Infrastructure

Airworthiness Directive: Piaggio Model P-180 Flap Transmission Shaft Inspection Requirement

🇺🇸United States··Final Rule·High Impact·View source ↗

AI-generated summary for informational purposes only. Not legal advice. See the original source for the authoritative text.

🇬🇧 English

The FAA has issued a new Airworthiness Directive (AD) targeting specific Baykar Piaggio Aerospace S.p.A. (formerly Piaggio Aviation S.p.A.) Model P-180 airplanes. The directive was triggered by a confirmed report of chafing damage in the flap transmission shafts, which poses an unsafe condition that must be addressed to ensure continued airworthiness. Under this AD, operators are required to inspect the flap transmission shafts for evidence of chafing or physical damage, including surface abrasions, grooves, rubbing tracks, and metallic smears or material transfers. Additionally, specific gap measurements must be taken as part of the inspection protocol. Depending on the findings of the inspection, applicable corrective actions must be carried out. The nature of these corrective actions will vary based on the severity and type of damage discovered during the inspection. Non-compliance with this AD could result in continued degradation of the flap transmission system, potentially leading to loss of flap control and compromising flight safety.

AI-generated summary. May contain errors. Refer to official sources for legal decisions.

Key Changes

  • New mandatory inspection of flap transmission shafts on Piaggio Model P-180 airplanes for chafing, surface abrasions, grooves, rubbing tracks, and metallic smears or transfers
  • Operators must measure specific gaps in the flap transmission shaft assembly as part of the inspection procedure
  • Corrective actions are required based on inspection findings — the specific action depends on the type and severity of damage found

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Affected Parties

Owners and operators of Piaggio Model P-180 airplanes covered by the specified type certificateAviation maintenance organizations and mechanics certified to work on Piaggio P-180 aircraft+3 more…

Tags

airworthiness directive,FAA,Piaggio P-180