AD 2011-24-01 Airworthiness Directives; Piaggio Aero Industries S.p.A. Airplanes

Makes named: dowty. Models named: PIAGGIO P-180. Read the applicability below — it usually turns on serial or part numbers too.

This AD applies to PIAGGIO AERO INDUSTRIES S.p.A Model PIAGGIO P-180 airplanes, all serial numbers, that are: (1) Certificated in any category; and (2) Have any of the following main landing gear (MLG) actuators installed: (i) Messier-Dowty Part Number (P/N) 114346003 (left hand side): with serial number (S/N) SA0706275, SA0706276, SA0706726, SA0706727, SA0706728, SA0706729, SA0706738, SA0706739,SA0707243, SA0707864, or SA0708072; or (ii) Messier-Dowty P/N 114346004 (right hand side): with S/N SA0703800, SA0703801, SA0705520, SA0706219, SA0706960, or SA0706961.

Unless already done, do the following actions: (1) Within 25 hours time-in-service (TIS) after December 22, 2011 (the effective date of this AD), inspect both installed MLG actuators to determine if an affected P/N and S/N actuator is installed. (2) If any affected P/N and S/N actuator is identified with the “P180-32-29” marking on the name plate, no further action is required by this AD on that actuator. (3) If one or both affected MLG actuators are not identified with the “P180-32-29” marking on the name plate, before reaching a total of 3,000 landings on the actuator or within the next 150 landings after December 22, 2011 (the effective date of this AD), whichever occurs later, replace the affected actuator(s) with serviceable parts following Part B of the Accomplishments Instructions of Piaggio Aero Industries S.p.A. Mandatory Service Bulletin No. 80-0304, dated July 9, 2010. If landing data is not available, the use of a one-to-one landing to flight hour conversion must be applied (example: 3,000 landings equal 3,000 hours TIS). (4) After December 22, 2011 (the effective date of this AD), do not install any MLG actuator having an affected P/N and S/N, unless it is identified with the “P180-32-29” marking on the name plate. Note 1: There is a warranty expiration date for the replacement of the actuators. The FAA recommends owners/operators that have affected main landing gear actuators contact the manufacturer immediately and replace the actuators under warranty. FAA AD Differences Note 2: This AD differs from the MCAI and/or service information as follows: None.

The following provisions also apply to this AD: (1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager, Standards Office, FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. Send information to ATTN: 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 . Before using any approved AMOC on any airplane to which the AMOC applies, notify your appropriate principal inspector (PI) in the FAA Flight Standards District Office (FSDO), or lacking a PI, your local FSDO. (2) Airworthy Product: For any requirement in this AD to obtain corrective actions from a manufacturer or other source, use these actions if they are FAA-approved. Corrective actions are considered FAA-approved if they are approved by the State of Design Authority (or their delegated agent). You are required to assure the product is airworthy before it is returned to service. (3) Reporting Requirements: For any reporting requirement in this AD, a federal agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to, nor shall a person be subject to a penalty for failure to comply with a collection of information subject to the requirements of the Paperwork Reduction Act unless that collection of information displays a current valid OMB Control Number. The OMB Control Number for this information collection is 2120-0056. Public reporting for this collection of information is estimated to be approximately 5 minutes per response, including the time for reviewing instructions, completing and reviewing the collection of information. All responses to this collection of information are mandatory. Comments concerning the accuracy of this burden and suggestions for reducing the burden should be directed to the FAA at: 800 Independence Ave. SW., Washington, DC 20591, Attn: Information Collection Clearance Officer, AES-200.

The mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) states: Some lock sleeves (part number (P/N) 114146681), which were installed in some Main Landing Gear (MLG) actuators, had been incorrectly manufactured. If left uncorrected, this condition could lead to failure to lock the MLG actuator or to its unlock from the correct position, with subsequent possible damage to the aeroplane and injuries to occupants during landing. This AD requires replacing defective MLG actuators with serviceable ones. Defective actuators can be repaired by the manufacturer and identified with the “P180-32-29” marking on the name plate.

None.