The FAAsT Blast from the FAA Safety Team has passed along two items for all of you Piper Aircraft owners. Here are reprints from the notice:
Piper AD Affects 34,000 Aircraft
A new Airworthiness Directive (AD) was issued by the FAA to correct an unsafe condition on select models of Piper PA-28, PA-32, PA-34, and PA-44 aircraft. The AD, prompted by reports of control cable assembly failures that could result in loss of pitch control, requires inspections of the stabilator control system and replacement of parts as necessary.
The AD goes into effect on March 11, 2013, and affects more than 34,000 aircraft of U.S. registry. For more details on the inspection procedures required with this AD, go to http://go.usa.gov/4yMz, or click the AD link from http://www.faa.gov.
FAA Issues SAIB for Piper Super Cub
On February 6, 2013, the FAA issued a Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin (SAIB) alerting owners and operators of Piper PA-18 (L-21) airplanes of cracking discovered in the weld joint of the aft fuselage tail post. If undetected, the cracking could become significant and result in a potential safety of flight hazard such as loss of control of the lower rudder hinge or tail wheel.
The FAA recommends the affected Piper airplane models that have accumulated 1,000 hours total time in service (TIS) be inspected using a fluorescent penetrant and/or x-ray within the next 100 hours TIS in the fuselage tail post area, and then be repeated every 1,000 hours TIS. These inspections are particularly important if the aircraft is subject to operation in severe turbulence, towing, or on rough terrain. The SAIB also provides guidance on recommended inspections for various Piper airplane models with similar tail post configurations. For more information as well as a detailed x-ray view of a damaged area, go to http://go.usa.gov/4VjF.