[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 250 (Wednesday, December 30, 1998)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 71799-71800]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-34581]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 98-CE-97-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Industrie Aeronautiche e Meccaniche 
Model Piaggio 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 all Industrie Aeronautiche e Meccaniche 
(I.A.M.) Model Piaggio P-180 airplanes. The proposed AD would require 
inspecting the upper and lower engine nacelle inner panels for any 
loose or partially detached inner film, and removing any loose or 
partially detached inner film. 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 the accumulation of loose particles 
on the engine inlet screen caused by film delamination, which could 
result in reduced engine power and possible loss of airplane control.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before February 1, 1999.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Central Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 98-CE-97-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 I.A.M. 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, 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. 98-CE-97-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. 98-CE-97-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, recently notified the FAA that an 
unsafe condition may exist on all I.A.M. Model Piaggio P-180 airplanes. 
The R.A.I. reports an incident where the inner film of the engine 
nacelle panel partially detached.
    This condition, if not corrected in a timely manner, could result 
in loose particles accumulating on the engine inlet screen with the 
possibility of reduced engine power and loss of airplane control.

Relevant Service Information

    I.A.M. has issued Piaggio Service Bulletin (Mandatory) No.: SB-80-
0101, Original Issue: May 6, 1998, which specifies procedures for:

--inspecting the upper and lower engine nacelle inner panels for any 
loose or partially detached inner film; and
--removing any loose or partially detached inner film.

    The R.A.I. classified this service bulletin as mandatory and issued 
Italian AD 98-208, dated June 9, 1998, 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

[[Page 71800]]

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 I.A.M. Model Piaggio P-180 airplanes of the 
same type design registered in the United States, the FAA is proposing 
AD action. The proposed AD would require inspecting the upper and lower 
engine nacelle inner panels for any loose or partially detached inner 
film, and removing any loose or partially detached inner film. 
Accomplishment of the proposed inspection and possible removal would be 
required in accordance with Piaggio Service Bulletin (Mandatory) No.: 
SB-80-0101, Original Issue: May 6, 1998.

Compliance Time of the Proposed AD

    Although the reduced engine power that would result if loose film 
particles accumulated on the engine inlet screen would only be unsafe 
during flight, this condition is not a result of the number of times 
the airplane is operated. The loose film occurs over time because of 
weather and climate conditions. For this reason, the FAA has determined 
that a compliance based on calendar time should be utilized in this AD 
in order to assure that the unsafe condition is addressed on all 
airplanes in a reasonable time period.

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 7 
workhours per airplane to accomplish the proposed inspection and film 
removal, and that the average labor rate is approximately $60 an hour. 
There are no parts required to accomplish the proposed AD. Based on 
these figures, the total cost impact of the proposed AD on U.S. 
operators is estimated to be $2,100, or $420 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.

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: Docket No. 98-CE-97-AD.

    Applicability: Model Piaggio P-180 airplanes, all serial 
numbers, 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 as indicated in the body of this AD, unless 
already accomplished.
    To prevent the accumulation of loose particles on the engine 
inlet screen caused by film delamination, which could result in 
reduced engine power and possible loss of airplane control, 
accomplish the following:
    (a) Within the next 6 calendar months after the effective date 
of this AD, inspect the upper and lower engine nacelle inner panels 
for any loose or partially detached inner film, in accordance with 
the ACCOMPLISHMENT INSTRUCTIONS section of Piaggio Service Bulletin 
(Mandatory) No.: SB-80-0101, Original Issue: May 6, 1998. Prior to 
further flight after the inspection, remove any loose or partially 
detached inner film in accordance with the service bulletin.
    (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 times 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 (Mandatory) No.: SB-80-0101, Original Issue: May 6, 
1998, 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 64106.

    Note 3: The subject of this AD is addressed in Italian AD 98-
208, dated June 9, 1998.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on December 22, 1998.
Michael Gallagher,
Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 98-34581 Filed 12-29-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P