Airworthiness Directive · Amendment 39-13721 · The New Piper Aircraft, Inc., Models PA-28-161, PA-28-181, PA-28R-201, PA-32R-301 (HP), PA-32R-301T, PA-32-301FT, PA-32-301XTC, PA-34-220T, PA-44-180, PA-46-350P, and PA-46-500TP Airplanes
The New Piper Aircraft, Inc., Models PA-28-161, PA-28-181, PA-28R-201, PA-32R-301 (HP), PA-32R-301T, PA-32-301FT, PA-32-301XTC, PA-34-220T, PA-44-180, PA-46-350P, and PA-46-500TP Airplanes
This AD affects the following airplane models and serial numbers that are certificated in any category:
| Models | Serial Nos. |
|---|---|
| (1) Group A: | |
| (i) PA-28-161 Warrior III | 2842026 through 2842180. |
| (ii) PA-28-181 Archer III | 2843112 through 2843565. |
| (iii) PA-28R-201 Arrow | 2844014 through 2844099. |
| (iv) PA-32R-301 Saratoga II HP | 3246098 through 3246214. |
| (v) PA-32R-301T Saratoga II TC | 3257028 through 3257327. |
| (vi) PA-34-220T Seneca V | 3449042 through 3449292. |
| (vii) PA-44-180 Seminole | 4496020 through 4496173, and 4496175. |
| (viii) PA-46-350P Mirage | 4636132 through 4636344, and |
| (ix) PA-46-500TP Meridian | 4697001 through 4697162. |
| (2) Group B: | |
| (i) PA-28-161 Warrior III | 2842181 through 2842203. |
| (ii) PA-28-181 Archer III | 2843566 through 2843588. |
| (iii) PA-28R-201 Arrow | 2844100 through 2844104. |
| (iv) PA-32R-301 Saratoga II HP | 3246215 through 3246219. |
| (v) PA-32R-301T Saratoga II TC | 3257328 through 3257340. |
| (vi) PA-32-301FT Piper 6X | 3232001 through 3232013. |
| (vii) PA-32-301XTC Piper 6XT | 3255001 through 3255014. |
| (viii) PA-34-220T Seneca V | 3449293 through 3449301. |
| (ix) PA-44-180 Seminole | 4496174 and 4496176 through 4496180. |
| (x) PA-46-350P Mirage | 4636345 through 4636348, and |
| (xi) PA-46-500TP Meridian | 4697163 through 4697174. |
The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain The New Piper Aircraft, Inc. (Piper), Models PA-28-161, PA-28- 181, PA-28R-201, PA-32R-301 (HP), PA-32R-301T, PA-32-301FT, PA-32- 301XTC, PA-34-220T, PA-44-180, PA-46-350P, and PA-46-500TP airplanes. This AD requires you to inspect the control wheel attaching hardware for proper installation, replace if required, add Loctite thread- locking compound to the screw installation, and install a retainer clip to the control wheel attachment. This AD is the result of inadequate control wheel attachment design. The screw used to attach the control wheel to the control column is too short in some installations, and the nut-plate does not have adequate locking features. In addition, the screw is installed from the bottom of the control wheel and will depart quickly after thread disengagement. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct inadequate control wheel attachment design features, which could result in loss of control of the ailerons and elevator. This failure could lead to loss of control of the aircraft.
To address this problem, you must do the following:
| Actions | Compliance | Procedures |
|---|---|---|
| (1) For airplanes listed in Group A of paragraph (c)(1) of this AD: follow the instructions below, with the exception of airplanes listed in Group A that are already modified in accordance with The New Piper Aircraft, Inc., Service Bulletin No. 1139, dated, August 28, 2003 | Inspect within 25 hours Time-in-Service (TIS) after the effective date of this AD, August 10, 2004. Replace prior to further flight after the inspection | Follow Part I of The New Piper Aircraft, Inc., Service Bulletin No. 1139, dated April 9, 2004. |
| (i) Inspect the control wheel attachment screw for property thread engagement (minimum one thread showing past the end of the nut plate), and replace the crew if insufficient thread engagement is found. | ||
| (ii) Inspect the nut plate for sufficient locking characteristics (minimum one thread showing past the nut plate, when the screw is tightened by hand), and replace the nut plate if it is insufficient. | ||
| (iii) After the above inspections, reassemble the control wheel onto the control wheel shaft and apply Loctite thread-locking compound. | ||
| (2) For airplanes listed in Group A or Group B of paragraphs (c)(1) and (2) of this AD: install the retainer clip Part Number 104687-002 | Install the retainer clip within 100 hours TIS after the effective date of this AD, August 10, 2004 | Follow Part II of The New Piper Aircraft Inc., Service Bulletin No. 1139A, dated April 9, 2004. |
The aircraft, engines and makers this AD names, by the model designations in its text. A model listed here may still be outside the AD's serial ranges.
Aircraft
