AD 91-19-06

91-19-06 I.A.M. RINALDO PIAGGIO S.P.A.: Amendment 39-8033. Docket No. 91-CE-68-AD.

Applicability: Model Avante P180 airplanes (serial numbers 1004, 1006, 1007, and 1009 through 1015), certificated in any category.

Compliance: Required as indicated, unless already accomplished.

To prevent movement or separation of the vertical stabilizer caused by failure of the No. 1 spar attachment, which could result in loss of control of the airplane, accomplish the following:

(a) Within the next 25 hours time-in-service (TIS) after the effective date of this AD, and thereafter at intervals not to exceed 50 hours TIS until the modification described in paragraphs (a) (2) and (b) of this AD is accomplished, perform an endoscope inspection of the No. 1 spar of the vertical stabilizer attachment for cracks in accordance with the paragraphs (1) through (3) of Part A of 2. ACCOMPLISHMENT INSTRUCTIONS in Piaggio Avante P180 Service Bulletin 80-0008, Revision No. 1, dated June 26,1991.

(1) If no cracks are found, prior to further flight, remove the endoscope, install an inspection plastic plug, return the airplane to service, and accomplish the repetitive inspection requirements.

NOTE: The modification described in paragraphs (a) (2) and (b) of this AD may be accomplished as terminating action for the inspection requirements of this AD provided that no cracks are found per the inspections required in paragraph (a) of this AD.

(2) If cracks are found, prior to further flight, modify the No. 1 spar of the vertical stabilizer spar attachment and install a reinforcement kit in accordance with paragraphs (1) through (15) of Part B of 2. ACCOMPLISHMENT INSTRUCTIONS in Piaggio Avante P180 Service Bulletin 80-0008, Revision No. 1, dated June 26, 1991.

(b) Within the next 500 hours TIS after the effective date of this AD, unless already accomplished in accordance with paragraph (a) (2) of this AD, modify the vertical stabilizer spar attachment andinstall a reinforcement kit in accordance with paragraphs (4) through (15) of Part B of 2. ACCOMPLISHMENT INSTRUCTIONS in Piaggio Avante P180 Service Bulletin 80-0008, Revision No. 1, dated June 26, 1991.

(c) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with FAR 21.197 and 21.199 to operate the airplane to a location where the requirements of this AD can be accomplished.

(d) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the compliance time that provides an equivalent level of safety may be approved by the Manager, Brussels Aircraft Certification Office, Europe, Africa, Middle East office, FAA, c/o American Embassy, 1000 Brussels, Belgium. The request should be forwarded through an appropriate FAA Maintenance Inspector, who may add comments and then send it to the Manager, Brussels Aircraft Certification Office.

(e) The inspections and modification required by this AD shall be done in accordance with Piaggio Avante P180 Service Bulletin 80-0008, Revision No. 1, dated June 26, 1991. 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 Assistant Chief Counsel, Room 1558, 601 E. 12th Street, Kansas City, Missouri, or at the Office of the Federal Register, 1100 L Street, NW; Room 8401, Washington, DC.

This amendment (39-8033, AD 91-19-06) becomes effective on October 10, 1991.