AD 2001-05-04

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 systemfailure, with consequent reduction in, or loss of, control of the airplane.

Final rule

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 theACCOMPLISHMENT
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.
(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.

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 reviewof 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 X $60 per
hour = $60
No parts required for the
inspection.
$60
. $60 X 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 X $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.

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: