FR Doc E7-17304

[Federal Register: September 6, 2007 (Volume 72, Number 172)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 51167-51169]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr06se07-4]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2007-27975 Directorate Identifier 2007-CE-041-AD;
Amendment 39-15187; AD 2007-18-07]
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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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:

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

DATES: This AD becomes effective October 11, 2007.
On October 11, 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 Document Management Facility, U.S.

Department of Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30, West Building
Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC
20590.

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 July 16, 2007 (72 FR
38800). That NPRM proposed to correct an unsafe condition for the
specified products. The MCAI states:

Several aircraft, at the factory, presented some debris in the
hydraulic fluid of the steering system. Investigations revealed that
some components of the steering system can be responsible for the
fluid contamination because of an initial pollution on their
manufacturing.
If not corrected, a contaminated fluid could cause malfunction
and a possible jamming of the steering system.
The superseded Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2007-0088-E was
previously issued to address the unsafe condition.
The present Airworthiness Directive expands applicability of
this AD to all P.180 `Avanti' series aircraft and the list of
defective components as listed in revision 1 of Piaggio Aero
Industries Mandatory Service Bulletin No 80-0236. This AD also
requires Temporary Changes to the respective Airplane Flight Manual
(AFM) and Aircraft Maintenance Manual (AMM) and introduces
procedures to recondition defective units.

Comments

We gave the public the opportunity to participate in developing
this AD. We considered the comment received.

Comment Issue: Replacement of Nose Landing Gear

One commenter suggests that the nose landing gear (NLG) does not
need to be replaced as required in paragraph (f)(2)(ii) of this AD, but
rather the steering actuator and manifold mounted to the NLG need to be
replaced.
We agree with the commenter that it is the steering actuator and
the manifold that need to be replaced and not the entire NLG. However,
the service bulletin requires removing and sending the original NLG to
a Messier-Dowty engineer to do the actuator and manifold replacement.
The service bulletin then requires installing a serviceable NLG. The
replacement NLG could be the original, which has been rebuilt according
to Annex 8 of Piaggio Aero Industries S.p.A. Service Bulletin
(Mandatory) N.: 80-0236 Rev. 1, dated May 15, 2007 (Messier-Dowty
Service Bulletin No. P180-32-24, dated May 15, 2007), or it could be an
exchanged NLG that complies with this AD. We have

[[Page 51168]]

added a note to clarify that the NLG can be the same one that was
removed if it has been serviced to comply with this AD.

Conclusion

We reviewed the available data, including the comment received, and
determined that air safety and the public interest require adopting the
AD with the changes described previously. We determined that these
changes will not increase the economic burden on any operator or
increase the scope of the AD.

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 63 products of U.S. registry.
We also estimate that it will take about 1 work-hour 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 $5,040, or $80 per product.
In addition, we estimate that any necessary follow-on actions would
take about 14 work-hours, for a cost of $1,120 per product. Where the
service information lists required parts costs that are covered under
warranty, we have assumed that there will be no charge for these costs.
As we do not control warranty coverage for affected parties, some
parties may incur costs higher than estimated here. We have no way of
determining the number of products that may need these actions.

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:

2007-18-07 Piaggio Aero Industries S.p.A.: Amendment 39-15187;
Docket No. FAA-2007-27975; Directorate Identifier 2007-CE-041-AD.

Effective Date

(a) This airworthiness directive (AD) becomes effective October
11, 2007.

Affected ADs

(b) None.

Applicability

Subject

(d) Air Transport Association of America (ATA) Code 32: Landing
Gear.

Reason

(e) The mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI)
states:
Several aircraft, at the factory, presented some debris in the
hydraulic fluid of the steering system. Investigations revealed that
some components of the steering system can be responsible for the
fluid contamination because of an initial pollution on their
manufacturing.
If not corrected, a contaminated fluid could cause malfunction
and a possible jamming of the steering system.
The superseded Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2007-0088-E was
previously issued to address the unsafe condition.
The present Airworthiness Directive expands applicability of
this AD to all P.180 `Avanti' series aircraft and the list of
defective components as listed in revision 1 of Piaggio Aero
Industries Mandatory Service Bulletin No 80-0236. This AD also
requires Temporary Changes to the respective Airplane Flight Manual
(AFM) and Aircraft Maintenance Manual (AMM) and introduces
procedures to recondition defective units.

Actions and Compliance

(f) Unless already done, do the following actions:
(1) Within the next 30 hours time-in-service (TIS) after October
11, 2007 (the effective date of this AD) or 30 days after October
11, 2007 (the effective date of this AD), whichever occurs first,
inspect the identification of the steering actuator and the steering
manifold installed on the airplane following Piaggio Aero Industries
S.p.A. Service Bulletin (Mandatory) N.: 80-0236 Rev. 1, dated May
15, 2007.
(2) If any steering actuator listed in annex 7.1 or manifold
listed in annex 7.2 of Piaggio Aero Industries S.p.A. Service
Bulletin (Mandatory) N.: 80-0236 Rev. 1, dated May

[[Page 51169]]

15, 2007, is found in the inspection per paragraph (f)(1) of this
AD:
(i) Before further flight after the inspection per paragraph
(f)(1) of this AD, insert Temporary Change 3, issued March 15, 2007,
into the LIMITATIONS section of Report 6591 (the airplane flight
manual (AFM)) for P-180 Avanti Aircraft or Temporary Change 2,
issued March 15, 2007, into the LIMITATIONS section of Report 180-
MAN-0010-01100 (the AFM) for P-180 Avanti II aircraft. The owner/
operator holding at least a private pilot certificate as authorized
by section 43.7 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 43.7)
may do this action. Make an entry in the aircraft records showing
compliance with this portion of the AD following section 43.9 of the
Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 43.9).
(ii) Within the next 600 hours TIS after October 11, 2007 (the
effective date of this AD) or 12 months after October 11, 2007 (the
effective date of this AD), whichever occurs first, replace the nose
landing gear (NLG) following Piaggio Aero Industries S.p.A. Service
Bulletin (Mandatory) N.: 80-0236 Rev. 1, dated May 15, 2007.

Note 1: The replacement NLG could be the same unit that was
removed from the aircraft and serviced in accordance with Annex 8 of
Piaggio Aero Industries S.p.A. Service Bulletin (Mandatory) N.: 80-
0236 Rev. 1, dated May 15, 2007 (Messier-Dowty Service Bulletin No.
P180-32-24, dated May 15, 2007), or it could be a different NLG that
complies with this AD.

(iii) After replacement of the NLG per paragraph (f)(2)(ii) of
this AD, remove the steering system temporary limitations from the
LIMITATIONS section of the AFM.
(3) Before further flight after accomplishment of the inspection
specified in paragraph (f)(1) of this AD, do not install any
steering actuator listed in annex 7.1 or manifold listed in annex
7.2 of Piaggio Aero Industries S.p.A. Service Bulletin (Mandatory)
N.: 80-0236 Rev. 1, dated May 15, 2007.

Note 2: We encourage you to incorporate Temporary Revision 1
into the maintenance program (aircraft maintenance manual (AMM)
P.180 Avanti report 9066) or Temporary Revision 11 into the
maintenance program (AMM P.180 Avanti II report 180-MAN-0200-01105).
The temporary revisions require confirmation that the steering
manifold and steering actuator are compliant with Piaggio Aero
Industries S.p.A. Service Bulletin (Mandatory) N.: 80-0236 Rev. 1,
dated May 15, 2007.

FAA AD Differences

Note 3: This AD differs from the MCAI and/or service information
as follows: The MCAI requires the initial inspection action within 5
hours TIS. We consider 5 hours TIS an urgent safety of flight
compliance time, and we do not consider this unsafe condition to be
an urgent safety of flight condition. Because we do not consider
this unsafe condition to be an urgent safety of flight condition, we
issued this action through the normal notice of proposed rulemaking
(NPRM) AD process followed by this final rule. The initial
compliance time of 30 hours TIS after the effective date of this AD
or 30 days after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs
first, is an adequate compliance time for this AD action and met the
FAA requirements for an NPRM followed by a final rule.

Other FAA AD Provisions

(g) The following provisions also apply to this AD:
(1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager,
Standards Office, FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs for this
AD, if requested using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. Send
information to ATTN: Sarjapur Nagarajan, Aerospace Engineer, FAA,
Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City,
Missouri 64106; telephone: (816) 329-4145; fax: (816) 329-4090.
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)
Emergency Airworthiness Directive EAD No: 2007-0147-E, dated May 22,
2007; and Piaggio Aero Industries S.p.A. Service Bulletin
(Mandatory) N.: 80-0236 Rev. 1, dated May 15, 2007, for related
information.

Material Incorporated by Reference

(i) You must use Piaggio Aero Industries S.p.A. Service Bulletin
(Mandatory) N.: 80-0236 Rev. 1, dated May 15, 2007, 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 06481 741; fax: +39 010 6481 309; e-mail:
MMicheli@piaggioaero.it.

(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 August 24, 2007.
Brian A. Yanez,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. E7-17304 Filed 9-5-07; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4910-13-P