AD 98-08-05 ACTIVE

This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) that applies to certain Industrie Aeronautiche e Meccaniche (I.A.M.) Model Piaggio P-180 airplanes. This AD requires inspecting the main landing gear (MLG) for interference between the MLG drag brace link and the MLG retraction actuator, and modifying this area if interference is 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 MLG failure caused by interference between the MLG retraction actuator and the MLG drag brace link, which could result in loss of control of the airplane during landing operations.

Final rule.

98-08-05 INDUSTRIE AERONAUTICHE E MECCANICHE: Amendment 39-10454; Docket No. 97-CE-142-AD.

Applicability: Model Piaggio P-180 airplanes, serial numbers 1001, 1002, 1004 and 1006 through 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 (d) 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: Required asindicated in the body of this AD, unless already accomplished.

To prevent main landing gear (MLG) failure caused by interference between the MLG retraction actuator and the MLG drag brace link, which could result in loss of control of the airplane during landing operations, accomplish the following:

(a) Within the next 100 hours time-in-service (TIS) after the effective date of this AD, inspect the MLG for interference between the MLG drag brace link and the MLG retraction actuator. Accomplish this inspection in accordance with both Piaggio Service Bulletin No. SB-80-0064, dated December 5, 1994; and Dowty Aerospace Landing Gear Service Bulletin P180-32-11, dated September 26, 1994.

(b) If any interference is found between the MLG drag brace and the MLG retraction actuator during the inspection required by paragraph (a) of this AD, prior to further flight, modify this area in accordance with both Piaggio Service Bulletin No. SB-80-0064, dated December 5, 1994; and DowtyAerospace Landing Gear Service Bulletin P180-32-11, dated September 26, 1994.

(c) 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.

(d) 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 2: Information concerning the existence of approved alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be obtained from the Small Airplane Directorate.

(e) Questions or technical information related to the service information referred to in this document 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.

(f) The inspection and modification required by this AD shall be done in accordance with Piaggio Service Bulletin No. SB-80-0064, dated December 5, 1994; and Dowty Aerospace Landing Gear Service Bulletin P180-32-11, dated September 26, 1994. This incorporation by reference was approved by the Director of the Federal Register in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. Copies may be obtained from to 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.

(g) This amendment becomes effective on May 26, 1998.

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 certain I.A.M. Model Piaggio P-180 airplanes was published in the Federal Register as a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) on February 2, 1998 (63 FR 5325). The NPRM proposed to require inspecting the main landing gear (MLG) for interference between the MLG drag brace link and the MLG retraction actuator, and modifying this area if interference is found. Accomplishment of the proposed action as specified in the NPRM would be in accordance with Piaggio Service Bulletin No. SB-80-0064, dated December 5, 1994; and Dowty Aerospace Landing Gear Service Bulletin P180-32-11, dated September 26, 1994.

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 participatein 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 this AD, that it will take approximately 10 workhours per airplane to accomplish this inspection, and that the average labor rate is approximately $60 an hour. Based on these figures, the total cost impact of this AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $3,000, or $600 per airplane.

Regulatory Impact
The regulations adoptedherein 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 contained in the Rules Docket. A copy of it may be obtained by contacting the Rules Docket at thelocation 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:

Service information that applies to this AD may be obtained from I.A.M. Rinaldo Piaggio S.p.A., Via Cibrario, 4 16154 Genoa, Italy. This information may also be examined at the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Central Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, Attention: Rules Docket No. 97-CE-142-AD, Room 1558, 601 E. 12th Street, Kansas City, Missouri 64106; or at the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW, suite 700, Washington, DC.

David O. Keenan, Project Officer, FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service, 1201 Walnut, suite 900, Kansas City, Missouri 64106; telephone: (816) 426-6934; facsimile: (816) 426-2169.