).
PA–19, PA–19 (Army L–18C), PA–19S.
PA–20, PA–20S, PA–20 ‘‘115’’, PA–20S ‘‘115’’, PA–20 ‘‘135’’,
PA–20S ‘‘135’’.
PA–22, PA–22–108, PA–22–135, PA–22S–135, PA–22–150,
PA–22S–150, PA–22–160, PA–22S–160.
J–5, J5A (Army L–4F), J5A–80, J5B (Army L–4G), J5C, AE–1,
HE–1.
PA–12, PA–12S.
PA–14.
Category I Airplanes: Airplanes having both a
rudder post mounted beacon light and a
150 or greater horsepower (HP) engine installed.
Category II Airplanes: Airplanes having either
a rudder post mounted beacon light or a
150 or greater HP engine installed.
Category III Airplanes: All other airplanes not
in Category I or Category II that do not
have a rudder post mounted beacon light
and have an engine less than 150 HP installed.
(2) As of the effective date of this AD, do
not install any rudder that is equipped with
a rudder post made from 1025 carbon steel
on any airplane.
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(h) Alternative Methods of Compliance
(AMOCs)
(1) The Manager, West Certification
Branch, 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 West Certification
Branch, send it to the attention of the person
identified in paragraph (i)(1) of this AD.
VerDate Sep<11>2014
16:11 Oct 05, 2023
Jkt 262001
Information may be emailed to: 9-ANMSeattle-ACO-AMOC-Requests@faa.gov.
(2) Before using any approved AMOC,
notify your appropriate principal inspector,
or lacking a principal inspector, the manager
of the local flight standards district office/
certificate holding district office.
(1) For more information about this AD,
contact Joseph Zuklic, Aviation Safety
Engineer, FAA, 2200 South 216th Street, Des
Moines, WA 98198; phone: (206) 231–3858;
email: joseph.r.zuklic@faa.gov.
(2) For service information identified in
this AD that is not incorporated by reference,
contact Piper Aircraft, Inc., 2926 Piper Drive,
Vero Beach, FL 32960; phone: (772) 299–
2141; website: piper.com. You may view this
Frm 00004
Fmt 4702
Within 2 years after the effective date of this AD.
Within 3 years after the effective date of this AD.
Within 5 years after the effective date of this AD.
service information at the FAA,
Airworthiness Products Section, Operational
Safety Branch, 901 Locust, Kansas City, MO
64106. For information on the availability of
this material at the FAA, call (817) 222–5110.
(j) Material Incorporated by Reference
None.
(i) Related Information
PO 00000
Compliance time
Sfmt 9990
Issued on September 27, 2023.
Victor Wicklund,
Deputy Director, Compliance & Airworthiness
Division, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2023–22259 Filed 10–5–23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910–13–P
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]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 193 (Friday, October 6, 2023)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 69556-69558]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-22259]
=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2023-1893; Project Identifier AD-2023-00389-A]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; FS 2001 Corp, FS 2002 Corporation, FS
2003 Corporation, Piper, and Piper Aircraft, Inc. Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD)
for certain FS 2001 Corp, FS 2002 Corporation, FS 2003 Corporation,
Piper, and Piper Aircraft, Inc. (Piper) airplanes. This proposed AD was
prompted by reports of broken rudders. This proposed AD would require
replacing any rudder equipped with a rudder post made from a certain
carbon steel with a rudder equipped with a rudder post made from a
certain low-alloy steel. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the
unsafe condition on these products.
DATES: The FAA must receive comments on this proposed AD by November
20, 2023.
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 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: Deliver to Mail address above between 9
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at regulations.gov by
searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2023-1893; 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 NPRM, any comments
received, and other information. The street address for Docket
Operations is listed above.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Joseph Zuklic, Aviation Safety
Engineer, FAA, 2200 South 216th Street, Des Moines, WA 98198; phone:
(206) 231-3858; email: [email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments Invited
The FAA invites you to send any written relevant data, views, or
arguments about this proposal. Send your comments to an address listed
under ADDRESSES. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2023-1893; Project Identifier
AD-2023-00389-A'' at the beginning of your comments. The most helpful
comments reference a specific portion of the proposal, explain the
reason for any recommended change, and include supporting data. The FAA
will consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend
this proposal because of those comments.
Except for Confidential Business Information (CBI) as described in
the following paragraph, and other information as described in 14 CFR
11.35, the FAA will post all comments received, without change, to
regulations.gov, including any personal information you provide. The
agency will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal
contact received about this NPRM.
Confidential Business Information
CBI is commercial or financial information that is both customarily
and actually treated as private by its owner. Under the Freedom of
Information Act (FOIA) (5 U.S.C. 552), CBI is exempt from public
disclosure. If your comments responsive to this NPRM contain commercial
or financial information that is customarily treated as private, that
you actually treat as private, and that is relevant or responsive to
this NPRM, it is important that you clearly designate the submitted
comments as CBI. Please mark each page of your submission containing
CBI as ``PROPIN.'' The FAA will treat such marked submissions as
confidential under the FOIA, and they will not be placed in the public
docket of this NPRM. Submissions containing CBI should be sent to
Joseph Zuklic, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 2200 South 216th Street,
Des Moines, WA 98198. Any commentary that the FAA receives which is not
specifically designated as CBI will be placed in the public docket for
this rulemaking.
Background
The FAA received reports of two non-fatal accidents involving
airplanes designed and built by Piper that were caused by broken rudder
posts that structurally failed above the upper hinge in flight. Both
accidents occurred in Anchorage, Alaska. The first accident occurred on
June 8, 2020, and involved an FS 2003 Model PA-12 airplane and the
second accident occurred on July 23, 2021, and involved an FS 2002
Model PA-14 airplane. Both airplanes sustained substantial damage when
the rudder structurally failed.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) published the
report Structural Failure of Piper Part Number 40622 Rudder Posts Made
of 1025 Carbon Steel, NTSB/AIR-22/02, dated January 10, 2022, which
provides information regarding the NTSB's investigations of these two
accidents. The NTSB accident investigation report included a
recommendation (Safety Recommendation No. A-22-3) to the FAA to issue
an airworthiness directive addressing this unsafe condition. The NTSB
report can be found on ntsb.gov.
The NTSB examined the rudders involved in these accidents and
determined that the rudder posts fractured above the upper hinge and
the top portion of the rudder folded over the upper tail brace wires.
The NTSB also determined that the rudder posts were made from 1025
carbon steel and fractured due to fatigue.
Prior to this proposed rulemaking action the FAA issued an
Airworthiness Concern Sheet, dated September 4, 2020, that requested
information from the aviation community regarding in-flight failure of
the rudder just above the upper hinge on all Piper and FS2003 Corp
(type certificate previously held by Piper) Model J-5A, J-5B, J-5C, J-
5D, AE-1, HE-1, PA-12, PA-12S, PA-14, PA-16, PA-18, L-21, PA-20, and
PA-22 airplanes. The responses revealed that there were five additional
broken rudder incidents dating as far back as 1979.
[[Page 69557]]
Prior to 1974, all rudders installed on Piper model airplanes were
equipped with rudder posts manufactured from 1025 carbon steel and
starting in 1974, the rudder posts were manufactured from 4130N low-
alloy steel (Chromoly). Most parts manufacturer approval rudders are
equipped with rudder posts made from 4130N low-alloy steel.
The NTSB determined that the broken rudder incidents resulted from
the combination of fatigue loading and corrosion affecting the rudder
assemblies made from 1025 carbon steel. This condition, if not
addressed, could result in a broken rudder and consequent reduced
ability of the flightcrew to maintain the safe flight and landing of
the airplane.
FAA's Determination
The FAA is issuing this NPRM after determining that the unsafe
condition described previously is likely to exist or develop on other
products of the same type design.
Proposed AD Requirements in This NPRM
This proposed AD would require replacing any rudder equipped with a
rudder post made from 1025 carbon steel with a rudder equipped with a
rudder post made from 4130N low-alloy steel.
Costs of Compliance
The FAA estimates that this AD, if adopted as proposed, would
affect 30,992 airplanes of U.S. registry.
The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this proposed
AD:
Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cost on U.S.
Action Labor cost Parts cost Cost per product operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Replace rudder................... 8 work-hours x $85 $2,320 $3,000 $92,976,000
per hour = $680.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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
The FAA 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.
For the reasons discussed above, I certify this proposed
regulation:
(1) Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive
Order 12866,
(2) Would not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and
(3) Would 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 Proposed Amendment
Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the
Administrator, the FAA proposes to amend 14 CFR part 39 as follows:
PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
0
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]
0
2. The FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness
directive:
FS 2001 Corp, FS 2002 Corporation, FS 2003 Corporation, Piper, and
Piper Aircraft, Inc.: Docket No. FAA-2023-1893; Project Identifier
AD-2023-00389-A.
(a) Comments Due Date
The FAA must receive comments on this airworthiness directive
(AD) by November 20, 2023.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to all airplane models specified in Table 1 to
paragraph (c) of this AD, certificated in any category, that are not
equipped with a rudder having a rudder post made from 4130N low-
alloy steel.
Note 1 to paragraph (c): Most parts manufacturer approval (PMA)
rudders are equipped with a rudder post made from 4130N low-alloy
steel. This can be verified by reviewing the individual PMA.
Note 2 to paragraph (c): Piper Service Bulletin 1379, dated
December 2, 2022, contains information related to this AD.
Table 1 to Paragraph (c)--Applicable Airplane Models
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Type certificate holder Airplane model
------------------------------------------------------------------------
FS 2001 Corp...................... J5A (Army L-4F), J5A-80, J5B (Army L-
4G), J5C, AE-1, HE-1.
FS 2002 Corporation............... PA-14.
FS 2003 Corporation............... PA-12, PA-12S.
Piper Aircraft, Inc............... J3C-40, J3C-50, J3C-50S, J3C-65, J3C-
65S, PA-11, PA-11S.
Piper Aircraft, Inc............... J3F-50, J3F-50S, J3F-60, J3F-60S,
(Army L-4D) J3F-65, J3F-65S.
Piper Aircraft, Inc............... J3L, J3L-S, J3L-65 (ARMY L-4C), J3L-
65S.
Piper Aircraft, Inc............... J4, J4A, J4A-S.
Piper Aircraft, Inc............... J4E (ARMY L-4E).
Piper............................. J4F.
[[Page 69558]]
Piper Aircraft, Inc............... PA-15.
Piper Aircraft, Inc............... PA-16, PA-16S.
Piper Aircraft, Inc............... PA-17.
Piper Aircraft, Inc............... PA-18, PA-18S, PA-18 ``105''
(Special), PA-18S ``105''
(Special), PA-18A, PA-18 ``125''
(Army L-21A), PA-18S ``125'', PA-
18AS ``125'', PA-18 ``135'' (Army L-
21B), PA-18A ``135'', PA-18S
``135'', PA-18AS ``135'', PA-18
``150'', PA-18A ``150'', PA-18S
``150'', PA-18AS ``150'', PA-19
(Army L-18C), PA-19S.
Piper Aircraft, Inc............... PA-18A (Restricted), PA-18A ``135''
(Restricted), PA-18A ``150''
(Restricted).
Piper Aircraft, Inc............... PA-20, PA-20S, PA-20 ``115'', PA-20S
``115'', PA-20 ``135'', PA-20S
``135''.
Piper Aircraft, Inc............... PA-22, PA-22-108, PA-22-135, PA-22S-
135, PA-22-150, PA-22S-150, PA-22-
160, PA-22S-160.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(d) Subject
Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 5540, Rudder
Structure.
(e) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by reports of broken rudders. The FAA is
issuing this AD to address fatigue loading and corrosion of rudder
posts made from 1025 carbon steel which, if not addressed, could
result in a broken rudder and consequent reduced ability of the
flightcrew to maintain the safe flight and landing of the airplane.
(f) Compliance
Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified,
unless already done.
(g) Required Actions
(1) At the applicable compliance time for the category type for
your airplane specified in Table 2 to paragraph (g) of this AD,
replace the rudder with a rudder that is equipped with a rudder post
made from 4130N low-alloy steel.
Table 2 to Paragraph (g)--Compliance Times
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Airplane model Category type Compliance time
------------------------------------------------------------------------
J-3, J3C-40, J3C-50, J3C-50S, J3C- Category I Within 2 years
65, J3C-65S, J3F-50, J3F-50S, J3F- Airplanes: after the
60, J3F-60S, J3F-65 (Army L-4D), Airplanes having effective date
J3F-65S, J3L, J3L-S, J3L-65 (ARMY both a rudder of this AD.
L-4C), J3L-65S. post mounted
J-4, J4, J4A, J4A-S, J4E (ARMY L- beacon light and
4E), J4F. a 150 or greater
horsepower (HP)
engine installed.
PA-11, PA-11S. Category II Within 3 years
PA-15. Airplanes: after the
PA-16, PA-16S. Airplanes having effective date
either a rudder of this AD.
post mounted
beacon light or
a 150 or greater
HP engine
installed.
PA-17. Category III Within 5 years
PA-18, PA-18S, PA-18 ``105'' Airplanes: All after the
(Special), PA-18S ``105'' other airplanes effective date
(Special), PA-18A, PA-18 ``125'' not in Category of this AD.
(Army L-21A), PA-18S ``125'', PA- I or Category II
18AS ``125'', PA-18 ``135'' (Army that do not have
L-21B), PA-18A ``135'', PA-18S a rudder post
``135'', PA-18AS ``135'', PA-18 mounted beacon
``150'', PA-18A ``150'', PA-18S light and have
``150'', PA-18AS ``150'', PA-18A an engine less
(Restricted), PA-18A ``135'' than 150 HP
(Restricted), PA-18A ``150'' installed.
(Restricted).
PA-19, PA-19 (Army L-18C), PA-19S.
PA-20, PA-20S, PA-20 ``115'', PA-
20S ``115'', PA-20 ``135'', PA-20S
``135''.
PA-22, PA-22-108, PA-22-135, PA-22S-
135, PA-22-150, PA-22S-150, PA-22-
160, PA-22S-160.
J-5, J5A (Army L-4F), J5A-80, J5B
(Army L-4G), J5C, AE-1, HE-1.
PA-12, PA-12S.
PA-14.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(2) As of the effective date of this AD, do not install any
rudder that is equipped with a rudder post made from 1025 carbon
steel on any airplane.
(h) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)
(1) The Manager, West Certification Branch, 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 West Certification Branch, send it to
the attention of the person identified in paragraph (i)(1) of this
AD. Information may be emailed to: [email protected].
(2) Before using any approved AMOC, notify your appropriate
principal inspector, or lacking a principal inspector, the manager
of the local flight standards district office/certificate holding
district office.
(i) Related Information
(1) For more information about this AD, contact Joseph Zuklic,
Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 2200 South 216th Street, Des Moines,
WA 98198; phone: (206) 231-3858; email: [email protected].
(2) For service information identified in this AD that is not
incorporated by reference, contact Piper Aircraft, Inc., 2926 Piper
Drive, Vero Beach, FL 32960; phone: (772) 299-2141; website:
piper.com. You may view this service information at the FAA,
Airworthiness Products Section, Operational Safety Branch, 901
Locust, Kansas City, MO 64106. For information on the availability
of this material at the FAA, call (817) 222-5110.
(j) Material Incorporated by Reference
None.
Issued on September 27, 2023.
Victor Wicklund,
Deputy Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2023-22259 Filed 10-5-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
