AD 97-15-14 62 FR 40264

This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) that applies to Industrie Aeronautiche e Meccaniche Rinaldo Piaggio S.p.A. (Piaggio) Model P-180 airplanes. This action requires inspecting for cracks around the vertical pin and the torque tube bottom flange of the rudder, and the fasteners that connect the torque tube to the bottom flange (torque tube bottom flange assembly). If cracks are not found, repetitively inspect until cracks are visible. If cracks are evident, this action requires modifying the rudder torque tube bottom flange assembly by replacing the cracked part with a part of improved design, which terminates the repetitive inspection. This AD is the result of several reports of fatigue cracks around the pin that vertically supports the rudder axle. The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent fatigue cracks in the rudder torque tube bottom flange, which could result in loss of rudder control and possible loss of the airplane.