SAIB CE-03-42 —

No. CE-03-42 June 27, 2003 We post SAIBs on the internet at www.airweb.faa.gov This is information only. Recommendations are not mandatory.

Introduction This Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin (SAIB) informs you, owners and operators of Piaggio Model P-180 airplanes of possible nacelle fire due to engine fuel leakage in your fleet.

Background There has been one reported case of fuel leakage during ground maintenance activity due to a failed Electromech Technologies fuel cross-feed valve, part number EM484-3. The inspection showed that the valve manufacturer did not correctly incorporate the corrective action specified by Piaggio Service Bulletin No. SB80-0174. The FAA issued AD 2003-03-14, effective March 8, 2003, to inspect and determine if a faulty shutoff or cross-feed valve with a serial number in a certain range was installed, and if found, to replace those valves within that range.

The non-conforming batch of valves (S/Ns from 148 to 302 inclusive) should be reworked to the approved design configuration as per Piaggio’s Service Bulletin No. Alert SB 80-0191, issued on February 27, 2003. The Italian Civil aviation authorities Ente Nazionale per l’Aviazone civile (ENAC) has issued their AD No. 2003-119 dated April 3, 2003, mandating the Piaggio’s Alert service Bulletin no, ASB 80-0191 for all Piaggio Model P-180 airplanes registered in Italy.

Recommendation We highly recommend all owners and operators of Piaggio Model P-180 aircraft verify that the EM484-3 valves installed on their aircraft have been properly inspected as indicated in the latest Piaggio service information.

For Further Information Contact FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, Attention: Mr. Sarjapur Nagarajan, ACE 112, 901 Locust, Room 301, Kansas City, MO 64106, telephone (816) 329-4145, fax (816) 329-4090; email: [email protected]

You can obtain copies of Alert Service bulletin ASB80-0191 from Piaggio Aero Industries S.p.A, Via Cibrario, 4-16154 Genoa, Italy.