Airworthiness Directive · Amendment 39-13753 · The New Piper Aircraft, Inc. Model PA-46-500TP Airplanes
The New Piper Aircraft, Inc. Model PA-46-500TP Airplanes
This AD affects Model PA-46-500TP airplanes, serial numbers 4697001 through 4697163, that are certificated in any category.
The FAA adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain the New Piper Aircraft, Inc. (Piper) Model PA-46-500TP airplanes. This AD requires you to inspect (one-time) for the existence of any protective cover over the percussion caps or silicon tube installed over the end of the trigger mechanism pin of the oxygen generators, and remove any protective cover or silicon tube found. This AD is the result of reports of the above conditions found on the affected airplanes. We are issuing this AD to detect and remove any protective cover over the percussion cap, or any silicon tube over the end of the trigger mechanism pin, which could result in failure of the emergency oxygen system. This failure could lead to the crew and passengers not being able to get oxygen in an emergency situation.
To address this problem, you must do the following:
| Actions | Compliance | Procedures |
|---|---|---|
| (1) Inspect: (i) the percussion cap of any oxygen generator (part number (P/N) 471-025) for the presence of any protective cover; and (ii) the end of the trigger mechanism of any oxygen generator (P/N 471-025) for the presence of any silicon tube. | Within the next 50 hours time-in-service after September 13, 2004 (the effective date of this AD) or within the next 30 calendar days after September 13, 2004 (the effective date of this AD), whichever occurs first, unless already done. | Follow the INSTRUCTIONS paragraph in The New Piper Aircraft, Inc. Service Bulletin No. 1140, dated September 16, 2003, and the applicable airplane maintenance manual. |
| (2) If during the inspections required by paragraphs (e)(1)(i) and (e)(1)(ii) of this AD, you find any protective cover over the percussion cap or any silicon tube over the end of the trigger mechanism, remove any protective cover or silicon tube. | Before further flight after the inspection required in paragraph (e)(1) of this AD, unless already done. | Follow the INSTRUCTIONS paragraph in The New Piper Aircraft, Inc. Service Bulletin No. 1140, dated September 16, 2003, and the applicable airplane maintenance manual. |
| (3) Do not operate the airplane after installation of any oxygen generator (P/N 471-025) referenced in this AD unless any protective cover of the percussion cap or any silicon tube over the end of the trigger mechanism has been removed. | As of September 13, 2004 (the effective date of this AD). | Not applicable. |
Note 1: Standard procedure is to remove the protective cover after installation. Refer to the applicable airplane maintenance manual for specific procedures for removing any protective cover of the percussion cap or any silicon tube over the end of the trigger mechanism.
Note 2: The affected models in the service bulletin referenced in this AD include the Models PA-46-310P and PA-46-350P airplanes. However, these models are certificated at a lower service ceiling than the Model PA-46-500TP airplane. Since Piper has demonstrated an emergency descent to a lower altitude with no oxygen to the pilot, neither Model PA-46-310P nor PA-46-350P airplanes are affected by the identified condition.
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.
