[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 1 (Tuesday, January 2, 2001)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 7-8]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-32935]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 99-CE-34-AD; Amendment 39-12053; AD 2000-03-19]
RIN 2120-AA64


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

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule; Removal.

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SUMMARY: This amendment removes Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2000-03-
19, which currently applies to all Industrie Aeronautiche e Meccaniche 
(I.A.M.) Model Piaggio P-180 airplanes that are equipped with pneumatic 
deicing boots. AD 2000-03-19 requires revising the Airplane Flight 
Manual (AFM) to include requirements for activating the airframe 
pneumatic deicing boots. Since FAA issued AD 2000-03-19, I.A.M. has 
shown the language currently included in the AFM and the airplane 
configuration are satisfactory to address the conditions identified in 
AD 2000-03-19. Therefore, this action removes AD 2000-03-19.

EFFECTIVE DATE: This removal is effective January 2, 2001.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Larry Werth, Airworthiness Directive 
Coordinator, FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301, 
Kansas City, Missouri 64106; telephone: (816) 329-4147; facsimile: 
(816) 329-4090.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

    Has FAA taken any action to this point? Reports of in-flight 
incidents and an accident (on airplanes other than I.A.M. Piaggio Model 
P-180 airplanes), that occurred in icing conditions where the airframe 
pneumatic deicing boots were not activated, caused FAA to issue AD 
2000-03-19, Amendment 39-11578 (65 FR 7717, February 16, 2000). This AD 
currently requires revising the Airplane Flight Manual (AFM) to include 
requirements for activating the airframe pneumatic deicing boots on all 
I.A.M. Model Piaggio P-180 airplanes that are equipped with pneumatic 
deicing boots.
    The actions of AD 2000-03-19 are intended to assure that 
flightcrews have the information necessary to activate the pneumatic 
wing and tail deicing boots at the first signs of ice build-up. Without 
this information, flightcrews could experience reduced control of the 
aircraft because of adverse aerodynamic effects of ice adhering to the 
airplane before the first deicing cycle.
    After issuing AD 2000-03-19, I.A.M. asserted that the wording 
within the AFM (without the revision) and the configuration of the 
airplane deice system provide for safe operation of the affected 
airplanes. Therefore, I.A.M. requests FAA remove the final rule because 
the AD requirements are redundant. The FAA has since evaluated all 
information related to the subject matter of AD 2000-03-19 and has 
determined the actions included in AD 2000-03-19 are redundant and not 
necessary.
    We issued a proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal Aviation 
Regulations (14 CFR part 39) to remove AD 2000-03-19. This proposal was 
published in the Federal Register as a Notice of proposed rulemaking 
(NPRM); removal of final rule on October 19, 2000 (65 FR 62650).
    Was the public invited to comment? Interested persons were afforded 
an opportunity to participate in the making of the action. No comments 
were received on the proposed rule.

FAA's Determination

    What is FAA's Final Determination on this Issue? Based on the above 
information, FAA has determined there is no need for AD 2000-03-19 and 
that it should be removed.

[[Page 8]]

    This action removes AD 2000-03-19. Removal of AD 2000-03-19 will 
not preclude FAA from issuing another action in the future, nor will it 
commit us to any course of action in the future.

Regulatory Impact

    Does this action involve a significant rule or regulatory action? 
Since this action only removes an AD, it is not an AD 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 Removal

    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. FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by removing Airworthiness Directive (AD) 
2000-03-19, Amendment 39-11578 (65 FR 7717, February 16, 2000).

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on December 19, 2000.
Michael Gallagher,
Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 00-32935 Filed 12-29-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U