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

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).

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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.

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:

llowing 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

ical 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

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;

er 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:

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.

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.

n-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. 98-24182 Filed 9-8-98; 8:45 am]

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