FAA Mandates Inspections for Piaggio Airplane Stabilizer Cracks
Published Date: 4/6/2026
Rule
Summary
If you own or fly a Baykar Piaggio P-180 airplane, listen up! The FAA found corrosion and cracks on the vertical stabilizer, so they’re requiring regular inspections and fixes to keep you safe. Starting May 11, 2026, these checks must happen on schedule, and some repairs can stop the need for future inspections—saving time and money in the long run.
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 2 costs, 0 mixed.
Mandatory P‑180 Stabilizer Inspections
If you own or operate a Baykar Piaggio Model P-180 (serial numbers 1002, 1004–3016, and 3018), you must start inspections on schedule beginning May 11, 2026. Do repetitive visual and non‑destructive testing (NDT) inspections within the times in the rule (for serials 1002 and 1004–3016: within 220 hours time‑in‑service (TIS) or 13 months; for serial 3018: within 660 hours TIS or 26 months) and then repeat no later than every 660 hours TIS or 26 months, whichever occurs first. A one‑time NDT inspection of the vertical stabilizer assembly is also required within those same initial compliance times, and any corrosion or cracking found must be fixed before further flight using the specified corrective actions.
Estimated Inspection and Repair Costs
The FAA estimates the AD affects 107 U.S. registered P-180 airplanes. Estimated costs include a one‑time NDT inspection up to $2,295 per airplane (27 hours × $85/hr) and repetitive inspections up to $3,400 per airplane (40 hours × $85/hr) per inspection; the FAA estimates fleet totals up to $245,565 for the one‑time inspection and up to $363,800 per repetitive inspection. On‑condition repair estimates are up to $24,800 per airplane for repairs (up to 280 hours labor + up to $1,000 parts) or up to $23,600 for part replacement (up to 160 hours labor + up to $10,000 parts).
Repair Work Can End Rechecks
The AD lets you stop the repetitive inspections for an airplane if you accomplish any action labeled as "terminating action" in section 2.B, PART B of Piaggio Aerospace Service Bulletin 80-0493, Revision 0. Where the service bulletin says to contact Piaggio for an approved repair design approval sheet (RDAS), this AD requires contacting the FAA International Validation Branch, EASA, or Piaggio's EASA Design Organization Approval (DOA) for approved repair instructions, and any DOA approval must include the DOA‑authorized signature.
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