[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 87 (Friday, May 3, 1996)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 19808-19809]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-10581]



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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 95-CE-50-AD; Amendment 39-9585; AD 96-09-09]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; I.A.M. Rinaldo Piaggio S.p.A. Model P 
180 Series Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) that 
applies to I.A.M. Rinaldo Piaggio S.p.A. Model P 180 series airplanes. 
This action requires installing a shield on the front section of the 
engine cradle. A report of power control jamming as a result of 
freezing conditions during a high altitude flight prompted this AD 
action. The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent loss 
of engine power or the propeller controls from jamming as a result of 
freezing rain entering the engine nacelle, which, if not detected and 
corrected, could result in loss of control of the airplane.

DATES: Effective June 7, 1996.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of June 7, 1996.

ADDRESSES: Service information that applies to this AD may be obtained 
from I.A.M. Rinaldo Piaggio, S.p.A., Via Cibrario, 4 16154, Genoa, 
Italy. This information may also be examined at the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Central Region, Office of the Assistant Chief 
Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket 95-CE-50-AD, Room 1558, 601 E. 12th 
Street, Kansas City, Missouri 64106; or at the Office of the Federal 
Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Dorenda Baker, Program Manager, 
Brussels Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, Europe, Africa, and Middle 
East Office, c/o American Embassy, B-1000 Brussels, Belgium; telephone 
(322) 513-3830, ext. 2716; facsimile (322) 230-6899; or Mr. Roman T. 
Gabrys, Project Officer, Small Airplane Directorate, Airplane 
Certification Service, FAA, 1201 Walnut, suite 900, Kansas City, 
Missouri 64105; telephone (816) 426-6932; facsimile (816) 426-2169.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal 
Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) to include an AD that would apply 
to I.A.M. Rinaldo Piaggio S.p.A. Model P 180 series was published in 
the Federal Register on October 4, 1995 (60 FR 51944). The action 
proposed to require installing a shield on the front section of the 
engine cradle. Accomplishment of this action would be in accordance 
with Piaggio Service Bulletin (SB) 80-0066; Original Issue December 12, 
1994.
    Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate 
in the making of this amendment. No comments were received on the 
proposed rule or the FAA's determination of the cost to the public.
    After careful review of all available information related to the 
subject presented above, the FAA has determined that air safety and the 
public interest require the adoption of the rule as proposed except for 
minor editorial corrections. The FAA has determined that these minor 
corrections will not change the meaning of the AD and will not add any 
additional burden upon the public than was already proposed.
    The FAA estimates that 5 airplanes in the U.S. registry will be 
affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 2

[[Page 19809]]

workhours per airplane to accomplish this action, and that the average 
labor rate is approximately $60 an hour. Parts will be furnished by the 
manufacturer at no cost to the owner/operators. Based on these figures, 
the total cost impact of this AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be 
$600. This figure is based on the assumption that none of the affected 
airplanes have shields installed and that none of the affected owners/
operators have modified the airplanes.
    The compliance time of this AD is presented in both hours time-in-
service (TIS) and calendar time. The FAA has determined that including 
calendar time compliance is also necessary because the unsafe condition 
is the result of adverse weather conditions which can affect the 
nacelle and power controls while not in use as well as in flight. 
Therefore, to ensure that the above-described condition is detected and 
corrected on all airplanes within a reasonable period of time without 
inadvertently grounding any airplanes, a compliance schedule based upon 
both TIS and calendar time is required.
    The regulations adopted herein will not have substantial direct 
effects 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. Therefore, in 
accordance with Executive Order 12612, it is determined that this final 
rule does not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant the 
preparation of a Federalism Assessment.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this action (1) is 
not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive Order 12866; 
(2) is not a ``significant rule'' under DOT Regulatory Policies and 
Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979); 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. A copy of the final evaluation prepared for this 
action is contained in the Rules Docket. A copy of it may be obtained 
by contacting the Rules Docket at the location provided under the 
caption ADDRESSES.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by 
reference, Safety.

Adoption of the Amendment

    Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration amends part 39 of 
the Federal Aviation Regulations (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. Section 39.13 is amended by adding a new airworthiness directive 
(AD) to read as follows:

96-09-09  I.A.M. Rinaldo Piaggio S.P.A.: Amendment 39-9585; Docket 
No. 95-CE-50-AD.

    Applicability: Model P 180 Series Airplanes (serial numbers 
1001, 1002, 1004, and 1006 through 1033), certificated in any 
category.

    Note 1: This AD applies to each airplane identified in the 
preceding applicability provision, regardless of whether it has been 
modified, altered, or repaired in the area subject to the 
requirements of this AD. For airplanes that have been modified, 
altered, or repaired so that the performance of the requirements of 
this AD is affected, the owner/operator must request approval for an 
alternative method of compliance in accordance with paragraph (c) of 
this AD. The request should include an assessment of the effect of 
the modification, alteration, or repair on the unsafe condition 
addressed by this AD; and, if the unsafe condition has not been 
eliminated, the request should include specific proposed actions to 
address it. Compliance: Required within the next 100 hours time-in 
service (TIS), or within the next 3 calendar months, whichever 
occurs later, after the effective date of this AD, unless already 
accomplished.

    Note 2: The compliance time in this AD takes precedence over the 
compliance time reflected in Piaggio Service Bulletin 80-0066, 
Original Issue, December 12, 1994.

    To prevent loss of engine power or the propeller controls from 
jamming, as a result of freezing rain entering the engine nacelle, 
which, if not detected and corrected, could result in loss of 
control of the airplane, accomplish the following:
    (a) Modify the nacelle by installing a shield on the front 
section of the engine cradle, in accordance with the ACCOMPLISHMENT 
INSTRUCTIONS section in Piaggio Service Bulletin (SB) No. 80-0066; 
Original Issue: December 12, 1994.
    (b) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with 
sections 21.197 and 21.199 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 
CFR 21.197 and 21.199) to operate the airplane to a location where 
the requirements of this AD can be accomplished.
    (c) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the 
compliance time that provides an equivalent level of safety may be 
approved by the Manager, Brussels Aircraft Certification Office, 
FAA, Europe, Africa, and Middle East Office, c/o American Embassy, 
B-1000 Brussels, Belgium or Mr. Roman T. Gabrys, Project Officer, 
Small Airplane Directorate, Airplane Certification Service, FAA, 
1201 Walnut, suite 900, Kansas City, Missouri 64106. The request 
shall be forwarded through an appropriate FAA Maintenance Inspector, 
who may add comments and then send it to the Manager, Brussels 
Aircraft Certification Office.

    Note 3: Information concerning the existence of approved 
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be 
obtained from the Brussels Aircraft Certification Office.

    (d) The modifications required by this AD shall be done in 
accordance with Piaggio Service Bulletin No. 80-0066; Original 
Issue: December 12, 1994. This incorporation by reference was 
approved by the Director of the Federal Register in accordance with 
5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. Copies may be obtained from 
I.A.M. Rinaldo Piaggio, S.p.A., Via Cibrario, 4 16154, Genoa, Italy. 
Copies may be inspected at the FAA, Central Region, Office of the 
Assistant Chief Counsel, Room 1558, 601 E. 12th Street, Kansas City, 
Missouri, or at the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North 
Capitol Street, NW., suite 700, Washington, DC.
    (e) This amendment (39-9585) becomes effective on June 7, 1996.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on April 23, 1996.
Henry A. Armstrong,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 96-10581 Filed 5-2-96; 8:45 am]
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