Airworthiness Directives; Piper Models PA-31, PA-31-300, PA-31-325,
PA-31-350, PA-31T, PA-31T1, and PA-31P Airplanes
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Preamble Information
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT
DATES: Effective August 18, 1983.
Regulatory Information
82-27-13 R2 PIPER AIRCRAFT CORPORATION: Amendment 39-4534
as amended by Amendment 39-4707. Applies to Models PA-31 (S/Ns 31-
2 thru 31-7812129), PA-31-300 (S/Ns 31-2 thru 31-511), PA-31-325
(S/Ns 31-7300932 thru 31-7812129), PA-31-350 (S/Ns 31-5001 thru 31-
7852171), PA-31T (S/Ns 7400002 thru 31T-7820092, except 31T-
7820067), PA-31T1 (S/Ns 31T-7804001 thru 31T-7804011) and PA-31P
(S/Ns 31P-1 thru 31P-7730012) airplanes certificated in any category.
COMPLIANCE: Required as indicated unless already accomplished.
To prevent loss of control due to flap asymmetric conditions caused by
failure of the flap extension system, accomplish the following:
a) On Models PA-31 (S/Ns 31-2 thru 31-7812129), PA-31-300 (S/Ns 31-2
thru 31- 511), PA-31-325 (S/Ns 31-7300932 thru 31-7812129), PA-31-
350 (S/Ns 31-5001 thru 31- 7852171) and PA-31P (S/Ns 31P-1 thru 31P-
7730012) airplanes:
1. Within 25 hours time-in-service after April 22, 1982, restrict maximum
flap extension to 25 degrees by installation of temporary instrument
markings and placards and incorporation of pen and ink changes in the
applicable "Airplane Flight Manuals" or "Pilot's Operating Handbook and
FAA Approved Flight Manual" in accordance with Part I of Piper Service
Bulletin No. 739, dated March I, 1982. The installation of permanent kits
prescribed in paragraph a)4 below meets these requirements.
2. Within 100 hours time-in-service after April 22, 1982, and thereafter at
intervals not exceeding 500 hours time-in-service, visually inspect the flap
flexible drive shaft assemblies for alignment, wear and security of
attachment of end fittings to the flexible shaft. Prior to further flight,
replace unsatisfactory parts in accordance with Part II of Piper Service
Bulletin No. 739, dated March 1, 1982.
3. Within the next 100 hours time-in-service after April 22, 1982, or when
last accomplished under AD 76-10-06 or AD 81-11-03 and thereafter at
intervals not exceeding 100 hours time-in-service, visually inspect the
wing flap transmission for excessive wear. Prior to further flight, rework or
replace this assembly, as necessary, in accordance with "Instructions No.
1" of Piper Service Bulletin 494B dated July 17, 1979.
4. Permanent Piper Flap Travel Restrictions and Placard Kit, P/N 764
396, applicable to Model PA-31, PA-31-300, PA-31-325 and PA-31-350
airplanes, and P/N 764 397, applicable to Model PA-31P airplanes, may
be incorporated when available. On or before March 31, 1983, install Flap
Travel Restriction Supplementary Kit, P/N 764 920L, in accordance with
Piper Service Letter 958 dated October 25, 1982, which includes
additional stops and modification instructions to preclude the possibility of
flap damage.
NOTE: Service Letter 958 applies only to those aircraft listed in paragraph
a) of this AD which have installed Piper Kit 764 396 or 764 397 with an
issue date of March 5, 1982 (820305), in compliance with Piper Service
Bulletin 739, Part III, dated March I, 1982.
All Piper Kits 764 396 and 764 397 shipped from the factory on or after
September 9, 1982, will be identified with a revision date of September
21, 1982 (R82092I), and will incorporate the supplementary material and
instructions referenced in this Service Letter.
The installation of these later kits can be determined by examination of
the center flap tracks for presence of a P/N 71887-02 upper flap stop as
shown on page 3 of Piper Service Letter 958 dated October 25, 1982.
b) On Model PA-31T (S/Ns 31T-7400002 thru 31T-7520013) airplanes:
1. Within 25 hours time-in-service after April 22, 1982, restrict maximum
flap extension to 15 degrees by installation of temporary instrument
markings and placards and incorporation of pen and ink changes in the
"Pilot's Operating Handbook and FAA Approved Airplane Flight Manual"
in accordance with Part I of Piper Service Bulletin No. 741, dated March I,
1982. The installation of permanent placards and manual revisions
prescribed by paragraph b)4 below meets this requirement.
2. Within the next 100 hours time-in-service after April 22, 1982, and
thereafter at intervals not exceeding 500 hours time-in-service, visually
inspect the flap flexible drive shaft assemblies for alignment, wear and
security of attachment of end fittings to the flexible shaft. Prior to further
flight, replace unsatisfactory parts in accordance with Part I B, Piper
Service Bulletin No. 741, dated March 1, 1982.
3. Within the next 100 hours time-in-service after April 22, 1982, or since
last accomplished under AD 76-10-06 or AD 81-11-03 and thereafter at
intervals not to exceed 100 hours time-in-service, visually inspect the
wing flap transmission for excessive wear. Prior to further flight, rework or
replace this assembly as necessary in accordance with "Instructions No.
1" of Piper Service Bulletin No. 494B, dated July 17, 1982.
4. Permanent Autopilot/Flap Operation Placard, Piper P/N 81009-02 and
permanent "Pilot's Operating Handbook and FAA Approved Airplane
Flight Manual" revisions incorporating the same information specified in
paragraph b)I may be incorporated when available.
5. Upon installation of Piper Kit 764-398, Wing Flap Transmission
Modification Kit, the restrictions and inspections required by paragraphs
b)I and 2 are no longer required and temporary markings and manual
revisions may be removed and the requirements of paragraph c) below
become applicable.
c) On Model PA-31T (S/Ns 31T-7520014 thru 31T-7820066, 31T-
7820068 thru 31T-7820092) and those airplanes having S/N 31T-
7400002 thru 31T-7520013 if Piper Kit 764 398 is installed and Model PA-
31T1 (S/Ns 31T-7804001 thru 31T-7804011) airplanes:
1. Within the next 25 hours time-in-service after April 22, 1982, install a
Temporary Autopilot/Flap Operating Placard and make temporary
changes in the "Airplane Flight Manual" or "Pilot's Operating Handbook
and FAA Approved Airplane Flight Manual" in accordance with Part II of
Piper Service Bulletin No. 741, dated March 1, 1982. The installation of a
permanent placard and manual revisions prescribed by paragraph c)3
below meets these requirements.
2. Within the next 100 hours time-in-service after April 22, 1982, or when
last accomplished under AD 76-10-06 or AD 81-11-03 and thereafter at
intervals not exceeding 100 hours time-in-service, visually inspect the
wing flap transmission for excessive wear. Prior to further flight, rework or
replace this assembly as necessary in accordance with "Instructions No.
1" of Piper Service Bulletin 494B, dated July 17, 1979.
3. Permanent Autopilot/Flap Operation Placard, Piper P/N 81009-02 and
permanent "Pilot's Operating Handbook and FAA Approved Airplane
Flight Manual" revisions incorporating the same information specified in
paragraph c)1 may be incorporated when available.
d) Upon submission of substantiating data by an owner or operator,
through an FAA Maintenance Inspector, the Manager, Atlanta Aircraft
Certification Office, FAA, may adjust the inspection intervals and
compliance times specified in this AD.
e) An equivalent method of compliance with this AD when used must be
approved by the Manager, Atlanta Aircraft Certification Office, FAA, P.O.
Box 20636, Atlanta, Georgia 30320. The following has been approved as
an equivalent method of compliance with paragraph a)I, a)2, a)4.
1. Remove wing flap transmissions (20:1 gear ratio):
Piper P/N 489-425(L.H.), Dukes P/N 1209-00-1
Piper P/N 489-426(R.H.), Dukes P/N 1210-00-1
2. Install transmissions (40:1 gear ratio):
Piper P/N 489-427(L.H.), Dukes P/N 1215-00-1
Piper P/N 489-428(R.H.), Dukes P/N 1216-00-1
or alternatively:
3. Convert the transmissions to 40:1 gear ratio by use of Piper Kit No. 755
050 or No. 764 398 (Dukes Kit No. 1215-1000). The converted units are
then identified as:
Piper P/N 489-427(L.H.), Dukes P/N 1215-00-1
Piper P/N 489-428(R.H.), Dukes P/N 1216-00-1
4. Remove flexible drive shaft, Piper P/N 486-590 or 486-597, as
applicable, and install flexible drive shaft Piper P/N 486-631.
5. Change the Autopilot/Flap Operation Placard located on the pilot's side
window molding to read:
"OPERATE FLAP CONTROL IN SMALL INCREMENTS TO ASSURE
FLAP
SYMMETRY. NO FLAP SELECTION WITH AUTOPILOT ENGAGED."
6. Remove red full flap radial position mark on flap position indicator at 25
degrees as required by Part 1 of Piper Service Bulletin No. 739 dated
March 1, 1982.
7. Install a Supplement to the POH which reflects appropriate revisions to
the pages and paragraphs listed in Piper Service Bulletin No. 739, dated
March 1, 1982. Delete the limitations imposed by the 25 degree flap
setting and insert those applicable to the 40 degree flap setting. However,
retain the instructions for incremental flap extension and retraction. This
Supplement must be approved by the Manager, Atlanta Aircraft
Certification Office located at the address specified in paragraph e) of this
AD.
8. Compliance with Part II of Piper Service Letter No. 959, dated June 10,
1983, is approved as an equivalent means of compliance with paragraphs
a)1, a)3 and a)4 of this AD.
9. Compliance with Part I of Piper Service Letter No. 959, dated June 10,
1983, is approved as an equivalent method of compliance with
paragraphs a)1 through a)4 of this AD.
NOTE: In the event replacement flexible drive shafts are not available for
the PA-31, PA-31-300, PA-31-325 and PA-31-350 airplanes, the airplane
may be operated with flaps secured in the full-up position provided
appropriate performance data is used.
This amendment supersedes AD 82-08-06 (Amendment 39-4368 as
revised by Amendment 39-4456).
Amendment 39-4534 became effective January 11, 1983.
This Amendment 39-4707 becomes effective August 18, 1983.
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