Airworthiness directives: Industrie Aeronautiche e Meccaniche Rinaldo Piaggio, S.p.A.,

[Federal Register: September 9, 1998 (Volume 63, Number 174)]

[Proposed Rules]

[Page 48141-48143]

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

[DOCID:fr09se98-14]

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 98-CE-45-AD]

RIN 2120-AA64

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

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

SUMMARY: This document proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) that would apply to certain Industrie Aeronautiche e Meccaniche (I.A.M.) Model Piaggio P-180 airplanes. The proposed AD would require inspecting the elevator and aileron control retaining pins for proper installation and damage, and replacing any improperly installed or damaged pins. The proposed AD is the result of mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) issued by the airworthiness authority for Italy. The actions specified by the proposed 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: Comments must be received on or before October 13, 1998.

[[Page 48142]]

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to 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. Comments may be inspected at this location between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, holidays excepted.

Service information that applies to the proposed AD may be obtained from I.A.M. Ronald Piaggio S.p.A., Via Cibrario, 4 16154 Genoa, Italy. This information also may be examined at the Rules Docket at the address above.

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:

Comments Invited

Interested persons are invited to participate in the making of the proposed rule by submitting such written data, views, or arguments as they may desire. Communications should identify the Rules Docket number and be submitted in triplicate to the address specified above. All communications received on or before the closing date for comments, specified above, will be considered before taking action on the proposed rule. The proposals contained in this notice may be changed in light of the comments received.

Comments are specifically invited on the overall regulatory, economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the proposed rule. All comments submitted will be available, both before and after the closing date for comments, in the Rules Docket for examination by interested persons. A report that summarizes each FAA-public contact concerned with the substance of this proposal will be filedin the Rules Docket.

Commenters wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments submitted in response to this notice must submit a self-addressed, stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments to Docket No. 98-CE-45-AD.'' The postcard will be date stamped and returned to the commenter.

Availability of NPRMs

Any person may obtain a copy of this NPRM by submitting a request to the 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.

Discussion

The Registro Aeronautico Italiano (R.A.I.), which is the airworthiness authority for Italy, recently notified the FAA that an unsafe condition may exist on certain I.A.M. Model Piaggio P-180 airplanes. The R.A.I. reports that the retaining pins located in the aileron and elevator control systems were improperly installed on one of the affected airplanes. The manufacturer believes that the retaining pin may have been improperly installed at the factory.

This condition, if not corrected, could result in loss of the cable retaining function with consequent loss of control of the airplane.

Relevant Service Information

I.A.M. has issued Piaggio Service Bulletin (Mandatory) No. SB-80- 0089, dated May 22, 1996, which specifies procedures for removing the vertical stabilizer rear fairing and inspecting the elevator and aileron control retaining pins for proper installation and damage, and replacing any improperly installed or damaged pins.

The R.A.I. classified this service bulletin as mandatory and issued Italian AD No. 96-158, dated July 1, 1996, in order to assure the continued airworthiness of these airplanes in Italy.

The FAA's Determination

This airplane model is manufactured in Italy and is type certificated for operation in the United States under the provisions of section 21.29 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 21.29) and the applicable bilateral airworthiness agreement. Pursuant to this bilateral airworthiness agreement, the R.A.I. has kept the FAA informed of the situation described above.

The FAA has examined the findings of the R.A.I.; reviewed all available information, including the service information referenced above; and determined that AD action is necessary for products of this type design that are certificated for operation in the United States.

Explanation of the Provisions of the Proposed AD

Since an unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to exist or develop in other I.A.M. Model Piaggio P-180 airplanes of the same type design registered in the United States, the FAA is proposing AD action. The proposed AD would 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 installation would be required in accordance with I.A.M. Piaggio Service Bulletin (Mandatory) No. SB-80-0089, dated May 22, 1996.

Cost Impact

The FAA estimates that 5 airplanes in the U.S. registry would be affected by the proposed inspection, that it would take approximately 3 workhours per airplane to accomplish the proposed inspection, and that the average labor rate is approximately $60 an hour. Based on these figures, the total cost impact of the proposed 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 proposed inspection that would need to be replaced.

Regulatory Impact

The regulations proposed herein would 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 proposal would 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) if promulgated, 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 draft regulatory evaluation prepared for this action has been placed 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, Safety.

The Proposed Amendment

Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration proposes to amend part 39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) as follows:

[[Page 48143]]

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:

   Industrie Aeronautiche E Meccaniche: 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 Small Airplane Directorate.

   (d) Questions or technical information related to 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.

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

   Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on September 1, 1998. Michael Gallagher, Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.

   [FR Doc. 98-24182Filed9-8-98; 8:45 am]

   BILLING CODE 4910-13-U