[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 24 (Tuesday, February 5, 2008)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 6601-6602]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-2040]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2007-0294 Directorate Identifier 2007-CE-087-AD; 
Amendment 39-15365; AD 2008-03-14]
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: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for the 
products listed above. This AD results from mandatory continuing 
airworthiness information (MCAI) issued 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:

    Due to pressurization loads, the fuselage frame of the emergency 
exit door could suffer from fatigue and develop cracks in its 
corners. The superseded Italian Airworthiness Directive (AD) 1995-
059 was issued to require modification of the emergency door frame 
in accordance with Piaggio (at the time I.A.M. Rinaldo Piaggio 
S.p.A.) Service Bulletin 80-0057 original issue. Parts necessary to 
carry out the modification were a new door pan assembly and a 
doubler; Since these parts are no longer available, Piaggio Aero 
Industries S.p.A. (PAI) designed new suitable part numbers 
introduced by Revision 1 of Service Bulletin 80-0057. The present AD 
mandates modification of the fuselage emergency door frame in 
accordance with Revision 1 of Service Bulletin 80-0057 from PAI.

We are issuing this AD to require actions to correct the unsafe 
condition on these products.

DATES: This AD becomes effective March 11, 2008.

ADDRESSES: You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov or in person at Document Management Facility, U.S. 
Department of Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30, West Building, 
Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 
20590.

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:

Discussion

    We issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR 
part 39 to include an AD that would apply to the specified products. 
That NPRM was published in the Federal Register on December 14, 2007 
(72 FR 71089). That NPRM proposed to correct an unsafe condition for 
the specified products. The MCAI states:

    Due to pressurization loads, the fuselage frame of the emergency 
exit door could suffer from fatigue and develop cracks in its 
corners. The superseded Italian Airworthiness Directive (AD) 1995-
059 was issued to require modification of the emergency door frame 
in accordance with Piaggio (at the time I.A.M. Rinaldo Piaggio 
S.p.A.) Service Bulletin 80-0057 original issue. Parts necessary to 
carry out the modification were a new door pan assembly and a 
doubler; Since these parts are no longer available, Piaggio Aero 
Industries S.p.A. (PAI) designed new suitable part numbers 
introduced by Revision 1 of Service Bulletin 80-0057. The present AD 
mandates modification of the fuselage emergency door frame in 
accordance with Revision 1 of Service Bulletin 80-0057 from PAI.

We are issuing this AD to require actions to correct the unsafe 
condition on these products.

Comments

    We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing 
this AD. We received no comments on the NPRM or on the determination of 
the cost to the public.

Conclusion

    We reviewed the available data and determined that air safety and 
the public interest require adopting the AD as proposed.

Differences Between This 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 required different actions in this AD from those 
in the MCAI in order to follow FAA policies. Any such differences are 
highlighted in a NOTE within the AD.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD will affect 31 products of U.S. registry. 
We also estimate that it will take about 70 work-hours per product to 
comply with basic requirements of this AD. The average labor rate is 
$80 per work-hour. Required parts will cost about $14,105 per product.
    Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of this AD to the U.S. 
operators to be $610,855 or $19,705 per product.

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

[[Page 6602]]

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 AD will not have federalism implications 
under Executive Order 13132. This AD 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.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify this AD:
    (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.
    We prepared a regulatory evaluation of the estimated costs to 
comply with this AD and placed it in the AD Docket.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.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 the NPRM, 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.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by 
reference, Safety.

Adoption of the Amendment

0
Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the Administrator, 
the FAA amends 14 CFR part 39 as follows:

PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES

0
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]

0
2. The FAA amends Sec.  39.13 by adding the following new AD:

2008-03-14 Piaggio Aero Industries S.p.A.: Amendment 39-15365; 
Docket No. FAA-2007-0294; Directorate Identifier 2007-CE-087-AD.

Effective Date

    (a) This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective March 
11, 2008.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to PIAGGIO P-180 airplanes, manufacturer 
serial numbers (MSN) 1001, 1002, 1004, and MSN 1006 through 1033, 
that:
    (1) are certificated in any category; and
    (2) have not been modified in accordance with Piaggio Aero 
Industries Service Bulletin No. 80-0057, dated February 7, 1995.

Subject

    (d) Air Transport Association of America (ATA) Code 53: 
Fuselage.

Reason

    (e) The mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) 
states:
    Due to pressurization loads, the fuselage frame of the emergency 
exit door could suffer from fatigue and develop cracks in its 
corners. The superseded Italian Airworthiness Directive (AD) 1995-
059 was issued to require modification of the emergency door frame 
in accordance with Piaggio (at the time I.A.M. Rinaldo Piaggio 
S.p.A.) Service Bulletin 80-0057 original issue. Parts necessary to 
carry out the modification were a new door pan assembly and a 
doubler; Since these parts are no longer available, Piaggio Aero 
Industries S.p.A. (PAI) designed new suitable part numbers 
introduced by Revision 1 of Service Bulletin 80-0057. The present AD 
mandates modification of the fuselage emergency door frame in 
accordance with Revision 1 of Service Bulletin 80-0057 from PAI.

The MCAI requires the modification of the fuselage frame of the 
emergency door, using the newly designed door pan assembly and 
doubler, following Piaggio Aero Industries S.p.A. SB 80-0057, 
Revision 1, dated May 31, 2007.

Actions and Compliance

    (f) Unless already done, replace the emergency exit door pan 
assembly part number (P/N) 80-111152-401 with a new door pan 
assembly P/N 80-111152-405, and a new doubler reinforcement P/N 80-
111604-001, following Piaggio Aero Industries S.p.A. Mandatory 
Service Bulletin N.: 80-0057, Revision 1, dated May 31, 2007, at 
whichever of the following occurs later:
    (1) When the airplane reaches 4,500 hours total time-in-service 
(TIS); or
    (2) Within 6 months after March 11, 2008 (the effective date of 
this AD) or 500 hours TIS after March 11, 2008 (the effective date 
of this AD), whichever of these occurs first.

FAA AD Differences

    Note: This AD differs from the MCAI and/or service information 
as follows: No differences.

Other FAA AD Provisions

    (g) The following provisions also apply to this AD:
    (1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager, 
Standards Office, 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.

Material Incorporated by Reference

    (h) You must use Piaggio Aero Industries S.p.A. Mandatory 
Service Bulletin N.: 80-0057, Revision 1, dated May 31, 2007 to do 
the actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise.
    (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the 
incorporation by reference of this service information under 5 
U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
    (2) For service information identified in this AD, contact 
Piaggio Aero Industries S.p.a., Via Cibrario, 4--16154 Genoa, Italy; 
telephone +39 010 06481 741; fax: +39 010 6481 309; e-mail: 
[email protected].
    (3) You may review copies at the FAA, Central Region, Office of 
the Regional Counsel, 901 Locust, Room 506, Kansas City, Missouri 
64106; or at the National Archives and Records Administration 
(NARA). For information on the availability of this material at 
NARA, call 202-741-6030, or go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on January 29, 2008.
John Colomy,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
 [FR Doc. E8-2040 Filed 2-4-08; 8:45 am]
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