Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2006B05714:body:0:p2
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2006B05714
Segment Type: other
Provision Reference: 
Character Range: 2863–5998

3 of this Directive.

                 3.    Replace each elevator or elevator spar assembly with a part of improved design as specified in the "Replacement Elevator P/N" and "Replace Spar P/N" columns of the "Material Required Table" on page 4 of Piper MSB 998A.

               Accomplish these replacements in accordance with the applicable maintenance manual.

               If one elevator spar assembly is replaced before further flight when a crack is found, the other elevator spar assembly must still be repetitively inspected every 100 hours time in service until replacement at 1,000 hours time in service after the initial inspection or when cracks are found, whichever occurs first.

                 4.    Inspect the elevator ice protection boots for looseness in accordance with the Instructions section of Piper MSB 998A.

               If the elevator ice protection boots are loose, reinstall or replace the boots before further flight.

               Note 2: FAA AD 99-12-05 Amdt 39-11189 refers.

                    Compliance: 1. a. Within 10 hours time in service after 12 October 1995, unless previously accomplished in accordance with the previous issues of this Directive.

                    b. Before further flight if skin cracking, loose rivets, or fretting is found during the Requirement 1.a. inspection; otherwise, before 2,500 hours component time in service or within 100 hours time in service after 20 October 1995, whichever occurs later. Thereafter at intervals not to exceed 100 hours time in service; until replaced by an elevator or elevator spar assembly of improved design.

               Note 3: Elevator spars repaired prior to the issue of Amendment 2 of this Directive shall be inspected at intervals not exceeding 100 hours time in service unless otherwise previously approved by the Authority.

                    2.    a. Upon accumulating 2,500 hours time in service on each elevator spar assembly, or within 100 hours time in service after 31 December 1999, whichever occurs later.

                    b. Reinspect at intervals not to exceed 100 hours time in service; until replaced by an elevator or elevator spar assembly of improved design.

                 3.  Whichever of the following occurs first:

                 Before further flight on any elevator spar assembly where any cracks are found during inspection; or,

             Within 1,000 hours time in service after the first Requirement 2 inspection performed after 31 December 1999 or within 1,000 hours time in service after the next Requirement 1 inspection after 24 February 2000, as applicable.

4.    Within 100 hours time in service after 31 December 1999, unless already accomplished.

            The compliance times of the previous issue of this Directive remain unchanged by this issue of the Directive, except for the Requirement 3 compliance.

            This Amendment becomes effective on 24 February 2000.

            Background:  There have been numerous reports of cracked PA-31 elevator spars. In several instances, both left and right elevator spars were cracked. In two instances