AD 2022-19-07 Requires Modifying The Total Air Temperature (TAT) Probe Heater Electrical Circuit

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Piaggio Aviation S.p.A. (Piaggio) Model P-180 airplanes.

This AD results from mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) originated by an aviation authority of another country to identify and correct an unsafe condition on an aviation product. The MCAI identifies the unsafe condition as accumulation of water and subsequent freezing in the pitot-tube, which results in pitot-tube blockage.

This AD requires modifying the total air temperature (TAT) probe heater electrical circuit and revising your existing airplane flight manual (AFM). The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

This AD is effective November 3, 2022.

Supplementary Information: The FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to all Piaggio Model P-180 airplanes. The NPRM published in the Federal Register on April 11, 2022 (87 FR 21034). The NPRM was prompted by MCAI originated by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which is the Technical Agent for the Member States of the European Union. EASA issued EASA AD 2019-0144, dated June 19, 2019 (referred to after this as “the MCAI”), to address an unsafe condition on all Piaggio Model P.180 Avanti and Avanti II airplanes.

The MCAI states:

• Occurrences of pitot-tube blockage were reported, leading to in-flight air data loss. Investigation results indicated that accumulation of water and subsequent freezing was the failure cause.
• This condition, if not corrected, could lead to unreliable indication or loss of in-flight air data provided by systems deriving their data from measuring air pressure, possibly resulting in loss of control of the aeroplane.
• To address this potentially unsafe condition, Piaggio issued the applicable AFM TC [Piaggio Aviation P.180 AVANTI II/EVO Temporary Change 79, dated September 17, 2018; and Piaggio Aviation P.180 AVANTI Temporary Change No. 36, dated April 11, 2019], providing instructions to switch on pitottube heater before taxi if operation in heavy rain, snow or icing condition is  expected. To prevent concurrent activation of TAT probe heater on ground, which could lead to temporary air data indications failure, Piaggio issued the applicable SBs [Piaggio Aviation Service Bulletin No. 80-0430, Revision 1; and Piaggio Aero Industries Service Bulletin No. 80-0457, Original Issue], providing modification instructions to inhibit on-ground power supply to TAT probe heater, when the pitot-tube heater is activated.
• For the reasons described above, this [EASA] AD requires amendment of the applicable AFM and, for certain aeroplanes, modification of the TAT probe heater electrical circuit.

You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket at regulations.gov by searching for and locating Docket No. FAA-2022-0452.

In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to require modifying the TAT probe heater electrical circuit and revising your existing AFM. The FAA is issuing this AD to prevent blockage of the pitot-tube. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could result in temporary air data indications failure, which could result in loss of control of the airplane.

FMI: www.regulations.gov