Airworthiness Directives; PIAGGIO AERO INDUSTRIES S.p.A. Model P-180 Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 125 (Friday, June 29, 2007)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 35643-35645]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-12008]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2007-27723 Directorate Identifier 2007-CE-029-AD; 
Amendment 39-15116; AD 2007-13-12]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; PIAGGIO AERO INDUSTRIES S.p.A. Model P-
180 Airplanes

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

ACTION: Final rule.

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[[Page 35644]]

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:

    EASA EAD 2006-0072-E was issued on 31st March 2006 following a 
further failure of the forward support of the Main Wing Outboard 
Flap (MWOF), caused by corrosion. This condition, if not corrected, 
may cause surface twisting during deployment at landing. The 
analysis of that event highlighted the need for the reduction of the 
previous inspection interval which was mandated by ENAC through AD 
2004-523, approved by EASA with reference 2004-12521.

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

DATES: This AD becomes effective August 3, 2007.
    On August 3, 2007, 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://dms.dot.gov or in person at the U.S. Department of Transportation, 
Docket Operations, M-30 West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, New 
Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC.

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.

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 April 24, 2007 (72 
FR 20298). That NPRM proposed to correct an unsafe condition for the 
specified products. The MCAI states that:

    EASA EAD 2006-0072-E was issued on 31st March 2006 following a 
further failure of the forward support of the Main Wing Outboard 
Flap (MWOF), caused by corrosion. This condition, if not corrected, 
may cause surface twisting during deployment at landing. The 
analysis of that event highlighted the need for the reduction of the 
previous inspection interval which was mandated by ENAC through AD 
2004-523, approved by EASA with reference 2004-12521.
    Now the TC holder has developed a new type of forward support 
for the Main Wing Outboard Flap with characteristics that improve 
the resistance to corrosion. When the new support is installed, the 
repetitive Eddy current inspection that was introduced by EASA EAD 
2006-0072-E is no longer required.

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 AD will affect 7 products of U.S. registry. 
We also estimate that it will take about 16 work-hours per product to 
comply with basic requirements of this AD. The average labor rate is 
$80 per work-hour.
    Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of this AD to the U.S. 
operators to be $8,960 or $1,280 per product.

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 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://dms.dot.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:

2007-13-12 Piaggio Aero Industries S.p.A.: Amendment 39-15116; 
Docket No.

[[Page 35645]]

FAA-2007-27723; Directorate Identifier 2007-CE-029-AD.

Effective Date

    (a) This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective August 
3, 2007.

Affected ADs

    (b) None.

Applicability

    (c) This AD applies to Model P-180 airplanes, serial numbers 
1002, 1004 through 1107, 1109, and 1110, certificated in any 
category.

Subject

    (d) Air Transport Association of America (ATA) Code 57: Wings.

Reason

    (e) The mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) 
states:
    EASA EAD 2006-0072-E was issued on 31st March 2006 following a 
further failure of the forward support of the Main Wing Outboard 
Flap (MWOF), caused by corrosion. This condition, if not corrected, 
may cause surface twisting during deployment at landing. The 
analysis of that event highlighted the need for the reduction of the 
previous inspection interval which was mandated by ENAC through AD 
2004-523, approved by EASA with reference 2004-12521.
    Now the TC holder has developed a new type of forward support 
for the Main Wing Outboard Flap with characteristics that improve 
the resistance to corrosion. When the new support is installed, the 
repetitive Eddy current inspection that was introduced by EASA EAD 
2006-0072-E is no longer required.

Actions and Compliance

    (f) Unless already done, do the following actions:
    (1) Within the next 200 hours time-in-service (TIS) after August 
3, 2007 (the effective date of this AD) or within 60 days after 
August 3, 2007 (the effective date of this AD), whichever occurs 
first, replace the outboard flap track forward bushing and the 
outboard flap track forward support. Do the replacements using the 
Accomplishment Instructions detailed in Part A of Piaggio Aero 
Industries S.p.A. Mandatory Service Bulletin (SB) No. 80-0210, Rev 
4, dated July 19, 2006.
    (2) At intervals not to exceed 1,500 hours TIS after doing the 
replacements required in paragraph (f)(1) of this AD, visually 
inspect the outboard flap track forward support for traces of any 
kind of corrosion and/or protective coat/finishing wear damage. Do 
the inspections using the Accomplishment Instructions detailed in 
Part B of Piaggio Aero Industries S.p.A. Mandatory SB No. 80-0210, 
Rev 4, dated July 19, 2006.
    (3) Before further flight after each inspection required in 
paragraph (f)(2) of this AD in which any kind of corrosion or wear 
damage is found, contact the manufacturer for a repair scheme and 
incorporate the repair.

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 Staff, FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, ATTN: Sarjapur 
Nagarajan, Aerospace Engineer, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, 
Missouri 64106; telephone: (816) 329-4145; fax: (816) 329-4090, has 
the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the 
procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. 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, under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 
U.S.C. 3501 et seq.), the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has 
approved the information collection requirements and has assigned 
OMB Control Number 2120-0056.

Related Information

    (h) Refer to MCAI European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD No. 
2006-0305, dated October 9, 2006; and Piaggio Aero Industries S.p.A. 
Mandatory Service Bulletin No. 80-0210, Rev 4, dated July 19, 2006, 
for related information.

Material Incorporated by Reference

    (i) You must use Piaggio Aero Industries S.p.A. Mandatory 
Service Bulletin No. 80-0210, Rev 4, dated July 19, 2006, 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; 
telephone: +39 010 6481 856; facsimile: +39 010 6481 374.
    (3) You may review copies at the FAA, Central Region, Office of 
the Regional Counsel, 901 Locust, Room 506, Kansas City, Missouri 
64106; or 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 June 15, 2007.
Kim Smith,
Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. E7-12008 Filed 6-28-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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