Airworthiness DirectiveEASA AD 2023-0122R1

Stabilizers — Vertical Stabilizer Assembly — Inspection

Published: Jul 5, 2023
Effective: Jul 12, 2023
Deadline: Jul 12, 2023
Replaces: 2023-0122

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What to do

Operators of affected Piaggio P.180 Avanti and Avanti II aircraft must perform HFEC inspections of the specified fitting assembly within the compliance times defined by aircraft group and continue inspections every 660 flight hours or 26 months. If corrosion or damage is found, corrective actions including part replacement must be completed within specified deadlines. Replacing the affected part per approved repair manuals terminates the repetitive inspection requirement. Compliance deadlines vary by aircraft group, with initial inspections due as soon as 30 flight hours or 60 days for older aircraft.

Summary

EASA Airworthiness Directive 2023-0122R1 is an updated safety directive addressing inspection requirements for the vertical stabilizer assembly on Piaggio Aviation P.180 Avanti and Avanti II aeroplanes. It mandates High Frequency Eddy Current (HFEC) inspections and potential replacement of the horizontal tail trim actuator fitting assembly, part number 80-363283-401, to detect and correct stress corrosion cracking. The directive applies to specific serial numbers of P.180 Avanti and Avanti II aircraft.

What changed

EASA Airworthiness Directive 2023-0122R1 revises the original AD 2023-0122 by including references to new repair procedures found in Revision D0 of Piaggio's Structural Repair Manual and its Temporary Revisions 030 and 031. This update clarifies the approved methods for replacing the affected part and incorporates these into the compliance requirements. It also confirms that previous inspections and corrective actions performed per earlier service bulletin revisions remain acceptable.

Why it matters

This directive is critical for aviation professionals as it addresses a potential structural failure risk due to stress corrosion cracking in the horizontal tail trim actuator fitting, which could lead to loss of aircraft control. Operators and maintenance organizations must ensure timely inspections and repairs to maintain airworthiness and comply with regulatory requirements. The updated procedures provide clearer guidance for corrective actions, improving safety and regulatory compliance.

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