Airworthiness Directives; Baykar Piaggio Aerospace S.p.A. (Type Certificate Previously Held by Piaggio Aviation S.p.A.) Airplanes

[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 65 (Monday, April 6, 2026)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 17132-17135]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2026-06599]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

14 CFR Part 39

[Docket No. FAA-2026-0019; Project Identifier MCAI-2025-00293-A; 
Amendment 39-23294; AD 2026-06-05]
RIN 2120-AA64


Airworthiness Directives; Baykar Piaggio Aerospace S.p.A. (Type 
Certificate Previously Held by Piaggio Aviation S.p.A.) Airplanes

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for 
certain Baykar Piaggio Aerospace S.p.A. (type certificate previously 
held by Piaggio Aviation S.p.A.) (Piaggio) Model P-180 airplanes. This 
AD was prompted by reports of corrosion and cracks affecting the 
vertical stabilizer. This AD requires repetitive visual and non-
destructive testing (NDT) inspections, a one-time NDT inspection of the 
vertical stabilizer assembly, and, depending on findings, 
accomplishment of corrective actions. In addition, this AD provides a 
terminating action for the repetitive inspections if certain actions of 
the service material are accomplished. The FAA is issuing this AD to 
address the unsafe condition on these products.

DATES: This AD is effective May 11, 2026.
    The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by 
reference of a certain publication listed in this AD as of May 11, 
2026.

ADDRESSES: 
    AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at regulations.gov under 
Docket No. FAA-2026-0019; or in person at Docket Operations between 9 
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The AD 
docket contains this final rule, the mandatory continuing airworthiness 
information (MCAI), any comments received, and other information. The 
address for Docket Operations is U.S. Department of Transportation, 
Docket Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 
New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590.
    Material Incorporated by Reference:
    <bullet> For Piaggio Aerospace material identified in this AD, 
contact Piaggio, P180 Customer Support, via Pionieri e Aviatori 
d'Italia, snc--16154 Genoa, Italy; phone: +39 331 679 74 93; email: 
[email protected].
    <bullet> 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. It is also available at regulations.gov under 
Docket No. FAA-2026-0019.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Doug Rudolph, Aviation Safety 
Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; 
phone: (816) 329-4059; email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    The FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 
CFR part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to certain Piaggio Model 
P-180 airplanes. The NPRM was published in the Federal Register on 
January 21, 2026 (91 FR 2507). The NPRM was prompted by European Union 
Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2025-0054, dated March 6, 2025 (EASA 
AD 2025-0054) (also referred to as the MCAI), issued by EASA, which is 
the Technical Agent for the Member States of the European Union. The 
MCAI states that corrosion and cracks affecting the vertical stabilizer 
were reported on Model P-180 airplanes. This condition, if not 
addressed, could result in reduced structural integrity of the vertical

[[Page 17133]]

stabilizer and the rudder with consequent reduced control of the 
airplane.
    In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to require repetitive visual and NDT 
inspections, a one-time NDT inspection of the vertical stabilizer 
assembly, and, depending on findings, accomplishment of corrective 
actions. The FAA also proposed to provide a terminating action for the 
repetitive inspections. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the 
unsafe condition on these products.
    You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket at regulations.gov under 
Docket No. FAA-2026-0019.

Discussion of Final Airworthiness Directive

Comments

    The FAA received a comment from one commenter. The commenter was 
the Air Line Pilots Association, International, who supported the NPRM 
without change.

Conclusion

    These products have been approved by the civil aviation authority 
of another country and are approved for operation in the United States. 
Pursuant to the FAA's bilateral agreement with this State of Design 
Authority, that authority has notified the FAA of the unsafe condition 
described in the MCAI referenced above. The FAA reviewed the relevant 
data, considered any comments received, and determined that air safety 
requires adopting this AD as proposed. Accordingly, the FAA is issuing 
this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products. Except for 
minor editorial changes, this AD is adopted as proposed in the NPRM. 
None of the changes will increase the economic burden on any operator.

Material Incorporated by Reference Under 1 CFR Part 51

    The FAA reviewed Piaggio Aerospace Service Bulletin (SB) 80-0493, 
Revision 0, dated November 21, 2024 (Piaggio Aerospace SB 80-0493, Rev. 
0). This material specifies procedures for repetitive visual and NDT 
(including high-frequency eddy current (HFEC) and film radiographic 
(FR/D2) testing) inspections, a one-time NDT inspection, and post-
repair instructions for the parts and structural elements of the 
vertical stabilizer assembly for evidence of damage of the protective 
finish, corrosion, and cracking, and applicable corrective actions. 
Corrective actions include, depending on inspection findings, repairing 
or replacing affected parts or contacting Piaggio to obtain an approved 
Repair Design Approval Sheet (RDAS), which is terminating action for 
certain repetitive inspections.
    This material is reasonably available because the interested 
parties have access to it through their normal course of business or by 
the means identified in the ADDRESSES section.

Differences Between This AD and the Referenced Material

    Step (49) of Piaggio Aerospace SB 80-0493, Rev. 0, provides 
instructions to contact Piaggio to obtain an approved RDAS and 
accomplish that repair accordingly, including post-repair follow-on 
action(s), as applicable. This AD instead requires contacting either 
the Manager, International Validation Branch, FAA; EASA; or Piaggio's 
EASA Design Organization Approval (DOA) for approved repair 
instructions and, within the compliance time specified therein, 
accomplish those instructions accordingly, including post-repair 
follow-on action(s), as applicable. If approved by the DOA, the 
approval must include the DOA-authorized signature.
    Although Piaggio Aerospace SB 80-0493, Rev. 0, states that certain 
subsequent inspections are in accordance with the aircraft maintenance 
manual inspection program chapter 05-20-00, this AD does not require 
those actions.
    Although steps (17), (20), (24), (28), (33), (38), (41), (44), 
(47), (48), and Note 21 of Piaggio Aerospace SB 80-0493, Rev. 0, 
require reporting inspection results to Piaggio, this AD does not 
require those actions.

Costs of Compliance

    The FAA estimates that this AD affects 107 airplanes of U.S. 
registry.
    The FAA estimates the following costs to comply with this AD:

                                                 Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                 Cost on U.S.
             Action                   Labor cost          Parts cost       Cost per product        operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
One-time NDT inspection of the    Up to 27 work-      $0................  Up to $2,295......  Up to $245,565.
 vertical stabilizer assembly.     hours x $85 per
                                   hour = $2,295.
Repetitive visual and NDT         Up to 40 work-      $0 (per             Up to $3,400 (per   Up to $363,800
 inspections of the vertical       hours x $85 per     inspection).        inspection).        (per inspection).
 stabilizer assembly.              hour = $3,400
                                   (per inspection).
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The FAA estimates the following costs to do any repairs that would 
be required based on the results of the inspections. The agency has no 
way of determining the number of airplanes that might need these 
repairs:

                                               On-Condition Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
             Action                    Labor cost               Parts cost                 Cost per product
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Repair of parts and structural    Up to 280 work-      Up to $1,000................  Up to $24,800.
 elements of the vertical          hours x $85 per
 stabilizer assembly.              hour = $23,800.
Replace parts and structural      Up to 160 work-      Up to $10,000...............  Up to $23,600.
 elements of the vertical          hours x $85 per
 stabilizer assembly.              hour = $13,600.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Authority for This Rulemaking

    Title 49 of the United States Code specifies the FAA's authority to 
issue rules on aviation safety. Subtitle I, section 106, describes the 
authority of the FAA Administrator. Subtitle VII: Aviation Programs, 
describes in more detail the scope of the Agency's authority.
    The FAA is issuing this rulemaking under the authority described in 
Subtitle VII, Part A, Subpart III, Section 44701: General requirements. 
Under that section, Congress charges the FAA with promoting safe flight 
of civil aircraft in air commerce by prescribing regulations for 
practices, methods, and

[[Page 17134]]

procedures the Administrator finds necessary for safety in air 
commerce. This regulation is within the scope of that authority because 
it addresses an unsafe condition that is likely to exist or develop on 
products identified in this rulemaking action.

Regulatory Findings

    This AD will not have federalism implications under Executive Order 
13132. This AD will not have a substantial direct effect on the States, 
on the relationship between the national government and the States, or 
on the distribution of power and responsibilities among the various 
levels of government.
    For the reasons discussed above, I certify that this AD:
    (1) Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive 
Order 12866,
    (2) Will not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and
    (3) Will not have a significant economic impact, positive or 
negative, on a substantial number of small entities under the criteria 
of the Regulatory Flexibility Act.

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39

    Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by 
reference, Safety.

The Amendment

    Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the 
Administrator, the FAA amends 14 CFR part 39 as follows:

PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES

0
1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows:

    Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701.


Sec.  39.13  [Amended]

0
2. The FAA amends Sec.  39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness 
directive:

2026-06-05 Baykar Piaggio Aerospace S.p.A. (type certificate 
previously held by Piaggio Aviation S.p.A.): Amendment 39-23294; 
Docket No. FAA-2026-0019; Project Identifier MCAI-2025-00293-A.

(a) Effective Date

    This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective May 11, 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, manufacturer serial numbers 1002, 1004 through 3016, and 
3018, certificated in any category.

 (d) Subject

    Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC) Code 5530, Vertical 
Stabilizer Structure.

 (e) Unsafe Condition

    This AD was prompted by reports of corrosion and cracks 
affecting the vertical stabilizer. The FAA is issuing this AD to 
address this unsafe condition. The unsafe condition, if not 
addressed, could result in reduced structural integrity of the 
vertical stabilizer and the rudder with consequent reduced control 
of the airplane.

 (f) Compliance

    Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, 
unless already done.

 (g) Required Actions

    (1) Within the applicable compliance time specified in table 1 
to paragraph (g)(1) of this AD and thereafter at intervals not to 
exceed 660 hours time-in-service (TIS) or 26 months, whichever 
occurs first, do the applicable repetitive visual and non-
destructive testing (NDT) inspections of the parts of the vertical 
stabilizer assembly for evidence of damage to the protective finish, 
corrosion, and cracking, in accordance with section 2.B, PART A, 
items (i) through (vii) as applicable, of Piaggio Aerospace Service 
Bulletin (SB) 80-0493, Revision 0, dated November 21, 2024 (Piaggio 
Aerospace SB 80-0493, Rev. 0). Where Piaggio Aerospace SB 80-0493, 
Rev. 0, states that subsequent inspections shall be performed in 
accordance with the aircraft maintenance manual inspection program 
chapter 05-20-00, this AD does not require those actions.

              Table 1 to Paragraph (g)(1)--Compliance Times
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                         Compliance time  (hours TIS or
                                        calendar time, whichever occurs
           P-180 Serial No.            first after the effective date of
                                                    this AD)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1002, 1004 through 3016..............  Within 220 hours TIS or 13
                                        months.
3018.................................  Within 660 hours TIS or 26
                                        months.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (2) Within the applicable compliance time specified in table 1 
to paragraph (g)(1) of this AD, do the applicable one-time NDT 
inspections of the parts of the vertical stabilizer assembly for 
evidence of damage to the protective finish, corrosion and cracking, 
in accordance with section 2.B, PART A, items (viii) and (ix), as 
applicable, of Piaggio Aerospace SB 80-0493, Rev. 0.
    (3) If, during any inspection required by paragraph (g)(1) or 
(2) of this AD any corrosion or cracking is found, before further 
flight, accomplish the applicable corrective action(s), including 
post-repair inspections, in accordance with the instructions of 
section 2.B, PART B, of Piaggio Aerospace SB 80-0493, Rev. 0.
    (4) Where the Accomplishment Instructions, section 2.B, PART B, 
step (49) of Piaggio SB 80-0493, Rev. 0, state to contact Piaggio to 
obtain an approved repair design approval sheet (RDAS) and 
accomplish that repair accordingly including post-repair follow-on 
actions(s), as applicable, before further flight, contact either the 
Manager, International Validation Branch, FAA; European Union 
Aviation Safety Agency (EASA); or Piaggio's EASA Design Organization 
Approval (DOA) for approved repair instructions and, within the 
compliance time specified therein, accomplish those instructions 
accordingly, including post-repair follow-on action(s), as 
applicable. If approved by the DOA, the approval must include the 
DOA-authorized signature.

 (h) Terminating Action

    Accomplishment of any action identified as ``terminating 
action'' for a given inspection in section 2.B, PART B, of Piaggio 
Aerospace SB 80-0493, Rev. 0, constitutes terminating action for the 
repetitive inspections, as applicable, required by paragraph (g)(1) 
of this AD for that airplane.

 (i) No Reporting Requirement

    Although certain steps of Piaggio Aerospace SB 80-0493, Rev. 0, 
specify to submit inspection findings to the manufacturer, this AD 
does not include that requirement.

 (j) 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 (k) of 
this AD and email to: [email protected]. 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.

 (k) Additional Information

    For more information about this AD, contact Doug Rudolph, 
Aviation Safety

[[Page 17135]]

Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; 
phone: (816) 329-4059; email: [email protected].

 (l) Material Incorporated by Reference

    (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the 
incorporation by reference 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 80-0493, Revision 0, 
dated November 21, 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: [email protected].
    (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 [email protected].

    Issued on March 19, 2026.
Steven W. Thompson,
Acting Deputy Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft 
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2026-06599 Filed 4-3-26; 8:45 am]
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