14310 Federal Register / Vol. 66, No. 48 / Monday, March 12, 2001 / Rules and Regulations

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. 2000–CE–67–AD; Amendment

39–12140; AD 2001–05–04]

RIN 2120–AA64

Airworthiness Directives; Piaggio Aero

Industries S.p.A Model P–180

Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation

Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

SUMMARY: This amendment adopts a

new airworthiness directive (AD) that

applies to all Piaggio Aero Industries

S.p.A (PIAGGIO) Model P–180

airplanes. This AD requires you to

inspect the flap actuators for incorrect

maneuvering and evidence of grease and

oxidation around the gear box (actuators

with any of these conditions are referred

to as problem actuators). If you find a

problem actuator, this AD requires you

to immediately replace the flap

actuators with improved design

actuators or repair the existing actuators

to the improved design level. If you do

not find a problem actuator, this AD

requires you to repeat the inspection

until the installed actuators are of

improved design. This AD is the result

of mandatory continuing airworthiness

information (MCAI) issued by the

airworthiness authority for Italy. The

actions specified by this AD are

intended to detect and remove problem

flap actuators from service. Continued

operation with problem actuators could

result in flap system failure, with

consequent reduction in, or loss of,

control of the airplane.

DATES: This AD becomes effective on

April 27, 2001.

The Director of the Federal Register

approved the incorporation by reference

of certain publications listed in the

regulations as of April 27, 2001.

ADDRESSES: You may get the service

information referenced in this AD from

Piaggio Aero Industries S.p.A, Via

Cibrario 4, 16154 Genoa, Italy. You may

examine this information at the Federal

Aviation Administration (FAA), Central

Region, Office of the Regional Counsel,

Attention: Rules Docket No. 2000–CE–

67–AD, 901 Locust, Room 506, 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:

Roman Gabrys, Aerospace Engineer,

FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 901

Locust, Room 301, Kansas City,

Missouri 64106; telephone: (816) 329–

4141; facsimile: (816) 329–4090.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

What events have caused this AD?

The Ente Nazionale per l’ Aviazione

Civile (ENAC), which is the

airworthiness authority for Italy,

recently notified FAA that an unsafe

condition may exist on all PIAGGIO

Model P–180 airplanes. The ENAC

reports incidents of malfunctions of the

flap actuators. Investigation of these

incidents reveals problems inside the

gearbox of the outboard flap actuators.

Investigation results indicate incorrect

maneuvering of the flap system and

evidence of grease and oxidation around

the gear box. What are the consequences if the

condition is not corrected? Continued

operation with problem actuators could

result in flap system failure, with

consequent reduction in, or loss of,

control of the airplane. Has FAA taken any action to this

point? We issued a proposal to amend

part 39 of the Federal Aviation

Regulations (14 CFR part 39) to include

an AD that would apply to all PIAGGIO

Model P–180 airplanes. This proposal

was published in the Federal Register

as a notice of proposed rulemaking

(NPRM) on January 2, 2001 (66 FR 61).

The NPRM proposed to require you to:

—Inspect the flap actuators for incorrect

maneuvering and evidence of grease

and oxidation around the gear box

(actuators with any of these

conditions are referred to as problem

actuators);

—If you find a problem actuator,

immediately replace the flap actuators

with improved design actuators or

repair the existing actuators to the

improved design level; and

—If you do not find a problem actuator,

repeat the inspection until you install

improved design flap actuators.

Was the public invited to comment?

Interested persons were 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.

FAA’s Determination

What is FAA’s final determination on

this issue? After careful review of all

available information related to the

subject presented above, we have

determined that air safety and the

public interest require the adoption of

the rule as proposed except for minor

editorial corrections. We 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

How many airplanes does this AD

impact? We estimate that this AD affects

11 airplanes in the U.S. registry.

What is the cost impact of this AD on

owners/operators of the affected

airplanes? We estimate the following

costs to accomplish the inspection:

Labor cost Parts cost Total cost per

airplane

Total cost on U.S.

operators

1 workhour × $60 per hour = $60 ..................... No parts required for the inspection ................................ $60 $60 × 11 = $660

We estimate the following costs to accomplish any necessary replacements that will be required based on the results

of the inspection. We have no way of determining the number of airplanes that may need such repair/replacement:

Labor cost Parts cost Total cost per airplane

32 workhours × $60 per hour = $1,920 ............ $8,000 per airplane ................................................................................ $1,920 + $8,000 =

$9,920

Regulatory Impact

Does this AD impact various entities?

The regulations adopted herein 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. Therefore, it is

determined that this final rule does not

have federalism implications under

Executive Order 13132.

Federal Register / Vol. 66, No. 48 / Monday, March 12, 2001 / Rules and Regulations 14311

Does this AD involve a significant rule

or regulatory action? 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, under 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.

§ 39.13 [Amended]

2. FAA amends § 39.13 by adding a

new AD to read as follows:

2001–05–04 Piaggio Aero Industries S.p.A.:

Amendment 39–12140; Docket No.

2000–CE–67–AD.

(a) What airplanes are affected by this AD?

This AD affects Model P–180 airplanes, all

serial numbers, that are certificated in any

category.

(b) Who must comply with this AD?

Anyone who wishes to operate any of the

above airplanes must comply with this AD.

(c) What problem does this AD address?

The actions specified by this AD are intended

to detect and remove problem flap actuators

from service. Continued operation with

problem actuators could result in flap system

failure, with consequent reduction in, or loss

of, control of the airplane.

(d) What actions must I accomplish to

address this problem? To address this

problem, you must accomplish the following:

Actions Compliance Procedures

(1) Inspect the flap actuators for incorrect maneuvering and evidence of

grease and oxidation

around the gear box (actuators with any of these

conditions are referred to

as problem actuators)

Upon accumulating 600

hours time-in-service

(TIS) on the flap actuators or within the next

100 hours TIS after April

27, 2001 (the effective

date of this AD), whichever occurs later

In accordance with the ACCOMPLISHMENT INSTRUCTIONS section of Piaggio

Mandatory Service Bulletin No. SB–80–0120, Original Issue: July 20, 2000.

(2) If you do not find any

problem actuators, repeat

the inspection until you

have either:

(i) replaced all flap actuators with part number (P/

N) C154183–1 and

C154184–1 (or FAA-approved equivalent part

numbers) actuators; or

(ii) repaired or modified the

P/N C132277–3 and

C132277–4 (or FAA-approved equivalent part

numbers) to the P/N

C154183–1 and

C154184–1 design level

Within 100 hours TIS after

the inspection required in

paragraph (d)(1) of this

AD and thereafter at intervals not to exceed 100

hours TIS

Inspect in accordance with the ACCOMPLISHMENT INSTRUCTIONS section of

Piaggio Mandatory Service Bulletin No. SB–80–0120, Original Issue: July 20,

2000. Accomplish the replacement in accordance with the instructions in the

maintenance manual. Accomplish the repair or modification in accordance with instructions received from Piaggio at the address given in paragraph (h) of this AD.

(3) If you find problem actuators during any inspection required by this AD,

immediately replace the

flap actuators with P/N

C154183–1 and

C154184–1 (or FAA-approved equivalent part

numbers); or repair to the

P/N C154183–1 and

C154184–1 design level

Prior to further flight after

the inspection where you

find a problem actuator

Accomplish the replacement in accordance with the instructions in the maintenance

manual. Accomplish the repair or modification in accordance with instructions received from Piaggio at the address given in paragraph (h) of this AD.

14312 Federal Register / Vol. 66, No. 48 / Monday, March 12, 2001 / Rules and Regulations

Actions Compliance Procedures

(4) Only install flap actuators that are one of the

following:

(i) P/N C154183–1 and

C154184–1 (or FAA-approved equivalent part

numbers); or

(ii) P/N C132277–3 and

C132277–4 (or FAA-approved equivalent part

numbers) that have been

repaired or modified to

the P/N C154183–1 and

C154184–1 design level.

As of April 27, 2001 (the effective date of this AD)Not applicable.

Note 1: Inspecting the flap actuators for

incorrect maneuvering involves running a

complete cycle of flap extension and

retraction and monitoring the time of

movement and observing for abnormal noise

coming from the actuator gear box. The

service information describes this procedure.

(e) Can I comply with this AD in any other

way? You may use an alternative method of

compliance or adjust the compliance time if:

(1) Your alternative method of compliance

provides an equivalent level of safety; and

(2) The Manager, Small Airplane

Directorate, approves your alternative.

Submit your request through an FAA

Principal Maintenance Inspector, who may

add comments and then send it to the

Manager, Small Airplane Directorate.

Note 2: This AD applies to each airplane

identified in paragraph (a) of this AD,

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 (e)

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 you have not

eliminated the unsafe condition, specific

actions you propose to address it.

(f) Where can I get information about any

already-approved alternative methods of

compliance? Contact Roman Gabrys,

Aerospace Engineer, FAA, Small Airplane

Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas

City, Missouri 64106; telephone: (816) 329–

4141; facsimile: (816) 329–4090.

(g) What if I need to fly the airplane to

another location to comply with this AD? The

FAA can issue a special flight permit under

sections 21.197 and 21.199 of the Federal

Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 21.197 and

21.199) to operate your airplane to a location

where you can accomplish the requirements

of this AD.

(h) Are any service bulletins incorporated

into this AD by reference? Actions required

by this AD must be done in accordance with

Piaggio Mandatory Service Bulletin No. SB–

80–0120, Original Issue: July 20, 2000. The

Director of the Federal Register approved this

incorporation by reference under 5 U.S.C.

552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. You can get copies

from Piaggio Aero Industries S.p.A, Via

Cibrario 4, 16154 Genoa, Italy. You can look

at copies at the FAA, Central Region, Office

of the Regional Counsel, 901 Locust, Room

506, Kansas City, Missouri, or at the Office

of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol

Street, NW, suite 700, Washington, DC.

(i) When does this amendment become

effective? This amendment becomes effective

on April 27, 2001.

Note 3: The subject of this AD is addressed

in Italian AD N2000–392, dated August 7,

2000.

Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on

February 26, 2001.

Michael Gallagher,

Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft

Certification Service.

[FR Doc. 01–5495 Filed 3–9–01; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4910–13–P

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 97

[Docket No. 30235; Amdt. No. 2040]

Standard Instrument Approach

Procedures; Miscellaneous

Amendments

AGENCY: Federal Aviation

Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

SUMMARY: This amendment establishes,

amends, suspends, or revokes Standard

Instrument Approach Procedures

(SIAPs) for operations at certain

airports. These regulatory actions are

needed because of changes occurring in

the National Airspace System, such as

the commissioning of new navigational

facilities, addition of new obstacles, or

changes in air traffic requirements.

These changes are designed to provide

safe and efficient use of the navigable

airspace and to promote safe flight

operations under instrument flight rules

at the affected airports.

DATES: An effective date for each SIAP

is specified in the amendatory

provisions.

Incorporation by reference-approved

by the Director of the Federal Register

on December 31, 1980, and reapproved

as of January 1, 1982.

ADDRESSES: Availability of matter

incorporated by reference in the

amendment is as follows:

For Examination

1. FAA Rules Docket, FAA

Headquarters Building, 800

Independence Avenue, SW.,

Washington, DC 20591;

2. The FAA Regional Office of the

region in which affected airport is

located; or

3. The Flight Inspection Area Office

which originated the SIAP.

For Purchase

Individual SIAP copies may be

obtained from:

1. FAA Public Inquiry Center (APA–

200), FAA Headquarters Building, 800

Independence Avenue, SW.,

Washington, DC 20591; or

2. The FAA Regional Office of the

region in which the affected airport is

located.

By Subscription

Copies of all SIAPs, mailed once

every 2 weeks, are for sale by the

Superintendent of Documents, U.S.

Government Printing Office,

Washington, DC 20402.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Donald P. Pate, Flight Procedure

Standards Branch (AMCAFS–420),

Flight Technologies and Programs

Division, Flight Standards Service,

Federal Aviation Administration, Mike

Monroney Aeronautical Center, 6500

South MacArthur Blvd. Oklahoma City,

OK 73169 (Mail Address: P.O. Box

25082 Oklahoma City, OK 73125)

telephone: (405) 954–4164.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This

amendment to part 97 of the Federal