2015-20-13: Wing Ribs/Bulkhead

Adoption of 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 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 (AD): 2015-20-13 Piper Aircraft, Inc.: Amendment 39-18292; Docket No. FAA- 2015-4085; Directorate Identifier 2015-CE-033-AD. (a) Effective Date This AD is effective October 29, 2015. (b) Affected ADs None. (c) Applicability This AD applies to Piper Aircraft, Inc. Model PA-28-161 airplanes, serial numbers 2842393 through 2842395; Model PA-28-181 airplanes, serial numbers 2843769 through [[Page 61727]] 2843775 and 2843779 through 2843791; and Model PA-28R-201 airplanes, serial number 2844152, certificated in any category.(d) Subject Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC)/Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 5712, Wing Ribs/Bulkhead. (e) Unsafe Condition This AD was prompted by a report of cracks found in the wing rib bead radius that were formed during production. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct cracks in the wing rib, which if not corrected, could result in reduced structural integrity of the wing with consequent loss of control. (f) Compliance Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, unless already done. (g) Inspect (1) Within the next 25 hours time-in-service after October 29, 2015 (the effective date of this AD), inspect the right wing rib at wing station (WS) 140.09 for cracks following the INSTRUCTIONS section of Piper Aircraft, Inc. Service Bulletin No. 1279, dated August 26, 2015. (2) If any crack is detected during the inspection required by paragraph (g)(1) of this AD, before further flight, obtain and implement an FAA-approved repair scheme, approved specifically for this AD. At the operator's discretion, assistance may be provided by contacting Piper Aircraft, Inc. at the address identified in paragraph (k)(3) of this AD. (h) Special Flight Permit A special flight permit is allowed without limitations for the inspection required in paragraph (g)(1) of this AD. If a crack is found during the inspection required in paragraph (g)(1) of this AD, a special flight permit is allowed with the following limitations: (1) Flight must be planned to the nearest location where repairs can be done; (2) Indicated airspeed must be 120 knots or less for the entire flight; (3) Bank angle is not to exceed 30 degrees for the entire flight; (4) Maximum load factors must be between +3.0 and -1.0 for the entire flight; and (5) Flight must be performed VFR, with no turbulence greater than ``light'' forecast for the planned flight route and altitude. (i) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs) (1) The Manager, Atlanta ACO, 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 ACO, send it to the attention of the person identified in paragraph (j) of this AD. (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. (j) Related Information For more information about this AD, contact Gregory ``Keith'' Noles, Aerospace Engineer, FAA, Atlanta ACO, 1701 Columbia Avenue, College Park, Georgia 30337; phone: (404) 474-5551; fax: (404) 474- 5606; email: gregory.noles@faa.gov. (k) Material Incorporated by Reference (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference (IBR) of the service information listed in this paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. (2) You must use this service information as applicable to do the actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise. (i) Piper Aircraft, Inc. Service Bulletin No. 1279, dated August 26, 2015. (ii) Reserved. (3) For Piper Aircraft, Inc. service information identified in this AD, contact Piper Aircraft, Inc., Customer Service, 2926 Piper Drive, Vero Beach, Florida 32960; telephone: (877) 879-0275; fax: none; email: customer.service@piper.com; Internet: www.piper.com. (4) You may review the referenced service information at the FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 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 on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for locating Docket No. FAA- 2015-4085. (5) Youmay view this service information that is incorporated by reference at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of this material at NARA, call 202-741-6030, or go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.