[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 28 (Monday, February 11, 2002)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 6205-6207]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-3166]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2002-CE-02-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 certain Piaggio Aero Industries S.p.A. 
(Piaggio) Model P-180 airplanes. This proposed AD would require you to 
replace the four defective horizontal stabilizer hinge bushings with 
replacement bushings. This proposed AD is the result of mandatory 
continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) issued by the airworthiness 
authority for Italy. The actions specified by this proposed AD are 
intended to replace defective bushings, which could result in reduced 
or loss of control of the aircraft.

DATES: The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) must receive any 
comments on this proposed rule on or before March 15, 2002.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments to FAA, Central Region, Office of the 
Regional Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket No. 2002-CE-02-AD, 901 
Locust, Room 506, Kansas City, Missouri 64106. You may view any 
comments at this location between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through 
Friday, except Federal holidays.
    You may get service information that applies to this proposed AD 
from PIAGGIO AERO INDUSTRIES S.p.A, Via Cibrario 4, 16154 Genoa, Italy; 
telephone: +39 010 6481 856; facsimile: +39 010 6481 374. You may also 
view this information at the Rules Docket at the address above.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Doug Rudolph, Aerospace Engineer, FAA, 
Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, Missouri 
64106; telephone: (816) 329-4059; facsimile: (816) 329-4090.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

    How do I comment on this 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

[[Page 6206]]

submit your comments to the address specified under the caption 
ADDRESSES. We will consider all comments received on or before the 
closing date. We may amend this proposed rule in light of comments 
received. Factual information that supports your ideas and suggestions 
is extremely helpful in evaluating the effectiveness of this proposed 
AD action and determining whether we need to take additional rulemaking 
action.
    Are there any specific portions of this proposed AD I should pay 
attention to? The FAA specifically invites comments on the overall 
regulatory, economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this 
proposed rule that might suggest a need to modify the rule. You may 
view 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 contact we have with the public that concerns the 
substantive parts of this proposed AD.
    How can I be sure FAA receives my comment? If you want FAA to 
acknowledge the receipt of your comments, you must include a self-
addressed, stamped postcard. On the postcard, write ``Comments to 
Docket No. 2002-CE-02-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 
certain PIAGGIO Model P-180 airplanes. The ENAC reports that PIAGGIO 
has discovered four incidents of defective horizontal stabilizer hinge 
bushings being installed on 4 PIAGGIO Model P-180 airplanes. The defect 
is a missing thermal process during bushing manufacturing.
    What are the consequences if the condition is not corrected? The 
continued operation with defective bushings could result in reduced or 
loss of control of the aircraft.
    Is there service information that applies to this subject? PIAGGIO 
has issued Service Bulletin No. 80-0140, dated October 15, 2001.
    What are the provisions of this service information? The service 
bulletin includes procedures for replacing the defective horizontal 
stabilizer hinge bushings with replacement bushings.
    What action did the ENAC take? The ENAC classified this service 
bulletin as mandatory and issued Italian AD Number 2001-512, dated 
November 30, 2001, in order to ensure the continued airworthiness of 
these airplanes in Italy.
    Was this in accordance with the bilateral airworthiness agreement? 
This airplane model is 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 
This 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 
that are on the U.S. registry;
--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 this proposed AD require? This proposed AD would require 
you to replace the defective bushings, return the bushings to PIAGGIO 
and report the return to FAA.

Cost Impact

    How many airplanes would this proposed AD impact? We estimate that 
this proposed AD affects 2 airplanes in the U.S. registry.
    What would be the cost impact of this proposed AD on owners/
operators of the affected airplanes? We estimate the following costs to 
accomplish the proposed replacement:

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                                                                                  Total cost per   Total cost on
                 Labor cost                               Parts cost                 airplane     U.S. operators
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50 workhours X $60 per hour = $3,000.......  $400 per aircraft..................         $3,400.    $3,400 X 2 =
                                                                                                         $6,800.
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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. 2002-CE-02-AD

    (a) What airplanes are affected by this AD? This AD affects 
Model P-180 airplanes, serial numbers 1034, 1035, 1039, and 1045, 
that are certificated in any category.

[[Page 6207]]

    (b) Who must comply with this AD? Anyone who wishes to operate 
any of the airplanes identified in paragraph (a) of this AD must 
comply with this AD.
    (c) What problem does this AD address? The actions specified by 
this AD are intended to replace defective bushings, which could 
result in reduced or loss of control of the aircraft.
    (d) What actions must I accomplish to address this problem? To 
address this problem, you must accomplish the following:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
           Actions                 Compliance            Procedures
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(1) Replace the horizontal    Within the next 150   Follow the
 stabilizer hinge bushings     hours time-in-        ACCOMPLISHMENT
 with replacement bushings     service (TIS) after   INSTRUCTIONS of
 (part number RDC. 19-09-167-  the effective date    PIAGGIO AERO
 1/300).                       ofthis AD.            INDUSTRIES S.p.A
                                                     Service Bulletin
                                                     No. 80-0140, dated
                                                     October 15, 2001,
                                                     and the applicable
                                                     service manual.
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(2) Send the removed          Within 10 days after  Send the removed
 bushings to Piaggio Aero      removing the          bushings to Piaggio
 Industries S.p.A. so the      bushings or within    Aero Industries
 bushings can not be reused    10 days after the     S.p.A, Via Cibrario
 and report the return to      effective date of     4,16154 Genoa,
 FAA. The Office of            this AD, whichever    Italy, and report
 Management and Budget (OMB)   occurs later.         the return to Doug
 approved the information                            Rudolph, FAA, at
 collection requirements                             the address in
 contained in this                                   paragraph (f) of
 regulation under the                                this AD.
 provisions of the Paperwork
 Reduction Act of 1980 (44
 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.) and
 assigned OMB Control Number
 2120-0056.
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    (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, Standards Office, 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, Standards Office, 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 Doug Rudolph, Aerospace 
Engineer, FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301, 
Kansas City, Missouri 64106; telephone: (816) 329-4059; 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 get copies of the documents referenced in this AD from 
PIAGGIO AERO INDUSTRIES S.p.A, Via Cibrario 4, 16154 Genoa, Italy; 
telephone: +39 010 6481 856; facsimile: +39 010 6481 374. You may 
view 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 Number 
2001-512, dated November 30, 2001.


    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on February 4, 2002.
Michael Gallagher,
Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 02-3166 Filed 2-8-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U