AD 97-14-14

This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) that applies to certain Industrie Aeronautiche E Meccaniche (I.A.M.) Model Piaggio P-180 airplanes that are equipped with a certain freon air conditioning system. This AD requires inspecting the baggage compartment for stringer or air cycle machine (ACM) by-pass duct damage, repairing any damage found, and modifying the freon air inlet duct and electrical wiring. This AD results from trim system malfunction on one of the affected airplanes, resulting from contact between the freon air inlet duct and the electrical wiring. The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent trim system malfunction caused by contact between the freon air inlet duct and electrical wiring, which could result in loss of control of the airplane.

Final rule.

97-14-14 INDUSTRIE AERONAUTICHE E MECCHANICHE: Amendment 39-10072; Docket No. 96-CE-62-AD.

Applicability: Model Piaggio P-180 airplanes, serial numbers 1004 and 1006 through 1030, certificated in any category, that have either a freon air conditioning system incorporated in accordance with I.A.M. Kit 80KS00004-*** (801/803/805/807) or a Keith Freon Air Conditioning System installed in accordance with Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) SA2762CE.

NOTE 1: The modification required by this AD is incorporated at manufacture on Model Piaggio P-180 airplanes, beginning with serial number 1031. Airplanes with this modification are not affected by this AD.

NOTE 2: 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 within the next 100 hours time-in-service after the effective date of this AD, unless already accomplished.

To prevent trim system malfunction caused by contact between the freon air inlet duct and electrical wiring, which could result in loss of control of the airplane, accomplish the following:

(a) Inspect the baggage compartment for stringer or air cycle machine (ACM) by-pass duct damage (cracks, frays, nicks, dents, etc.) in accordance with the ACCOMPLISHMENT INSTRUCTIONS section of Piaggio Avante P-180 Service Bulletin (SB) 80-00083, Original Issue: December 7, 1994; Revision No. 1: December 5, 1995. If any parts are damaged, prior to further flight, repair or replace the damaged part in accordance with the applicable maintenance manual.

(b) Modify the freon air inlet duct and electrical wiring (Modification No. 80M000014) in accordance with the ACCOMPLISHMENT INSTRUCTIONS section of Piaggio Avante P-180 SB 80-00083, Original Issue: December 7, 1994; Revision No. 1: December 5, 1995.

(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 time that provides an equivalent level of safety may be approved by the Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, FAA, 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.

(e) The inspection and modification required by this AD shall be done in accordance with Piaggio Avante P-180 SB 80-00083, Original Issue: December 7, 1994; Revision No. 1: December 5, 1995. 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 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 Assistant Chief 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.

(f) This amendment becomes effective on August 29, 1997.

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 of the same type design that have either a freon air conditioning system incorporated in accordance with I.A.M. Kit 80KS00004-*** (801/803/805/807) or a Keith Freon Air Conditioning System installed in accordance with Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) SA2762CE was published in the Federal Register as a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) on February 14, 1997 (62 FR 6890). The NPRM proposed to require inspecting the baggage compartment for stringer or air cycle machine (ACM) by-pass duct damage, repairing any damage found, and modifying the freon air inlet duct and electrical wiring (Modification No. 80M000014). Accomplishment of the proposed inspection and modification as specified in the NPRM would be in accordance with Piaggio Avante P-180 Service Bulletin 80-00083, Original Issue: December 7, 1994; Revision No. 1: December 5, 1995.

The NPRM was the result of trim system malfunction on one of the affected airplanes, resulting from contact between the freon air inlet duct and the electrical wiring.

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 affectedby this AD, that it will take approximately 18 workhours (inspection: 2 workhours; modification: 16 workhours) per airplane to accomplish the required action, and that the average labor rate is approximately $60 an hour. Parts cost approximately $100 per airplane. Based on these figures, the total cost impact of the AD on U.S. operators is estimated to be $5,900 or $1,180 per airplane.

The above figures only take into account the cost of the inspection and modification, and do not account for the cost of replacing any parts found damaged during the inspection. The FAA has no way of determining how many airplanes may be found damaged during the inspections.

The FAA knows of no affected airplane owner/operator (of the five affected) that has already accomplished the required action.

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 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, 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 USC 106(g), 40113, 44701.

39.13 [Amended]
2. Section 39.13 is amended by adding a new airworthiness directive (AD) to read as follows: