[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 135 (Monday, July 16, 2007)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 38800-38802]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-13713]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2007-27975; Directorate Identifier 2007-CE-041-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; PIAGGIO AERO INDUSTRIES S.p.A. Model P-
180 Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of 
Transportation (DOT).

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for the 
products listed above. This proposed AD results from mandatory 
continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) originated by an aviation 
authority of another country to identify and correct an unsafe 
condition on an aviation product. The MCAI describes the unsafe 
condition as:

    Several aircraft, at the factory, presented some debris in the 
hydraulic fluid of the steering system. Investigations revealed that 
some components of the steering system can be responsible for the 
fluid contamination because of an initial pollution on their 
manufacturing.
    If not corrected, a contaminated fluid could cause malfunction 
and a possible jamming of the steering system.

The proposed AD would require actions that are intended to address the 
unsafe condition described in the MCAI.

DATES: 
    We must receive comments on this proposed AD by August 15, 2007.

ADDRESSES: You may send comments by any of the following methods:
     DOT Docket Web Site: Go to http://dms.dot.gov and follow 
the instructions for sending your comments electronically.
     Fax: (202) 493-2251.
     Mail: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket 
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590.
     Hand Delivery: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket 
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., 
Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://dms.dot.gov; or in person at the Docket Management Facility between 9 
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The AD 
docket contains this proposed AD, the regulatory evaluation, any 
comments received, and other information. The street address for the 
Docket Office (telephone (800) 647-5527) is in the ADDRESSES section. 
Comments will be available in the AD docket shortly after receipt.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Sarjapur Nagarajan, Aerospace 
Engineer, FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas 
City, Missouri 64106; telephone: (816) 329-4145; fax: (816) 329-4090.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Comments Invited

    We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or 
arguments about this proposed AD. Send your comments to an address 
listed under the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2007-
27975; Directorate Identifier 2007-CE-041-AD'' at the beginning of your 
comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory, 
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this proposed AD. We 
will consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend 
this proposed AD because of those comments.
    We will post all comments we receive, without change, to http://dms.dot.gov, including any personal information you provide. We will 
also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact we 
receive about this proposed AD.

Discussion

    The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the Technical 
Agent for the Member States of the European Community, has issued 
Emergency Airworthiness Directive EAD No: 2007-0147-E, dated May 22, 
2007 (referred to after this as ``the MCAI''), to correct an unsafe 
condition for the specified products. The MCAI states:

    Several aircraft, at the factory, presented some debris in the 
hydraulic fluid of the steering system. Investigations revealed that 
some components of the steering system can be responsible for the 
fluid contamination because of an initial pollution on their 
manufacturing.
    If not corrected, a contaminated fluid could cause malfunction 
and a possible jamming of the steering system.
    The superseded Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2007-0088-E was 
previously issued to address the unsafe condition.
    The present Airworthiness Directive expands applicability of 
this AD to all P.180 `Avanti' series aircraft and the list of 
defective components as listed in revision 1 of Piaggio Aero 
Industries Mandatory Service Bulletin No 80-0236. This AD also 
requires Temporary Changes to the respective Airplane Flight Manual 
(AFM) and Aircraft Maintenance Manual (AMM) and introduces 
procedures to recondition defective units.

    You may obtain further information by examining the MCAI in the AD 
docket.

Relevant Service Information

    Piaggio Aero Industries S.p.A. has issued Service Bulletin 
(Mandatory) N.: 80-0236 Rev. 1, dated May 15, 2007. The actions 
described in this service information are intended to correct the 
unsafe condition identified in the MCAI.

FAA's Determination and Requirements of the Proposed AD

    This product has been approved by the aviation authority of another 
country, and is approved for operation in the United States. Pursuant 
to our bilateral agreement with this State of Design Authority, they 
have notified us of the unsafe condition described in the MCAI and 
service information referenced above. We are proposing this AD because 
we evaluated all information and determined the unsafe condition exists 
and is likely to exist or develop on other products of the same type 
design.

Differences Between This Proposed AD and the MCAI or Service 
Information

    We have reviewed the MCAI and related service information and, in 
general, agree with their substance. But we might have found it 
necessary to use different words from those in the MCAI to ensure the 
AD is clear for U.S. operators and is enforceable. In making these 
changes, we do not intend to differ substantively from the information 
provided in the MCAI and related service information.
    We might also have proposed different actions in this AD from those

[[Page 38801]]

in the MCAI in order to follow FAA policies. Any such differences are 
highlighted in a NOTE within the proposed AD.

Costs of Compliance

    Based on the service information, we estimate that this proposed AD 
would affect about 63 products of U.S. registry. We also estimate that 
it would take about 1 work-hour per product to comply with the basic 
requirements of this proposed AD. The average labor rate is $80 per 
work-hour.
    Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of the proposed AD on 
U.S. operators to be $5,040, or $80 per product.
    In addition, we estimate that any necessary follow-on actions would 
take about 14 work-hours, for a cost of $1,120 per product. Where the 
service information lists required parts costs that are covered under 
warranty, we have assumed that there will be no charge for these costs. 
As we do not control warranty coverage for affected parties, some 
parties may incur costs higher than estimated here. We have no way of 
determining the number of products that may need these actions.

Authority for This Rulemaking

    Title 49 of the United States Code specifies the FAA's authority to 
issue rules on aviation safety. Subtitle I, section 106, describes the 
authority of the FAA Administrator. ``Subtitle VII: Aviation 
Programs,'' describes in more detail the scope of the Agency's 
authority.
    We are issuing this rulemaking under the authority described in 
``Subtitle VII, Part A, Subpart III, Section 44701: General 
requirements.'' Under that section, Congress charges the FAA with 
promoting safe flight of civil aircraft in air commerce by prescribing 
regulations for practices, methods, and procedures the Administrator 
finds necessary for safety in air commerce. This regulation is within 
the scope of that authority because it addresses an unsafe condition 
that is likely to exist or develop on products identified in this 
rulemaking action.

Regulatory Findings

    We determined that this proposed AD would not have federalism 
implications under Executive Order 13132. This proposed AD 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.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify this proposed 
regulation:
    1. Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive Order 
12866;
    2. Is not a ``significant rule'' under the 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.
    We prepared a regulatory evaluation of the estimated costs to 
comply with this proposed AD and placed it in the AD docket.

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 FAA proposes to amend 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. The FAA amends Sec.  39.13 by adding the following new AD:

PIAGGIO AERO INDUSTRIES S.p.A.: Docket No. FAA-2007-27975; 
Directorate Identifier 2007-CE-041-AD.

Comments Due Date

    (a) We must receive comments by August 15, 2007.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to Model P-180 airplanes, all serial 
numbers, certificated in any category.

Subject

    (d) Air Transport Association of America (ATA) Code 32: Landing 
Gear.

Reason

    (e) The mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) 
states:
    Several aircraft, at the factory, presented some debris in the 
hydraulic fluid of the steering system. Investigations revealed that 
some components of the steering system can be responsible for the 
fluid contamination because of an initial pollution on their 
manufacturing.
    If not corrected, a contaminated fluid could cause malfunction 
and a possible jamming of the steering system.
    The superseded Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2007-0088-E was 
previously issued to address the unsafe condition.
    The present Airworthiness Directive expands applicability of 
this AD to all P.180 `Avanti' series aircraft and the list of 
defective components as listed in revision 1 of Piaggio Aero 
Industries Mandatory Service Bulletin No 80-0236. This AD also 
requires Temporary Changes to the respective Airplane Flight Manual 
(AFM) and Aircraft Maintenance Manual (AMM) and introduces 
procedures to recondition defective units.

Actions and Compliance

    (f) Unless already done, do the following actions:
    (1) Within the next 30 hours time-in-service (TIS) after the 
effective date of this AD or 30 days after the effective date of 
this AD, whichever occurs first, check the identification of the 
steering actuator and the steering manifold installed on the 
airplane following Piaggio Aero Industries S.p.A. Service Bulletin 
(Mandatory) N.: 80-0236 Rev. 1, dated May 15, 2007. 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 do this action. Make an entry in the aircraft records showing 
compliance with this portion of the AD following section 43.9 of the 
Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 43.9).
    (2) If any steering actuator listed in annex 7.1 or manifold 
listed in annex 7.2 of Piaggio Aero Industries S.p.A. Service 
Bulletin (Mandatory) N.: 80-0236 Rev. 1, dated May 15, 2007, is 
found in the check per paragraph (f)(1) of this AD:
    (i) Before further flight after the check per paragraph (f)(1) 
of this AD, insert Temporary Change 3, issued March 15, 2007, into 
the LIMITATIONS section of Report 6591 (the airplane flight manual 
(AFM)) for P180 Avanti Aircraft or Temporary Change 2, issued March 
15, 2007, into the LIMITATIONS section of Report 180-MAN-0010-01100 
(the AFM) for Avanti II aircraft. 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 do this action. 
Make an entry in the aircraft records showing compliance with this 
portion of the AD following section 43.9 of the Federal Aviation 
Regulations (14 CFR 43.9).
    (ii) Within the next 600 hours TIS after the effective date of 
this AD or 12 months after the effective date of this AD, whichever 
occurs first, replace the nose landing gear (NLG) following Piaggio 
Aero Industries S.p.A. Service Bulletin (Mandatory) N.: 80-0236 Rev. 
1, dated May 15, 2007.
    (iii) After replacement of the NLG per paragraph (f)(2)(ii) of 
this AD, remove the steering system temporary limitations from the 
LIMITATIONS section of the AFM.
    (3) Before further flight after accomplishment of the check 
specified in paragraph (f)(1) of this AD, do not install any 
steering actuator listed in annex 7.1 or manifold listed in annex 
7.2 of Piaggio Aero Industries S.p.A. Service Bulletin (Mandatory) 
N.: 80-0236 Rev. 1, dated May 15, 2007.

    Note 1: We encourage you to incorporate Temporary Revision 1 
into the maintenance program (aircraft maintenance manual

[[Page 38802]]

(AMM) P.180 Avanti report 9066) or Temporary Revision 11 into the 
maintenance program (AMM P.180 Avanti II report 180-MAN-0200-01105). 
The temporary revisions require confirmation that the steering 
manifold and steering actuator are compliant with Piaggio Aero 
Industries S.p.A. Service Bulletin (Mandatory) N.: 80-0236 Rev. 1, 
dated May 15, 2007.

FAA AD Differences

    Note 2: This AD differs from the MCAI and/or service information 
as follows: The MCAI requires the initial inspection action within 5 
hours TIS. We consider 5 hours TIS an urgent safety of flight 
compliance time, and we do not consider this unsafe condition to be 
an urgent safety of flight condition. Because we do not consider 
this unsafe condition to be an urgent safety of flight condition, we 
are issuing this proposed action through the normal notice of 
proposed rulemaking (NPRM) AD process. The initial inspection time 
of 30 hours TIS or 30 days, whichever occurs first, is an adequate 
compliance time for this proposed AD action and meets the FAA 
requirements for an NPRM followed by a final rule.

Other FAA AD Provisions

    (g) The following provisions also apply to this AD:
    (1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager, 
Standards Staff, FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs for this 
AD, if requested using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. Send 
information to ATTN: Sarjapur Nagarajan, Aerospace Engineer, FAA, 
Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, 
Missouri 64106; telephone: (816) 329-4145; fax: (816) 329-4090. 
Before using any approved AMOC on any airplane to which the AMOC 
applies, notify your appropriate principal inspector (PI) in the FAA 
Flight Standards District Office (FSDO), or lacking a PI, your local 
FSDO.
    (2) Airworthy Product: For any requirement in this AD to obtain 
corrective actions from a manufacturer or other source, use these 
actions if they are FAA-approved. Corrective actions are considered 
FAA-approved if they are approved by the State of Design Authority 
(or their delegated agent). You are required to assure the product 
is airworthy before it is returned to service.
    (3) Reporting Requirements: For any reporting requirement in 
this AD, under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 
U.S.C. 3501 et.seq.), the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has 
approved the information collection requirements and has assigned 
OMB Control Number 2120-0056.

Related Information

    (h) Refer to MCAI European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) 
Emergency Airworthiness Directive EAD No: 2007-0147-E, dated May 22, 
2007; and Piaggio Aero Industries S.p.A. Service Bulletin 
(Mandatory) N.: 80-0236 Rev. 1, dated May 15, 2007, for related 
information.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on July 9, 2007.
Sandra J. Campbell,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. E7-13713 Filed 7-13-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P