AD 2020-24-09

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.

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.

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.

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.

The FAA received no comments on the NPRM or on the determination of the costs.

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.

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.

The FAA estimates that this AD affects 25 airplanes of U.S. registry.

The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this AD:

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:

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.

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.

Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the Administrator, the FAA amends 14 CFR part 39 as follows:

1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows:

2. The FAA amends § 39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness directive: