Airworthiness Directives; PIAGGIO AERO INDUSTRIES S.p.A Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 178 (Friday, September 13, 2013)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 56589-56592]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-22203]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2013-0527; Directorate Identifier 2013-CE-014-AD; 
Amendment 39-17577; AD 2013-18-04]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; PIAGGIO AERO INDUSTRIES S.p.A 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 all 
PIAGGIO AERO INDUSTRIES S.p.A Model P-180 airplanes. 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 cracks at the joint between the hinge pin sub-assembly and 
the lock pin of the main landing gear lever hinge fitting. We are 
issuing this AD to require actions to address the unsafe condition on 
these products.

DATES: This AD is effective October 18, 2013.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of certain publications listed in the AD as of October 18, 
2013.

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--Airworthiness Office, Via Luigi Cibrario, 4-16154 
Genova-Italy; phone: +39 010 6481353; fax: +39 010 6481881; email: 
[email protected]; Internet: http://www.piaggioaero.com/#/en/aftersales/service-support; and Messier-Dowty Limited, Cheltenham 
Road, Gloucester, GL2 9QH, England; phone: +44(0)1452 712424; fax: 
+44(0)1452 713821; email: [email protected]; Internet: 
www.safranmbd.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: Mike Kiesov, Aerospace Engineer, FAA, 
Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301, 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 to include an AD that would apply to the specified products. 
The NPRM was published in the Federal Register on June 19, 2013 (78 FR 
36691). The NPRM proposed to correct an unsafe condition for the 
specified products. The MCAI states:

    During scheduled maintenance, cracks have been detected at the 
joint between the hinge pin sub-assembly and the lock pin of the 
main landing gear (MLG) lever hinge fitting (LHF) of a Piaggio P.180 
aeroplane.
    The results of the subsequent investigation revealed that the 
cracks were initiated by an unforeseen friction in the MLG wheel 
lever sub-assembly.
    This condition, if not detected and corrected, could lead to a 
structural failure of the MLG, possibly resulting in loss of control 
of the aeroplane during take-off or landing runs.
    To address this potential unsafe condition, Piaggio Aero 
Industries (PAI) issued Service Bulletin (SB) 80-0345 to provide 
instructions for early identification of cracks in the MLG LHF and, 
in case of identification of the crack, replacement of the MLG.
    For the reasons described above, this AD required inspections of 
the MLG LHF and, depending on findings, replacement of the MLG.
    This AD is considered to be an interim action, and based on 
gathered experience, further AD action may follow.

You may obtain further information by examining the MCAI in the AD 
docket.

Comments

    We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing 
this AD. The following presents the comments received on the proposal 
and the FAA's response to each comment.

Request To Change Compliance Time From Hours Time-in-Service (TIS) to 
Landings

    Carlo Cardu of PIAGGIO AERO INDUSTRIES S.p.A requested the 
compliance time be changed from hours TIS to landing, as recommended in 
the related service bulletin, to take into account actual landing gear 
usage.
    We partially agreed with the commenter to include landings as a 
measure for the compliance of this AD because the unsafe condition 
addressed in this AD is a function of cycles on the landing gear. We 
disagreed with only using landings because this class of airplane does 
not require landings to be recorded. If an operator does document 
landings, this is an acceptable measure. However, if an operator does 
not record landings, TIS is also an acceptable measure for compliance.
    We have changed the final rule AD action based on this comment.

Request To Change the Requirement To Replace the Main Landing Gear 
(MLG) Lever Hinge Fitting (LHF)

    Carlo Cardu of PIAGGIO AERO INDUSTRIES S.p.A requested we change 
the corrective action from replacing the MLG LHF with a

[[Page 56590]]

serviceable part to replacing the MLG with a serviceable part based on 
the description of a serviceable part in the related service bulletin.
    The commenter also requested we change the language from MLG LHF to 
MLG when referring to the inspections required after replacement of the 
MLG.
    We agreed with the commenter. Based on the description of a 
serviceable part in the service bulletin, the operator has options to 
meet the intent of a serviceable part that do not increase the burden 
on the owners/operators of the affected airplanes. We have changed the 
final rule AD action based on this comment.

Request To Clarify Inspection Requirements for Newly Installed MLG

    Carlo Cardu of PIAGGIO AERO INDUSTRIES S.p.A requested changing all 
repetitive inspection language for newly installed MLG. The commenter 
suggested changing this AD to specify that a newly installed MLG is 
subject to specific inspection reqirements.
    We agreed with the commenter and have changed the final rule AD 
action based on this comment.

Request To Expand Criteria for Determining a ``Serviceable'' MLG

    Carlo Cardu of PIAGGIO AERO INDUSTRIES S.p.A requested additional 
language be added to clarify the definition of a ``serviceable'' MLG.
    We agreed with the commenter and have changed the final rule AD 
action based on this comment.

Conclusion

    We reviewed the relevant data, considered the comments received, 
and determined that air safety and the public interest require adopting 
this AD with the changes described previously. We have determined that 
these minor changes:
    <bullet> [Agr]re consistent with the intent that was proposed in 
the NPRM (78 FR 36691, June 19, 2013) for correcting the unsafe 
condition; and
    <bullet> Do not add any additional burden upon the public than was 
already proposed in the NPRM (78 FR 36691, June 19, 2013).

We also determined that these changes will not increase the economic 
burden on any operator or increase the scope of this AD.

Interim Action

    We consider this AD interim action. We are requiring inspection(s) 
of the left and right MLG LHF with a report to the manufacturer of the 
results if cracks are found. We will work with the type certificate 
holder to evaluate the report results to determine repetitive 
inspection intervals and subsequent terminating action. Based on this 
evaluation, we may initiate further rulemaking action to address the 
unsafe condition identified in this AD.

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this AD will affect 109 products of U.S. registry. 
We also estimate that it will take about 11 total work-hours, which is 
2 work-hours for the initial visual inspection; 2 work-hours for the 
detailed visual inspection; and 7 work-hours for the fluorescent 
penetrant inspection, per product to comply with the basic requirements 
of this AD. The average labor rate is $85 per work-hour.
    Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of this AD on U.S. 
operators to be $101,915, or $935 per product.
    In addition, we estimate that any necessary follow-on actions will 
take about 7 work-hours and require parts costing $21,540 to replace a 
left-hand LHF, for a cost of $22,153, and $20,662 to replace a right-
hand LHF, for a cost of $21,257.
    According to the manufacturer, some of the costs of this AD may be 
covered under warranty, thereby reducing the cost impact on affected 
individuals. We do not control warranty coverage for affected 
individuals. As a result, we have included all costs in our cost 
estimate.

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 adding the following new AD:

2013-18-04 PIAGGIO AERO INDUSTRIES S.p.A: Amendment 39-17577; Docket 
No. FAA-2012-0962; Directorate Identifier 2012-CE-033-AD.

(a) Effective Date

    This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective October 18, 
2013.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

[[Page 56591]]

(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

    Air Transport Association of America (ATA) Code 32: Landing 
Gear.

(e) Reason

    This AD was prompted by results from mandatory continuing 
airworthiness information (MCAI) originated 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 cracks 
at the joint between the hinge pin sub-assembly and the lock pin of 
the main landing gear (MLG) lever hinge fitting (LHF). We are 
issuing this AD to prevent structural failure of the MLG LHF, which 
could result in loss of control during take-off or landing runs.

(f) Actions and Compliance

    Unless already done, do the following actions in paragraphs 
(f)(1) through (f)(8), including all subparagraphs, of this AD:
    (1) Within the next 200 landings after October 18, 2013 (the 
effective date of this AD), or within the next 3 months after 
October 18, 2013 (the effective date of this AD), whichever occurs 
first, and before further flight after each MLG replacement, 
visually inspect each MLG LHF for cracks and verify freedom of 
rotation of the MLG wheel lever subassemblies. Do the inspection 
following Part 1 of the Accomplishment Instructions in PIAGGIO AERO 
INDUSTRIES S.p.A. Mandatory Service Bulletin No. 80-0345, dated 
September 20, 2012; and Paragraph A of the Accomplishment 
Instructions in Appendix A of PIAGGIO AERO INDUSTRIES S.p.A. 
Mandatory Service Bulletin No. 80-0345, dated September 20, 2012, 
which includes Messier-Dowty Service Bulletin No. P180-32-32, dated 
September 10, 2012. The compliance times for the entire AD are 
presented in landings; however, it is not mandatory to track 
landings for this class of airplane. If an operator does not track 
landings, 1 hour time-in-service (TIS) corresponds to 1 landing for 
compliance with this AD.
    (2) If, during the inspection required in paragraph (f)(1) of 
this AD, freedom of rotation of the MLG wheel lever subassembly is 
not assured, before further flight, mark the LHF on the affected MLG 
as ``inspect as per SB-80-0345'' with an indelible pen, and replace 
the MLG with a serviceable part as defined in paragraph (f)(7) of 
this AD. Do the replacement following Part 1 of the Accomplishment 
Instructions in PIAGGIO AERO INDUSTRIES S.p.A. Mandatory Service 
Bulletin No. 80-0345, dated September 20, 2012. The newly installed 
MLG is subject to the inspection requirement specified in paragraph 
(f)(1) of this AD and all repetitive inspection requirements 
specified in paragraphs (f)(3) and (f)(4) of this AD.
    (3) Within the compliance times specified in paragraphs 
(f)(3)(i), (f)(3)(ii), and (f)(3)(iii) of this AD, and repetitively 
thereafter at intervals not to exceed 200 landings, do a detailed 
visual inspection of each MLG LHF for cracks. Do the inspection 
following Part 2 of the Accomplishment Instructions in PIAGGIO AERO 
INDUSTRIES S.p.A. Mandatory Service Bulletin No. 80-0345, dated 
September 20, 2012; and Paragraph B of the Accomplishment 
Instructions in Appendix A of PIAGGIO AERO INDUSTRIES S.p.A. 
Mandatory Service Bulletin No. 80-0345, dated September 20, 2012, 
which includes Messier-Dowty Service Bulletin No. P180-32-32, dated 
September 10, 2012.
    (i) As of October 18, 2013 (the effective date of this AD), if 
the MLG LHF has accumulated 2,300 landings or less since new, 
inspect before exceeding 2,500 landings since new.
    (ii) As of October 18, 2013 (the effective date of this AD), if 
the MLG LHF has accumulated more than 2,300 landings since new, but 
less than 2,500 landings since new, inspect within the next 200 
landings after October 18, 2013 (the effective date of this AD).
    (iii) As of October 18, 2013 (the effective date of this AD), if 
the MLG LHF has accumulated 2,500 landings or more since new, 
inspect within the next 200 landings after October 18, 2013 (the 
effective date of this AD), or within the next 3 months after 
October 18, 2013 (the effective date of this AD), whichever occurs 
first.
    (4) Within the compliance times specified in paragraphs 
(f)(3)(i), (f)(3)(ii), and (f)(3)(iii) of this AD and repetitively 
thereafter at intervals not to exceed 750 landings, do a fluorescent 
penetrant inspection on each MLG LHF for cracks. Do the inspection 
following Part 3 of the Accomplishment Instructions in PIAGGIO AERO 
INDUSTRIES S.p.A. Mandatory Service Bulletin No. 80-0345, dated 
September 20, 2012; and Paragraph C in Appendix A of PIAGGIO AERO 
INDUSTRIES S.p.A. Mandatory Service Bulletin No. 80-0345, dated 
September 20, 2012, which includes Messier-Dowty Service Bulletin 
No. P180-32-32, dated September 10, 2012.
    (5) If, during any inspection required by paragraphs (f)(1), 
(f)(3), (f)(4), (f)(7), and (f)(8) of this AD, including all 
subparagraphs, any crack is found, before further flight, replace 
the MLG with a serviceable part as defined in paragraph (f)(7) of 
this AD. Do the replacement following the Accomplishment 
Instructions in PIAGGIO AERO INDUSTRIES S.p.A. Mandatory Service 
Bulletin No. 80-0345, dated September 20, 2012. The newly installed 
MLG is subject to the inspection requirement specified in paragraph 
(f)(1) of this AD and all repetitive inspection requirements 
specified in paragraphs (f)(3) and (f)(4) of this AD.
    (6) Within 30 days after each MLG replacement, submit an 
inspection result report to PIAGGIO AERO INDUSTRIES S.p.A at the 
address specified in paragraph (h) of this AD using the Confirmation 
Slip attached to PIAGGIO AERO INDUSTRIES S.p.A. Mandatory Service 
Bulletin No. 80-0345, dated September 20, 2012.
    (7) For the purpose of this AD, a ``serviceable'' MLG is defined 
as an airworthy MLG that has had the freedom of rotation verified 
before installation and that has been inspected following paragraphs 
(f)(3), (f)(4), and (f)(8) (paragraph (f)(8) only applies if the LHF 
on the MLG has been marked ``inspect as per SB-80-0345'' as 
specified in paragraph (f)(2) of this AD) of this AD, including all 
subparagraphs, and is found free of cracks. If status of detailed 
visual inspections intervals, fluorescent penetrant inspections 
intervals, or landings since new cannot be determined from the 
Authorized Release Certificate of the MLG to be installed, before 
next flight after installation, inspect the MLG LHF as specified in 
paragraphs (f)(1), (f)(3), and (f)(4) of this AD. For the purpose of 
this AD, a serviceable MLG replacement is defined in paragraphs 
(f)(7)(i), (f)(7)(ii), and (f)(7)(iii) of this AD. All newly 
installed MLG LHF is subject to the inspections required in 
paragraphs (f)(1), (f)(3), and (f)(4) of this AD.
    (i) Remove the unserviceable MLG and replace it with a different 
serviceable MLG.
    (ii) Rework the unserviceable MLG following Part 2 and Part 3 of 
the Accomplishment Instructions in PIAGGIO AERO INDUSTRIES S.p.A. 
Mandatory Service Bulletin No. 80-0345, dated September 20, 2012, 
until it passes the check for freedom of rotation and no cracks are 
found.
    (iii) Replace the cracked LHF in the unserviceable MLG with a 
new LHF and, after LHF replacement, check the MLG for freedom of 
rotation.
    (8) As of October 18, 2013 (the effective date of this AD), any 
MLG with LHF marked ``inspect as per SB 80-0345'' that was removed 
as specified in paragraph (f)(2) of this AD may be reinstalled 
provided that before installation, freedom of rotation has been 
restored. Before further flight after installation, the MLG LHF must 
be inspected as specified in paragraphs (f)(1), (f)(3), and (f)(4) 
of this AD. Continue thereafter with the repetitive inspections at 
the intervals specified in paragraphs (f)(3) and (f)(4) of this AD.

(g) Other FAA AD Provisions

    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: Mike Kiesov, Aerospace Engineer, FAA, Small 
Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, Missouri 
64106; telephone: (816) 329-4144; fax: (816) 329-4090; email: 
[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.

[[Page 56592]]

(h) Related Information

    Refer to MCAI European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD No. 
2013-0084, dated April 5, 2013, which can be found in the AD docket 
on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov; Messier-Dowty PCS-
2700 Paint Stripping document, dated January 2011; Messier-Dowty 
PCS-2622 Cold Degreasing (Solvent) document, Issue 2, dated May 12, 
2008; and Messier-Dowty Ltd 201034005 and 201034006 Component 
Maintenance Manual, page 2, dated May 1, 2004, and page 1020, dated 
March 17, 2006, which can be found on the Internet at: http://www.safranmbd.com, for related information.

(i) Material Incorporated by Reference

    (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the 
incorporation by reference (IBR) of the service information listed 
in this paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
    (2) You must use this service information as applicable to do 
the actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise.
    (i) PIAGGIO AERO INDUSTRIES S.p.A. Mandatory Service Bulletin 
No. 80-0345, dated September 20, 2012.
    (ii) PIAGGIO AERO INDUSTRIES S.p.A. Mandatory Service Bulletin 
No. 80-0345, Appendix A, dated September 20, 2012, which includes 
Messier-Dowty Service Bulletin No. P180-32-32, dated September 10, 
2012.
    (3) For PIAGGIO AERO INDUSTRIES S.p.A. service information 
identified in this AD, contact Piaggio Aero Industries S.p.A--
Airworthiness Office, Via Luigi Cibrario, 4-16154 Genova-Italy; 
phone: +39 010 6481353; fax: +39 010 6481881; email: 
[email protected]; Internet: http://www.piaggioaero.com/#/en/aftersales/service-support; and Messier-Dowty Limited, 
Cheltenham Road, Gloucester, GL2 9QH, England; phone: +44(0)1452 
712424; fax: +44(0)1452 713821; email: [email protected]; 
Internet: www.safranmbd.com.
    (4) You may view this service information at 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.
    (5) You may view this service information that is incorporated 
by reference 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/cfr/ibr-locations.html.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on August 29, 2013.
Earl Lawrence,
Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2013-22203 Filed 9-12-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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