Airworthiness Directive · Amendment 39-16582 · Fuselage
PIAGGIO AERO INDUSTRIES S.p.A Model PIAGGIO P-180 Airplanes
Superseded. A later AD replaced this one: AD 2011-10-16, AD 2011-09-51. Comply with the one in force.
This AD applies to PIAGGIO AERO INDUSTRIES S.p.A Model PIAGGIO P-180 airplanes, all serial numbers, certified in any category.
We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for the products listed above. This emergency AD was sent previously to all known U.S. owners and operators of these airplanes. This AD supersedes Emergency AD 2011-01-51, requires an immediate functional test of the fuselage drain holes, and requires sending a report of the results to the FAA. This AD also allows, with noted exceptions, for the return/ position of the airplane to a home base, hangar, maintenance facility, etc. This AD was prompted by reports of water accumulation in the belly of the fuselage that froze and caused the flight controls to jam. We are issuing this AD to prevent water or fluid from accumulating in the belly of the fuselage and freezing when the aircraft reaches and holds altitudes where the temperature is below the freezing point. This condition could cause the flight controls to jam with consequent loss of control.
Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified.
Unless already done in compliance with Emergency AD 2011-01-51, before further flight, do the following actions using the instructions in Appendix 1 of this AD.
(1) Remove the central floor panels in the cabin and inspect the fuselage belly; and
(2) Functional test the fuselage drain holes.
Unless already done, within 24 hours after complying with the actions required in paragraph (g) of this AD, fill out the reporting form provided in Appendix 2 of this AD and send to the FAA at the address (facsimile, e-mail) referenced in the Related Information section, paragraph (l) of this AD.
(i) For the 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.
For the actions required in paragraph (g) of this AD, you may return/position the airplane to a home base, hangar, maintenance facility, etc., provided the following are adhered to:
(1) A water drain hole test is done immediately before the repositioning flight and the airplane passes this test. The instructions for this test are included in Appendix 3 of this AD. If the airplane does not pass this test, then the actions of paragraph (g) of this AD must be done without a repositioning flight, unless a special flight permit is granted;
(2) This repositioning flight does not exceed a total of 5 hours time-in-service; and
(3) Use of autopilot is prohibited.
