FAA Tweaks Piaggio Airplane Stabilizer Inspection Rules Slightly
Published Date: 1/30/2025
Proposed Rule
Summary
If you own or operate a Piaggio P-180 airplane, the FAA wants you to keep checking the horizontal stabilizer for corrosion and damage, just like before, but they’re removing a confusing rule that wasn’t needed. This keeps your plane safe without extra hassle. Comments on these changes are open until March 17, 2025, so get involved if you want!
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 2 costs, 0 mixed.
Removal of Forced Level-2 Replacement
The proposed AD removes an unintended requirement from AD 2023-25-03 that would have forced replacement of the HS assembly after 660 hours TIS or 13 months following a finding of level 2 corrosion. Owners/operators who would have been subject to that forced replacement no longer have that mandatory replacement requirement under this proposed AD.
FAA Cost Estimates for Compliance
The FAA estimates the proposed AD affects 102 U.S.-registered P-180 airplanes and that the initial detailed inspection costs $510 per airplane (6 work-hours × $85/hour), totaling $52,020 for U.S. operators. Repetitive inspections are estimated at $510 per cycle, and replacement of the HS assembly is estimated at $150,850 per airplane (10 work-hours × $85/hour plus $150,000 parts).
Required HS Central Box Inspections
If you own or operate a Piaggio P-180 with S/Ns listed in the rule, you must do a one-time detailed inspection of the horizontal stabilizer (HS) central box: S/N 1002 and 1034–3016 within 220 hours TIS or 13 months after February 2, 2024; S/N 1004–1033 within 320 hours TIS or 13 months after February 2, 2024. If corrosion is found you must contact the FAA, EASA, or Piaggio DOA for a level assessment; level 1 needs no further action, level 2 triggers either replacement/repair before further flight or repetitive inspections every 400 hours TIS or 12 months, and level 3 requires replacement/repair or repetitive inspections every 200 hours TIS or 6 months and repair/replacement by 660 hours TIS or 13 months.
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