[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 106 (Wednesday, June 3, 1998)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 30154-30155]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-14616]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 97-CE-52-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


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

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Proposed rule; withdrawal.

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SUMMARY: This document withdraws a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) 
(62 FR 48502, September 16, 1997) that would have applied to certain 
Industrie Aeronautiche e Meccaniche (I.A.M.) Model Piaggio P-180 
airplanes. The proposed action would have required revising the FAA-
approved Airplane Flight Manual (AFM) to specify procedures that would 
prohibit flight in severe icing conditions (as determined by certain 
visual cues), limit or prohibit the use of various flight control 
devices while in severe icing conditions, and provide the flight crew 
with recognition cues for, and procedures for exiting from, severe 
icing conditions. During the comment period of this NPRM, the FAA was 
notified that this airplane model does not have a pneumatic de-icing 
system, therefore, the proposed action would not apply. With this in 
mind, the FAA has determined that the proposed rule should be 
withdrawn. This withdrawal does not prevent the FAA from initiating 
future rulemaking on this subject.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: John Dow, Aerospace Engineer, 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 This Action

    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 are registered in 
the United States was published in the Federal Register on September 
16, 1997 (62 FR 48502). The action proposed to require revising the 
Limitations Section of the FAA-approved AFM to specify procedures that 
would:
     require flight crews to immediately request priority 
handling from Air Traffic Control to exit severe icing conditions (as 
determined by certain visual cues);
     prohibit use of the autopilot when ice is formed aft of 
the protected surfaces of the wing, or when an unusual lateral trim 
condition exists; and
     require that all icing wing inspection lights be operative 
prior to flight into known or forecast icing conditions at night.
    This proposed AD would also require revising the Normal Procedures 
Section of the FAA-approved AFM to specify procedures that would:
     limit the use of the flaps and prohibit the use of the 
autopilot when ice is observed forming aft of the protected surfaces of 
the wing, or if unusual lateral trim requirements or autopilot trim 
warnings are encountered; and

[[Page 30155]]

     provide the flight crew with recognition cues for, and 
procedures for exiting from, severe icing conditions.
    In addition to the proposed rule described previously, in September 
1997, the FAA issued 24 other similar proposals that address the 
subject unsafe condition on various airplane models. These 24 proposals 
also were published in the Federal Register on September 16, 1997. 
Numerous comments were received on all 24 proposed actions.
    Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate 
in the making of this amendment. Due consideration has been given to 
the comment received for this AD. The comment received is from the 
manufacturer and directly relates to the I.A.M. Model Piaggio P-180 
airplane. The manufacturer states that the I.A.M. Model Piaggio P-180 
does not meet the criteria of the proposed action. This airplane has a 
bleed air and electro-thermal wing anti-icing system, not a pneumatic 
system. The FAA concurs and has decided to withdraw the NPRM.
    Withdrawal of this NPRM constitutes only such action, and does not 
preclude the agency from issuing future rulemaking on this issue, nor 
does it commit the agency to any course of action in the future.
    Since this action only withdraws an NPRM, it is neither a proposed 
nor a final rule and therefore, is not covered under Executive Order 
12866, the Regulatory Flexibility Act, or DOT Regulatory Policies and 
Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979).

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation Safety, Safety.

The Withdrawal

    Accordingly, the notice of proposed rulemaking, Docket No. 97-CE-
52-AD, published in the Federal Register on September 16, 1997 (62 FR 
48502), is withdrawn.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on May 22, 1998.
Michael Gallagher,
Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 98-14616 Filed 6-2-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U