[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 130 (Tuesday, July 8, 1997)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 36448-36450]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-17732]


=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 96-CE-62-AD; Amendment 39-10072; AD 97-14-14]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Industrie Aeronautiche E Meccaniche 
Model Piaggio P-180 Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) that 
applies to certain Industrie Aeronautiche E Meccaniche (I.A.M.) Model 
Piaggio P-180 airplanes that are equipped with a certain freon air 
conditioning system. This AD requires inspecting the baggage 
compartment for stringer or air cycle machine (ACM) by-pass duct 
damage, repairing any damage found, and modifying the freon air inlet 
duct and electrical wiring. This AD results from trim system 
malfunction on one of the affected airplanes, resulting from contact 
between the freon air inlet duct and the electrical wiring. The actions 
specified by this AD are intended to prevent trim system malfunction 
caused by contact between the freon air inlet duct and electrical 
wiring, which could result in loss of control of the airplane.

DATES: Effective August 29, 1997.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director

[[Page 36449]]

of the Federal Register as of August 29, 1997.

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 No. 96-CE-62-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: Mr. Roman T. Gabrys, Aerospace 
Engineer, Small Airplane Directorate, Airplane Certification Service, 
FAA, 1201 Walnut, Suite 900, Kansas City, Missouri 64106; telephone 
(816) 426-6932; facsimile (816) 426-2169.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Events Leading to the Issuance of This AD

    A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 
CFR part 39) to include an AD that would apply to certain I.A.M. Model 
Piaggio P-180 airplanes of the same type design that have either a 
freon air conditioning system incorporated in accordance with I.A.M. 
Kit 80KS00004-* * * (801/803/805/807) or a Keith Freon Air Conditioning 
System installed in accordance with Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) 
SA2762CE was published in the Federal Register as a notice of proposed 
rulemaking (NPRM) on February 14, 1997 (62 FR 6890). The NPRM proposed 
to require inspecting the baggage compartment for stringer or air cycle 
machine (ACM) by-pass duct damage, repairing any damage found, and 
modifying the freon air inlet duct and electrical wiring (Modification 
No. 80M000014). Accomplishment of the proposed inspection and 
modification as specified in the NPRM would be in accordance with 
Piaggio Avante P-180 Service Bulletin 80-00083, Original Issue: 
December 7, 1994; Revision No. 1: December 5, 1995.
    The NPRM was the result of trim system malfunction on one of the 
affected airplanes, resulting from contact between the freon air inlet 
duct and the electrical wiring.
    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.

The FAA's Determination

    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.

Cost Impact

    The FAA estimates that 5 airplanes in the U.S. registry will be 
affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 18 workhours 
(inspection: 2 workhours; modification: 16 workhours) per airplane to 
accomplish the required action, and that the average labor rate is 
approximately $60 an hour. Parts cost approximately $100 per airplane. 
Based on these figures, the total cost impact of the AD on U.S. 
operators is estimated to be $5,900 or $1,180 per airplane.
    The above figures only take into account the cost of the inspection 
and modification, and do not account for the cost of replacing any 
parts found damaged during the inspection. The FAA has no way of 
determining how many airplanes may be found damaged during the 
inspections.
    The FAA knows of no affected airplane owner/operator (of the five 
affected) that has already accomplished the required action.

Regulatory Impact

    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:

97-14-14 Industrie Aeronautiche E Mecchaniche: Amendment 39-10072; 
Docket No. 96-CE-62-AD.

    Applicability: Model Piaggio P-180 airplanes, serial numbers 
1004 and 1006 through 1030, certificated in any category, that have 
either a freon air conditioning system incorporated in accordance 
with I.A.M. Kit 80KS00004-* * * (801/803/805/807) or a Keith Freon 
Air Conditioning System installed in accordance with Supplemental 
Type Certificate (STC) SA2762CE.

    Note 1: The modification required by this AD is incorporated at 
manufacture on Model Piaggio P-180 airplanes, beginning with serial 
number 1031. Airplanes with this modification are not affected by 
this AD.
    Note 2: 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 (d) 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 
after the effective date of this AD, unless already accomplished.
    To prevent trim system malfunction caused by contact between the 
freon air inlet duct and electrical wiring, which could result in 
loss of control of the airplane, accomplish the following:
    (a) Inspect the baggage compartment for stringer or air cycle 
machine (ACM) by-pass

[[Page 36450]]

duct damage (cracks, frays, nicks, dents, etc.) in accordance with 
the ACCOMPLISHMENT INSTRUCTIONS section of Piaggio Avante P-180 
Service Bulletin (SB) 80-00083, Original Issue: December 7, 1994; 
Revision No. 1: December 5, 1995. If any parts are damaged, prior to 
further flight, repair or replace the damaged part in accordance 
with the applicable maintenance manual.
    (b) Modify the freon air inlet duct and electrical wiring 
(Modification No. 80M000014) in accordance with the ACCOMPLISHMENT 
INSTRUCTIONS section of Piaggio Avante P-180 SB 80-00083, Original 
Issue: December 7, 1994; Revision No. 1: December 5, 1995.
    (c) 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.
    (d) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the 
compliance time that provides an equivalent level of safety may be 
approved by the Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, 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, Small Airplane 
Directorate.

    Note 3: Information concerning the existence of approved 
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be 
obtained from the Small Airplane Directorate.

    (e) The inspection and modification required by this AD shall be 
done in accordance with Piaggio Avante P-180 SB 80-00083, Original 
Issue: December 7, 1994; Revision No. 1: December 5, 1995. 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 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.
    (f) This amendment (39-10072) becomes effective on August 29, 
1997.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on June 30, 1997.
Michael Gallagher,
Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 97-17732 Filed 7-7-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U