Airworthiness Directives; Piaggio Aero Industries S.p.A Model P-180 Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 48 (Monday, March 12, 2001)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 14310-14312]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-5495]



[[Page 14310]]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2000-CE-67-AD; Amendment 39-12140; AD 2001-05-04]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Piaggio Aero Industries S.p.A Model P-
180 Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) that 
applies to all Piaggio Aero Industries S.p.A (PIAGGIO) Model P-180 
airplanes. This AD requires you to inspect the flap actuators for 
incorrect maneuvering and evidence of grease and oxidation around the 
gear box (actuators with any of these conditions are referred to as 
problem actuators). If you find a problem actuator, this AD requires 
you to immediately replace the flap actuators with improved design 
actuators or repair the existing actuators to the improved design 
level. If you do not find a problem actuator, this AD requires you to 
repeat the inspection until the installed actuators are of improved 
design. 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 detect and remove problem 
flap actuators from service. Continued operation with problem actuators 
could result in flap system failure, with consequent reduction in, or 
loss of, control of the airplane.

DATES: This AD becomes effective on April 27, 2001.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of certain publications listed in the regulations as of April 
27, 2001.

ADDRESSES: You may get the service information referenced in this AD 
from Piaggio Aero Industries S.p.A, Via Cibrario 4, 16154 Genoa, Italy. 
You may examine this information at the Federal Aviation Administration 
(FAA), Central Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, Attention: Rules 
Docket No. 2000-CE-67-AD, 901 Locust, Room 506, 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: Roman Gabrys, Aerospace Engineer, FAA, 
Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, Missouri 
64106; telephone: (816) 329-4141; facsimile: (816) 329-4090.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

    What events have caused this AD? The Ente Nazionale per l' 
Aviazione Civile (ENAC), which is the airworthiness authority for 
Italy, recently notified FAA that an unsafe condition may exist on all 
PIAGGIO Model P-180 airplanes. The ENAC reports incidents of 
malfunctions of the flap actuators. Investigation of these incidents 
reveals problems inside the gearbox of the outboard flap actuators. 
Investigation results indicate incorrect maneuvering of the flap system 
and evidence of grease and oxidation around the gear box.
    What are the consequences if the condition is not corrected? 
Continued operation with problem actuators could result in flap system 
failure, with consequent reduction in, or loss of, control of the 
airplane.
    Has FAA taken any action to this point? We issued a proposal to 
amend part 39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) to 
include an AD that would apply to all PIAGGIO Model P-180 airplanes. 
This proposal was published in the Federal Register as a notice of 
proposed rulemaking (NPRM) on January 2, 2001 (66 FR 61). The NPRM 
proposed to require you to:

--Inspect the flap actuators for incorrect maneuvering and evidence of 
grease and oxidation around the gear box (actuators with any of these 
conditions are referred to as problem actuators);
--If you find a problem actuator, immediately replace the flap 
actuators with improved design actuators or repair the existing 
actuators to the improved design level; and
--If you do not find a problem actuator, repeat the inspection until 
you install improved design flap actuators.

    Was the public invited to comment? Interested persons were 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.

FAA's Determination

    What is FAA's final determination on this issue? After careful 
review of all available information related to the subject presented 
above, we have determined that air safety and the public interest 
require the adoption of the rule as proposed except for minor editorial 
corrections. We 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

    How many airplanes does this AD impact? We estimate that this AD 
affects 11 airplanes in the U.S. registry.
    What is the cost impact of this AD on owners/operators of the 
affected airplanes? We estimate the following costs to accomplish the 
inspection:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                    Total cost per
                             Labor cost                                        Parts cost              airplane         Total cost on U.S. operators
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1 workhour  x  $60 per hour = $60...................................  No parts required for the               $60   $60  x  11 = $660
                                                                       inspection.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    We estimate the following costs to accomplish any necessary 
replacements that will be required based on the results of the 
inspection. We have no way of determining the number of airplanes that 
may need such repair/replacement:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                         Labor cost                              Parts cost          Total cost per airplane
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
32 workhours  x  $60 per hour = $1,920.....................  $8,000 per          $1,920 + $8,000 = $9,920
                                                              airplane.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Regulatory Impact

    Does this AD impact various entities? The regulations adopted 
herein 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. Therefore, it is determined that this final rule does not 
have federalism implications under Executive Order 13132.

[[Page 14311]]

    Does this AD involve a significant rule or regulatory action? 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, under 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. FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by adding a new AD to read as follows:

2001-05-04  Piaggio Aero Industries S.p.A.: Amendment 39-12140; 
Docket No. 2000-CE-67-AD.

    (a) What airplanes are affected by this AD? This AD affects 
Model P-180 airplanes, all serial numbers, that are certificated in 
any category.
    (b) Who must comply with this AD? Anyone who wishes to operate 
any of the above airplanes must comply with this AD.
    (c) What problem does this AD address? The actions specified by 
this AD are intended to detect and remove problem flap actuators 
from service. Continued operation with problem actuators could 
result in flap system failure, with consequent reduction in, or loss 
of, control of the airplane.
    (d) What actions must I accomplish to address this problem? To 
address this problem, you must accomplish the following:

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                 Actions                                  Compliance                          Procedures
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Inspect the flap actuators for         Upon accumulating 600 hours time-in-      In accordance with the
 incorrect maneuvering and evidence of      service (TIS) on the flap actuators or    ACCOMPLISHMENT
 grease and oxidation around the gear box   within the next 100 hours TIS after       INSTRUCTIONS section of
 (actuators with any of these conditions    April 27, 2001 (the effective date of     Piaggio Mandatory Service
 are referred to as problem actuators)      this AD), whichever occurs later          Bulletin No. SB-80-0120,
                                                                                      Original Issue: July 20,
                                                                                      2000.
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(2) If you do not find any problem         Within 100 hours TIS after the            Inspect in accordance with
 actuators, repeat the inspection until     inspection required in paragraph (d)(1)   the ACCOMPLISHMENT
 you have either:                           of this AD and thereafter at intervals    INSTRUCTIONS section of
(i) replaced all flap actuators with part   not to exceed 100 hours TIS               Piaggio Mandatory Service
 number (P/N) C154183-1 and C154184-1 (or                                             Bulletin No. SB-80-0120,
 FAA-approved equivalent part numbers)                                                Original Issue: July 20,
 actuators; or                                                                        2000. Accomplish the
(ii) repaired or modified the P/N C132277-                                            replacement in accordance
 3 and C132277-4 (or FAA-approved                                                     with the instructions in
 equivalent part numbers) to the P/N                                                  the maintenance manual.
 C154183-1 and C154184-1 design level                                                 Accomplish the repair or
                                                                                      modification in accordance
                                                                                      with instructions received
                                                                                      from Piaggio at the
                                                                                      address given in paragraph
                                                                                      (h) of this AD.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(3) If you find problem actuators during   Prior to further flight after the         Accomplish the replacement
 any inspection required by this AD,        inspection where you find a problem       in accordance with the
 immediately replace the flap actuators     actuator                                  instructions in the
 with P/N C154183-1 and C154184-1 (or FAA-                                            maintenance manual.
 approved equivalent part numbers); or                                                Accomplish the repair or
 repair to the P/N C154183-1 and C154184-                                             modification in accordance
 1 design level                                                                       with instructions received
                                                                                      from Piaggio at the
                                                                                      address given in paragraph
                                                                                      (h) of this AD.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[[Page 14312]]

 
(4) Only install flap actuators that are   As of April 27, 2001 (the effective date  Not applicable.
 one of the following:                      of this AD)
(i) P/N C154183-1 and C154184-1 (or FAA-
 approved equivalent part numbers); or
(ii) P/N C132277-3 and C132277-4 (or FAA-
 approved equivalent part numbers) that
 have been repaired or modified to the P/
 N C154183-1 and C154184-1 design level.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


    Note 1: Inspecting the flap actuators for incorrect maneuvering 
involves running a complete cycle of flap extension and retraction 
and monitoring the time of movement and observing for abnormal noise 
coming from the actuator gear box. The service information describes 
this procedure.

    (e) Can I comply with this AD in any other way? You may use an 
alternative method of compliance or adjust the compliance time if:
    (1) Your alternative method of compliance provides an equivalent 
level of safety; and
    (2) The Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, approves your 
alternative. Submit your request through an FAA Principal 
Maintenance Inspector, who may add comments and then send it to the 
Manager, Small Airplane Directorate.

    Note 2: This AD applies to each airplane identified in paragraph 
(a) of this AD, 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 (e) 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 you have not eliminated the unsafe condition, specific 
actions you propose to address it.

    (f) Where can I get information about any already-approved 
alternative methods of compliance? Contact Roman Gabrys, Aerospace 
Engineer, FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301, 
Kansas City, Missouri 64106; telephone: (816) 329-4141; facsimile: 
(816) 329-4090.
    (g) What if I need to fly the airplane to another location to 
comply with this AD? The FAA can issue a special flight permit under 
sections 21.197 and 21.199 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 
CFR 21.197 and 21.199) to operate your airplane to a location where 
you can accomplish the requirements of this AD.
    (h) Are any service bulletins incorporated into this AD by 
reference? Actions required by this AD must be done in accordance 
with Piaggio Mandatory Service Bulletin No. SB-80-0120, Original 
Issue: July 20, 2000. The Director of the Federal Register approved 
this incorporation by reference under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 
51. You can get copies from Piaggio Aero Industries S.p.A, Via 
Cibrario 4, 16154 Genoa, Italy. You can look at copies at the FAA, 
Central Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, 901 Locust, Room 
506, Kansas City, Missouri, or at the Office of the Federal 
Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW, suite 700, Washington, DC.
    (i) When does this amendment become effective? This amendment 
becomes effective on April 27, 2001.

    Note 3: The subject of this AD is addressed in Italian AD N2000-
392, dated August 7, 2000.


    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on February 26, 2001.
Michael Gallagher,
Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 01-5495 Filed 3-9-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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