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

[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 98 (Friday, May 21, 1999)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 27661-27663]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-12828]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 98-CE-96-AD; Amendment 39-11176; AD 99-11-06]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Industrie Aeronautiche e Meccaniche 
Model Piaggio 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 Industrie Aeronautiche e Meccaniche (I.A.M.) Model 
Piaggio P-180 airplanes. This AD requires inspecting both (left and 
right wing configurations) environmental control system bleed tubes for 
damage, leakage, and a correct gap between the tube and wing lower 
panel crossing area, inspecting the wiring and surrounding structures 
for damage, and correcting any discrepancies found. 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 prevent thermal expansion from causing leakage of an 
environmental control system bleed tube because of improper 
installation, which could result in deterioration of the electrical 
wiring and the surrounding structure.

DATES: Effective July 5, 1999.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of July 5, 1999.

ADDRESSES: Service information that applies to this AD may be obtained 
from I.A.M. Rinaldo Piaggio S.p.A., Via Cibrario, 4 16154 Genoa, Italy. 
This information may also be examined at the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA), Central Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, 
Attention: Rules Docket No. 98-CE-96-AD, Room 1558, 601 E. 12th Street, 
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: Mr. David O. Keenan, Project Officer, 
FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 1201 Walnut, suite 900, Kansas City, 
Missouri 64106; telephone: (816) 426-6941; facsimile: (816) 426-2169.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Events Leading to the Issuance of This AD

    A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 
CFR part 39) to include an AD that would apply to all I.A.M. Model 
Piaggio P-180 airplanes was published in the Federal Register as a 
notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) on February 18, 1999 (64 FR 8020). 
The NPRM proposed to require inspecting both (left and right wing 
configurations) environmental control system bleed tubes for damage 
(dents), leakage, and a correct gap between the tube and wing lower 
panel crossing area. If any environmental control system bleed tube is 
found damaged beyond certain limits or an incorrect gap between the 
tube and wing lower panel crossing area is found, the NPRM proposed to 
require replacing the bleed tube and rotating the bleed tube to match 
the necessary gap, as applicable. The NPRM also proposed to require 
inspecting the wiring and surrounding structures for damage if any 
leakage is found, and repairing any damaged wiring or surrounding 
structures.
    Accomplishment of the proposed action as specified in the NPRM 
would be required in accordance with Piaggio Service Bulletin 
(Mandatory) No.: SB-

[[Page 27662]]

80-0072, Revision No. 1, dated September 9, 1998.
    The NPRM was the result of mandatory continuing airworthiness 
information (MCAI) issued by the airworthiness authority for Italy.
    Interested persons have been 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.

The FAA's Determination

    After careful review of all available information related to the 
subject presented above, the FAA has determined that air safety and the 
public interest require the adoption of the rule as proposed except for 
minor editorial corrections. The FAA has 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

    The FAA estimates that 5 airplanes in the U.S. registry will be 
affected by the inspection, that it will take approximately 5 workhours 
per airplane to accomplish the inspection, and that the average labor 
rate is approximately $60 an hour. Based on these figures, the total 
cost impact of the inspection on U.S. operators is estimated to be 
$1,500, or $300 per airplane. These figures only take into account the 
costs of the inspection of the environmental control system bleed tubes 
and do not take into account the costs of any necessary follow-up 
action.
    If any damage is found during the above-referenced inspection, the 
costs to accomplish any follow-up actions (tube replacement/gap 
adjustment/follow-up inspections) will take approximately 8 workhours 
per airplane to accomplish at an average labor rate of approximately 
$60 an hour. Parts cost approximately $500. Based on these figures, the 
total cost impact of any necessary follow-up actions is estimated at 
$980 per airplane.

Regulatory Impact

    The regulations adopted herein will 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 final 
rule does 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) 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, pursuant to 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. Section 39.13 is amended by adding a new airworthiness directive 
(AD) to read as follows:

99-11-06  Industrie Aeronautiche E Meccaniche: Amendment 39-11176; 
Docket No. 98-CE-96-AD.

    Applicability: Model Piaggio P-180 airplanes, all serial numbers 
up to and including serial number 1031, 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 (f) 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 thermal expansion from causing leakage of the 
environmental control system bleed tube because of improper 
installation, which could result in deterioration of the electrical 
wiring and the surrounding structure, accomplish the following:
    (a) Within the next 100 hours time-in-service (TIS) after the 
effective date of this AD, inspect both (left and right wing 
configurations) environmental control system bleed tubes for damage 
(dents), leakage, and a correct gap between the tube and wing lower 
panel crossing area. Accomplish these actions in accordance with 
Part A of Piaggio Service Bulletin (Mandatory) No.: SB-80-0072, 
Revision No. 1, dated September 9, 1998.
    (b) If any environmental control system bleed tube is found 
damaged during the inspection required by paragraph (a) of this AD, 
prior to further flight, replace the damaged environmental control 
system bleed tube. Accomplish this action in accordance with Part B 
of Piaggio Service Bulletin (Mandatory) No.: SB-80-0072, Revision 
No. 1, dated September 9, 1998.
    (c) If any leakage is found during the inspection required by 
paragraph (a) of this AD, prior to further flight, inspect the 
wiring and surrounding structures for damage, and repair any damaged 
wiring or surrounding structures. Accomplish the inspection in 
accordance with Piaggio Service Bulletin (Mandatory) No.: SB-80-
0072, Revision No. 1, dated September 9, 1998, and any repair in 
accordance with the applicable maintenance manual or other 
applicable FAA-approved document.
    (d) If any incorrect gap between the tube and wing lower panel 
crossing area is found during the inspection required by paragraph 
(a) of this AD, prior to further flight, rotate the bleed tube to 
match the necessary gap. Accomplish this action in accordance with 
Part B of Piaggio Service Bulletin (Mandatory) No.: SB-80-0072, 
Revision No. 1, dated September 9, 1998.

    Note 2: Part C of Piaggio Service Bulletin (Mandatory) No.: SB-
80-0072; Revision No. 1, dated September 9, 1998, includes 
procedures for accomplishing this AD for those airplanes where the 
Original Issue of the above-referenced service bulletin was already 
incorporated. For those owners/operators who have already 
accomplished the actions specified in Piaggio Service Bulletin 
(Mandatory) No.: SB-80-0072, Original Issue: June 5, 1998, only 
these procedures in Part C apply.

    (e) 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.
    (f) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the 
compliance times 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 3: Information concerning the existence of approved 
alternative methods of

[[Page 27663]]

compliance with this AD, if any, may be obtained from the Small 
Airplane Directorate.

    (g) Questions or technical information related to Piaggio 
Service Bulletin (Mandatory) No.: SB-80-0072, Revision No. 1, dated 
September 9, 1998, 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.
    (h) The inspections, replacement, and modification required by 
this AD shall be done in accordance with Piaggio Service Bulletin 
(Mandatory) No.: SB-80-0072, Revision No. 1, dated September 9, 
1998. This incorporation by reference was approved by the Director 
of the Federal Register in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR 
part 51. Copies may be obtained from I.A.M. Rinaldo Piaggio S.p.A., 
Via Cibrario, 4 16154 Genoa, Italy. Copies may be inspected at the 
FAA, Central Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, Room 1558, 601 
E. 12th Street, Kansas City, Missouri, or at the Office of the 
Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW, suite 700, 
Washington, DC.

    Note 4: The subject of this AD is addressed in Italian AD 98-
329, dated September 18, 1998.

    (i) This amendment becomes effective on July 5, 1999.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on May 13, 1999.
Marvin R. Nuss,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 99-12828 Filed 5-20-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U

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