AD 2013-18-04 Airworthiness Directives; PIAGGIO AERO INDUSTRIES S.p.A Airplanes

Models named: 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 P-180 airplanes, all serial numbers, certificated in any category.

Unless already done, do the following actions in paragraphs (f)(1) through (f)(8), including all subparagraphs, of this AD: (1) Within the next 200 landings after October 18, 2013 (the effective date of this AD), or within the next 3 months after October 18, 2013 (the effective date of this AD), whichever occurs first, and before further flight after each MLG replacement, visually inspect each MLG LHF for cracks and verify freedom of rotation of the MLG wheel lever subassemblies. Do the inspection following Part 1 of the Accomplishment Instructions in PIAGGIO AERO INDUSTRIES S.p.A. Mandatory Service Bulletin No. 80-0345, dated September 20, 2012; and Paragraph A of the Accomplishment Instructions in Appendix A of PIAGGIO AERO INDUSTRIES S.p.A. Mandatory Service Bulletin No. 80-0345, dated September 20, 2012, which includes Messier-Dowty Service Bulletin No. P180-32-32, dated September 10, 2012. The compliance times for the entire AD are presented in landings; however, it is not mandatory to track landings for this class of airplane. If an operator does not track landings, 1 hour time-in-service (TIS) corresponds to 1 landing for compliance with this AD. (2) If, during the inspection required in paragraph (f)(1) of this AD, freedom of rotation of the MLG wheel lever subassembly is not assured, before further flight, mark the LHF on the affected MLG as “inspect as per SB-80-0345” with an indelible pen, and replace the MLG with a serviceable part as defined in paragraph (f)(7) of this AD. Do the replacement following Part 1 of the Accomplishment Instructions in PIAGGIO AERO INDUSTRIES S.p.A. Mandatory Service Bulletin No. 80-0345, dated September 20, 2012. The newly installed MLG is subject to the inspection requirement specified in paragraph (f)(1) of this AD and all repetitive inspection requirements specified in paragraphs (f)(3) and (f)(4) of this AD. (3) Within the compliance times specified in paragraphs (f)(3)(i), (f)(3)(ii), and (f)(3)(iii) of this AD, and repetitively thereafter at intervals not to exceed 200 landings, do a detailed visual inspection of each MLG LHF for cracks. Do the inspection following Part 2 of the Accomplishment Instructions in PIAGGIO AERO INDUSTRIES S.p.A. Mandatory Service Bulletin No. 80-0345, dated September 20, 2012; and Paragraph B of the Accomplishment Instructions in Appendix A of PIAGGIO AERO INDUSTRIES S.p.A. Mandatory Service Bulletin No. 80-0345, dated September 20, 2012, which includes Messier-Dowty Service Bulletin No. P180-32-32, dated September 10, 2012. (i) As of October 18, 2013 (the effective date of this AD), if the MLG LHF has accumulated 2,300 landings or less since new, inspect before exceeding 2,500 landings since new. (ii) As of October 18, 2013 (the effective date of this AD), if the MLG LHF has accumulated more than 2,300 landings since new, but less than 2,500 landings since new, inspect within the next 200 landings after October 18, 2013 (the effective date of this AD). (iii) As of October 18, 2013 (the effective date of this AD), if the MLG LHF has accumulated 2,500 landings or more since new, inspect within the next 200 landings after October 18, 2013 (the effective date of this AD), or within the next 3 months after October 18, 2013 (the effective date of this AD), whichever occurs first. (4) Within the compliance times specified in paragraphs (f)(3)(i), (f)(3)(ii), and (f)(3)(iii) of this AD and repetitively thereafter at intervals not to exceed 750 landings, do a fluorescent penetrant inspection on each MLG LHF for cracks. Do the inspection following Part 3 of the Accomplishment Instructions in PIAGGIO AERO INDUSTRIES S.p.A. Mandatory Service Bulletin No. 80-0345, dated September 20, 2012; and Paragraph C in Appendix A of PIAGGIO AERO INDUSTRIES S.p.A. Mandatory Service Bulletin No. 80-0345, dated September 20, 2012, which includes Messier-Dowty Service Bulletin No. P180-32-32, dated September 10, 2012. (5) If, during any inspection required by paragraphs (f)(1), (f)(3), (f)(4), (f)(7), and (f)(8) of this AD, including all subparagraphs, any crack is found, before further flight, replace the MLG with a serviceable part as defined in paragraph (f)(7) of this AD. Do the replacement following the Accomplishment Instructions in PIAGGIO AERO INDUSTRIES S.p.A. Mandatory Service Bulletin No. 80-0345, dated September 20, 2012. The newly installed MLG is subject to the inspection requirement specified in paragraph (f)(1) of this AD and all repetitive inspection requirements specified in paragraphs (f)(3) and (f)(4) of this AD. (6) Within 30 days after each MLG replacement, submit an inspection result report to PIAGGIO AERO INDUSTRIES S.p.A at the address specified in paragraph (h) of this AD using the Confirmation Slip attached to PIAGGIO AERO INDUSTRIES S.p.A. Mandatory Service Bulletin No. 80-0345, dated September 20, 2012. (7) For the purpose of this AD, a “serviceable” MLG is defined as an airworthy MLG that has had the freedom of rotation verified before installation and that has been inspected following paragraphs (f)(3), (f)(4), and (f)(8) (paragraph (f)(8) only applies if the LHF on the MLG has been marked “inspect as per SB-80-0345” as specified in paragraph (f)(2) of this AD) of this AD, including all subparagraphs, and is found free of cracks. If status of detailed visual inspections intervals, fluorescent penetrant inspections intervals, or landings since new cannot be determined from the Authorized Release Certificate of the MLG to be installed, before next flight after installation, inspect the MLG LHF as specified in paragraphs (f)(1), (f)(3), and (f)(4) of this AD. For the purpose of this AD, a serviceable MLG replacement is defined in paragraphs (f)(7)(i), (f)(7)(ii), and (f)(7)(iii) of this AD. All newly installed MLG LHF is subject to the inspections required in paragraphs (f)(1), (f)(3), and (f)(4) of this AD. (i) Remove the unserviceable MLG and replace it with a different serviceable MLG. (ii) Rework the unserviceable MLG following Part 2 and Part 3 of the Accomplishment Instructions in PIAGGIO AERO INDUSTRIES S.p.A. Mandatory Service Bulletin No. 80-0345, dated September 20, 2012, until it passes the check for freedom of rotation and no cracks are found. (iii) Replace the cracked LHF in the unserviceable MLG with a new LHF and, after LHF replacement, check the MLG for freedom of rotation. (8) As of October 18, 2013 (the effective date of this AD), any MLG with LHF marked “inspect as per SB 80-0345” that was removed as specified in paragraph (f)(2) of this AD may be reinstalled provided that before installation, freedom of rotation has been restored. Before further flight after installation, the MLG LHF must be inspected as specified in paragraphs (f)(1), (f)(3), and (f)(4) of this AD. Continue thereafter with the repetitive inspections at the intervals specified in paragraphs (f)(3) and (f)(4) of this AD.

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.

This AD was prompted by 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 cracks at the joint between the hinge pin sub-assembly and the lock pin of the main landing gear (MLG) lever hinge fitting (LHF). We are issuing this AD to prevent structural failure of the MLG LHF, which could result in loss of control during take-off or landing runs.

None.