[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 219 (Wednesday, November 13, 2002)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 68782-68785]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-28750]



[[Page 68782]]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2002-CE-46-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. This proposed AD would require you to inspect 
and determine whether any firewall shutoff or crossfeed valve with a 
serial number in a certain range are installed and would require you to 
replace any valve that has a serial number within this range. The 
proposed AD would allow the pilot to check the logbook and would not 
require additional action if the check showed that one of these valves 
was definitely not installed. 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 prevent a faulty firewall shutoff or 
crossfeed valve from developing cracks and leaking fuel. This could 
result in an engine fire.

DATES: The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) must receive any 
comments on this proposed rule on or before December 16, 2002.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments to FAA, Central Region, Office of the 
Regional Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket No. 2002-CE-46-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 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-46-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 an incident of a ground fire on the left-hand engine nacelle of 
one of the affected airplanes. Investigation revealed that the fire was 
caused by a cracked crossfeed valve that had leaked fuel.
    Further analysis led the ENAC to determine that the part number (P/
N) EM484-3 valve was part of a manufacturing batch of nonconforming 
valves. This batch incorporates serial numbers 148 through 302 of these 
P/N EM484-3 valves. These valves can be utilized as either firewall 
shutoff or crossfeed valves.

What Are the Consequences if the Condition Is Not Corrected?

    If these valves are not removed from service, they could develop 
cracks and leak fuel. This could result in an engine fire.

Is There Service Information That Applies to This Subject?

    PIAGGIO Aero Industries has issued:

--Alert Service Bulletin: 80-0173, Original Issue: February 8, 2002, 
which includes procedures for inspecting the three Electo Mech P/N 
EM484-3 firewall shutoff and crossfeed valves to determine whether they 
incorporate a serial number in the range of 148 through 302; and
--Service Bulletin: 80-0174, Original Issue: February 20, 2002, which 
includes procedures for modifying any valve incorporating a serial 
number in the range of 148 through 302 (the valve will be re-identified 
with a ``A'' at the end of the serial number).

What Action Did the ENAC Take?

    The ENAC classified these service bulletins as mandatory and issued 
Italian RAI-AD 2002-442, dated February 21, 2002, 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 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 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

[[Page 68783]]

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 inspect and determine whether 
any firewall shutoff or crossfeed valve with a serial number in a 
certain range is installed and would require you to replace any valve 
that has a serial number within this range. The proposed AD would allow 
the pilot to check the logbook and would not require additional action 
if the check showed that one of these valves was definitely not 
installed.

Compliance Time of this AD

What Will Be the Compliance Time of This AD?

    The inspection compliance time of this AD is ``within the next 30 
days after the effective date of the AD.''

Why Is the Compliance Time Presented in Calendar Time Instead of Hours 
Time-in-Service (TIS)?

    The compliance of this AD is presented in calendar time instead of 
hours TIS because the affected shutoff and crossfeed valves are unsafe 
as a result of a quality control problem. The problem has the same 
chance of existing on an airplane with 50 hours TIS as it would for an 
airplane with 1,000 hours TIS. Therefore, we believe that a compliance 
time of 30 days will:

--Ensure that the unsafe condition does not go undetected for a long 
period of time on the affected airplanes; and
--Not inadvertently ground any of the affected airplanes.

Cost Impact

How Many Airplanes Would This Proposed AD Impact?

    We estimate that this proposed AD affects 22 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 
inspection:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                     Total cost
                   Labor cost                                 Parts cost               Total cost      on U.S.
                                                                                      per airplane    operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2 workhours x $60 per hour = $120...............  Not applicable....................         $120        $2,640
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    We estimate the following costs to accomplish the proposed 
replacement/modification:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                             Total cost
           Labor cost                    Parts cost         per airplane
------------------------------------------------------------------------
8 workhours x $60 per hour =      Manufacturer will                $480
 $480.                             provide free of charge.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

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-46-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 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 prevent a faulty firewall shutoff or 
crossfeed valve from developing cracks and leaking fuel. This could 
result in an engine fire.
    (d) What actions must I accomplish to address this problem? To 
address this problem, you must accomplish the following:

[[Page 68784]]



------------------------------------------------------------------------
           Actions                 Compliance            Procedures
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(1) Maintenance Records
 Check:
    (i) Check the             Within the next 30    No special
     maintenance records to    days after the        procedures required
     determine whether an      effective date of     to check logbook.
     Electo Mech part number   this AD, the unless
     (P/N) EM484-3 firewall    already
     shutoff or crossfeed      accomplished.
     valve with a serial
     number in the range of
     148 through 302 is
     installed. The owner/
     operator holding at
     least a private pilot
     certificate as
     authorized by section
     43.7 of the Federal
     Aviation Regulations
     (14 CFR 43.7) may
     perform this check.
    (ii) If, by checking the
     maintenance records,
     the owner/operator can
     definitely show that no
     Electo Mech P/N EM484-3
     firewall shutoff or
     crossfeed valves with a
     serial number in the
     range of 148 through
     302 are installed, then
     the inspection
     requirement of
     paragraph (d)(2) and
     the replacement
     requirement of
     paragraph (d)(3) of
     this AD do not apply.
     You must make an entry
     into the aircraft
     records that shows
     compliance with these
     portions of the AD in
     accordance with section
     43.9 of the Federal
     Aviation Regulations
     (14 CFR 43.9).
-----------------------------
(2) Inspection: Inspect the   Within the next 30    In accordance with
 three Electo Mech P/N EM484-  days after the        the Accomplishment
 3 firewall shutoff and        effective date of     Instructions in
 crossfeed valves to           this AD, unless       PIAGGIO Aero
 determine whether they        already               Industries S.p.A.
 incorporate a serial number   accomplished.         Alert Service
 in the range of 148 through                         Bulletin: 80-0173,
 302.                                                Original Issue:
                                                     February 8, 2002.
-----------------------------
(3) Replacement: If any       Accomplish any        Replace in
 Electro Mech P/N EM484-3      necessary             accordance with
 firewall shutoff or           replacements or       applicable
 crossfeed valve is found      modifications prior   maintenance manual.
 that incorporates a serial    to further flight     Modify in
 number in the range of 148    after the             accordance with the
 through 302, accomplish one   inspection required   Accomplishment
 of the following:.            by paragraph (d)(2)   Instructions in
(i) Install valve(s) that      of this AD, unless    PIAGGIO Aero
 does not (do not)             already               Industries S.p.A.
 incorporate a serial number   accomplished.         Service Bulletin:
 in the range of 148 through                         80-0174, Original
 302; or.                                            Issue: February 20,
(ii) Modify any valve(s)                             2002.
 that incorporates
 (incorporate) a serial
 number in the range of 148
 through 302. The valve will
 be re-identified with an
 ``A'' at the end of the
 serial number.
-----------------------------
(4) Spares: Do not install,   As of the effective   Not applicable.
 on any airplane, any          date of this AD.
 Electro Mech P/N EM484-3
 firewall shutoff or
 crossfeed valve that
 incorporates a serial
 number in the range of 148
 through 302, unless it has
 been modified as specified
 in paragraph (d)(3)(ii) of
 this AD.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (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 RAI-AD 
2002-442, dated February 21, 2002.



[[Page 68785]]


    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on November 5, 2002.
Michael Gallagher,
Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 02-28750 Filed 11-12-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P