DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2017-0648; Directorate Identifier 2017-CE-012-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64

Airworthiness Directives; Piaggio Aero Industries S.p.A. Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of
Transportation (DOT).

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: We propose to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for
Piaggio Aero Industries S.p.A. Model P-180 airplanes. This proposed AD
results from mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI)
originated by an aviation authority of another country to identify and
correct an unsafe condition on an aviation product. The MCAI describes
the unsafe condition as disbonding of the upper and lower metal skin
from the honeycomb core on the elevator assembly and other flight
control surfaces. We are issuing this proposed AD to require actions to
address the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by August 14, 2017.

ADDRESSES: You may send comments by any of the following methods:

Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the
instructions for submitting comments.

Fax: (202) 493-2251.

Mail: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30, West
Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE.,
Washington, DC 20590.

Hand Delivery: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New
Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.,
Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.

For service information identified in this proposed AD, contact
Piaggio Aero Industries S.p.A-Continued Airworthiness, Via Pionieri e
Aviatori d'Italia snc-16154 Genova, Italy; Telephone: +39 010 0998046;
Fax: None; email: airworthiness@piaggioaerospace.it; Internet:
www.piaggioaerospace.it/en/customer-support#care. You may review this
referenced service information at the FAA, Small Airplane Directorate,
901 Locust, Kansas City, Missouri 64106. For information on the
availability of this material at the FAA, call (816) 329-4148.

Examining the AD Docket

You may examine the AD docket on the Internet at http://www.regulations.
gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2017-0648;
or in person at the Docket Management Facility between 9 a.m. and
5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The AD docket
contains this proposed AD, the regulatory evaluation, any comments
received, and other information. The street address for the Docket
Office (telephone (800) 647-5527) is in the ADDRESSES section. Comments
will be available in the AD docket shortly after receipt.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mike Kiesov, Aerospace Engineer, FAA,
Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, Missouri
64106; telephone: (816) 329-4144; fax: (816) 329-4090; email:
mike.kiesov@faa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Comments Invited

We invite you to send any written relevant data, views, or
arguments about this proposed AD. Send your comments to an address
listed under the ADDRESSES section. Include "Docket No. FAA-2017-0648;
Directorate Identifier 2017-CE-012-AD" at the beginning of your
comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory,
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of this proposed AD. We
will consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend this
proposed AD because of those comments.

We will post all comments we receive, without change, to http://
regulations.gov, including any personal information you provide. We
will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact we
receive about this proposed AD.

Discussion

The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the Technical
Agent for the Member States of the European Community, has issued EASA
AD No.: 2017-0045, dated March 9, 2017 (referred to after this as "the
MCAI"), to correct an unsafe condition for the specified products. The
MCAI states:

During a post flight inspection of a right hand (RH) elevator
assembly, disbonding was detected on the upper and lower metal skin
from the honeycomb core. Subsequent investigation identified that a
manufacturing deficiency caused the detected disbonding and that
other flight control surfaces could potentially be affected by the
same deficiency.

This condition, if not detected and corrected, could reduce the
structural stiffness of the flight control surface and downgrade its
aerodynamic characteristics, possibly resulting in reduced control
of the aeroplane.

To address this potential unsafe condition, Piaggio Aero
Industries (PAI) issued Service Bulletin (SB) 80-0455 to provide
inspection instructions.

For the reasons described above, this [EASA] AD requires
repetitive inspections of the affected flight control assemblies
and, depending on findings, repair or replacement. This [EASA] AD
also requires reporting of the inspection result to PAI.

You may examine the MCAI on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov
by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2017-0648.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

Piaggio Aero Industries S.p.A has issued Piaggio Aero Industries
S.p.A. Mandatory Service Bulletin N.: 80-0455, dated: January 13, 2017.
The service information describes procedures for repetitive inspections
to verify the structural integrity of the flight control assemblies.
This service information is reasonably available because the interested
parties have access to it through their normal course of business or by
the means identified in the ADDRESSES section of this NPRM.

FAA's Determination and Requirements of the Proposed AD

This product has been approved by the aviation authority of another
country, and is approved for operation in the United States. Pursuant
to our bilateral agreement with this State of Design Authority, they
have notified us of the unsafe condition described in the MCAI and
service information referenced above. We are proposing this AD because
we evaluated all information and determined the unsafe condition exists
and is likely to exist or develop on other products of the same type
design.

Costs of Compliance

We estimate that this proposed AD will affect 103 products of U.S.
registry. We also estimate that it will take 9 work-hours per product
to comply with the basic requirements of the proposed AD. The average
labor rate is $85 per work-hour.

Based on these figures, we estimate the cost of the proposed AD on
U.S. operators to be $78,795, or $765 per product.

The scope of damage found in the required inspections could vary
significantly from airplane to airplane. We have no way of determining
how much damage may be found on each airplane or the cost to repair
damaged parts on each airplane.

In addition, we have no way of knowing how many products may need
replacement as a result of the required inspections. The following cost
estimates were obtained directly from the manufacturer and we estimate
that any necessary follow-on replacement actions would cost as follows:

(i) Control surface repair: 10 work-hours for a cost of $850 per
product.

(ii) Left Hand (LH) Forward Wing Flap Replacement: 4 work-hours and
require parts costing $30,079, for a total cost of $30,419.

(iii) Right Hand (RH) Forward Wing Flap Replacement: 4 work-hours
and require parts costing $30,079, for a total cost of $30,419.

(iv) LH Aileron Assembly: 7 work-hours and require parts costing
$40,715, for a total cost of $41,310.

(v) RH Aileron Assembly: 7 work-hours and require parts costing
$86,050, for a total cost of $86,645.

(vi) Main Wing LH Inboard Flap Assembly: 4 work-hours and require
parts costing $22,699, for a total cost of $23,039.

(vii) Main Wing RH Inboard Flap Assembly: 4 work-hours and require
parts costing $22,699, for a total cost of $23,039.

(viii) LH Elevator Assembly: 8 work-hours and require parts costing
$59,917, for a total cost of $60,597.

(ix) RH Elevator Assembly: 8 work-hours and require parts costing
$59,917, for a total cost of $60,597.

There is an additional 10 work-hours that may be required for post-
repair or post-installation replacment of flight control surface
adjustments and testing, for a total cost of $850.

Authority for This Rulemaking

Title 49 of the United States Code specifies the FAA's authority to
issue rules on aviation safety. Subtitle I, section 106, describes the
authority of the FAA Administrator. "Subtitle VII: Aviation
Programs," describes in more detail the scope of the Agency's
authority.

We are issuing this rulemaking under the authority described in
"Subtitle VII, Part A, Subpart III, Section 44701: General
requirements." Under that section, Congress charges the FAA with
promoting safe flight of civil aircraft in air commerce by prescribing
regulations for practices, methods, and procedures the Administrator
finds necessary for safety in air commerce. This regulation is within
the scope of that authority because it addresses an unsafe condition
that is likely to exist or develop on products identified in this
rulemaking action.

Regulatory Findings

We determined that this proposed AD would not have federalism
implications under Executive Order 13132. This proposed AD would 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.

For the reasons discussed above, I certify this proposed
regulation:

(1) Is not a "significant regulatory action" under Executive
Order 12866,

(2) Is not a "significant rule" under the DOT Regulatory Policies
and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979),

(3) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and

(4) 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.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by
reference, Safety.

The Proposed Amendment

Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the
Administrator, the FAA proposes to amend 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.

Sec. 39.13 [Amended]

2. The FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by adding the following new AD: