[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 68 (Thursday, April 9, 1998)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 17321-17323]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-9154]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. 97-CE-142-AD; Amendment 39-10454; AD 98-08-05]
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 certain Industrie Aeronautiche e Meccaniche (I.A.M.) Model
Piaggio P-180 airplanes. This AD requires inspecting the main landing
gear (MLG) for interference between the MLG drag brace link and the MLG
retraction actuator, and modifying this area if interference is found.
This AD is the result of mandatory continuing
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airworthiness information (MCAI) issued by the airworthiness authority
for Italy. The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent MLG
failure caused by interference between the MLG retraction actuator and
the MLG drag brace link, which could result in loss of control of the
airplane during landing operations.
DATES: Effective May 26, 1998.
The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in
the regulations is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as
of May 26, 1998.
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. 97-CE-142-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: 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:
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 certain I.A.M. Model
Piaggio P-180 airplanes was published in the Federal Register as a
notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) on February 2, 1998 (63 FR 5325).
The NPRM proposed to require inspecting the main landing gear (MLG) for
interference between the MLG drag brace link and the MLG retraction
actuator, and modifying this area if interference is found.
Accomplishment of the proposed action as specified in the NPRM would be
in accordance with Piaggio Service Bulletin No. SB-80-0064, dated
December 5, 1994; and Dowty Aerospace Landing Gear Service Bulletin
P180-32-11, dated September 26, 1994.
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 this AD, that it will take approximately 10 workhours per
airplane to accomplish this inspection, and that the average labor rate
is approximately $60 an hour. Based on these figures, the total cost
impact of this AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $3,000, or $600
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:
98-08-05 Industrie Aeronautiche E Meccaniche: Amendment 39-10454;
Docket No. 97-CE-142-AD.
Applicability: Model Piaggio P-180 airplanes, serial numbers
1001, 1002, 1004 and 1006 through 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 (d) 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 main landing gear (MLG) failure caused by
interference between the MLG retraction actuator and the MLG drag
brace link, which could result in loss of control of the airplane
during landing operations, accomplish the following:
(a) Within the next 100 hours time-in-service (TIS) after the
effective date of this AD, inspect the MLG for interference between
the MLG drag brace link and the MLG retraction actuator. Accomplish
this inspection in accordance with both Piaggio Service Bulletin No.
SB-80-0064, dated December 5, 1994; and Dowty Aerospace Landing Gear
Service Bulletin P180-32-11, dated September 26, 1994.
(b) If any interference is found between the MLG drag brace and
the MLG retraction actuator during the inspection required by
paragraph (a) of this AD, prior to further flight, modify this area
in accordance with both Piaggio Service Bulletin No. SB-80-0064,
dated December 5, 1994; and Dowty Aerospace Landing Gear Service
Bulletin P180-32-11, dated September 26, 1994.
(c) 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.
(d) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the
compliance times that
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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.
(e) Questions or technical information related to the service
information referred to in this document 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.
(f) The inspection and modification required by this AD shall be
done in accordance with Piaggio Service Bulletin No. SB-80-0064,
dated December 5, 1994; and Dowty Aerospace Landing Gear Service
Bulletin P180-32-11, dated September 26, 1994. 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 to 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.
(g) This amendment becomes effective on May 26, 1998.
Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on March 31, 1998.
Michael Gallagher,
Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 98-9154 Filed 4-8-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-U
