Airworthiness Directive · Amendment 39-17489 · Fuel storage
Piper Aircraft, Inc. Airplanes
This AD applies to the following Piper Aircraft, Inc. airplanes, listed in table 1 of paragraph (c) of this AD, certificated in any category:
| Model | Serial Nos. |
|---|---|
| PA-46-310P (Malibu) | 46-8408001 through 46-8408087; 46-8508001 through 46-8508109; 46-8608001 through 46-8608067; and 4608001 through 4608140. |
| PA-46-350P (Mirage) | 4622001 through 4622200; 4636001 through 4636591; and 4636593. |
| PA-46R-350T (Matrix) | 4692001 through 4692190 and 4692192. |
| PA-46-500TP (Meridian) | 4697001 through 4697520. |
We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Piper Aircraft, Inc. Models PA-46-310P, PA-46-350P, PA-46R-350T, and PA-46-500TP airplanes. This AD requires inspecting the fuel vent valves to identify if the nitrile parts are installed and modifying and eventually replacing the fuel vent valves if the nitrile parts are installed. This AD was prompted by nitrile fuel vent valves not providing the correct ventilation. If not corrected, this unsafe condition may lead to structural damage of the wings, which could result in loss of control. We are issuing this AD to correct the unsafe condition on these products.
(1) Within the next 10 hours time-in-service (TIS) after July 10, 2013 (the effective date of this AD), inspect the left and right fuel vent valves of the main fuel tank vent assemblies to identify if they are the nitrile (black) valves following Part I of Piper Aircraft Inc. Mandatory Service Bulletin No. 1258, dated June 5, 2013.
(2) If during the inspection required in paragraph (g)(1) of this AD, you find that a nitrile (black) fuel vent valve is not installed, except for the requirement of paragraph (h)(3) of this AD, no further action is required by this AD.
(3) If during the inspection required in paragraph (g)(1) of this AD, you find that a nitrile (black) fuel vent valve is installed, before further flight, modify the fuel vent valve following Part II of Piper Aircraft, Inc. Mandatory Service Bulletin No. 1258, dated June 5, 2013. This includes the limitations requirement in paragraphs 3 and 4 of Part II of the service bulletin.
(4) In lieu of doing the modification required in paragraph (g)(3) of this AD, you may within the next 10 hours TIS after July 10, 2013 (the effective date of this AD), do the fuel vent valve replacement required in paragraph (h)(1) of this AD following Part III of Piper Aircraft, Inc. Mandatory Service Bulletin No. 1258, dated June 5, 2013.
(1) If during the inspection required in paragraph (g)(1) of this AD, you find that a nitrile (black) fuel vent valve is installed, within the next 90 days after July 10, 2013 (the effective date of this AD) if not already done before further flight as specified in paragraph (i)(4) of this AD, replace the nitrile (black) fuel vent valve with the fluorosilicone (orange) fuel vent valve following Part III of Piper Aircraft, Inc. Mandatory Service Bulletin No. 1258, dated June 5, 2013. This would include removing the limitations requirement in paragraphs 3 and 4 of Part II of the service bulletin.
(2) You may at any time before 90 days after July 10, 2013 (the effective date of this AD), replace the nitrile (black) fuel vent valve with the flourosilicone (orange) fuel vent valve. This would include removing the limitations requirement in paragraphs 3 and 4 of Part II of the service bulletin.
(3) After July 10, 2013 (the effective date of this AD), do not install the nitrile (black) fuel vent valve on any of the affected airplanes.
For the purpose of complying with paragraph (g)(1) of this AD, a single-positioning flight is allowed to a location where the inspection required in paragraph (g)(1) can be done provided the actions and limitations specified in paragraphs (i)(1) through (i)(4) of this AD are followed, and the flight is done within the initial 10-hour TIS inspection compliance time. A copy of the limitations from paragraphs 3 and 4 of Part II of Piper Aircraft, Inc. Mandatory Service Bulletin No. 1258, dated June 5, 2013, must be inserted in the pilot's operating handbook before the positioning flight and removed after the flight. An owner/operator (pilot) holding at least a private pilot certificate is allowed to insert these limitations and do the action of paragraph (i)(1) of this AD.
(1) During normal procedures checklist of every preflight inspection, check condition of wing surface for buckling, skin wrinkling, distortion or other damage. If any damage is found during the preflight inspection, before further flight, repairs must be done. Contact Piper Aircraft, Inc. at contact information found in paragraph (l)(3) of this AD for an FAA-approved repair and incorporate the repair. At the operator's discretion, this preflight inspection may be delegated to an appropriately certified mechanic.
(2) Flights must be limited to the minimum required crew. No passenger flights are allowed.
(3) Outside air temperature must not be lower than −34 degrees Celsius (−30 degrees Fahrenheit) during all phases of flight.
(4) Avoid unnecessary rapid decent maneuvers.
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.
