AD 99-11-06

This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) that applies to all Industrie Aeronautiche e Meccaniche (I.A.M.) Model Piaggio P-180 airplanes. This AD requires inspecting both (left and right wing configurations) environmental control system bleed tubes for damage, leakage, and a correct gap between the tube and wing lower panel crossing area, inspecting the wiring and surrounding structures for damage, and correcting any discrepancies found. 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 prevent thermal expansion from causing leakage of an environmental control system bleed tube because of improper installation, which could result in deterioration of the electrical wiring and the surrounding structure.

Final rule.

99-11-06 INDUSTRIE AERONAUTICHE E MECCANICHE: Amendment 39-11176; Docket No. 98-CE-96-AD.

Applicability: Model Piaggio P-180 airplanes, all serial numbers up to and including serial number 1031, certificated in any category.

NOTE 1: This AD applies to each airplane identified in the preceding applicability provision, 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 (f) 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 the unsafe condition has not been eliminated, the request should include specific proposed actions to address it.

Compliance: Requiredas indicated in the body of this AD, unless already accomplished.

To prevent thermal expansion from causing leakage of the environmental control system bleed tube because of improper installation, which could result in deterioration of the electrical wiring and the surrounding structure, accomplish the following:

(a) Within the next 100 hours time-in-service (TIS) after the effective date of this AD, inspect both (left and right wing configurations) environmental control system bleed tubes for damage (dents), leakage, and a correct gap between the tube and wing lower panel crossing area. Accomplish these actions in accordance with Part A of Piaggio Service Bulletin (Mandatory) No.: SB-80-0072, Revision No. 1, dated September 9, 1998.

(b) If any environmental control system bleed tube is found damaged during the inspection required by paragraph (a) of this AD, prior to further flight, replace the damaged environmental control system bleed tube. Accomplish this action inaccordance with Part B of Piaggio Service Bulletin (Mandatory) No.: SB-80-0072, Revision No. 1, dated September 9, 1998.

(c) If any leakage is found during the inspection required by paragraph (a) of this AD, prior to further flight, inspect the wiring and surrounding structures for damage, and repair any damaged wiring or surrounding structures. Accomplish the inspection in accordance with Piaggio Service Bulletin (Mandatory) No.: SB-80-0072, Revision No. 1, dated September 9, 1998, and any repair in accordance with the applicable maintenance manual or other applicable FAA-approved document.

(d) If any incorrect gap between the tube and wing lower panel crossing area is found during the inspection required by paragraph (a) of this AD, prior to further flight, rotate the bleed tube to match the necessary gap. Accomplish this action in accordance with Part B of Piaggio Service Bulletin (Mandatory) No.: SB-80-0072, Revision No. 1, dated September 9, 1998.

NOTE 2: PartC of Piaggio Service Bulletin (Mandatory) No.: SB-80-0072; Revision No. 1, dated September 9, 1998, includes procedures for accomplishing this AD for those airplanes where the Original Issue of the above-referenced service bulletin was already incorporated. For those owners/operators who have already accomplished the actions specified in Piaggio Service Bulletin (Mandatory) No.: SB-80-0072, Original Issue: June 5, 1998, only these procedures in Part C apply.

(e) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with sections 21.197 and 21.199 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 21.197 and 21.199) to operate the airplane to a location where the requirements of this AD can be accomplished.

(f) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the compliance times that provides an equivalent level of safety may be approved by the Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, 1201 Walnut, suite 900, Kansas City, Missouri 64106. The request shall be forwarded through an appropriate FAA Maintenance Inspector, who may add comments and then send it to the Manager, Small Airplane Directorate.

NOTE 3: Information concerning the existence of approved alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be obtained from the Small Airplane Directorate.

(g) Questions or technical information related to Piaggio Service Bulletin (Mandatory) No.: SB-80-0072, Revision No. 1, dated September 9, 1998, should be directed to I.A.M. Rinaldo Piaggio S.p.A., Via Cibrario, 4 16154 Genoa, Italy. This service information may be examined at the FAA, Central Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, Room 1558, 601 E. 12th Street, Kansas City, Missouri 64106.

(h) The inspections, replacement, and modification required by this AD shall be done in accordance with Piaggio Service Bulletin (Mandatory) No.: SB-80-0072, Revision No. 1, dated September 9, 1998. This incorporation by reference was approved by the Director of the Federal Register in accordance with 5U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. Copies may be obtained from I.A.M. Rinaldo Piaggio S.p.A., Via Cibrario, 4 16154 Genoa, Italy. Copies may be inspected at the FAA, Central Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, Room 1558, 601 E. 12th Street, Kansas City, Missouri, or at the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW, suite 700, Washington, DC.

NOTE 4: The subject of this AD is addressed in Italian AD 98-329, dated September 18, 1998.

(i) This amendment becomes effective on July 5, 1999.

Events Leading to the Issuance of This AD
A proposal to amend part 39 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR part 39) to include an AD that would apply to all I.A.M. Model Piaggio P-180 airplanes was published in the Federal Register as a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) on February 18, 1999 (64 FR 8020). The NPRM proposed to require inspecting both (left and right wing configurations) environmental control system bleed tubes for damage (dents), leakage, and a correct gap between the tube and wing lower panel crossing area. If any environmental control system bleed tube is found damaged beyond certain limits or an incorrect gap between the tube and wing lower panel crossing area is found, the NPRM proposed to require replacing the bleed tube and rotating the bleed tube to match the necessary gap, as applicable. The NPRM also proposed to require inspecting the wiring and surrounding structures for damage if any leakage is found, and repairingany damaged wiring or surrounding structures.

Accomplishment of the proposed action as specified in the NPRM would be required in accordance with Piaggio Service Bulletin (Mandatory) No.: SB-80-0072, Revision No. 1, dated September 9, 1998.

The NPRM was the result of mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) issued by the airworthiness authority for Italy.

Interested persons have been 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.

The FAA's Determination
After careful review of all available information related to the subject presented above, the FAA has determined that air safety and the public interest require the adoption of the rule as proposed except for minor editorial corrections. The FAA has 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
The FAA estimates that 5 airplanes in the U.S. registry will be affected by the inspection, that it will take approximately 5 work hours per airplane to accomplish the inspection, and that the average labor rate is approximately $60 an hour. Based on these figures, the total cost impact of the inspection on U.S. operators is estimated to be $1,500, or $300 per airplane. These figures only take into account the costs of the inspection of the environmental control system bleed tubes and do not take into account the costs of any necessary follow-up action.
If any damage is found during the above-referenced inspection, the costs to accomplish any follow-up actions (tube replacement/gap adjustment/follow-up inspections) will take approximately 8 work hours per airplane to accomplish at an average labor rate of approximately $60 an hour. Parts cost approximately $500. Based on these figures, the total cost impact of any necessary follow-upactions is estimated at $980 per airplane.

Regulatory Impact
The regulations adopted herein will not have substantial direct effects 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, in accordance with Executive Order 12612, it is determined that this final rule does not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant the preparation of a Federalism Assessment.

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 containedin 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, pursuant to 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. Section 39.13 is amended by adding a new airworthiness directive (AD) to read as follows: