[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 141 (Friday, July 23, 2010)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 43101-43103]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-18024]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2010-0736; Directorate Identifier 2010-CE-035-AD]
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: 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:

    A damaged fuel heater caused a fuel leakage in the engine 
nacelle; investigation revealed that the damage to the fuel heater 
was due to chafing with an oil cooling system hose.
    PIAGGIO AERO INDUSTIRES (PAI) issued Service Bulletin (SB) 80-
0175, which was applicable to all aeroplanes and contained 
instructions for a repetitive inspection of the affected parts and, 
if necessary, their replacement and/or for the repositioning of oil/
fuel tubing if minimum clearances were not found.

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 September 7, 
2010.

ADDRESSES: You may send comments by any of the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
     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.

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 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: S.M. 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-2010-0736; 
Directorate Identifier 2010-CE-035-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://www.regulations.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 AD 
No. 2010-0125, dated June 23, 2010 (referred to after this as ``the 
MCAI''), to correct an unsafe condition for the specified products. The 
MCAI states:

    A damaged fuel heater caused a fuel leakage in the engine 
nacelle; investigation revealed that the damage to the fuel heater 
was due to chafing with an oil cooling system hose.
    Piaggio Aero Industries (PAI) issued Service Bulletin (SB) 80-
0175, which was applicable to all aeroplanes and contained 
instructions for a repetitive inspection of the affected parts and, 
if necessary, their replacement and/or for the repositioning of oil/
fuel tubing if minimum clearances were not found.
    ENAC of Italy issued PA 2002-335 to require the accomplishment 
of these corrective actions.

[[Page 43102]]

    Later on, PAI introduced a new Hose Assembly (P/N 80-337284-
001), which allows better clearances and removes the problem of 
potential interference. PAI issued SB 80-0175 Revision 1, limiting 
the applicability to aeroplanes with the old P/N installed only and 
giving instructions for the replacement with the new Hose Assembly 
P/N.
    This new AD, which supersedes ENAC Italy PA 2002-335, is issued 
to grant the revised applicability and to include an optional 
terminating action, which consists in replacing the Hose Assembly P/
N 80-337276-001 with the new P/N 80-337284-001.

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.: 80-0175, Rev. N. 1, dated May 14, 2010. 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 
in the MCAI in order to follow FAA policies. Any such differences are 
highlighted in a Note within the proposed AD.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD will affect 99 products of U.S. 
registry. We also estimate that it would take about 5 work-hours per 
product to comply with the basic requirements of this proposed AD. The 
average labor rate is $85 per work-hour.
    Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of the proposed AD on 
U.S. operators to be $42,075, or $425 per product.
    In addition, we estimate that any necessary follow-on actions would 
take about 32 work-hours and require parts costing $3,700, for a cost 
of $6,420 per product. 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, Incorporation by 
reference, 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-2010-0736; Directorate 
Identifier 2010-CE-035-AD.

Comments Due Date

    (a) We must receive comments by September 7, 2010.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to PIAGGIO AERO INDUSTRIES S.p.A. Model 
PIAGGIO P-180 airplanes, all serial numbers, that are:
    (i) equipped with hose assembly, part number (P/N) 80-337276-
001; and
    (ii) certificated in any category.

Subject

    (d) Air Transport Association of America (ATA) Code 79: Engine 
Oil.

Reason

    (e) The mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) 
states:

    A damaged fuel heater caused a fuel leakage in the engine 
nacelle; investigation revealed that the damage to the fuel heater 
was due to chafing with an oil cooling system hose.
    Piaggio Aero Industries (PAI) issued Service Bulletin (SB) 80-
0175, which was applicable to all aeroplanes and contained 
instructions for a repetitive inspection of the affected parts and, 
if necessary, their replacement and/or for the repositioning of oil/
fuel tubing if minimum clearances were not found.
    ENAC of Italy issued PA 2002-335 to require the accomplishment 
of these corrective actions.
    Later on, PAI introduced a new Hose Assembly (P/N 80-337284-
001), which allows better clearances and removes the problem of 
potential interference. PAI issued SB 80-0175 Revision 1, limiting 
the applicability to aeroplanes with the old P/N installed only and 
giving instructions for the replacement with the new Hose Assembly 
P/N.
    This new AD, which supersedes ENAC Italy PA 2002-335, is issued 
to grant the

[[Page 43103]]

revised applicability and to include an optional terminating action, 
which consists in replacing the Hose Assembly P/N 80-337276-001 with 
the new P/N 80-337284-001.

Actions and Compliance

    (f) Unless already done, do the following actions:
    (1) Within the next 150 hours time-in-service (TIS) after the 
effective date of this AD and repetitively thereafter at intervals 
not to exceed 165 hours TIS after the last inspection, inspect the 
left-hand and the right-hand engine mounted fuel heater for wear 
damage and minimum clearance. Do the inspections following Part A of 
the Accomplishment Instructions in PIAGGIO AERO INDUSTRIES S.p.A. 
Service Bulletin (Mandatory) N.: 80-0175, Rev. N. 1, dated May 14, 
2010.
    (2) If any wear damage to the fuel heater or to the oil cooling 
system hose is detected during any inspection required in paragraph 
(f)(1) of this AD, before further flight after the inspection, 
replace hose assembly P/N 80-337276-001 with a new hose assembly P/N 
80-337284-001. Do the replacement following Part B of the 
Accomplishment Instructions in PIAGGIO AERO INDUSTRIES S.p.A. 
Service Bulletin (Mandatory) N.: 80-0175, Rev. N. 1, dated May 14, 
2010. Installing hose assembly P/N 80-337284-001 terminates the 
repetitive inspections required in paragraph (f)(1) of this AD.
    (3) If no wear damage to the fuel heater or to the oil cooling 
system hose is detected, but insufficient clearance is found during 
any inspection required in paragraph (f)(1) of this AD, within the 
next 660 hours TIS after the inspection, replace hose assembly P/N 
80-337276-001 with a new hose assembly P/N 80-337284-001. Do the 
replacement following Part B of the Accomplishment Instructions in 
PIAGGIO AERO INDUSTRIES S.p.A. Service Bulletin (Mandatory) N.: 80-
0175, Rev. N. 1, dated May 14, 2010. Installing hose assembly P/N 
80-337284-001 terminates the repetitive inspections required in 
paragraph (f)(1) of this AD.
    (4) You may terminate the repetitive inspections required in 
paragraph (f)(1) of this AD by replacing hose assembly P/N 80-
337276-001 with a new hose assembly P/N 80-337284-001 at any time 
after the initial inspection required in paragraph (f)(1) of this 
AD, as long as no wear damage to the fuel heater or to the oil 
cooling system hose is detected and sufficient clearance is found.

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: S.M. 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) AD No. 
2010-0125, dated June 23, 2010; and PIAGGIO AERO INDUSTRIES S.p.A. 
Service Bulletin (Mandatory) N.: 80-0175, Rev. N. 1, dated May 14, 
2010, for related information.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on July 16, 2010.
Kim Smith,
Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2010-18024 Filed 7-22-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P