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[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 116 (Friday, June 15, 2012)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 35888-35890]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-14723]

========================================================================
Proposed Rules
                                                Federal Register
________________________________________________________________________

This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains notices to the public of 
the proposed issuance of rules and regulations. The purpose of these 
notices is to give interested persons an opportunity to participate in 
the rule making prior to the adoption of the final rules.

========================================================================


Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 116 / Friday, June 15, 2012 / 
Proposed Rules

[[Page 35888]]

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2012-0634; Directorate Identifier 2012-CE-016-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).

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for 
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 jamming of the external bearing of the 
screwjack drive gear, which resulted in failure of the main wing 
outboard flap external actuator. 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 July 30, 2012.

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: airworthiness@piaggioaero.it; Internet: http://www.piaggioaero.com/#/en/aftersales/service-support. You may review 
copies of the 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: 
mike.kiesov@faa.gov.

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-2012-0634; 
Directorate Identifier 2012-CE-016-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 EASA 
AD No.: 2012-0066, dated April 24, 2012 (referred to after this as 
``the MCAI''), to correct an unsafe condition for the specified 
products. The MCAI states:

    Failures of the Main Wing Outboard Flap external actuator have 
been reported by P.180 operators.
    The investigation revealed that due to jamming of the external 
bearing, the screwjack drive gear disengaged from its seat and the 
external actuator stopped, while the inner one continued its run.
    This condition, if not corrected, could lead to an asymmetrical 
flap actuators operation and cause an interference between the flap 
and adjacent aileron, possibly resulting in reduced control of the 
aeroplane.
    For the reasons described above, this AD requires the 
installation of a covering cage on the screwjack, as a temporary 
corrective action, which does not allow the disengagement of the 
affected gear.

You may obtain further information by examining the MCAI in the AD 
docket.

Relevant Service Information

    PIAGGIO AERO INDUSTRIES S.p.A. has issued Service Bulletin No. 80-
0318, dated October 24, 2011; Service Bulletin No. 80-0318, revision 1, 
dated February 3, 2012; and Service Bulletin No. 80-0318, revision 2, 
dated March 28, 2012. 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.

[[Page 35889]]

Costs of Compliance

    We estimate that this proposed AD will affect 110 products of U.S. 
registry. We also estimate that it would take about 6 work-hours per 
product to comply with the basic requirements of this proposed AD. The 
average labor rate is $85 per work-hour. Required parts would cost 
about $2,770 per product.
    Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of the proposed AD on 
U.S. operators to be $360,800, or $3,280 per product.
    According to the manufacturer, some of the costs of this proposed 
AD may be covered under warranty, thereby reducing the cost impact on 
affected individuals. We do not control warranty coverage for affected 
individuals. As a result, we have included all costs in our cost 
estimate.

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 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

    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. The FAA amends Sec.  39.13 by adding the following new AD:

PIAGGIO AERO INDUSTRIES S.p.A: Docket No. FAA-2012-0634; Directorate 
Identifier 2012-CE-016-AD.

(a) Comments Due Date

    We must receive comments by July 30, 2012.

(b) Affected ADs

    None.

(c) Applicability

    This AD applies to PIAGGIO AERO INDUSTRIES S.p.A Model P-180 
airplanes, serial numbers (S/Ns) 1002 and 1004 through 1223, 
certificated in any category.

(d) Subject

    Air Transport Association of America (ATA) Code 27: Flight 
Controls.

(e) Reason

    This AD was prompted by mandatory continuing airworthiness 
information (MCAI) originated by an aviation authority of another 
country to identify and correct an unsafe condition on an aviation 
product. We are issuing this proposed AD to require actions to 
address the unsafe condition on these products.

(f) Actions and Compliance

    Unless already done, before the effective date of this AD, 
following the Accomplishment Instructions of Piaggio Aero Industries 
S.p.A. Mandatory Service Bulletin No. 80-0318, revision 2, dated 
March 28, 2012, do the following actions:
    (1) For S/Ns 1002 and 1004 through 1135:
    (i) For aircraft with less than 1,500 hours total time-in-
service (TIS) at the effective date of this AD: Within 1,500 hours 
TIS after the effective date of this AD or within 12 calendar months 
after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs first, install 
covering cages on both left and right wing outboard flap external 
screwjacks. Follow the Accomplishment Instructions of Piaggio Aero 
Industries S.p.A. Mandatory Service Bulletin No. 80-0318, revision 
2, dated March 28, 2012.
    (ii) For aircraft with 1,500 hours total TIS but less than 2,800 
hours total TIS at the effective date of this AD: Upon or before 
reaching a total of 3,000 hours TIS after the effective date of this 
AD or within 12 calendar months after the effective date of this AD, 
whichever occurs first, install covering cages on both left and 
right wing outboard flap external screwjacks. Follow the 
Accomplishment Instructions of Piaggio Aero Industries S.p.A. 
Mandatory Service Bulletin No. 80-0318, revision 2, dated March 28, 
2012.
    (iii) For aircraft with 2,800 hours total TIS or more at the 
effective date of this AD: Within 200 hours TIS after the effective 
date of this AD or within 12 calendar months after the effective 
date of this AD, whichever occurs first, install covering cages on 
both left and right wing outboard flap external screwjacks. Follow 
the Accomplishment Instructions of Piaggio Aero Industries S.p.A. 
Mandatory Service Bulletin No. 80-0318, revision 2, dated March 28, 
2012.
    (2) For S/Ns 1136 through 1223 (inclusive): Within 1,500 hours 
TIS after the effective date of this AD or within 12 calendar months 
after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs first, install 
covering cages on both left and right wing outboard flap external 
screwjacks. Follow the Accomplishment Instructions of Piaggio Aero 
Industries S.p.A. Mandatory Service Bulletin No. 80-0318, revision 
2, dated March 28, 2012.

    Note to paragraph (f) of this AD: S/Ns 1224 and subsequent have 
covering cages on both left and right wing outboard flap external 
screwjacks installed during production.

(g) Credit for Actions Accomplished in Accordance With Previous Service 
Information

    This AD provides credit for the actions required in this AD if 
already done before the effective date of this AD following Service 
Bulletin No. 80-0318, dated October 24, 2011; Service Bulletin No. 
80-0318, revision 1, dated February 3, 2012; and Service Bulletin 
No. 80-0318, revision 2, dated March 28, 2012.

(h) 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: 
mike.kiesov@faa.gov. 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

[[Page 35890]]

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.

(i) Related Information

    Refer to MCAI European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD No.: 
2012-0066, dated April 24, 2012; Piaggio Aero Industries S.p.A. 
Mandatory Service Bulletin No. 80-0318, dated October 24, 2011; 
Piaggio Aero Industries S.p.A. Mandatory Service Bulletin No. 80-
0318, revision 1, dated February 3, 2012; and Piaggio Aero 
Industries S.p.A. Mandatory Service Bulletin No. 80-0318, revision 
2, dated March 28, 2012, for related information. 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: 
airworthiness@piaggioaero.it; Internet: http://www.piaggioaero.com/#/en/aftersales/service-support. You may review copies of the 
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 May 11, 2012.
John Colomy,
Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2012-14723 Filed 6-14-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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