[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 69 (Monday, April 11, 2022)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 21034-21037]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-07621]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2022-0452; Project Identifier MCAI-2021-01356-A]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Piaggio Aero Industries S.p.A Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) 
for certain Piaggio Aero Industries S.p.A (Piaggio) Model P-180 
airplanes. 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 identifies the unsafe condition as 
accumulation of water and subsequent freezing in the pitot-tube, which 
results in pitot-tube blockage. This proposed AD would require 
modifying the total air temperature (TAT) probe heater electrical 
circuit and revising your existing airplane flight manual (AFM). The 
FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these 
products.

DATES: The FAA must receive comments on this proposed AD by May 26, 
2022.

ADDRESSES: You may send comments, using the procedures found in 14 CFR 
11.43 and 11.45, by any of the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to https://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: Deliver to Mail address above between 9 
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
    For service information identified in this NPRM, contact Piaggio 
Aero Industries S.p.A, P-180 Customer Support, Via Pioieri e Aviatori 
d'Italia snc, 16154 Genoa, Italy; phone: +39 010 099 8400; email: 
[email protected]; website: https://[email protected]. You may view this service 
information at the FAA, Airworthiness Products Section, Operational 
Safety Branch, 901 Locust, Kansas City, MO 64106. For information on 
the availability of this material at the FAA, call (817) 222-5110.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket at https://www.regulations.gov by 
searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2022-0452; or in person at 
Docket Operations between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, 
except Federal holidays. The AD docket contains this NPRM, the MCAI, 
any comments received, and other information. The street address for 
Docket Operations is listed above.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mike Kiesov, Aviation Safety Engineer, 
General Aviation & Rotorcraft Section, International Validation Branch, 
FAA, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, MO 64106; phone: (816) 329-
4144; email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

    The FAA invites you to send any written relevant data, views, or 
arguments about this proposal. Send your comments to an address listed 
under ADDRESSES. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2022-0452; Project Identifier 
MCAI-2021-01356-A'' at the beginning of your comments. The most helpful 
comments reference a specific portion of the proposal, explain the 
reason for any recommended change, and include supporting data. The FAA 
will consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend 
this proposal because of those comments.
    Except for Confidential Business Information (CBI) as described in 
the

[[Page 21035]]

following paragraph, and other information as described in 14 CFR 
11.35, the FAA will post all comments received, without change, to 
https://www.regulations.gov, including any personal information you 
provide. The agency will also post a report summarizing each 
substantive verbal contact received about this NPRM.

Confidential Business Information

    CBI is commercial or financial information that is both customarily 
and actually treated as private by its owner. Under the Freedom of 
Information Act (FOIA) (5 U.S.C. 552), CBI is exempt from public 
disclosure. If your comments responsive to this NPRM contain commercial 
or financial information that is customarily treated as private, that 
you actually treat as private, and that is relevant or responsive to 
this NPRM, it is important that you clearly designate the submitted 
comments as CBI. Please mark each page of your submission containing 
CBI as ``PROPIN.'' The FAA will treat such marked submissions as 
confidential under the FOIA, and they will not be placed in the public 
docket of this NPRM. Submissions containing CBI should be sent to Mike 
Kiesov, Aviation Safety Engineer, General Aviation & Rotorcraft 
Section, International Validation Branch, FAA, 901 Locust, Room 301, 
Kansas City, MO 64106. Any commentary that the FAA receives which is 
not specifically designated as CBI will be placed in the public docket 
for this rulemaking.

Background

    The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the 
Technical Agent for the Member States of the European Union, has issued 
EASA AD 2019-0144, dated June 19, 2019 (referred to after this as ``the 
MCAI''), to address an unsafe condition on all Piaggio Model P.180 
Avanti and Avanti II airplanes. The MCAI states:

    Occurrences of pitot-tube blockage were reported, leading to in-
flight air data loss. Investigation results indicated that 
accumulation of water and subsequent freezing was the failure cause.
    This condition, if not corrected, could lead to unreliable 
indication or loss of in-flight air data provided by systems 
deriving their data from measuring air pressure, possibly resulting 
in loss of control of the aeroplane.
    To address this potentially unsafe condition, Piaggio issued the 
applicable AFM TC [Piaggio Aviation P.180 AVANTI II/EVO Temporary 
Change 79, dated September 17, 2018; and Piaggio Aviation P.180 
AVANTI Temporary Change No. 36 and No. 79], providing instructions 
to switch on pitot-tube heater before taxi if operation in heavy 
rain, snow or icing condition is expected. To prevent concurrent 
activation of TAT probe heater on ground, which could lead to 
temporary air data indications failure, Piaggio issued the 
applicable SBs [Piaggio Service Bulletin No. 80-0430 Revision 1 and 
Piaggio Service Bulletin No. 80-0457, original issue], providing 
modification instructions to inhibit on-ground power supply to TAT 
probe heater, when the pitot-tube heater is activated.
    For the reasons described above, this [EASA] AD requires 
amendment of the applicable AFM and, for certain aeroplanes, 
modification of the TAT probe heater electrical circuit.

    You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket at https://www.regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2022-
0452.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

    The FAA reviewed Piaggio Aviation S.p.A. Service Bulletin No. 80-
0430, Revision 1, dated April 30, 2019; and Piaggio Aero Industries 
S.p.A. Service Bulletin No. 80-0457, Revision 1, dated February 12, 
2020. These service bulletins specify procedures for modifying the TAT 
heater circuit in order to inhibit its engagement on the ground when 
the pitot heater is turned on. These documents are distinct because 
they apply to airplanes in different configurations.
    The FAA reviewed Piaggio Aviation P.180 AVANTI II/EVO Temporary 
Change No. 79, dated September 17, 2018. Temporary Change (TC) 79 
revises the Limitations and Normal Procedures sections of the existing 
AFM to include updated procedures for airplane operation when the 
modification for inhibition of the TAT heater (on ground) has been 
installed.
    The FAA also reviewed Piaggio Aviation P.180 AVANTI Temporary 
Change No. 36, dated April 11, 2019. TC 36 revises the Emergency and 
Normal Procedures sections of the existing AFM to include additional 
procedures to avoid air data computer (ADC) failure due to water 
trapped and frozen in pitot lines.
    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.

Other Related Service Information

    The FAA reviewed Piaggio Aero Industries Service Bulletin No. 80-
0454, Revision 0, dated March 6, 2017; Piaggio Aero Industries S.p.A. 
Service Bulletin No. 80-0425, Revision 0, dated May 30, 2017; and 
Piaggio Aero Industries S.p.A. Service Bulletin No. 80-0425, Revision 
2, dated June 4, 2018. This service information specifies procedures 
for replacing the Messier-Dowty nose and main landing gear and steering 
system with a Magnaghi nose and main landing gear and Eaton steering 
system.
    The FAA also reviewed Piaggio Aero Industries S.p.A. Service 
Bulletin No. 80-0430, Revision 0, dated August 10, 2017. This service 
information specifies procedures for modifying the TAT heater circuit 
in order to inhibit its engagement on the ground when the pitot heater 
is turned on.

FAA's Determination

    This product has been approved by the aviation authority of another 
country and is approved for operation in the United States. Pursuant to 
the FAA's bilateral agreement with this State of Design Authority, it 
has notified the FAA of the unsafe condition described in the MCAI and 
service information referenced above. The FAA is issuing this NPRM 
after determining the unsafe condition described previously is likely 
to exist or develop on other products of the same type design.

Proposed AD Requirements in This NPRM

    This proposed AD would require accomplishing the actions specified 
in the service information already described.

Differences Between This Proposed AD and the MCAI

    The MCAI requires informing all flight crews of the AFM revisions 
and operating accordingly thereafter, and this proposed AD would not 
because those actions are already required by FAA operating 
regulations.

Costs of Compliance

    The FAA estimates that this AD, if adopted as proposed, would 
affect 101 airplanes of U.S. registry. The FAA estimates the following 
costs to comply with this proposed AD:

[[Page 21036]]



                                                 Estimated Costs
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                                                                                                 Cost on U.S.
             Action                   Labor cost          Parts cost       Cost per airplane       operators
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Modify TAT probe heater           42 work-hours x     Up to $3,632......  Up to $7,202......  Up to $496,938 (69
 electrical circuit.               $85 per hour =                                              airplanes).
                                   $3,570.
Revise AFM......................  1 work-hour x $85   Not Applicable....  $85...............  $8,585 (101
                                   per hour = $85.                                             airplanes).
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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.
    The FAA is 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

    The FAA 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) Would not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and
    (3) Would not have a significant economic impact, positive or 
negative, on a substantial number of small entities under the criteria 
of the Regulatory Flexibility Act.

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

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 airworthiness 
directive:

Piaggio Aero Industries S.p.A: Docket No. FAA-2022-0452; Project 
Identifier MCAI-2021-01356-A.

(a) Comments Due Date

    The FAA must receive comments on this airworthiness directive 
(AD) by May 26, 2022.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Piaggio Aero Industries S.p.A Model P-180 
airplanes, all serial numbers (S/Ns), certificated in any category.

 (d) Subject

    Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 3411, Pitot/Static 
System.

(e) Unsafe Condition

    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 identifies the unsafe condition as accumulation of 
water and subsequent freezing in the pitot-tube. The FAA is issuing 
this AD to prevent blockage of the pitot-tube. The unsafe condition, 
if not addressed, could result in temporary air data indications 
failure, which could result in loss of control of the airplane.

(f) Compliance

    Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, 
unless already done.

(g) Required Actions

    (1) For all airplanes: Within 30 days after the effective date 
of this AD, revise the existing airplane flight manual (AFM) for 
your airplane by adding into the Emergency Procedures and Normal 
Procedures sections the information in Piaggio Aviation P.180 AVANTI 
Temporary Change No. 36, dated April 11, 2019; or by incorporating 
into the Limitations and Normal Procedures sections the information 
in Piaggio Aviation P.180 Avanti II/EVO Temporary Change No. 79, 
dated September 17, 2018; as applicable to your airplane S/N. Using 
a different document with language identical to that in Piaggio 
Aviation P.180 AVANTI Temporary Change No. 36, dated April 11, 2019; 
or Piaggio Aviation P.180 Avanti II/EVO Temporary Change No. 79, 
dated September 17, 2018, is acceptable for compliance with this 
requirement.
    (2) For airplanes identified in paragraph (g)(2)(i) and (ii) of 
this AD: Within 660 hours time-in-service (TIS) after the effective 
date of this AD or 24 months after the effective date of this AD, 
whichever occurs first, modify the total air temperature (TAT) probe 
heater electrical circuit by following the Accomplishment 
Instructions, paragraphs (6) through (27), in Piaggio Aero 
Industries S.p.A. Service Bulletin No. 80-0457, Revision 1, dated 
February 12, 2020.
    (i) S/N 1105, if Piaggio Aero Industries Service Bulletin No. 
80-0454, Revision 0, dated March 6, 2017, is not incorporated; and
    (ii) S/Ns 1106 through 1234 inclusive, if Piaggio Aero 
Industries S.p.A. Service Bulletin No. 80-0425, Revision 2, dated 
June 4, 2018, is not incorporated.
    (3) For airplanes identified in paragraphs (g)(3)(i) through 
(iii) of this AD: Within 660 hours TIS after the effective date of 
this AD or 24 months after the effective date of this AD, whichever 
occurs first, modify the TAT probe heater electrical circuit by 
following the Accomplishment Instructions, paragraphs (6) through 
(21), in Piaggio Aviation S.p.A. Service Bulletin No. 80-0430, 
Revision 1, dated April 30, 2019.
    (i) S/Ns 1002, 3001, 3003, 3004, 3006, and 3007;
    (ii) S/N 1105, if Piaggio Aero Industries Service Bulletin No. 
80-0454, Revision 0, dated March 6, 2017, is incorporated; and
    (iii) S/Ns 1106 through 1234 inclusive, if Piaggio Aero 
Industries S.p.A. Service Bulletin No. 80-0425, Revision 2, dated 
June 4, 2018, is incorporated.

(h) Credit for Previous Actions

    This paragraph provides credit for the modification required by 
paragraph (g)(3) of this AD, if the modification was done before the 
effective date of this AD using Piaggio Aviation Service Bulletin 
No. 80-0430, Revision 0, dated August 10, 2017.

(i) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)

    (1) The Manager, International Validation Branch, FAA, has the 
authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the 
procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. In accordance with 14 CFR 39.19, 
send your request to your principal inspector or local Flight 
Standards District Office, as appropriate. If sending information 
directly to the manager of the certification office, send it to the 
attention of the person identified in paragraph (j)(1) of this AD 
and email to: [email protected].

[[Page 21037]]

    (2) Before using any approved AMOC, notify your appropriate 
principal inspector, or lacking a principal inspector, the manager 
of the local flight standards district office/certificate holding 
district office.

(j) Related Information

    (1) For more information about this AD, contact Mike Kiesov, 
Aviation Safety Engineer, General Aviation & Rotorcraft Section, 
International Validation Branch, FAA, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas 
City, MO 64106; phone: (816) 329-4144; email: [email protected].
    (2) Refer to European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 
2019-0144, dated June 19, 2019, for more information. You may 
examine the EASA AD in the AD docket at https://www.regulations.gov 
by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2022-0452.
    (3) For service information identified in this AD, contact 
Piaggio Aero Industries S.p.A, P-180 Customer Support, Via Pioieri e 
Aviatori d'Italia snc, 16154 Genoa, Italy; phone: +39 010 099 8400; 
email: [email protected]; website: https://[email protected]. You may view this 
service information at the FAA, Airworthiness Products Section, 
Operational Safety Branch, 901 Locust, Kansas City, MO 64106. For 
information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call 
(817) 222-5110.

    Issued on April 5, 2022.
Ross Landes,
Deputy Director for Regulatory Operations, Compliance & Airworthiness 
Division, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2022-07621 Filed 4-8-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P