[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 24 (Wednesday, February 5, 2003)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 5815-5817]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-2149]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2002-CE-46-AD; Amendment 39-13038; AD 2003-03-14]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Piaggio Aero Industries S.p.A. Model P-
180 Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) that 
applies to all Piaggio Aero Industries S.p.A. (Piaggio) Model P-180 
airplanes. This AD requires you to inspect and determine whether any 
firewall shutoff or crossfeed valve with a serial number in a certain 
range is installed and requires you to replace any valve that has a 
serial number within this range. This AD allows the pilot to check the 
logbook and does not require the inspection and replacement requirement 
if the check shows that one of these valves is definitely not 
installed. This AD is the result of mandatory continuing airworthiness 
information (MCAI) issued by the airworthiness authority for Italy. 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.

DATES: This AD becomes effective on March 8, 2003.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of certain publications listed in the regulations as of March 
8, 2003.

ADDRESSES: You may get the service information 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 
this information at the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Central 
Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket No. 
2002-CE-46-AD, 901 Locust, Room 506, Kansas City, Missouri 64106; or at 
the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., 
suite 700, Washington, DC.

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:

Discussion

    What events have caused this 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 is the potential impact if FAA took no action? If these valves 
are not removed from service, they could develop cracks and leak fuel. 
This could result in an engine fire.
    Has FAA taken any action to this point? We issued a proposal to 
amend part 39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) to 
include an AD that would apply to all Piaggio Model P-180 airplanes. 
This proposal was published in the Federal Register as a notice of 
proposed rulemaking (NPRM) on November 13, 2002 (67 FR 68782). The NPRM 
proposed to require you to 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 NPRM would allow the pilot to check the 
logbook and would not require the inspection and replacement 
requirements if the check showed that one of these valves was 
definitely not installed.
    Was the public invited to comment? The FAA encouraged interested 
persons

[[Page 5816]]

to participate in the making of this amendment. We did not receive any 
comments on the proposed rule or on our determination of the cost to 
the public.

FAA's Determination

    What is FAA's final determination on this issue? After careful 
review of all available information related to the subject presented 
above, we have determined that air safety and the public interest 
require the adoption of the rule as proposed except for minor editorial 
corrections. We have determined that these minor corrections:
    [sbull] Provide the intent that was proposed in the NPRM for 
correcting the unsafe condition; and
    [sbull] Do not add any additional burden upon the public than was 
already proposed in the NPRM.

Cost Impact

    How many airplanes does this AD impact? We estimate that this AD 
affects 22 airplanes in the U.S. registry.
    What is the cost impact of this AD on owners/operators of the 
affected airplanes? We estimate the following costs to accomplish the 
inspection:

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

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

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

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

Regulatory Impact

    Does this AD impact various entities? The regulations adopted 
herein will 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 final rule does not 
have federalism implications under Executive Order 13132.
    Does this AD involve a significant rule or regulatory action? 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) 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 final evaluation prepared for this action is contained 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, Incorporation by 
reference, Safety.

Adoption of the Amendment

    Accordingly, under 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 adding a new AD to read as follows:

2003-03-14 Piaggio Aero Industries S.p.A.: Amendment 39-13038; 
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:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
             Actions                  Compliance          Procedures
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Maintenance Records Check:

[[Page 5817]]

 
    (i) Check the maintenance     Within the next 30  No special
     records to determine          days after March    procedures
     whether an Electro Mech       8, 2003 (the        required to check
     part number (P/N) EM484-3     effective date of   the maintenance
     firewall shutoff or           this AD), unless    records.
     crossfeed valve with a        already
     serial number in the range    accomplished.
     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
     Electro 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).
    (iii) If the pilot cannot
     definitely show that no
     affected firewall shutoff
     or crossfeed valves are
     installed through the
     maintenance records check,
     then the Inspection and
     Replacement requirements of
     paragraphs (d)(2) and
     (d)(3) of this AD must be
     accomplished by an
     appropriately-rated
     mechanic.
(2) Inspection: Inspect all       Within the next 30  In accordance with
 Electro Mech P/N EM484-3          days after March    the
 firewall shutoff and crossfeed    8, 2003 (the        Accomplishment
 valves to determine whether       effective date of   Instructions in
 they incorporate a serial         this AD), unless    PIAGGIO Aero
 number in the range of 148        already             Industries S.p.A.
 through 302.                      accomplished.       Alert Service
                                                       Bulletin: 80-
                                                       0173, Original
                                                       Issue: February
                                                       8, 2002.
(3) Replacement: If any Electro   Accomplish any      Replace in
 Mech P/N EM484-3 firewall         necessary           accordance with
 shutoff or crossfeed valve is     replacements or     applicable
 found that incorporates a         modifications       maintenance
 serial number in the range of     prior to further    manual. Modify in
 148 through 302, accomplish one   flight after the    accordance with
 of the following:.                inspection          the
(i) Install valve(s) that does     required by         Accomplishment
 not (do not) incorporate a        paragraph (d)(2)    Instructions in
 serial number in the range of     of this AD,         Piaggio Aero
 148 through 302; or.              unless already      Industries S.p.A.
(ii) Modify any valve(s) that      accomplished.       Service Bulletin:
 incorporates (incorporate) a                          80-0174, Original
 serial number in the range of                         Issue: February
 148 through 302. The valve will                       20, 2002.
 be re-identified with an ``A''
 at the end of the serial number.
(4) Spares: Do not install, on    As of March 8,      Not applicable.
 any airplane, any Electro Mech    2003 (the
 P/N EM484-3 firewall shutoff or   effective date of
 crossfeed valve that              this AD).
 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) Are any service bulletins incorporated into this AD by 
reference? Actions required by this AD must be done in accordance 
with Piaggio Aero Industries S.p.A. Alert Service Bulletin: 80-0173, 
Original Issue: February 8, 2002; and Piaggio Aero Industries S.p.A. 
Service Bulletin: 80-0174, Original Issue: February 20, 2002. The 
Director of the Federal Register approved this incorporation by 
reference under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. You may get 
copies 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 copies at the FAA, Central Region, Office of the 
Regional Counsel, 901 Locust, Room 506, Kansas City, Missouri, or at 
the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW., 
suite 700, Washington, DC.

    Note 2: The subject of this AD is addressed in Italian RAI-AD 
2002-442, dated February 21, 2002.

    (i) When does this amendment become effective? This amendment 
becomes effective on March 8, 2003.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on January 22, 2003.
Michael Gallagher,
Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 03-2149 Filed 2-4-03; 8:45 am]
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