Airworthiness Directive · Amendment 39-17058 · Placards and markings
Piper Aircraft, Inc. Airplanes
This AD applies to the airplanes identified in paragraphs (c)(1) and (c)(2) of this AD, certificated in any category.
(1) Model PA-31T airplanes, serial numbers 31T-7820001, 31T-7820002, 31T-7820003, 31T-7820004, 31T-7820005, 31T-7820006, 31T-7820007, 31T-7820008, 31T-7820009, 31T-7820010, 31T-7820011, 31T-7820012, 31T-7820013, 31T-7820014, 31T-7820015, 31T-7820016, 31T-7820017, 31T-7820018, 31T-7820019, 31T-7820020, 31T-7820021, 31T-7820022, 31T-7820023, 31T-7820024, 31T-7820025, 31T-7820026, 31T-7820027, 31T-7820028, 31T-7820029, 31T-7820030, 31T-7820031, 31T-7820032, 31T-7820033, 31T-7820034, 31T-7820035, 31T-7820036, 31T-7820037, 31T-7820038, 31T-7820039, 31T-7820040, 31T-7820041, 31T-7820042, 31T-7820043, 31T-7820044, 31T-7820045, 31T-7820046, 31T-7820047, 31T-7820048, 31T-7820049, 31T-7820050, 31T-7820051, 31T-7820052, 31T-7820053, 31T-7820054, 31T-7820055, 31T-7820056, 31T-7820057, 31T-7820058, 31T-7820059, 31T-7820060, 31T-7820061, 31T-7820062, 31T-7820063, 31T-7820064, 31T-7820065, 31T-7820066, 31T-7820067, 31T-7820068, 31T-7820069, 31T-7820070, 31T-7820071, 31T-7820072, 31T-7820073, 31T-7820074, 31T-7820075, 31T-7820076, 31T-7820077, 31T-7820078, 31T-7820079, 31T-7820080, 31T-7820081, 31T-7820082, 31T-7820083, 31T-7820084, 31T-7820085, 31T-7820086, 31T-7820087, 31T-7820088, 31T-7820089, 31T-7820090, 31T-7820091, 31T-7820092; and
(2) Model PA-31T1 airplanes, serial numbers 31T-7804001, 31T-7804002, 31T-7804003, 31T-7804004, 31T-7804005, 31T-7804006, 31T-7804007, 31T-7804008, 31T-7804009, 31T-7804010, 31T-7804011, 31T-7904001, 31T-7904002, 31T-7904003, 31T-7904004, 31T-7904005, 31T-7904006, 31T-7904007, 31T-7904008, 31T-7904009, 31T-7904010, 31T-7904011, 31T-7904012, 31T-7904013, 31T-7904014, 31T-7904015, 31T-7904016, 31T-7904017, 31T-7904018, 31T-7904019, 31T-7904020, 31T-7904021, 31T-7904022, 31T-7904023, 31T-7904024, 31T-7904025, 31T-7904026, 31T-7904027, 31T-7904028, 31T-7904029, 31T-7904030, 31T-7904031, 31T-7904032, 31T-7904033, 31T-7904034, 31T-7904035, 31T-7904036, 31T-7904037, 31T-7904038, 31T-7904039, 31T-7904040, 31T-7904041, 31T-7904042, 31T-7904043, 31T-7904044, 31T-7904045, 31T-7904046, 31T-7904047, 31T-7904048, 31T-7904049, 31T-7904050, 31T-7904051, 31T-7904052, 31T-7904053, 31T-7904056, 31T-7904057.
We are superseding an existing airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Piper Aircraft, Inc. (type certificate previously held by The New Piper Aircraft Inc.) Models PA-31T and PA-31T1 airplanes. That AD currently requires correcting a model identification error on the aircraft data plate. Since we issued that AD, we have become aware that some owner/operators of the affected airplanes modified the aircraft data plate in error because of confusion in the serial number applicability. Because of the confusion, the manufacturer has issued new service information to clarify affected airplane serial numbers. This new AD requires determining the airplane model based on the serial number and modifying the aircraft data plate to properly identify the airplane model. This new AD also requires doing a detailed search for all applicable airworthiness related documents that apply to any airplane that has an incorrectly marked data plate and take necessary corrective actions based on the search findings. We are issuing this AD to correct the unsafe condition on these products.
Within the next 100 hours after June 29, 2012 (the effective date of this AD), inspect the markings on the aircraft data plate. Do the inspection following Part I of Piper Aircraft, Inc. Mandatory Service Bulletin No. 1235, dated November 3, 2011.
(1) If the aircraft data plate is correctly marked, make a logbook entry showing compliance with this AD, and no further action is required.
(2) If the aircraft data plate is incorrectly marked, continue with paragraphs (h) and (i) of this AD.
Before further flight after the inspection required in paragraph (g) of this AD, modify the aircraft data plate following Part II of Piper Aircraft, Inc. Mandatory Service Bulletin No. 1235, dated November 3, 2011.
Before further flight after the modification required in paragraph (h) of this AD:
(1) Do a detailed search of the aircraft maintenance records and documents to include, but not limited to, ADs, special airworthiness information bulletins (SAIBs), service bulletins (SBs), and other service documents; installed supplemental type certificates (STCs) and parts manufacturing approval (PMAs); and instructions for continued airworthiness (ICAs). Each document found must be assessed to ensure proper actions have been made to maintain airworthiness as affected by the model number of the aircraft. Part 135 operators and other operators utilizing FAA-approved maintenance programs will need to address changes to their inspection programs and related documents.
Note 1 to paragraph (i)(1) of this AD: Although some of the above documents may not be mandatory for compliance, it is still necessary to evaluate them to ensure that any voluntary compliance does not negatively affect the airworthiness of the airplane.
(2) Identify all discrepant conditions for misidentified aircraft and coordinate with the geographic Flight Standards District Office (FSDO) and the Atlanta Aircraft Certification Office (ACO) to determine necessary corrective actions. Also, coordinate with the geographic FSDO to arrange for revisions to the airworthiness certificate, registration, and other potential document/certificate revisions. The following is a list of example discrepant conditions that may be found during the records search:
(i) An AD was complied with that was applicable to the incorrect model, but not applicable to the corrected model.
(ii) A required AD for the corrected model was not complied with.
(iii) A maintenance action was performed that was recommended, but not mandatory, for the incorrect model, but not applicable to the corrected model.
(iv) A PMA part was installed that was applicable for the incorrect model, but not for the corrected model.
(v) An STC was installed that was applicable for the incorrect model, but not for the corrected model.
(vi) An STC was installed that was applicable for both the incorrect and corrected model, but all related, applicable ADs for the corrected model were not complied with.
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
