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

[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 59 (Monday, March 29, 1999)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 14824-14826]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-7382]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 98-CE-97-AD; Amendment 39-11095; AD 99-07-10]
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 the upper and 
lower engine nacelle inner panels for any loose or partially detached 
inner film, and removing any loose or partially detached inner film. 
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 the accumulation of loose 
particles on the engine inlet screen caused by film delamination, which 
could result in reduced engine power and possible loss of airplane 
control.

DATES: Effective May 10, 1999.
    The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in 
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as 
of May 10, 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

[[Page 14825]]

Regional Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket No. 98-CE-97-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) 426-6934; 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 December 30, 1998 (63 FR 
71799). The NPRM proposed to require inspecting the upper and lower 
engine nacelle inner panels for any loose or partially detached inner 
film, and removing any loose or partially detached inner film. 
Accomplishment of the proposed actions as specified in the NPRM would 
be in accordance with Piaggio Service Bulletin (Mandatory) No.: SB-80-
0101, Original Issue: May 6, 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.

Compliance Time of This AD

    Although the reduced engine power that will result if loose film 
particles accumulated on the engine inlet screen will only be unsafe 
during flight, this condition is not a result of the number of times 
the airplane is operated. The loose film occurs over time because of 
weather and climate conditions. For this reason, the FAA has determined 
that a compliance based on calendar time will be utilized in this AD in 
order to assure that the unsafe condition is addressed on all airplanes 
in a reasonable time period.

Cost Impact

    The FAA estimates that 5 airplanes in the U.S. registry will be 
affected by this AD, that it will take approximately 7 workhours per 
airplane to accomplish the inspection and film removal, and that the 
average labor rate is approximately $60 an hour. There are no parts 
required to accomplish this AD. Based on these figures, the total cost 
impact of this AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $2,100, or $420 
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:

99-07-10  Industrie Aeronautiche e Meccaniche: Amendment 39-11095; 
Docket No. 98-CE-97-AD.

    Applicability: Model Piaggio P-180 airplanes, all serial 
numbers, 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 (c) 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 the accumulation of loose particles on the engine 
inlet screen caused by film delamination, which could result in 
reduced engine power and possible loss of airplane control, 
accomplish the following:
    (a) Within the next 6 calendar months after the effective date 
of this AD, inspect the upper and lower engine nacelle inner panels 
for any loose or partially detached inner film, in accordance with 
the ACCOMPLISHMENT INSTRUCTIONS section of Piaggio Service Bulletin 
(Mandatory) No.: SB-80-0101, Original Issue: May 6, 1998. Prior to 
further flight after the inspection, remove any loose or partially 
detached inner film in accordance with the service bulletin.
    (b) 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.
    (c) 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 2: Information concerning the existence of approved 
alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be 
obtained from the Small Airplane Directorate.

    (d) Questions or technical information related to Piaggio 
Service Bulletin (Mandatory) No.: SB-80-0101, Original Issue: May 6, 
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,

[[Page 14826]]

Office of the Regional Counsel, Room 1558, 601 E. 12th Street, 
Kansas City, Missouri 64106.
    (e) The inspection and modification required by this AD shall be 
done in accordance with Piaggio Service Bulletin (Mandatory) No.: 
SB-80-0101, Original Issue: May 6, 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 3: The subject of this AD is addressed in Italian AD 98-
208, dated June 9, 1998.

    (f) This amendment becomes effective on May 10, 1999.

    Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on March 18, 1999.
Michael Gallagher,
Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 99-7382 Filed 3-26-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U

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