Airworthiness directives: Industrie Aeronautiche E Meccaniche,

[Federal Register: November 16, 1998 (Volume 63, Number 220)]

[Rules and Regulations]

[Page 63598-63599]

From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

[DOCID:fr16no98-5]

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 98-CE-45-AD; Amendment 39-10881; AD 98-23-14]

RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; Industrie Aeronautiche e Meccaniche Model Piaggio P-180 Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) that applies to certain Industrie Aeronautiche e Meccaniche (I.A.M.) Model Piaggio P-180 airplanes. This AD requires inspecting the elevator and aileron control retaining pins for proper installation and damage, and replacing any improperly installed or damaged pins. This AD is the result of mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) issued by the airworthiness authority for Italy. The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent the retaining pins from interfering with the flight control elements, which could result in loss of the cable retaining function with consequent loss of control of the airplane.

DATES: Effective December 18, 1998.

The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as of December 18, 1998.

ADDRESSES: Service information that applies to this AD may be obtained from I.A.M. Ronald Piaggio S.p.A., Via Cibrario, 4 16154 Genoa, Italy. This information may also be examined at the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Central Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket No. 98-CE-45-AD, Room 1558, 601 E. 12th Street, Kansas City, Missouri 64106; or at the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW, suite 700, Washington, DC.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. David O. Keenan, Aerospace Engineer, FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 1201 Walnut, suite 900, Kansas City, Missouri 64106; telephone: (816) 426-6934; facsimile: (816) 426-2169.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Events Leading to the Issuance of This AD

A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) to include an AD that would

[[Page 63599]]

apply to certain I.A.M. Model Piaggio P-180 airplanes was published in the Federal Register as a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) on September 9, 1998 (63 FR 48141). The NPRM proposed to require inspecting the elevator and aileron control retaining pins for proper installation and damage, and replacing any improperly installed or damaged pins. Accomplishment of the proposed action as specified in the NPRM would be in accordance with I.A.M. Piaggio Service Bulletin (Mandatory) No. SB-80-0089, dated May 22, 1996.

The NPRM was the result of mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) issued by the airworthiness authority for Italy.

Interested persons have been afforded an opportunity to participate in the making of this amendment. No comments were received on the proposed rule or the FAA's determination of the cost to the public.

The FAA's Determination

After careful review of all available information related to the subject presented above, the FAA has determined that air safety and the public interest require the adoption of the rule as proposed except for minor editorial corrections. The FAA has determined that these minor corrections will not change the meaning of the AD and will not add any additional burden upon the public than was already proposed.

Cost Impact

The FAA estimates that 5 airplanes in the U.S. registry will be affected by the inspection, that it will take approximately 3 workhours per airplane to accomplish the inspection, and that the average labor rate is approximately $60 an hour. Based on these figures, the total cost impact of the inspection on U.S. operators is estimated to be $900, or $180 per airplane. These figures do not account for any damaged or improperly installed retaining pins found during the inspection that will need to be replaced.

Regulatory Impact

The regulations adopted herein will not have substantial direct effects 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. Therefore, in accordance with Executive Order 12612, it is determined that this final rule does not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant the preparation of a Federalism Assessment.

For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this action (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. A copy of the final evaluation prepared for this action is contained in the Rules Docket. A copy of it may be obtained by contacting the Rules Docket at the location provided under the caption ADDRESSES.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

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

Adoption of the Amendment

Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration amends part 39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (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. Section 39.13 is amended by adding a new airworthiness directive (AD) to read as follows:

   98-23-14 Industrie Aeronautiche E Meccaniche: Amendment 39-10881; Docket No. 98-CE-45-AD.

   Applicability: Model Piaggio P-180 airplanes, serial numbers 1001, 1002, 1004, and 1006 through 1033, certificated in any category.

   Note 1: This AD applies to each airplane identified in the preceding applicability provision, regardless of whether it has been modified, altered, or repaired in the area subject to the requirements of this AD. For airplanes that have been modified, altered, or repaired so that the performance of the requirements of this AD is affected, the owner/operator must request approval for an alternative method of compliance in accordance with paragraph (c) of this AD. The request should include an assessment of the effect of the modification, alteration, or repair on the unsafe condition addressed by this AD; and, if the unsafe condition has not been eliminated, the request should include specific proposed actions to address it.

   Compliance: Required as indicated in the body of this AD, unless already accomplished.

   To prevent the retaining pins from interfering with the flight control elements, which could result in loss of the cable retaining function with consequent loss of control of the airplane, accomplish the following:

   (a) Within the next 100 hours time-in-service after the effective date of this AD, inspect the elevator and aileron control retaining pins for proper installation and damage in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions section in I.A.M. Piaggio Service Bulletin (Mandatory) No. SB-80-0089, dated May 22, 1996. Prior to further flight, replace any improperly installed or damaged pins in accordance with the service bulletin.

   (b) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with sections 21.197 and 21.199 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 21.197 and 21.199) to operate the airplane to a location where the requirements of this AD can be accomplished.

   (c) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the compliance time that provides an equivalent level of safety may be approved by the Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, 1201 Walnut, suite 900, Kansas City, Missouri 64106. The request shall be forwarded through an appropriate FAA Maintenance Inspector, who may add comments and then send it to the Manager, Small Airplane Directorate.

   Note 2: Information concerning the existence of approved alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be obtained from the Small Airplane Directorate.

   (d) Questions or technical information related to I.A.M. Piaggio Service Bulletin (Mandatory) No. SB-80-0089, dated May 22, 1996, should be directed to I.A.M. Rinaldo Piaggio S.p.A., Via Cibrario, 4 16154 Genoa, Italy. This service information may be examined at the FAA, Central Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, Room 1558, 601 E. 12th Street, Kansas City, Missouri 64106.

   (e) The inspection and replacement required by this AD shall be done in accordance with I.A.M. Piaggio Service Bulletin (Mandatory) No. SB-80-0089, dated May 22, 1996. This incorporation by reference was approved by the Director of the Federal Register in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. Copies may be obtained from I.A.M. Rinaldo Piaggio S.p.A., Via Cibrario, 4 16154 Genoa, Italy. Copies may be inspected at the FAA, Central Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, Room 1558, 601 E. 12th Street, Kansas City, Missouri, or at the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW, suite 700, Washington, DC.

   Note 3: The subject of this AD is addressed in Italian AD No. 96-158, dated July 1, 1996.

   (f) This amendment becomes effective on December 18, 1998.

   Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on November 4, 1998. James E. Jackson, Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.

   [FR Doc. 98-30166Filed11-13-98; 8:45 am]

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