AD NUMBER: 2003-17-03
MANUFACTURER: Piaggio
SUBJECT: Airworthiness Directive 2003-17-03
SUMMARY: This document supersedes Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2003-03-14, which applies to all PIAGGIO AERO INDUSTRIES S.p.A. (PIAGGIO) Model P-180 airplanes. AD 2003-03-14 currently requires you to inspect and determine whether any firewall shutoff or crossfeed valve with a serial number in a certain range is installed and requires you to replace or modify any valve that has a serial number within this range. The modification consisted of reworked valves that were re-identified with an "A" at the end of the serial number. AD 2003-03-14 allows the pilot to check the logbook and does not require the inspection and replacement requirement if the check shows that one of these valves is definitely not installed. Since AD 2003-03-14 became effective, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has found that the valve manufacturer was not correctly incorporating the modification on reworked valves. Consequently, the installation of modified fuel valves installed per AD 2003-03-14 could allow the unsafe condition to remain on the affected airplanes. This AD would require you to replace any firewall shutoff or crossfeed valve with a serial number in a certain range even if it has been modified per AD 2003-03-14. The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent a faulty firewall shutoff or crossfeed valve from developing cracks and leaking fuel. This could result in an engine fire.

FMI: www.avantext.com/DailyADIndex.ASP?AD=20031703