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

[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 214 (Friday, November 5, 2010)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 68172-68174]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-27456]



[[Page 68172]]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2010-0778 Directorate Identifier 2010-CE-034-AD; 
Amendment 39-16490; AD 2010-23-01]
RIN 2120-AA64


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

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of 
Transportation (DOT).

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for the 
products listed above. This AD results from mandatory continuing 
airworthiness information (MCAI) issued by an aviation authority of 
another country to identify and correct an unsafe condition on an 
aviation product. The MCAI describes the unsafe condition as:

    Some cases of corrosion were detected in the interface between 
the elevator hinges fittings (metallic) and the horizontal 
stabilizer (carbon fibre); investigation identified the cause in 
galvanic corrosion between dissimilar materials.
    If left uncorrected, this situation could lead to a structural 
failure of the elevator, which could result in possible loss of 
control of the aeroplane.

We are issuing this AD to require actions to correct the unsafe 
condition on these products.

DATES: This AD becomes effective December 10, 2010.
    On December 10, 2010, the Director of the Federal Register approved 
the incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in this 
AD.

ADDRESSES: You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov or in person at Document Management Facility, U.S. 
Department of Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30, West Building 
Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 
20590.
    For service information identified in this AD, contact Piaggio Aero 
Industries S.p.a., Via Cibrario, 4-16154 Genoa, Italy; phone: +39 010 
6481 800; fax: +39 010 6481 374; e-mail: [email protected]; 
Internet: http://www.piaggioaero.com. You may review copies of the 
referenced service information at the FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 
901 Locust, Kansas City, Missouri 64106. For information on the 
availability of this material at the FAA, call 816-329-4148.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Sarjapur Nagarajan, Aerospace 
Engineer, FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas 
City, Missouri 64106; telephone: (816) 329-4145; fax: (816) 329-4090; 
e-mail: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

    We issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR 
part 39 to include an AD that would apply to the specified products. 
That NPRM was published in the Federal Register on August 9, 2010 (75 
FR 47734). That NPRM proposed to correct an unsafe condition for the 
specified products. The MCAI states:

    Some cases of corrosion were detected in the interface between 
the elevator hinges fittings (metallic) and the horizontal 
stabilizer (carbon fibre); investigation identified the cause in 
galvanic corrosion between dissimilar materials.
    If left uncorrected, this situation could lead to a structural 
failure of the elevator, which could result in possible loss of 
control of the aeroplane.
    This AD requires:
    (1) Inspection of the hinges fittings for corrosion and of the 
stabilizer for delamination;
    (2) Repair of the stabilizer, if necessary;
    (3) Replacement of the fittings, if corroded;
    (4) Improvement of fittings installation;
    (5) Installation of aluminum strips in the stabilizer to improve 
bonding, in accordance with Piaggio Aero Industries (PAI) Service 
Bulletin (SB) 80-0262 Revision 2.

Comments

    We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing 
this AD. We received no comments on the NPRM or on the determination of 
the cost to the public.

Conclusion

    We reviewed the available data and determined that air safety and 
the public interest require adopting the AD as proposed.

Differences Between This AD and the MCAI or Service Information

    We have reviewed the MCAI and related service information and, in 
general, agree with their substance. But we might have found it 
necessary to use different words from those in the MCAI to ensure the 
AD is clear for U.S. operators and is enforceable. In making these 
changes, we do not intend to differ substantively from the information 
provided in the MCAI and related service information.
    We might also have required different actions in this AD from those 
in the MCAI in order to follow FAA policies. Any such differences are 
highlighted in a NOTE within the AD.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD will affect 96 products of U.S. 
registry. We also estimate that it would take about 9 work-hours per 
product to comply with the basic requirements of this proposed AD. The 
average labor rate is $85 per work-hour.
    Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of the proposed AD on 
U.S. operators to be $73,440, or $765 per product.
    In addition, we estimate that any necessary follow-on actions would 
take about 32 work-hours and require parts costing $11,000, for a cost 
of $13,720 per product. We have no way of determining the number of 
products that may need these actions.

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.
    We are 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

    We determined that this AD will not have federalism implications 
under Executive Order 13132. This AD 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.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify this AD:
    (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

[[Page 68173]]

under the criteria of the Regulatory Flexibility Act.
    We prepared a regulatory evaluation of the estimated costs to 
comply with this AD and placed it in the AD Docket.

Examining the AD Docket

    You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov; or in person at the Docket Management Facility 
between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal 
holidays. The AD docket contains the NPRM, the regulatory evaluation, 
any comments received, and other information. The street address for 
the Docket Office (telephone (800) 647-5527) is in the ADDRESSES 
section. Comments will be available in the AD docket shortly after 
receipt.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

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

Adoption of the Amendment

0
Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the Administrator, 
the FAA amends 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 AD:

2010-23-01 Piaggio Aero Industries S.p.A.: Amendment 39-16490; 
Docket No. FAA-2010-0778; Directorate Identifier 2010-CE-034-AD.

Effective Date

    (a) This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective December 
10, 2010.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to Model PIAGGIO P-180 airplanes, serial 
numbers 1002 and 1004 through 1191, certificated in any category.

Subject

    (d) Air Transport Association of America (ATA) Code 55: 
Stabilizers.

Reason

    (e) The mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) 
states:
    Some cases of corrosion were detected in the interface between 
the elevator hinges fittings (metallic) and the horizontal 
stabilizer (carbon fibre); investigation identified the cause in 
galvanic corrosion between dissimilar materials.
    If left uncorrected, this situation could lead to a structural 
failure of the elevator, which could result in possible loss of 
control of the aeroplane.
    This AD requires:
    (1) Inspection of the hinges fittings for corrosion and of the 
stabilizer for delamination;
    (2) Repair of the stabilizer, if necessary;
    (3) Replacement of the fittings, if corroded;
    (4) Improvement of fittings installation;
    (5) Installation of aluminum strips in the stabilizer to improve 
bonding, in accordance with Piaggio Aero Industries (PAI) Service 
Bulletin (SB) 80-0262 Revision 2.

Actions and Compliance

    (f) Unless already done, do the following actions:
    (1) Within the next 1,500 hours time-in-service (TIS) after 
December 10, 2010 (the effective date of this AD) or within 4 years 
after December 10, 2010 (the effective date of this AD), whichever 
occurs first, do the following:
    (i) Remove the left-hand (LH) and the right-hand (RH) elevators 
and do all of the inspections and corrective actions following the 
Accomplishment Instructions in Parts A, B, C, D, and E of PIAGGIO 
AERO INDUSTRIES S.p.A. Service Bulletin (MANDATORY) N.: SB-80-0262, 
Revision 2, dated March 17, 2010.
    (ii) Reinstall the LH and RH elevators and do the final checks 
following the Accomplishment Instructions, Part F, of PIAGGIO AERO 
INDUSTRIES S.p.A. Service Bulletin (MANDATORY) N.: SB-80-0262 
Revision 2, dated March 17, 2010.
    (2) We will allow ``unless already done'' credit for inspections 
and corrective actions already done, before the effective date of 
this AD, following PIAGGIO AERO INDUSTRIES S.p.A. Service Bulletins 
(MANDATORY) N.: SB-80-0262, original issue dated September 24, 2009; 
or Revision 1 dated December 23, 2009, for compliance with the 
requirements of this AD.

FAA AD Differences

    Note: This AD differs from the MCAI and/or service information 
as follows: No differences.

Other FAA AD Provisions

    (g) The following provisions also apply to this AD:
    (1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager, 
Standards Office, FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs for this 
AD, if requested using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. Send 
information to Attn: Sarjapur Nagarajan, Aerospace Engineer, FAA, 
Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, 
Missouri 64106; telephone: (816) 329-4145; fax: (816) 329-4090; e-
mail: [email protected]. Before using any approved AMOC on 
any airplane to which the AMOC applies, notify your appropriate 
principal inspector (PI) in the FAA Flight Standards District Office 
(FSDO), or lacking a PI, your local FSDO.
    (2) Airworthy Product: For any requirement in this AD to obtain 
corrective actions from a manufacturer or other source, use these 
actions if they are FAA-approved. Corrective actions are considered 
FAA-approved if they are approved by the State of Design Authority 
(or their delegated agent). You are required to assure the product 
is airworthy before it is returned to service.
    (3) Reporting Requirements: For any reporting requirement in 
this AD, a federal agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person 
is not required to respond to, nor shall a person be subject to a 
penalty for failure to comply with a collection of information 
subject to the requirements of the Paperwork Reduction Act unless 
that collection of information displays a current valid OMB Control 
Number. The OMB Control Number for this information collection is 
2120-0056. Public reporting for this collection of information is 
estimated to be approximately 5 minutes per response, including the 
time for reviewing instructions, completing and reviewing the 
collection of information. All responses to this collection of 
information are mandatory. Comments concerning the accuracy of this 
burden and suggestions for reducing the burden should be directed to 
the FAA at: 800 Independence Ave. SW., Washington, DC 20591, Attn: 
Information Collection Clearance Officer, AES-200.

Related Information

    (h) Refer to MCAI EASA AD No.: 2010-0124 (Correction: June 22, 
2010), dated June 22, 2010; and PIAGGIO AERO INDUSTRIES S.p.A. 
Service Bulletin (MANDATORY) N.: SB-80-0262, Revision 2, dated March 
17, 2010, for related information.

Material Incorporated by Reference

    (i) You must use PIAGGIO AERO INDUSTRIES S.p.A. Service Bulletin 
(MANDATORY) N.: SB-80-0262, Revision 2, dated March 17, 2010, to do 
the actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise.
    (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the 
incorporation by reference of this service information under 5 
U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
    (2) For service information identified in this AD, contact 
Piaggio Aero Industries S.p.a., Via Cibrario, 4-16154 Genoa, Italy; 
phone: +39 010 6481 800; fax: +39 010 6481 374; e-mail: 
[email protected]; Internet: http://www.piaggioaero.com.
    (3) You may review copies of the referenced service information 
at the FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Kansas City, 
Missouri 64106. For information on the availability of this material 
at the FAA, call 816-329-4148.
    (4) You may also review copies of the service information 
incorporated by reference for this AD at the National Archives and 
Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability 
of this material at NARA, call (202) 741-6030, or go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal_register/code_of_federal_regulations/ibr_locations.html.


[[Page 68174]]


    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on October 21, 2010.
Christina L. Marsh,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2010-27456 Filed 11-4-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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