[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 224 (Wednesday, November 20, 2013)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 69600-69602]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-27639]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2013-0964; Directorate Identifier 2013-CE-035-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Piaggio Aero Industries S.p.A Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of
Transportation (DOT).
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
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SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for
certain Piaggio Aero Industries S.p.A. Model P-180 airplanes. This
proposed AD results from mandatory continuing airworthiness information
(MCAI) originated 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 insufficient clearance between
one of the horizontal stabilizer end ribs and the corresponding
elevator horn. We are issuing this proposed AD to require actions to
address the unsafe condition on these products.
DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by January 6, 2014.
ADDRESSES: You may send comments by any of the following methods:
Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
Fax: (202) 493-2251.
Mail: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New
Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590.
Hand Delivery: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New
Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.,
Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
For service information identified in this proposed AD, contact
Piaggio Aero Industries S.p.A--Airworthiness Office, Via Luigi
Cibrario, 4-16154 Genova-Italy; phone: +39 010 6481353; fax: +39 010
6481881; email: [email protected]; Internet: http://www.piaggioaero.com/#/en/aftersales/service-support. You may review
this referenced service information at the FAA, Small Airplane
Directorate, 901 Locust, Kansas City, Missouri 64106. For information
on the availability of this material at the FAA, call (816) 329-4148.
Examining the AD Docket
You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.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 this proposed AD, 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.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mike Kiesov, Aerospace Engineer, FAA,
Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, Missouri
64106; telephone: (816) 329-4144; fax: (816) 329-4090; email:
[email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments Invited
We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or
arguments about this proposed AD. Send your comments to an address
listed under the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2013-0964;
Directorate Identifier 2013-CE-035-AD'' at the beginning of your
comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory,
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this proposed AD. We
will consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend
this proposed AD because of those comments.
We will post all comments we receive, without change, to http://regulations.gov, including any personal information you provide. We
will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact we
receive about this proposed AD.
Discussion
The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the Technical
Agent for the Member States of the European Community, has issued AD
No. 2013-0239, dated September 30, 2013 (referred to after this as
``the MCAI''), to correct an unsafe condition for the specified
products. The MCAI states:
Insufficient clearance between one of the horizontal stabilizer
end rib and the corresponding elevator horn was found on an in-
service aeroplane.
This condition, if not detected and corrected, could lead to
interference between the elevator and horizontal stabilizer
surfaces, resulting in restricted elevator control and consequent
reduced control of the aeroplane.
To address this potential unsafe condition, Piaggio Aero
Industries (PAI) issued Service
[[Page 69601]]
Bulletin (SB) 80-0381 to provide inspection instructions.
For the reasons described above, this AD requires accomplishment
of a one-time measurement of the actual clearance between the
elevator horn and the horizontal stabilizer tip rib, and depending
on findings, restoration of the required minimum clearance value.
This AD also requires reporting of the inspection result to PAI.
You may examine the MCAI on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov
by searching for and locating it in Docket No. FAA-2013-0964.
Relevant Service Information
Piaggio Aero Industries S.p.A. has issued Mandatory Service
Bulletin No.: 80-0381, Rev. 0, dated May 2, 2013. The actions described
in this service information are intended to correct the unsafe
condition identified in the MCAI.
FAA's Determination and Requirements of the Proposed AD
This product has been approved by the aviation authority of another
country, and is approved for operation in the United States. Pursuant
to our bilateral agreement with this State of Design Authority, they
have notified us of the unsafe condition described in the MCAI and
service information referenced above. We are proposing this AD because
we evaluated all information and determined the unsafe condition exists
and is likely to exist or develop on other products of the same type
design.
Costs of Compliance
We estimate that this proposed AD would affect 112 products of U.
S. registry. We also estimate that it would take about 1 work-hour per
product to comply with the basic requirements of this proposed AD. The
average labor rate is $85 per work-hour.
Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of this proposed AD on
U.S. operators to be $9,520, or $85 per product.
In addition, we estimate that any necessary follow-on actions would
take about 5 work-hours and require parts costing $50, for a cost of
$475 per product. We have no way of determining the number of products
that may need these actions.
Paperwork Reduction Act
A federal agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not
required to respond to, nor shall a person be subject to penalty for
failure to comply with a collection of information subject to the
requirements of the Paperwork Reduction Act unless that collection of
information displays a current valid OMB control number. The control
number for the collection of information required by this AD is 2120-
0056. The paperwork cost associated with this AD has been detailed in
the Costs of Compliance section of this document and includes time for
reviewing instructions, as well as completing and reviewing the
collection of information. Therefore, all reporting associated with
this AD is mandatory. Comments concerning the accuracy of this burden
and suggestions for reducing the burden should be directed to the FAA
at 800 Independence Ave. SW., Washington, DC 20591. ATTN: Information
Collection Clearance Officer, AES-200.
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 proposed 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 proposed AD would not have federalism
implications under Executive Order 13132. This proposed AD would 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 proposed
regulation:
(1) Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive
Order 12866,
(2) Is not a ``significant rule'' under the DOT Regulatory Policies
and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979),
(3) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and
(4) 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.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by
reference, Safety.
The Proposed Amendment
Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the
Administrator, the FAA proposes to amend 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:
Piaggio Aero Industries S.p.A: Docket No. FAA-2013-0964; Directorate
Identifier 2013-CE-035-AD.
(a) Comments Due Date
We must receive comments by January 6, 2014.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to Piaggio Aero Industries S.p.A Model P-180
airplanes, manufacturer serial numbers 1002 and 1004 through 1231,
certificated in any category.
(d) Subject
Air Transport Association of America (ATA) Code 27: Flight
Controls.
(e) Reason
This AD was prompted by results from mandatory continuing
airworthiness information (MCAI) originated 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
insufficient clearance between one of the horizontal stabilizer end
ribs and the corresponding elevator horn. We are issuing this
proposed AD to detect and correct insufficient clearance between one
of the horizontal stabilizer end rib and the corresponding elevator
horn, which could result in interference between the elevator and
horizontal stabilizer surfaces, consequently resulting in restricted
elevator control and reduced control of the airplane.
(f) Actions and Compliance
Unless already done, do the following actions as specified in
paragraphs (f)(1) through (f)(3) of this AD:
(1) Within 200 hours time-in service (TIS) after the effective
date of this AD or 12 months after the effective date of this AD,
whichever occurs first, measure the clearances between the horns of
the elevator and the end ribs of the horizontal stabilizer (HS) on
left-hand (LH) and right-hand (RH) sides following Part A of the
Accomplishment Instructions section of
[[Page 69602]]
Piaggio Aero Industries S.p.A. Mandatory Service Bulletin No.: 80-
0381, Rev. 0, dated May 2, 2013.
(2) If the clearance is less than 5 mm on HS LH or RH side
during the measurement as required by paragraph (f)(1) of this AD,
before further flight, rework the affected elevator to restore the
required minimum clearance between the horn of the elevator and the
end rib of the horizontal stabilizer following Part B of the
Accomplishment Instructions section of Piaggio Aero Industries
S.p.A. Mandatory Service Bulletin No.: 80-0381, Rev. 0, dated May 2,
2013.
(3) Within 30 days after accomplishment of the measurement as
required by paragraph (f)(1) of this AD, report the results to
Piaggio Aero Industries S.p.A. following Part C of the
Accomplishment Instructions section of Piaggio Aero Industries
S.p.A. Mandatory Service Bulletin No.: 80-0381, Rev. 0, dated May 2,
2013.
(g) Other FAA AD Provisions
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: Mike Kiesov, Aerospace Engineer, FAA, Small
Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, Missouri
64106; telephone: (816) 329-4144; fax: (816) 329-4090; email:
[email protected]. 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, a federal agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person
is not required to respond to, nor shall a person be subject to a
penalty for failure to comply with a collection of information
subject to the requirements of the Paperwork Reduction Act unless
that collection of information displays a current valid OMB Control
Number. The OMB Control Number for this information collection is
2120-0056. Public reporting for this collection of information is
estimated to be approximately 5 minutes per response, including the
time for reviewing instructions, completing and reviewing the
collection of information. All responses to this collection of
information are mandatory. Comments concerning the accuracy of this
burden and suggestions for reducing the burden should be directed to
the FAA at: 800 Independence Ave. SW., Washington, DC 20591, Attn:
Information Collection Clearance Officer, AES-200.
(h) Related Information
Refer to MCAI European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD No.
2013-0239, dated September 30, 2013, for related information. You
may examine the MCAI on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov
by searching for and locating it in Docket No. FAA-2013-0964. For
service information related to this AD, contact Piaggio Aero
Industries S.p.A--Airworthiness Office, Via Luigi Cibrario, 4-16154
Genova-Italy; phone: +39 010 6481353; fax: +39 010 6481881; email:
Internet: http://www.piaggioaero.com/#/en/aftersales/service-support. You may review this referenced service information at the
FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Kansas City, Missouri
64106. For information on the availability of this material at the
FAA, call (816) 329-4148.
Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on November 5, 2013.
Earl Lawrence,
Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2013-27639 Filed 11-19-13; 8:45 am]
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