AD 2014-03-20 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, manufacturer serial numbers 1002 and 1004 through 1231, certificated in any category.

Unless already done, do the following actions as specified in paragraphs (f)(1) through (f)(3) of this AD: (1) Within the next 200 hours time-in service (TIS) after April 1, 2014 (the effective date of this AD) or within the next 12 months after April 1, 2014 (the effective date of this AD), whichever occurs first, measure the clearances between the horns of the elevator and the end ribs of the horizontal stabilizer (HS) on left-hand (LH) and right-hand (RH) sides following Part A of the Accomplishment Instructions in Piaggio Aero Industries S.P.A. Mandatory Service Bulletin No.: 80-0381, Rev. 0, dated May 2, 2013. (2) If the clearance is less than 5 mm on the HS LH or RH side during the measurement as required by paragraph (f)(1) of this AD, before further flight, rework the affected elevator to restore the required minimum clearance between the horn of the elevator and the end rib of the horizontal stabilizer following Part B of the Accomplishment Instructions in Piaggio Aero Industries S.P.A. Mandatory Service Bulletin No.: 80-0381, Rev. 0, dated May 2, 2013. (3) Within 30 days after accomplishment of the measurement as required by paragraph (f)(1) of this AD, report the results to Piaggio Aero Industries S.P.A. following Part C of the Accomplishment Instructions in Piaggio Aero Industries S.P.A. Mandatory Service Bulletin No.: 80-0381, Rev. 0, dated May 2, 2013.

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.

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 insufficient clearance between one of the horizontal stabilizer end ribs and the corresponding elevator horn. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct insufficient clearance between one of the horizontal stabilizer end rib and the corresponding elevator horn, which could result in interference between the elevator and horizontal stabilizer surfaces, consequently resulting in restricted elevator control and reduced control of the airplane.

None.