[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 188 (Tuesday, September 29, 2015)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 58349-58351]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-24257]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2015-2466; Directorate Identifier 2015-CE-018-AD; 
Amendment 39-18273; AD 2015-19-11]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Piaggio Aero Industries S.p.A. 
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 Piaggio 
Aero Industries S.p.A. Model P-180 airplanes. 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 the need to restore the safe fatigue life of the bulkhead 
structure. We are issuing this AD to require actions to address the 
unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective November 3, 2015.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of certain publication listed in the AD as of November 3, 
2015.

ADDRESSES: You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2015-
2466; 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 service information identified in this AD, contact PIAGGIO AERO 
INDUSTRIES S.p.A, Airworthiness Office, Viale Generale Disegna, 1 - 
17038 Villanova d'Albenga, Savona, Italy; telephone: +39 010 6481800; 
fax: +39 010 6481374; email: [email protected]; 
Internet: www.piaggioaerospace.it/en/customer-support#care. You may 
view this referenced service information at

[[Page 58350]]

the FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Kansas City, Missouri 
64106. For information on the availability of this material at the FAA, 
call (816) 329-4148. It is also available on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for Docket No. FAA-2015-2466.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mike Kiesov, Aerospace Engineer, FAA, 
Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, Missouri 
64106; telephone: (816) 329-4144; fax: (816) 329-4090; email: 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

    We issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR 
part 39 to add an AD that would apply to certain Piaggio Aero 
Industries S.p.A. Model P-180 airplanes. The NPRM was published in the 
Federal Register on July 6, 2015 (80 FR 38406). The NPRM proposed to 
correct an unsafe condition for the specified products and was based on 
mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) originated by an 
aviation authority of another country. The MCAI states:

    In 1997, Piaggio Aero Industries S.p.A (PAI) developed a 
modification of the forward pressurized bulkhead, published through 
PAI Service Bulletin (SB) 80-0081, aiming to restore the safe 
fatigue life of the bulkhead structure.
    Consequently, ENAC Italy (formerly RAI) issued Prescrizione di 
Aeronavigabilita (PA) 97-148 to require compliance with this SB.
    After RAI PA 97-148 was issued, PAI issued SB 80-0081 Revision 2 
to provide improved instructions for specific serial numbers. 
Prompted by this development, EASA issued AD 2010-0146 superseding 
PA 97-148 and requiring accomplishment of instruction of PAI issued 
SB 80-0081 Revision 2.
    After that AD was issued, PAI issued SB 80-0081 Revision 3 to 
make the instructions for inspection (and, depending on findings, 
rework/reinforcement) applicable to all aeroplanes.
    For the reasons described above, this AD retains the 
requirements of EASA AD 2010-0146, which is superseded, requires 
inspection and, depending on findings, reinforcement of the 
pressurized bulkhead structure on extended population of aeroplanes. 
This AD also specifies that certain aeroplanes modified in 
accordance with SB 80-0081 up to Revision 2 need to be inspected 
and, depending on findings, reinforced as required by this AD.

    The MCAI can be found in the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov/#!documentDetail;D=FAA-2015-2466-0002.

Comments

    We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing 
this AD. We received no comments on the NPRM (80 FR 38406, July 6, 
2015) or on the determination of the cost to the public.

Conclusion

    We reviewed the relevant data and determined that air safety and 
the public interest require adopting the AD as proposed except for 
minor editorial changes. We have determined that these minor changes:
     Are consistent with the intent that was proposed in the 
NPRM (80 FR 38406, July 6, 2015) for correcting the unsafe condition; 
and
     Do not add any additional burden upon the public than was 
already proposed in the NPRM (80 FR 38406, July 6, 2015).

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    We reviewed PIAGGIO AERO INDUSTRIES S.p.A. Service Bulletin 80-
0081, Revision No. 3, dated: January 20, 2015. The service information 
describes procedures for inspection and, depending on findings, rework/
reinforcement of the bulkhead. This service information is reasonably 
available because the interested parties have access to it through 
their normal course of business or by the means identified in the 
ADDRESSES section of the AD.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD will affect 28 products of U.S. registry. 
We also estimate that it will take about 1 work-hour per product to 
comply with the basic requirements of this AD. The average labor rate 
is $85 per work-hour.
    Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of this AD on U.S. 
operators to be $2,380, or $85 per product.
    In addition, we estimate that any necessary follow-on actions will 
take about 88 work-hours and require parts costing $30,000, for a cost 
of $37,480 per product. We have no way of determining the number of 
products that may need these actions.
    According to the manufacturer, some of the costs of this AD may be 
covered under warranty, thereby reducing the cost impact on affected 
individuals. We do not control warranty coverage for affected 
individuals. As a result, we have included all costs in our cost 
estimate.

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 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 the DOT Regulatory Policies 
and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979),
    (3) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and
    (4) 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.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2015-
2466; 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.

[[Page 58351]]

Adoption of the Amendment

    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:

2015-19-11 PIAGGIO AERO INDUSTRIES S.p.A: Amendment 39-18273; Docket 
No. FAA-2015-2466; Directorate Identifier 2015-CE-018-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective November 3, 
2015.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to PIAGGIO AERO INDUSTRIES S.p.A P-180 Model P-
180 airplanes, serial numbers (S/N) 1004 through 1033, certificated 
in any category.

(d) Subject

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

(e) Reason

    This AD was prompted by 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 the need to 
restore the safe fatigue life of the bulkhead structure. We are 
issuing this AD to correct the safe fatigue life of the airplane.

(f) Actions and Compliance

    (1) Unless already done, do the actions in paragraphs (f)(2) 
through (f)(4) of this AD at whichever of the following compliance 
times occurs later:
    (i) Within 1,500 hours time-in-service (TIS) after November 3, 
2015 (the effective date of this AD), but not to exceed 6,000 hours 
total hours TIS on the airplane; or
    (ii) Within 200 hours TIS after November 3, 2015 (the effective 
date of this AD) or 6 months after November 3, 2015 (the effective 
date of this AD), whichever occurs first.
    (2) Inspect (visually or using a standard endoscope) the forward 
pressurized bulkhead to verify presence of bulkhead reinforcement 
following Part A1 of the Accomplishment Instructions of PIAGGIO AERO 
INDUSTRIES S.p.A. Service Bulletin 80-0081, Revision No. 3, dated: 
January 20, 2015.
    (i) If the inspection results indicate that the reinforcements 
are properly installed, ascertain (visually or by means of standard 
endoscope equipment) that there are no cracks or defects. If cracks 
or defects are identified, before further flight, contact Piaggio 
Aero Industries at the address specified in paragraph (i)(3) of this 
AD for an FAA-approved repair scheme, approved specifically for this 
AD, and incorporate that repair.
    (ii) If the inspection results indicate that the reinforcements 
are not installed, reinforce the forward pressurized bulkhead 
following Part A2 of the Accomplishment Instructions of PIAGGIO AERO 
INDUSTRIES S.p.A. Service Bulletin 80-0081, Revision No. 3, dated: 
January 20, 2015.
    (3) Modify the forward pressurized bulkhead following Part C of 
the Accomplishment Instructions of PIAGGIO AERO INDUSTRIES S.p.A. 
Service Bulletin 80-0081, Revision No. 3, dated: January 20, 2015.
    (4) This AD allows credit for the actions required in paragraphs 
(f)(2)(ii) and (f)(3) of this AD if done before November 3, 2015 
(the effective date of this AD) following the instructions of 
PIAGGIO AERO INDUSTRIES S.p.A. Service Bulletin 80-0081, Original 
Issue, dated: April 28, 1997; PIAGGIO AERO INDUSTRIES S.p.A. Service 
Bulletin 80-0081, Revision No. 1, dated: May 11, 2010; or PIAGGIO 
AERO INDUSTRIES S.p.A. Service Bulletin 80-0081, Revision No. 2, 
dated: July 19, 2010.

(g) Other FAA AD Provisions

    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: Mike Kiesov, Aerospace Engineer, FAA, Small 
Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, Missouri 
64106; telephone: (816) 329-4144; fax: (816) 329-4090; email: 
[email protected]. 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.

(h) Related Information

    Refer to MCAI European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD No.: 
2015-0071, dated April 30, 2015; PIAGGIO AERO INDUSTRIES S.p.A. 
Service Bulletin 80-0081, Original Issue, dated: April 28, 1997; 
PIAGGIO AERO INDUSTRIES S.p.A. Service Bulletin 80-0081, Revision 
No. 1, dated: May 11, 2010; and PIAGGIO AERO INDUSTRIES S.p.A. 
Service Bulletin 80-0081, Revision No. 2, dated: July 19, 2010, for 
related information. The MCAI can be found in the AD docket on the 
Internet at http://www.regulations.gov/#!documentDetail;D=FAA-2015-
2466-0002.

(i) Material Incorporated by Reference

    (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the 
incorporation by reference (IBR) of the service information listed 
in this paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
    (2) You must use this service information as applicable to do 
the actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise.
    (i) PIAGGIO AERO INDUSTRIES S.p.A. Service Bulletin 80-0081, 
Revision No. 3, dated: January 20, 2015.
    (ii) Reserved.
    (3) For PIAGGIO AEROSPACE service information identified in this 
AD, contact PIAGGIO AERO INDUSTRIES S.p.A, Airworthiness Office, 
Viale Generale Disegna, 1--17038 Villanova d'Albenga, Savona, Italy; 
telephone: +39 010 6481800; fax: +39 010 6481374; email: 
[email protected]; Internet: 
www.piaggioaerospace.it/en/customer-support#care.
    (4) You may view this service information at the FAA, Small 
Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Kansas City, Missouri 64106. For 
information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call 
(816) 329-4148. In addition, you can access this service information 
on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov by searching for and 
locating Docket No. FAA-2015-2466.
    (5) You may view this service information that is incorporated 
by reference 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 September 17, 2015.
Melvin Johnson,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2015-24257 Filed 9-28-15; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P