Airworthiness Directives; Piaggio Aero Industries S.p.A.

[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 201 (Wednesday, October 17, 2012)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 63712-63714]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-25254]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2012-0755; Directorate Identifier 99-CE-65-AD; 
Amendment 39-17217; AD 2000-07-11 R1]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Piaggio Aero Industries S.p.A.

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

ACTION: Final rule; rescission.

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[[Page 63713]]

SUMMARY: We are rescinding an airworthiness directive (AD) for all 
Piaggio Aero Industries S.p.A Model P-180 airplanes. That AD was 
prompted by mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) 
issued by the airworthiness authority for Italy. We issued that AD to 
prevent the brake hydraulic fluid from leaking because of the brake 
assembly rods contacting the brake valve tubing, which could result in 
the inability to adequately stop the airplane during ground operations. 
Since we issued that AD, we have determined this is no longer an unsafe 
condition and that regularly scheduled annual inspections address this 
subject.

DATES: This AD is effective November 21, 2012.

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 FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mike Kiesov, Aerospace Safety 
Engineer, FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Kansas City, 
Missouri 64106; telephone: (816) 329-4144; fax: (816) 329-4090; email: 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

    We issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR 
part 39 by rescinding AD 2000-07-11 (65 FR 19305, April 11, 2000) that 
applies to the specified products. That NPRM was published in the 
Federal Register on July 19, 2012 (77 FR 42454). The MCAI states:

    After a 1999 training session during which conflicting inputs 
were given to the brake pads between pilot and copilot, a brake 
system rod was found deflected. The rod, in this bent condition, 
could possibly wear and damage the tubings connected to the brake 
valves, with consequent fluid leakage.
    Prompted by these findings, PAI issued Service Bulletin (SB) 80-
0107, providing instructions for repetitive inspections of the 
affected rods and tubings. As this was considered to be a 
potentially unsafe condition, Registro Aeronautico Italiano (RAI), 
the predecessor of ENAC (Ente Nazionale per l'Aviazione Civile), 
issued Prescrizione di Aeronavigabilit[agrave] (PA) No. 1999-219, 
which required the repetitive inspections as detailed in PAI SB 80-
0107 and, depending on findings, replacement of rod or tubing.
    Since that AD was issued, the repetitive inspections of SB 80-
0107 have been included as regular tasks into the maintenance 
schedule of both Avanti and Avanti II aeroplanes. In addition, no 
other cases of brake system bent rods have been reported, nor have 
any rods been replaced for damage in the P.180 fleet since that 
occurrence. Based on the available information, this is no longer 
considered to be an unsafe condition. Prompted by this 
determination, PAI issued Revision ZZ of SB 80-0107, which cancels 
the original SB 80-0107.
    For the reasons described above, this Notice is issued to cancel 
ENAC PA no. 1999-219 dated 03 May 1999.

Comments

    We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing 
this AD. We received no comments on the NPRM (77 FR 42454, July 19, 
2012) or on the determination of the cost to the public.

Conclusion

    We reviewed the relevant data and determined that rescinding the AD 
will not affect air safety and will reduce the burden on the public. We 
will rescind the AD as proposed except for minor editorial changes. We 
have determined that these minor changes:
    <bullet> Are consistent with the intent that was proposed in the 
NPRM (77 FR 42454, July 19, 2012) for correcting the unsafe condition; 
and
    <bullet> Do not add any additional burden upon the public than was 
already proposed in the NPRM (77 FR 42454, July 19, 2012).

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 the DOT Regulatory Policies 
and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979),
    (3) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and
    (4) 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.

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

    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 removing airworthiness directive (AD) 
2000-07-11, Amendment 39-11665 (65 FR 19305, April 11, 2000), and 
adding the following new AD:

2000-07-11 R1 Piaggio Aero Industries S.p.A.: Amendment 39-17217; 
Docket No. FAA-2012-0755; Directorate Identifier 99-CE-65-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective November 21, 
2012.

(b) Affected ADs

    This AD rescinds AD 2000-07-11 (65 FR 19305, April 11, 2000).

[[Page 63714]]

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to Piaggio Aero Industries S.p.A. Model P-180 
airplanes, all serial numbers, certificated in any category.

(d) Subject

    Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC)/Air Transport Association 
(ATA) of America Code 32; Landing Gear.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on October 9, 2012.
Earl Lawrence
Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2012-25254 Filed 10-16-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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