Airworthiness Directive · Amendment 39-15944 · Piper Aircraft, Inc. PA-23, PA-31, and PA-42 Series Airplanes
Piper Aircraft, Inc. PA-23, PA-31, and PA-42 Series Airplanes
Superseded. A later AD replaced this one: AD 2009-13-06 R1. Comply with the one in force.
This AD applies to Models PA-23, PA-23-160, PA-23-235, PA-23-250, PA-23-250 (Navy UO-1), PA-E23-250, PA-31, PA-31-300, PA-31-325, PA-31-350, PA-31P, PA-31P-350, PA-31T, PA-31T1, PA-31T2, PA-31T3, PA-42, PA-42-720, and PA-42-1000 airplanes, all serial numbers, that are:
(1) Certificated in any category; and
(2) Equipped with a baggage door in the fuselage nose section (a nose baggage door).
We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Piper Aircraft, Inc. (Piper) PA-23 series airplanes and all PA-31 and PA-42 series airplanes. This AD establishes life limits for safety- critical nose baggage door components. This AD also requires you to replace those safety-critical nose baggage door components and repetitively inspect and lubricate the nose baggage door latching mechanism and lock assembly. This AD results from several incidents and accidents, including fatal accidents, where the nose baggage door opening in flight was listed as a causal factor. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct damaged, worn, corroded, or non-conforming nose baggage door components, which could result in the nose baggage door opening in flight. The door opening in flight could significantly affect the handling and performance of the aircraft. It could also allow baggage to be ejected from the nose baggage compartment and strike the propeller. This failure could lead to loss of control.
To address this problem, you must do the following, unless already done:
| Actions | Compliance | Procedures |
|---|---|---|
| (1) For all aircraft: (i) inspect the nose baggage door assembly for damaged, worn, corroded, or non-conforming components; (ii) replace life-limited components specified in the service information; and (iii) install or inspect, as applicable, the nose baggage placard following the service information. | (A) Initially: within 1,000 hours time-in-service (TIS) since all life-limited components were installed new following Piper Aircraft, Inc. Service Bulletin No. 1194A, dated November 10, 2008, or within the next 100 hours TIS after July 24, 2009 (the effective date of this AD), whichever occurs later; and (B) Repetitively thereafter: at intervals not to exceed 1,000 hours TIS. | Follow INSTRUCTIONS: PART I of Piper Aircraft, Inc. Service Bulletin No. 1194A, dated November 10, 2008. As an alternative to using part number 100700-079 placard, you may fabricate a placard (using at least 1/8 -inch letters) with the words in figure 1 of this AD and install the placard directly above the nose baggage door handle. |
| (2) For all aircraft: (i) lubricate and inspect all nose baggage door latching and locking components for damaged, worn, corroded, or non-conforming components; and | (A) Initially: within 100 hours TIS after July 24, 2009 (the effective date of this AD); and (B) Repetitively thereafter: at intervals not to exceed 100 hours TIS. | Follow INSTRUCTIONS: PART II of Piper Aircraft, Inc. Service Bulletin No. 1194A, dated November 10, 2008. |
| (ii) verify the key can only be removed from the lock assembly in the locked position in accordance with the service instructions. | ||
| (3) For all aircraft with damaged, worn, corroded, or non-conforming components: repair/replace any damaged, worn, corroded, or non-conforming components. | Before further flight after any inspection required in paragraphs (e)(1) and (e)(2) of this AD where any evidence of damaged, worn, or corroded components was found. | Follow Piper Aircraft, Inc. Service Bulletin No. 1194A, dated November 10, 2008. |
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.
