[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 68 (Thursday, April 9, 1998)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 17321-17323]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-9154]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 97-CE-142-AD; Amendment 39-10454; AD 98-08-05]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Industrie Aeronautiche e Meccaniche 
Model Piaggio P-180 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 certain Industrie Aeronautiche e Meccaniche (I.A.M.) Model 
Piaggio P-180 airplanes. This AD requires inspecting the main landing 
gear (MLG) for interference between the MLG drag brace link and the MLG 
retraction actuator, and modifying this area if interference is found. 
This AD is the result of mandatory continuing

[[Page 17322]]

airworthiness information (MCAI) issued by the airworthiness authority 
for Italy. The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent MLG 
failure caused by interference between the MLG retraction actuator and 
the MLG drag brace link, which could result in loss of control of the 
airplane during landing operations.

DATES: Effective May 26, 1998.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of May 26, 1998.

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 Regional Counsel, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 97-CE-142-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: 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:

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 was published in the Federal Register as a 
notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) on February 2, 1998 (63 FR 5325). 
The NPRM proposed to require inspecting the main landing gear (MLG) for 
interference between the MLG drag brace link and the MLG retraction 
actuator, and modifying this area if interference is found. 
Accomplishment of the proposed action as specified in the NPRM would be 
in accordance with Piaggio Service Bulletin No. SB-80-0064, dated 
December 5, 1994; and Dowty Aerospace Landing Gear Service Bulletin 
P180-32-11, dated September 26, 1994.
    The NPRM was the result of mandatory continuing airworthiness 
information (MCAI) issued by the airworthiness authority for Italy.
    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 10 workhours per 
airplane to accomplish this inspection, and that the average labor rate 
is approximately $60 an hour. Based on these figures, the total cost 
impact of this AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $3,000, or $600 
per airplane.

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:

98-08-05  Industrie Aeronautiche E Meccaniche: Amendment 39-10454; 
Docket No. 97-CE-142-AD.

    Applicability: Model Piaggio P-180 airplanes, serial numbers 
1001, 1002, 1004 and 1006 through 1031, 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 (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 as indicated in the body of this AD, unless 
already accomplished.
    To prevent main landing gear (MLG) failure caused by 
interference between the MLG retraction actuator and the MLG drag 
brace link, which could result in loss of control of the airplane 
during landing operations, accomplish the following:
    (a) Within the next 100 hours time-in-service (TIS) after the 
effective date of this AD, inspect the MLG for interference between 
the MLG drag brace link and the MLG retraction actuator. Accomplish 
this inspection in accordance with both Piaggio Service Bulletin No. 
SB-80-0064, dated December 5, 1994; and Dowty Aerospace Landing Gear 
Service Bulletin P180-32-11, dated September 26, 1994.
    (b) If any interference is found between the MLG drag brace and 
the MLG retraction actuator during the inspection required by 
paragraph (a) of this AD, prior to further flight, modify this area 
in accordance with both Piaggio Service Bulletin No. SB-80-0064, 
dated December 5, 1994; and Dowty Aerospace Landing Gear Service 
Bulletin P180-32-11, dated September 26, 1994.
    (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 times that

[[Page 17323]]

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.

    (e) Questions or technical information related to the service 
information referred to in this document should be directed to 
I.A.M. Rinaldo Piaggio S.p.A., Via Cibrario, 4 16154 Genoa, 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.
    (f) The inspection and modification required by this AD shall be 
done in accordance with Piaggio Service Bulletin No. SB-80-0064, 
dated December 5, 1994; and Dowty Aerospace Landing Gear Service 
Bulletin P180-32-11, dated September 26, 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 to 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 Regional 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.
    (g) This amendment becomes effective on May 26, 1998.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on March 31, 1998.
Michael Gallagher,
Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 98-9154 Filed 4-8-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U