Airworthiness Directive · Amendment 39-11065 · The New Piper Aircraft, Inc. Models PA- 31, PA-31-300, PA-31-325, PA-31-350, and PA-31P-350 Airplanes
The New Piper Aircraft, Inc. Models PA- 31, PA-31-300, PA-31-325, PA-31-350, and PA-31P-350 Airplanes
The following airplane models and serial numbers, certificated in any category: Models Serial numbers PA-31, PA-31-300, and PA-31-325........ 31-2 through 31-8312019 PA-31-350.............................. 31-5001 through 31-8553002 PA-31P-350............................. 31P-8414001 through 31P-8414050
This amendment supersedes Airworthiness Directive (AD) 81-15- 04 R1, which currently requires repetitively inspecting for cracks at the elevator outboard hinge attachment on the horizontal stabilizer rear spar on certain The New Piper Aircraft, Inc. (Piper) Models PA-31, PA-31-300, PA-31-325, PA-31-350, and PA-31P-350 airplanes, and if cracks are found, incorporating a spar and hinge bracket assembly kit. This AD requires repetitively inspecting the horizontal rear spar in the area of the outboard hinge attachment and the outboard hinge attach bracket for cracks. When cracks are found or at a certain accumulation of time-in-service (TIS), this AD also requires modifying the horizontal stabilizer spar by incorporating an improved stabilizer spar and hinge bracket assembly kit that will terminate the repetitive inspections. This AD is prompted by several field reports of cracks found during routine inspections on airplanes already in compliance with AD 81-15-04 R1. The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent failure of the horizontal stabilizer rear spar caused by cracks at the elevator outboard hinge attachment, which could result in loss of control of the airplane.
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.
