[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 4 (Thursday, January 7, 2010)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 904-906]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-31364]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2009-0699 Directorate Identifier 2009-CE-042-AD; 
Amendment 39-16169; AD 2009-21-08 R1]
RIN 2120-AA64


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

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

ACTION: Final rule.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: We are clarifying information contained in Airworthiness 
Directive (AD) 2009-21-08, which applies to PIAGGIO AERO INDUSTRIES 
S.p.A. (Piaggio) Model PIAGGIO P-180 airplanes. AD 2009-21-08 currently 
requires repetitive functional tests of the manifold system and 
replacement of any system that does not pass the functional tests 
(i.e., movement of the steering system). The language in AD 2009-21-08 
incorrectly references not passing the functional tests as ``movement 
of the manifold,'' and it should read ``movement of the steering 
system'' as specified in the service bulletin. The notice of proposed 
rulemaking (NPRM) referenced it as specified in the service bulletin. 
This document incorporates the intent of the action as already proposed 
in the NPRM. We are issuing this AD to prevent a potentially dangerous 
veer along the runway. The steering system must be in the `off' 
position during landing and takeoff (in this case when airspeed is 
higher than 60 knots) according to the aircraft flight manual 
limitations.

DATES: The effective date of this AD is December 14, 2009, which is the 
same as AD 2009-21-08.
    As of December 14, 2009 (74 FR 57561, November 9, 2009), the 
Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of the following documents listed in this AD:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Service information title           Page(s)             Revision                        Date
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PIAGGIO AERO INDUSTRIES S.p.A.    1 through 9........  Rev. 1............  May 27, 2009.
 Service Bulletin (Mandatory) N.
 80-0249.
PIAGGIO AERO INDUSTRIES S.p.A.    CONFIRMATION SLIP..  Rev. 1............  Not Dated.
 Service Bulletin (Mandatory) N.
 80-0249.
PIAGGIO AERO PIAGGIO P.180        Cover..............  No. D2............  Revised June 16, 2008.
 AVANTI Maintenance Manual,
 Report No. 9066, 32-50-00.
PIAGGIO AERO PIAGGIO P.180        1 through 8........  Not Applicable....  March 1, 2006.
 AVANTI Maintenance Manual,
 Report No. 9066, 32-50-00.
PIAGGIO AERO PIAGGIO P.180        201, 202, 204, and   Not Applicable....  June 16, 2008.
 AVANTI Maintenance Manual,        206 through 216.
 Report No. 9066, 32-50-00.
PIAGGIO AERO PIAGGIO P.180        203 and 205........  Not Applicable....  March 1, 2006.
 AVANTI Maintenance Manual,
 Report No. 9066, 32-50-00.
PIAGGIO AERO PIAGGIO P.180        501 through 506....  Not Applicable....  March 1, 2006.
 AVANTI Maintenance Manual,
 Report No. 9066, 32-50-00.
PIAGGIO AERO PIAGGIO P.180        Cover..............  No. A3............  Revised December 19, 2008.
 AVANTI II Maintenance Manual,
 Report No. 180-MAN-0200-01105,
 32-50-00.
PIAGGIO AERO PIAGGIO P.180        1 through 8........  Not Applicable....  June 30, 2005.
 AVANTI II Maintenance Manual,
 Report No. 180-MAN-0200-01105,
 32-50-00.
PIAGGIO AERO PIAGGIO P.180        201, 202, and 207    Not Applicable....  December 19, 2008.
 AVANTI II Maintenance Manual,     through 209.
 Report No. 180-MAN-0200-01105,
 32-50-00.
PIAGGIO AERO PIAGGIO P.180        203 and 205........  Not Applicable....  June 30, 2005.
 AVANTI II Maintenance Manual,
 Report No. 180-MAN-0200-01105,
 32-50-00.
PIAGGIO AERO PIAGGIO P.180        204, 206, and 210    Not Applicable....  September 14, 2007.
 AVANTI II Maintenance Manual,     through 216.
 Report No. 180-MAN-0200-01105,
 32-50-00.
PIAGGIO AERO PIAGGIO P.180        501 through 506....  Not Applicable....  June 30, 2005.
 AVANTI II Maintenance Manual,
 Report No. 180-MAN-0200-01105,
 32-50-00.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


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

    On October 7, 2009, we issued AD 2009-21-08, Amendment 39-16047 (74 
FR 57561, November 9, 2009), to require repetitive functional tests of 
the manifold system and replacement of any system that does not pass 
the functional

[[Page 905]]

tests (i.e., movement of the steering system) on Piaggio Model PIAGGIO 
P-180 airplanes.
    The language in AD 2009-21-08 incorrectly references not passing 
the functional tests as ``movement of the manifold,'' and it should 
read ``movement of the steering system'' as specified in the service 
bulletin. The NPRM referenced it as specified in the service bulletin. 
This document incorporates the intent of the action as already proposed 
in the NPRM.
    Consequently, the FAA sees a need to clarify AD 2009-21-08 to 
assure that the proper criteria are utilized for the required 
functional test and is revising the AD to incorporate the language 
discussed above and to add the amendment to section 39.13 of the 
Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 39.13).
    Since this action only clarifies the intent of what was originally 
proposed in the NPRM, it has no adverse economic impact and imposes no 
additional burden on any person than was already proposed. Therefore, 
the FAA has determined that prior notice and opportunity for public 
comment are unnecessary.

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 removing Airworthiness Directive (AD) 
2009-21-08, Amendment 39-16047 74 FR 57561, November 9, 2009), and 
adding the following new AD:

2009-21-08 R1 PIAGGIO AERO INDUSTRIES S.p.A.: Amendment 39-16169; 
Docket No. FAA-2009-0699; Directorate Identifier 2009-CE-042-AD.

Effective Date

    (a) The effective date of this AD is December 14, 2009, which is 
the same as AD 2009-21-08.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to Model PIAGGIO P-180 airplanes, all serial 
numbers (S/N), 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:
    Some cases of uncommanded steering action were observed, while 
the steering system was switched off.
    A leakage in the Steering Select/Bypass Valve, installed in the 
Steering Manifold, when closed, is suspected to have caused the 
uncommanded steering.
    If left uncorrected, this condition could lead to a potentially 
dangerous veer along the runway; in fact, according to the Aircraft 
Flight Manual limitations, the steering system must be in `off' 
position during landing and takeoff (in this case when airspeed is 
higher than 60 knots). For the reasons stated above, this new AD 
mandates repetitive inspections for leakage of the Nose Landing Gear 
steering manifold.
    The MCAI requires, if any inspection finds internal leakage of 
the steering manifold, the replacement of the steering manifold.

Actions and Compliance

    (f) Unless already done, do the following actions:
    (1) Within the next 6 months after December 14, 2009 (the 
effective date of this AD and AD 2009-21-08) or within the next 100 
hours time-in-service (TIS) after December 14, 2009 (the effective 
date of this AD and AD 2009-21-08), whichever occurs first, and 
repetitively thereafter at intervals not to exceed every 165 hours 
TIS, do a functional test of the nose landing gear (NLG) steering 
manifold. Follow the accomplishment instructions of PIAGGIO AERO 
INDUSTRIES S.p.A. Service Bulletin (Mandatory) N. 80-0249 (includes 
CONFIRMATION SLIP), Rev. 1, dated May 27, 2009.
    (2) Upon installation of a NLG steering manifold on any 
airplane, do a functional test of the NLG steering manifold. 
Repetitively thereafter at intervals not to exceed every 165 hours 
TIS, do a functional test of the NLG steering manifold. Follow the 
accomplishment instructions of PIAGGIO AERO INDUSTRIES S.p.A. 
Service Bulletin (Mandatory) N. 80-0249 (includes CONFIRMATION 
SLIP), Rev. 1, dated May 27, 2009.
    (3) If during any inspection required in paragraphs (f)(1) and 
(f)(2) of this AD, any manifold system does not pass the functional 
tests (i.e., movement of the steering system), using the compliance 
times in the accomplishment instructions of PIAGGIO AERO INDUSTRIES 
S.p.A. Service Bulletin (Mandatory) N. 80-0249 (includes 
CONFIRMATION SLIP), Rev. 1, dated May 27, 2009, replace the NLG 
steering manifold following (for S/N 1004 through 1104) pages 1 
through 8 dated March 1, 2006; 201, 202, 204, and 206 through 216, 
dated June 16, 2008; 203 and 205, dated March 1, 2006; and 501 
through 506, dated March 1, 2006, of PIAGGIO AERO PIAGGIO P.180 
AVANTI Maintenance Manual, Report No. 9066, 32-50-00, Revision No. 
D2, revised June 16, 2008; or (for S/N 1105 and greater) pages 1 
through 8, dated June 30, 2005; 201, 202, and 207 through 209, dated 
December 19, 2008; 203 and 205, dated June 30, 2005; 204, 206, and 
210 through 216, dated September 14, 2007; and 501 through 506, 
dated June 30, 2005, of PIAGGIO AERO PIAGGIO P.180 AVANTI II 
Maintenance Manual, Report No. 180-MAN-0200-01105, 32-50-00, 
Revision No. A3, revised December 19, 2008.

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.

Related Information

    (h) Refer to MCAI EASA AD 2009-0129, dated June 19, 2009; 
PIAGGIO AERO INDUSTRIES S.p.A. Service Bulletin (Mandatory) N. 80-
0249 (includes CONFIRMATION SLIP), Rev. 1, dated May 27, 2009; 
PIAGGIO AERO PIAGGIO P. 180 AVANTI Maintenance Manual, Report No. 
9066, 32-50-00, revised June 16, 2008, pages 1 through 8, 201 
through 216, and 501 through 506; and PIAGGIO AERO PIAGGIO P. 180 
AVANTI II Maintenance Manual, Report No. 180-MAN-0200-01105, 32-50-
00, revised December 19, 2008, pages 1 through 8, 201 through 216, 
and 501 through 506, for related information.

Material Incorporated by Reference

    (i) You must use the service information specified in Table 1 of 
this AD to do the

[[Page 906]]

actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise.
    (1) On December 14, 2009 (74 FR 57561, November 9, 2009), the 
Director of the Federal Register previously approved the 
incorporation by reference of the service information listed in 
Table 1 of this AD.
    (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; Internet: http://www.piaggioaero.com, or e-mail: [email protected].
    (3) You may review copies of the service information 
incorporated by reference for this AD at the FAA, Central Region, 
Office of the Regional Counsel, 901 Locust, Kansas City, Missouri 
64106. For information on the availability of this material at the 
Central Region, call (816) 329-3768.
    (4) You may also review copies of the service information 
incorporated by reference for this AD 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/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html.

                                   Table 1--Material Incorporated by Reference
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Service information title           Page(s)             Revision                        Date
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PIAGGIO AERO INDUSTRIES S.p.A.    1 through 9........  Rev. 1............  May 27, 2009.
 Service Bulletin (Mandatory) N.
 80-0249.
PIAGGIO AERO INDUSTRIES S.p.A.    CONFIRMATION SLIP..  Rev. 1............  Not Dated.
 Service Bulletin (Mandatory) N.
 80-0249.
PIAGGIO AERO PIAGGIO P. 180       Cover..............  No. D2............  Revised June 16, 2008.
 AVANTI Maintenance Manual,
 Report No. 9066, 32-50-00.
PIAGGIO AERO PIAGGIO P. 180       1 through 8........  Not Applicable....  March 1, 2006.
 AVANTI Maintenance Manual,
 Report No. 9066, 32-50-00.
PIAGGIO AERO PIAGGIO P. 180       201, 202, 204, and   Not Applicable....  June 16, 2008.
 AVANTI Maintenance Manual,        206 through 216.
 Report No. 9066, 32-50-00.
PIAGGIO AERO PIAGGIO P. 180       203 and 205........  Not Applicable....  March 1, 2006.
 AVANTI Maintenance Manual,
 Report No. 9066, 32-50-00.
PIAGGIO AERO PIAGGIO P. 180       501 through 506....  Not Applicable....  March 1, 2006.
 AVANTI Maintenance Manual,
 Report No. 9066, 32-50-00.
PIAGGIO AERO PIAGGIO P. 180       Cover..............  No. A3............  Revised December 19, 2008.
 AVANTI II Maintenance Manual,
 Report No. 180-MAN-0200-01105,
 32-50-00.
PIAGGIO AERO PIAGGIO P. 180       1 through 8........  Not Applicable....  June 30, 2005.
 AVANTI II Maintenance Manual,
 Report No. 180-MAN-0200-01105,
 32-50-00.
PIAGGIO AERO PIAGGIO P. 180       201, 202, and 207    Not Applicable....  December 19, 2008.
 AVANTI II Maintenance Manual,     through 209.
 Report No. 180-MAN-0200-01105,
 32-50-00.
PIAGGIO AERO PIAGGIO P. 180       203 and 205........  Not Applicable....  June 30, 2005.
 AVANTI II Maintenance Manual,
 Report No. 180-MAN-0200-01105,
 32-50-00.
PIAGGIO AERO PIAGGIO P. 180       204, 206, and 210    Not Applicable....  September 14, 2007.
 AVANTI II Maintenance Manual,     through 216.
 Report No. 180-MAN-0200-01105,
 32-50-00.
PIAGGIO AERO PIAGGIO P. 180       501 through 506....  Not Applicable....  June 30, 2005.
 AVANTI II Maintenance Manual,
 Report No. 180-MAN-0200-01105,
 32-50-00.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on December 30, 2009.
Kim Smith,
Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. E9-31364 Filed 1-6-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P