2026-05-10: Flight Control System

1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows: Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701. 2. The FAA amends § 39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness directive: 2026-05-10 Baykar Piaggio Aerospace S.p.A. (Type Certificate Previously Held by Piaggio Aviation S.p.A.): Amendment 39-23283; Docket No. FAA-2025-5027; Project Identifier MCAI-2025-00023-A. (a) Effective Date This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective April 27, 2026. (b) Affected ADs None. (c) Applicability This AD applies to Baykar Piaggio Aerospace S.p.A. (type certificate previously held by Piaggio Aviation S.p.A.) Model P-180 airplanes, serial numbers 1002, 1004 through 3016, and 3018, certificated in any category. (d) Subject Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 2700, Flight Control System. (e) Unsafe Condition This AD was prompted by a report of chafing in the flap transmission shafts. The FAA is issuing this AD to detect and address chafing or any damage (surface abrasions, grooves or rubbing tracks, and metallic smears or transfers) in the flap transmission shafts. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could affect the integrity of the flap transmission, which could lead to reduced control of the airplane. (f) Compliance Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, unless already done. (g) Required Actions (1) Within 220 hours time-in-service (TIS) after the effective date of this AD, inspect the outboard and inboard flap transmission shafts (#1 and #7) at the crossing holes and openings on wing rib 440 and inspect the left-hand (LH) inboard flap transmission shaft (#7) and the pneumatic pipe for chafing or any damage (surface abrasions, grooves or rubbing tracks, and metallic smears or transfers). Additionally, measure the gaps between the outboard and inboard flap transmission shafts (#1 and #7) and their respective crossing holes and openings on wing rib 440, and the gap between the LH inboard flap transmission shaft (#7) and the pneumatic pipe. Perform these actions in accordance with the ACCOMPLISHMENT INSTRUCTIONS, paragraph B. PROCEDURE/MODIFICATION, steps (10) and (11) in Piaggio Aerospace Service Bulletin (SB) 80-0498, Revision 0, dated August 2, 2024 (Piaggio SB 80-0498, Revision 0). (2) If chafing or any damage (surface abrasions, grooves or rubbing tracks, and metallic smears or transfers) (referred to as discrepancies) is found during the inspections required by paragraph (g)(1) of this AD, perform any rework, repair, replacement, and repetitive inspections, as applicable, as specified in paragraphs (g)(2)(i) through (iv) of this AD. (i) If no discrepancies are found or discrepancies are found that meet the criteria in Case 1 of paragraph 14 of Part A, paragraph B. PROCEDURE/MODIFICATION, of the ACCOMPLISHMENT INSTRUCTIONS section in Piaggio SB 80-0498, Revision 0, no further action is required by this AD. (ii) If discrepancies are found that meet the criteria in Case 2 of paragraph 14 of Part A, paragraph B. PROCEDURE/MODIFICATION, of the ACCOMPLISHMENT INSTRUCTIONS section in Piaggio SB 80-0498, Revision 0, accomplish the actions of paragraph (g)(2)(ii)(A) and (B): (A) Repetitively perform the inspections of paragraph (g)(1) at intervals not to exceed 220 hours TIS until the rework required by paragraph (g)(2)(ii)(B) of this AD is done. (B) Within 660 hours TIS after the initial inspection required by paragraph (g)(1) of this AD, rework the wing rib(s) 440 (LH part number (P/N) 80-201367-001, right-hand (RH) P/N 80-201367-002) in accordance with Steps 14 through 21 of Part A and Part B, paragraph B. PROCEDURE/MODIFICATION, of the ACCOMPLISHMENT INSTRUCTIONS section in Piaggio SB 80-0498, Revision 0. (iii) If discrepancies are found that meet the criteria in Case 3 of paragraph 14 of Part A, paragraph B. PROCEDURE/MODIFICATION, of the ACCOMPLISHMENT INSTRUCTIONS section in Piaggio SB 80-0498, Revision 0, accomplish the actions of paragraph (g)(2)(iii)(A) and (B): (A) Repetitively perform the inspections of paragraph (g)(1) of this AD at intervals not to exceed 110 hours TIS until the rework required by paragraph (g)(2)(iii)(B) of this AD is done. (B) Within 220 hours TIS after the initial inspection required by paragraph (g)(1) of this AD, rework the wing rib(s) 440 (LH P/N 80-201367-001, RH P/N 80-201367-002) in accordance with Steps 14 through 21 of Part A and Part B, paragraph B. PROCEDURE/MODIFICATION, of the ACCOMPLISHMENT INSTRUCTIONS section in Piaggio SB 80-0498, Revision 0. (iv) If discrepancies are found that meet the criteria in Case 4 of paragraph 14 of Part A, paragraph B. PROCEDURE/MODIFICATION, of the ACCOMPLISHMENT INSTRUCTIONS section in Piaggio SB 80-0498, Revision 0, before further flight, perform the following: (A) Rework the wing rib(s) 440 (LH P/N 80-201367-001, RH P/N 80-201367-002) in accordance with Steps 14 through 21 of Part A and Part B, paragraph B. PROCEDURE/MODIFICATION, of the ACCOMPLISHMENT INSTRUCTIONS section in Piaggio SB 80-0498, Revision 0. (B) Repair the pneumatic pipe (P/N 80-207493-401 ) in accordance with Steps 22 through 42 of Part B, paragraph B. PROCEDURE/MODIFICATION, of the ACCOMPLISHMENT INSTRUCTIONS section in Piaggio SB 80-0498, Revision 0. (C) Replace any damaged transmission shaft with an airworthy one. (3) If clearance cannot be obtained during Steps 21, 41, or 42 of Part B, paragraph B. PROCEDURE/MODIFICATION, of the ACCOMPLISHMENT INSTRUCTIONS section in Piaggio SB 80-0498, Revision 0, as required by paragraphs (g)(2)(ii)(B), (g)(2)(iii)(B), or (g)(2)(iv)(B) of this AD, contact the Manager, International Validation Branch, FAA; the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA); or Piaggio's EASA Design Organization Approval (DOA) for approved repair instructions, and before further flight, perform the repair. If the repair is approved by the DOA, the approval must include the DOA-authorized signature. (h) No Reporting Requirement Although Piaggio SB 80-0498, Revision 0, specifies to submit certain information to the manufacturer, this AD does not include that requirement. (i) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs) The Manager, International Validation Branch, FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. In accordance with 14 CFR 39.19, send your request to your principal inspector or local Flight Standards District Office, as appropriate. If sending information directly to the manager of the International Validation Branch, send it to the attention of the person identified in paragraph (j) of this AD and email to: AMOC@faa.gov. Before using any approved AMOC, notify your appropriate principal inspector, or lacking a principal inspector, the manager of the local flight standards district office/certificate holding district office. (j) Additional Information For more information about this AD, contact Frank Huynh, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; phone: (404) 983-5288; email: frank.huynh@faa.gov. (k) Material Incorporated by Reference (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference (IBR) of the material listed in this paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. (2) You must use this material as applicable to do the actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise. (i) Piaggio Aerospace Service Bulletin 80-0498, Revision 0, dated August 2, 2024. (ii) [Reserved] (3) For Piaggio Aerospace material identified in this AD, contact Baykar Piaggio Aerospace S.p.A., P180 Customer Support, via Pionieri e Aviatori d'Italia, snc-16154 Genoa, Italy; phone: +39 331 679 74 93; email: technicalsupport@piaggioaerospace.it. (4) You may view this material at the FAA, Airworthiness Products Section, Operational Safety Branch, 901 Locust, Kansas City, MO 64106. For information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call (817) 222-5110. (5) You may view this material at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of this material at NARA, visit www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations or email fr.inspection@nara.gov. Issued on March 17, 2026. Steven W. Thompson, Acting Deputy Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. 2026-05576 Filed 3-20-26; 8:45 am]BILLING CODE 4910-13-P