AD 98-12-13 Airworthiness Directives; Industrie Aeronautiche e Meccaniche Model Piaggio P-180 Airplanes

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

Model Piaggio P-180 airplanes, serial numbers 1001, 1002, 1004, and 1006 through 1033, certificated in any category. Note 1: This AD applies to each airplane identified in the preceding applicability provision, regardless of whether it has been modified, altered, or repaired in the area subject to the requirements of this AD. For airplanes that have been modified, altered, or repaired so that the performance of the requirements of this AD is affected, the owner/operator must request approval for an alternative method of compliance in accordance with paragraph (c) of this AD. The request should include an assessment of the effect of the modification, alteration, or repair on the unsafe condition addressed by this AD; and, if the unsafe condition has not been eliminated, the request should include specific proposed actions to address it.

Required within the next 150 hours time-in-service (TIS) after the effective date of this AD, unless already accomplished. To prevent low pitch stop switch support displacement, which could result in an improper cockpit indication that the propeller is in the Beta range and cause loss of control of the airplane, accomplish the following: (a) Modify the low pitch stop switch support in accordance with Industrie Aeronautiche e Meccaniche Piaggio Service Bulletin (Mandatory) No. SB-80-0080, dated July 3, 1997. (b) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with sections 21.197 and 21.199 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 21.197 and 21.199) to operate the airplane to a location where the requirements of this AD can be accomplished. (c) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the compliance time that provides an equivalent level of safety may be approved by the Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, 1201 Walnut, suite 900, Kansas City, Missouri 64106. The request shall be forwarded through an appropriate FAA Maintenance Inspector, who may add comments and then send it to the Manager, Small Airplane Directorate. Note 2: Information concerning the existence of approved alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be obtained from the Small Airplane Directorate. (d) Questions or technical information related to I.A.M. Piaggio Service Bulletin (Mandatory) No. SB-80-0080, dated July 3, 1997, should be directed to I.A.M. Rinaldo Piaggio S.p.A., Via Cibrario, 4 16154 Genoa, Italy. This service information may be examined at the FAA, Central Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, Room 1558, 601 E. 12th Street, Kansas City, Missouri 64106. (e) The modification required by this AD shall be done in accordance with I.A.M. Piaggio Service Bulletin (Mandatory) No. SB- 80-0080, dated July 3, 1997. This incorporation by reference was approved by the Director of the Federal Register in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. Copies may be obtained from I.A.M. Rinaldo Piaggio S.p.A., Via Cibrario, 4 16154 Genoa, Italy. Copies may be inspected at the FAA, Central Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, Room 1558, 601 E. 12th Street, Kansas City, Missouri, or at the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW, suite 700, Washington, DC. Note 3: The subject of this AD is addressed in Italian AD 97- 217, dated July 28, 1997. (f) This amendment becomes effective on July 18, 1998. Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on May 29, 1998. Michael Gallagher, Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. 98-15083 Filed 6-5-98; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910-13-U