Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2006B05714:body:0:p1
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2006B05714
Segment Type: other
Provision Reference: 
Character Range: 4–3118

Piper PA-31 Series Aeroplanes

AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE

    For the reasons set out in the background section, the CASA delegate whose signature appears below revokes Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD/PA-31/126 Amdt 1. and issues the following AD under subregulation 39.1 (1) of CAR 1998. The AD requires that the action set out in the requirement section (being action that the delegate considers necessary to correct the unsafe condition) be taken in relation to the aircraft mentioned in the applicability section: (a) in the circumstances mentioned in the requirement section; and (b) in accordance with the instructions set out in the requirement section; and (c) at the time mentioned in the compliance section.

    AD/PA-31/126
    Amdt 3

    Elevator Spar 2/2000

    Applicability: Models Serial Numbers

               PA-31, PA-31-300, and PA-31-325  31-2 through 31-8312019 PA-31-350 31-5001 through 31-8553002
               PA-31P-350 31P-8414001 through 31P-8414050

    Requirement: Inspect in accordance with either Requirement 1 or Requirement 2 below:

                     1.  a. Visually inspect the upper and lower surfaces of the elevator spar, from the outboard hinge to 9-inches (230 mm) inboard of the hinge. Inspect for cracking in the skin, loose rivets, and fretting.

                      b. (i) Gain access as necessary and perform a detail visual inspection of the rear faces of left and right elevator spar webs at the inboard ends of the outboard hinge doublers (refer to Figure 1, item C).

                      (ii) Gain access as necessary and perform detail visual inspections of the forward faces of the left and right elevator spar webs at their outboard ends. Pay particular attention to the spar bend radii (refer to Figure 1, items A and B).

               If cracks are found, replace elevator spar assembly in accordance with Requirement 3.

               Note 1: Installation of access holes in accordance with a scheme approved by a CAR 35 authorised person, may facilitate access for these inspections.

 Figure 1: Inspect the forward face of each elevator spar web, including the upper and lower bend radii between rivets 'A' and 'B'. Inspect the rear face of each elevator spar adjacent to rivet 'C".

2.    Accomplish the following in accordance with the Instructions section of Piper Mandatory Service Bulletin (MSB) 998A, dated August 4 1997:

                   1. Install access holes for the inspection of the elevator spar.

                  b.        Inspect the elevator spar for cracks using a boroscope.

                     (i)        If no cracks are found in the elevator spar during the inspection, reinspect the elevator spars for cracks.

                     (ii)     If cracks are found during the initial inspection or subsequent repetitive inspection, refer to Requirement 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