DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2019-0412; Product Identifier 2018-CE-030-AD; Amendment
39-21253; AD 2020-19-10]
RIN 2120-AA64

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

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for
Piaggio Aero Industries S.p.A. Model P-180 airplanes. This AD results
from mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) issued 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 insufficient sealing of a steering select/bypass valve
installed in the nose landing gear (NLG) manifold. The FAA is issuing
this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective November 3, 2020.
The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by
reference of certain publications listed in this AD as of November 3,
2020.

ADDRESSES: For service information identified in this final rule,
contact Piaggio Aero Industries S.p.A, Airworthiness Office, Via
Pionieri e Aviatori d'Italia snc, 16154 Genova, Italy; phone: +39 010
0998046; email: airworthiness@piaggioaerospace.it; and internet:
https://www.piaggioaerospace.it/en/customer-support. You may review
this referenced service information at the FAA, Airworthiness Products
Section, Operational Safety Branch, 901 Locust, Kansas City, Missouri
64106. For information on the availability of this material at the FAA,
call (816) 329-4148. It is also available on the internet at https://www.
regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2019-0412.

Examining the AD Docket

You may examine the AD docket on the internet at https://www.regulations.
gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2019-
0412; or in person at Docket Operations between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.,
Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The AD docket contains
this final rule, any comments received, and other information. The
address for Docket Operations is Docket Operations, U.S. Department of
Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor,
Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mike Kiesov, Aerospace Engineer, FAA,
General Aviation & Rotorcraft Section, International Validation Branch,
901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, Missouri 64106; telephone: (816)
329-4144; fax: (816) 329-4090; email: mike.kiesov@faa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Discussion

The FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14
CFR part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to all Piaggio Aero
Industries S.p.A. Model P-180 airplanes. The NPRM published in the
Federal Register on June 5, 2019 (84 FR 26025). The NPRM proposed to
correct an unsafe condition for the specified products and was based on
mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) originated by the
European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the Technical Agent
for the Member States of the European Union. EASA issued AD No. 2017-
0229, dated November 21, 2017 (referred to after this as ``the MCAI''),
which states:

An occurrence was reported of finding insufficient sealing of a
Steering Select/Bypass Valve installed on the nose landing gear
(NLG) Steering Manifold of a P.180 aeroplane.
This condition, if not detected and corrected, could lead to
uncommanded deflection of the NLG wheel, possibly resulting in
reduced control of the aeroplane on the ground, with consequent
damage to the aeroplane and injury to occupants.
To address this potential unsafe condition, PAI issued Service
Bulletin (SB) 80-0325 to provide inspection and rectification
instructions.
For the reason described above, this [EASA] AD requires a leak
test of the NLG Steering Manifold and, depending on the finding(s),
accomplishment of applicable corrective action(s). This [EASA] AD
also requires amendment of the applicable Aircraft Flight Manual
(AFM).

The MCAI further notes that airplanes with NLG steering manifold
part number 72608 installed are known to include manufacturing serial
numbers 1001, 3001, 3003, 3004, 3006, 3007, and 3008, and also include
airplanes that have incorporated Piaggio Aerospace Service Bulletin No.
80-0425, Revision 0, dated March 30, 2017, and Piaggio Aerospace
Service Bulletin No. 80-0454, Revision 0, March 6, 2017. You may
examine the MCAI on the internet at https://www.regulations.gov by
searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2019-0412.

Comments

The FAA gave the public the opportunity to participate in
developing this final rule. No comments were received on the NPRM or on
the determination of the cost to the public.

Conclusion

The FAA reviewed the relevant data and determined that air safety
and the public interest require adopting this final rule as proposed.

Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51

The FAA reviewed Piaggio Aerospace Service Bulletin No. 80-0325,
Revision 0, dated August 10, 2017 (SB 80-0325), and Piaggio Aerospace
P.180 AVANTI II/EVO Temporary Change No. 89, dated August 30, 2017
(Temporary Change 89), to the airplane flight manual (AFM). SB 80-0325
contains procedures for doing a NLG steering manifold leakage test.
Temporary Change 89 contains emergency operating procedures for the
pilot to follow if the NLG steering system fails. 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.

Other Related Service Information

The FAA reviewed Piaggio Aerospace Service Bulletin No. 80-0425,
Revision 0, dated March 30, 2017 (SB 80-0425); Piaggio Aerospace
Service Bulletin No. 80-0454, Revision 0, March 6, 2017 (SB 80-0454);
and Temporary Change No. 89 Errata Corrige, dated December 20, 2017
(Temporary Change 89EC). SB 80-0425 and SB 80-0454 both contain
procedures for replacing the main landing gear and the NLG steering
system on the applicable airplanes. Temporary Change 89EC revises the
cover page of Temporary Change 89 to clarify the applicability of the
change.

Costs of Compliance

The FAA estimates that this AD will affect 130 products of U.S.
registry. The FAA also estimates that it will take about 2.5 work-hours
per product to comply with the basic requirements of this AD. The
average labor rate is $85 per work-hour.
Based on these figures, the FAA estimates the cost of this AD on
U.S. operators to be $27,625, or $212.50 per product.

If necessary, the FAA estimates that replacing a NLG steering
manifold would take about 10 work-hours and require parts costing
$50,058, for a cost of $50,908 per product. The FAA has no way of
determining the number of products that may need these actions.

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.
The FAA is 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

This AD will not have federalism implications under Executive Order
13132. This AD 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.
For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this AD:
(1) Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive
Order 12866,
(2) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, 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.

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 FAA amends 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 airworthiness
directive (AD):