[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 40 (Monday, March 2, 1998)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 10157-10159]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-5202]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 97-CE-141-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Industrie Aeronautiche e Meccaniche
Rinaldo Piaggio S.p.A. Model P-180 Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
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SUMMARY: This document proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive
(AD) that would apply to certain Industrie Aeronautiche e Meccaniche
Rinaldo Piaggio S.p.A. (Piaggio) Model
[[Page 10158]]
P-180 airplanes. The proposed action would require modifying the low
pitch stop switch support. The proposed AD is the result of mandatory
continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) issued by the airworthiness
authority for Italy. The actions specified by the proposed AD are
intended to prevent low pitch stop switch support displacement, which
if not corrected, could result in an improper cockpit indication that
the propeller is in the Beta range and cause loss of control of the
airplane.
DATES: Comments must be received on or before April 10, 1998.
ADDRESSES: Submit comments in triplicate to the Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), Central Region, Office of the Regional Counsel,
Attention: Rules Docket No. 97-CE-141-AD, Room 1558, 601 E. 12th
Street, Kansas City, Missouri 64106. Comments may be inspected at this
location between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, holidays
excepted.
Service information that applies to the proposed AD may be obtained
from Industrie Aeronautiche e Meccaniche Rinaldo Piaggio S.p.A., Via
Cibrario, 4 16154 Genoa, Italy. This information also may be examined
at the Rules Docket at the address above.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. David O. Keenan , Project Officer,
FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service, 1201
Walnut, suite 900, Kansas City, Missouri 64106; telephone: (816) 426-
6934; facsimile: (816) 426-2169.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments Invited
Interested persons are invited to participate in the making of the
proposed rule by submitting such written data, views, or arguments as
they may desire. Communications should identify the Rules Docket number
and be submitted in triplicate to the address specified above. All
communications received on or before the closing date for comments,
specified above, will be considered before taking action on the
proposed rule. The proposals contained in this notice may be changed in
light of the comments received.
Comments are specifically invited on the overall regulatory,
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the proposed rule. All
comments submitted will be available, both before and after the closing
date for comments, in the Rules Docket for examination by interested
persons. A report that summarizes each FAA-public contact concerned
with the substance of this proposal will be filed in the Rules Docket.
Commenters wishing the FAA to acknowledge receipt of their comments
submitted in response to this notice must submit a self-addressed,
stamped postcard on which the following statement is made: ``Comments
to Docket No. 97-CE-141-AD.'' The postcard will be date stamped and
returned to the commenter.
Availability of NPRMs
Any person may obtain a copy of this NPRM by submitting a request
to the FAA, Central Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, Attention:
Rules Docket No. 97-CE-141-AD, Room 1558, 601 E. 12th Street, Kansas
City, Missouri 64106.
Discussion
The Registro Aeronautico Italiano (R.A.I.), which is the
airworthiness authority for Italy, notified the FAA that an unsafe
condition may exist on certain Piaggio Model P-180 airplanes. The
R.A.I. reports that the low pitch stop switch support may come loose in
these airplanes. The activating rod of the low pitch stop switch is
supported at one end by a steel bushing. It is possible for the bushing
to enlarge, which would allow rotation and displacement of the
activating rod. This condition, if not corrected, could result in an
improper cockpit indication as to whether or not the propeller is in
the Beta range and possibly cause loss of control of the airplane.
Relevant Service Information
Piaggio has issued Service Bulletin No. SB-80-0080, dated July 3,
1997, which specifies procedures for modifying the low pitch stop
switch support by installing a retaining plate that locks the steel
bushing in place.
The R.A.I. classified this service bulletin as mandatory and issued
Italian AD 97-217, dated July 28, 1997, in order to assure the
continued airworthiness of these airplanes in Italy.
The FAA's Determination
This airplane model is manufactured in Italy and is type
certificated for operation in the United States under the provisions of
section 21.29 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 21.29) and
the applicable bilateral airworthiness agreement. Pursuant to this
bilateral airworthiness agreement, the R.A.I. has kept the FAA informed
of the situation described above.
The FAA has examined the findings of the R.A.I., reviewed all
available information, including the service information referenced
above, and determined that AD action is necessary for products of this
type design that are certificated for operation in the United States.
Explanation of the Provisions of the Proposed AD
Since an unsafe condition has been identified that is likely to
exist or develop in other Piaggio Model P-180 airplanes of the same
type design registered in the United States, the proposed AD would
require modifying the low pitch stop switch support. Accomplishment of
the proposed modification would be in accordance with Piaggio Service
Bulletin No. SB-80-0080, dated July 3, 1997.
Cost Impact
The FAA estimates that 5 airplanes in the U.S. registry would be
affected by the proposed AD, that it would take approximately 6
workhours per airplane to accomplish the proposed action, and that the
average labor rate is approximately $60 an hour. Parts cost
approximately $100.00 per airplane. Based on these figures, the total
cost impact of the proposed AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be
$2,300 or $460 per airplane.
Regulatory Impact
The regulations proposed herein would 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
proposal would 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) if promulgated,
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 draft regulatory evaluation
prepared for this action has been placed 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, Safety.
[[Page 10159]]
The Proposed Amendment
Accordingly, pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the
Administrator, the Federal Aviation Administration proposes to amend
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:
Industrie Aeronautiche E Meccaniche Rinaldo Piaggio S.P.A: Docket
No. 97-CE-141-AD.
Applicability: Model P-180 airplanes (serial numbers 1001, 1002,
1004, and 1006 through 1033), 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 within the next 150 hours time-in-service
(TIS) after the effective date of this AD, unless already
accomplished.
To prevent low pitch stop switch support displacement, which if
not corrected, could result in an improper cockpit indication that
the propeller is in the Beta range and cause loss of control of the
airplane, accomplish the following:
(a) Modify the low pitch stop switch support in accordance with
I.A.M. Rinaldo Piaggio Service Bulletin No. SB-80-0080; Original
Issue: July 3, 1997.
(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 time 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 No. SB-80-0080, dated July 3, 1997, should be
directed to I.A.M. Rinaldo Piaggio S.p.A., Via Cibrario, 4 16154
Geona, 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.
Note 3: The subject of this AD is addressed in Italian AD 97-
217, dated July 28, 1997.
Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on February 23, 1998.
Marvin R. Nuss,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 98-5202 Filed 2-27-98; 8:45 am]
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