[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 40 (Monday, March 2, 1998)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 10157-10159]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-5202]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 97-CE-141-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Industrie Aeronautiche e Meccaniche 
Rinaldo Piaggio S.p.A. Model P-180 Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: This document proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive 
(AD) that would apply to certain Industrie Aeronautiche e Meccaniche 
Rinaldo Piaggio S.p.A. (Piaggio) Model

[[Page 10158]]

P-180 airplanes. The proposed action would require modifying the low 
pitch stop switch support. The proposed AD is the result of mandatory 
continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) issued by the airworthiness 
authority for Italy. The actions specified by the proposed AD are 
intended to prevent low pitch stop switch support displacement, which 
if not corrected, could result in an improper cockpit indication that 
the propeller is in the Beta range and cause loss of control of the 
airplane.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before April 10, 1998.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Central Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 97-CE-141-AD, Room 1558, 601 E. 12th 
Street, Kansas City, Missouri 64106. Comments may be inspected at this 
location between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, holidays 
excepted.
    Service information that applies to the proposed AD may be obtained 
from Industrie Aeronautiche e Meccaniche Rinaldo Piaggio S.p.A., Via 
Cibrario, 4 16154 Genoa, Italy. This information also may be examined 
at the Rules Docket at the address above.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. David O. Keenan , Project Officer, 
FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service, 1201 
Walnut, suite 900, Kansas City, Missouri 64106; telephone: (816) 426-
6934; facsimile: (816) 426-2169.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

    Interested persons are invited to participate in the making of the 
proposed rule by submitting such written data, views, or arguments as 
they may desire. Communications should identify the Rules Docket number 
and be submitted in triplicate to the address specified above. All 
communications received on or before the closing date for comments, 
specified above, will be considered before taking action on the 
proposed rule. The proposals contained in this notice may be changed in 
light of the comments received.
    Comments are specifically invited on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the proposed rule. All 
comments submitted will be available, both before and after the closing 
date for comments, in the Rules Docket for examination by interested 
persons. A report that summarizes each FAA-public contact concerned 
with the substance of this proposal will be filed in the Rules Docket.
    Commenters wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments 
submitted in response to this notice must submit a self-addressed, 
stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments 
to Docket No. 97-CE-141-AD.'' The postcard will be date stamped and 
returned to the commenter.

Availability of NPRMs

    Any person may obtain a copy of this NPRM by submitting a request 
to the FAA, Central Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, Attention: 
Rules Docket No. 97-CE-141-AD, Room 1558, 601 E. 12th Street, Kansas 
City, Missouri 64106.

Discussion

    The Registro Aeronautico Italiano (R.A.I.), which is the 
airworthiness authority for Italy, notified the FAA that an unsafe 
condition may exist on certain Piaggio Model P-180 airplanes. The 
R.A.I. reports that the low pitch stop switch support may come loose in 
these airplanes. The activating rod of the low pitch stop switch is 
supported at one end by a steel bushing. It is possible for the bushing 
to enlarge, which would allow rotation and displacement of the 
activating rod. This condition, if not corrected, could result in an 
improper cockpit indication as to whether or not the propeller is in 
the Beta range and possibly cause loss of control of the airplane.

Relevant Service Information

    Piaggio has issued Service Bulletin No. SB-80-0080, dated July 3, 
1997, which specifies procedures for modifying the low pitch stop 
switch support by installing a retaining plate that locks the steel 
bushing in place.
    The R.A.I. classified this service bulletin as mandatory and issued 
Italian AD 97-217, dated July 28, 1997, in order to assure the 
continued airworthiness of these airplanes in Italy.

The FAA's Determination

    This airplane model is manufactured in Italy and is type 
certificated for operation in the United States under the provisions of 
section 21.29 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 21.29) and 
the applicable bilateral airworthiness agreement. Pursuant to this 
bilateral airworthiness agreement, the R.A.I. has kept the FAA informed 
of the situation described above.
    The FAA has examined the findings of the R.A.I., reviewed all 
available information, including the service information referenced 
above, and determined that AD action is necessary for products of this 
type design that are certificated for operation in the United States.

Explanation of the Provisions of the Proposed AD

    Since an unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to 
exist or develop in other Piaggio Model P-180 airplanes of the same 
type design registered in the United States, the proposed AD would 
require modifying the low pitch stop switch support. Accomplishment of 
the proposed modification would be in accordance with Piaggio Service 
Bulletin No. SB-80-0080, dated July 3, 1997.

Cost Impact

    The FAA estimates that 5 airplanes in the U.S. registry would be 
affected by the proposed AD, that it would take approximately 6 
workhours per airplane to accomplish the proposed action, and that the 
average labor rate is approximately $60 an hour. Parts cost 
approximately $100.00 per airplane. Based on these figures, the total 
cost impact of the proposed AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be 
$2,300 or $460 per airplane.

Regulatory Impact

    The regulations proposed herein would 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 
proposal would 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) if promulgated, 
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 draft regulatory evaluation 
prepared for this action has been placed 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, Safety.

[[Page 10159]]

The Proposed Amendment

    Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration proposes to amend 
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:

Industrie Aeronautiche E Meccaniche Rinaldo Piaggio S.P.A:  Docket 
No. 97-CE-141-AD.

    Applicability: Model P-180 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 150 hours time-in-service 
(TIS) after the effective date of this AD, unless already 
accomplished.
    To prevent low pitch stop switch support displacement, which if 
not corrected, could result in an improper cockpit indication that 
the propeller is in the Beta range and cause loss of control of the 
airplane, accomplish the following:
    (a) Modify the low pitch stop switch support in accordance with 
I.A.M. Rinaldo Piaggio Service Bulletin No. SB-80-0080; Original 
Issue: July 3, 1997.
    (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, Small Airplane Directorate, 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 2: Information concerning the existence of approved 
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be 
obtained from the Small Airplane Directorate.

    (d) Questions or technical information related to Piaggio 
Service Bulletin No. SB-80-0080, dated July 3, 1997, should be 
directed to I.A.M. Rinaldo Piaggio S.p.A., Via Cibrario, 4 16154 
Geona, Italy. This service information may be examined at the FAA, 
Central Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, Room 1558, 601 E. 
12th Street, Kansas City, Missouri 64106.

    Note 3: The subject of this AD is addressed in Italian AD 97-
217, dated July 28, 1997.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on February 23, 1998.
Marvin R. Nuss,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 98-5202 Filed 2-27-98; 8:45 am]
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