[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 1 (Tuesday, January 2, 2001)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 61-64]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-33404]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2000-CE-67-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; PIAGGIO AERO INDUSTRIES 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 all PIAGGIO AERO INDUSTRIES S.p.A (PIAGGIO) 
Model P-180 airplanes. The proposed AD would require you to inspect the 
flap actuators for incorrect maneuvering and evidence of grease and 
oxidation around the gear box (actuators with any of these conditions 
are referred to as problem actuators). If you find a problem actuator, 
the proposed AD would require you to immediately replace the flap 
actuators with improved design actuators or repair the existing 
actuators to the improved design level. If you do not find a problem 
actuator, the proposed AD would require you to repeat the inspection 
until the installed actuators are of improved design. 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 detect and remove problem flap 
actuators from service. Continued operation with problem actuators 
could result in flap system failure, with consequent reduction in, or 
loss of, control of the airplane.

DATES: The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) must receive any 
comments on this proposed rule on or before February 3, 2001.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to FAA, Central Region, Office 
of the Regional Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket No. 2000-CE-67-AD-AD, 
901 Locust, Room 506, Kansas City, Missouri 64106. Comments may be

[[Page 62]]

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 Piaggio Aero Industries 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: Roman Gabrys, Aerospace Engineer, FAA, 
Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, Missouri 
64106; telephone: (816) 329-4141; facsimile: (816) 329-4090.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

    How do I comment on the proposed AD? The FAA invites comments on 
this proposed rule. You may submit whatever written data, views, or 
arguments you choose. You need to include the rule's docket number and 
submit your comments in triplicate to the address specified under the 
caption ADDRESSES. The FAA will consider all comments received on or 
before the closing date. We may amend the proposed rule in light of 
comments received. Factual information that supports your ideas and 
suggestions is extremely helpful in evaluating the effectiveness of the 
proposed AD action and determining whether we need to take additional 
rulemaking action.
    Are there any specific portions of the proposed AD I should pay 
attention to? The FAA specifically invites comments on the overall 
regulatory, economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the proposed 
rule that might suggest a need to modify the rule. You may examine all 
comments we receive before and after the closing date of the rule in 
the Rules Docket. We will file a report in the Rules Docket that 
summarizes each FAA contact with the public that concerns the 
substantive parts of the proposed AD.
    We are re-examining the writing style we currently use in 
regulatory documents, in response to the Presidential memorandum of 
June 1, 1998. That memorandum requires federal agencies to communicate 
more clearly with the public. We are interested in your comments on 
whether the style of this document is clearer, and any other 
suggestions you might have to improve the clarity of FAA communications 
that affect you. You can get more information about the Presidential 
memorandum and the plain language initiative at http://www.plainlanguage.gov.
    How can I be sure FAA receives my comment? If you want us to 
acknowledge the receipt of your comments, you must include a self-
addressed, stamped postcard. On the postcard, write ``Comments to 
Docket No. 2000-CE-67-AD.'' We will date stamp and mail the postcard 
back to you.

Discussion

    What events have caused this proposed AD? The Ente Nazionale per l' 
Aviazione Civile (ENAC), which is the airworthiness authority for 
Italy, recently notified FAA that an unsafe condition may exist on all 
PIAGGIO Model P-180 airplanes. The ENAC reports incidents of 
malfunctions of the flap actuators. Investigation of these incidents 
reveals problems inside the gearbox of the outboard flap actuators. 
Investigation results indicate incorrect maneuvering of the flap system 
and evidence of grease and oxidation around the gear box.
    What are the consequences if the condition is not corrected? 
Continued operation with problem actuators could result in flap system 
failure, with consequent reduction in, or loss of, control of the 
airplane.
    Is there service information that applies to this subject? PIAGGIO 
has issued Mandatory Service Bulletin No. SB-80-0120, Original Issue: 
July 20, 2000.
    What are the provisions of this service bulletin? The service 
bulletin:

--Includes procedures for inspecting the flap actuators for incorrect 
maneuvering and evidence of grease and oxidation around the gear box 
(actuators with any of these conditions are referred to as problem 
actuators);
--Specifies replacing the flap actuators with improved design actuators 
in accordance with the instructions in the maintenance manual; and
--Specifies repairing the existing actuators to the improved design 
level in accordance with instructions received from Piaggio.

    What action did ENAC take? The ENAC classified this service 
bulletin as mandatory and issued Italian AD Number N2000-392, dated 
August 7, 2000, in order to assure the continued airworthiness of these 
airplanes in Italy.
    Was this in accordance with the bilateral airworthiness agreement? 
These airplane models are manufactured in Italy and are 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 ENAC has 
kept FAA informed of the situation described above.

The FAA's Determination and an Explanation of the Provisions of the 
Proposed AD

    What has FAA decided? The FAA has examined the findings of the 
ENAC; reviewed all available information, including the service 
information referenced above; and determined that:

--The unsafe condition referenced in this document exists or could 
develop on other PIAGGIO Model P-180 airplanes of the same type design;
--The actions specified in the previously-referenced service 
information should be accomplished on the affected airplanes; and
--AD action should be taken in order to correct this unsafe condition.

    What would the proposed AD require? This proposed AD would require 
you to:

--Inspect the flap actuators for incorrect maneuvering and evidence of 
grease and oxidation around the gear box (actuators with any of these 
conditions are referred to as problem actuators);
--If you find a problem actuator, immediately replace the flap 
actuators with improved design actuators or repair the existing 
actuators to the improved design level; and
--If you do not find a problem actuator, repeat the inspection until 
you install improved design flap actuators.

Cost Impact

    How many airplanes would the proposed AD impact? We estimate that 
the proposed AD affects 11 airplanes in the U.S. registry.
    What would be the cost impact of the proposed AD on owners/
operators of the affected airplanes? We estimate the following costs to 
accomplish the proposed inspection:

[[Page 63]]



----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                              Total cost per     Total cost on
                       Labor cost                            Parts cost          airplane          operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1 workhour  x  $60 per hour = $60......................  No parts required               $60               $660
                                                                  for the
                                                               inspection
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    We estimate the following costs to accomplish any necessary 
replacements that would be required based on the results of the 
proposed inspection. We have no way of determining the number of 
airplanes that may need such repair/replacement:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                          Total cost per
              Labor cost                   Parts cost        airplane
------------------------------------------------------------------------
32 workhours  x  $60 per hour = $1,920      $8,000 per           $9,920
                                              airplane
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Regulatory Impact

    Would this proposed AD impact various entities? The regulations 
proposed herein would not have a substantial direct effect 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, it is determined that this 
proposed rule would not have federalism implications under Executive 
Order 13132.
    Would this proposed AD involve a significant rule or regulatory 
action? For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this proposed 
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, under 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. FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by adding a new airworthiness directive 
(AD) to read as follows:

Piaggio Aero Industries S.P.A.: Docket No. 2000-CE-67-AD.
    (a) What airplanes are affected by this AD? This AD affects Model 
P-180 airplanes, all serial numbers, that are certificated in any 
category.
    (b) Who must comply with this AD? Anyone who wishes to operate any 
of the above airplanes must comply with this AD.
    (c) What problem does this AD address? The actions specified by 
this AD are intended to detect and remove problem flap actuators from 
service. Continued operation with problem actuators could result in 
flap system failure, with consequent reduction in, or loss of, control 
of the airplane.
    (d) What actions must I accomplish to address this problem? To 
address this problem, you must accomplish the following:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
           Actions                 Compliance            Procedures
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Inspect the flap          Upon accumulating     In accordance with
 actuators for incorrect       600 hours time-in-    the ACCOMPLISHMENT
 maneuvering and evidence of   service (TIS) on      INSTRUCTIONS
 grease and oxidation around   the flap actuators    section of
 the gear box (actuators       or within the next    Mandatory Service
 with any of these             100 hours TIS after   Bulletin No. SB-80-
 conditions are referred to    the effective date    0120, Original
 as problem actuators).        of this Ad,           Issue: July 20,
                               whichever occurs      2000.
                               later.
(2) If you do not find any    Within 100 hours TIS  Accomplish the
 problem actuators, repeat     after the             replacement in
 the inspection until you      inspection required   accordance with the
 have either:.                 in paragraph (d)(1)   instructions in the
(i) replaced all flap          of this AD and        maintenance manual.
 actuators with part number    thereafter at         Accomplish the
 (P/N) C154183-1 and C154184-  intervals not to      repair or
 1 (or FAA-approved            exceed 100 hours      modification in
 equivalent part numbers)      TIS.                  accordance with
 actuators; or.                                      instructions
(ii) repaired or modified                            received from
 the P/N C132277-3 and                               Piaggio at the
 C132277-4 (or FAA-approved                          address given in
 equivalent part numbers) to                         paragraph (h) of
 the P/N C154183-1 and                               this AD.
 C154184-1 design level.
(3) If you find problem       Prior to further      Accomplish the
 actuators during any          flight after the      replacement in
 inspection required by this   inspection where      accordance with the
 AD, immediately replace the   you find a problem    instructions in the
 flap actuators with P/N       actuator.             maintenance manual.
 C154183-1 and C154184-1 (or                         Accomplish the
 FAA-approved equivalent                             repair or
 part numbers); or repair to                         modification in
 the P/N C154183-1 and                               accordance with
 C154184-1 design level.                             instructions
                                                     received from
                                                     Piaggio at the
                                                     address given in
                                                     paragraph (h) of
                                                     this AD.
(4) Only install flap         As of the effective   Not applicable.
 actuators that are one of     date of this AD.
 the following:.

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(i) P/N C154183-1 and
 C154184-1 (or FAA-approved
 equivalent part numbers);
 or
(ii) P/N C132277-3 and
 C132277-4 (or FAA-approved
 equivalent part numbers)
 that have been repaired or
 modified to the P/N C154183-
 1 and C154184-1 design
 level
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (e) Can I comply with this AD in any other way? You may use an 
alternative method of compliance or adjust the compliance time if:
    (1) Your alternative method of compliance provides an equivalent 
level of safety; and
    (2) The Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, approves your 
alternative. Submit your request through an FAA Principal Maintenance 
Inspector, who may add comments and then send it to the Manager, Small 
Airplane Directorate.

    Note 1: This AD applies to each airplane identified in paragraph 
(a) of this AD, 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 (e) 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 you have not eliminated the unsafe condition, specific 
actions you propose to address it.

    (f) Where can I get information about any already-approved 
alternative methods of compliance? Contact Roman Gabrys, Aerospace 
Engineer, FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas 
City, Missouri 64106; telephone: (816) 329-4141; facsimile: (816) 329-
4090.
    (g) What if I need to fly the airplane to another location to 
comply with this AD? The FAA can issue a special flight permit under 
sections 21.197 and 21.199 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 
21.197 and 21.199) to operate your airplane to a location where you can 
accomplish the requirements of this AD.
    (h) How do I get copies of the documents referenced in this AD? You 
may obtain copies of the documents referenced in this AD from Piaggio 
Aero Industries S.p.A, Via Cibrario 4, 16154 Genoa, Italy. You may 
examine these documents at FAA, Central Region, Office of the Regional 
Counsel, 901 Locust, Room 506, Kansas City, Missouri 64106.

    Note 2: The subject of this AD is addressed in Italian AD N2000-
392, dated August 7, 2000.


    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on December 21, 2000.
Michael Gallagher,
Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 00-33404 Filed 12-29-00; 8:45 am]
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