AD 96-10-15 61 FR 24881

This amendment supersedes Airworthiness Directive (AD) 80-14- 06, which currently requires the following on The New Piper Aircraft, Inc. (Piper) Models PA31, PA31-300, PA31-325, and PA31-350 airplanes: repetitively inspecting the outboard flap tracks, wing rib flanges, and the rear spar web at Wing Station (WS) 147.5 on each wing, and modifying the area at WS 147.5 on both wings if any cracks are found as terminating action for the repetitive inspection requirement. The Federal Aviation Administration's policy on aging commuter-class aircraft is to eliminate or, in certain instances, reduce the number of certain repetitive short-interval inspections when improved parts or modifications are available. This action retains the repetitive inspection requirement of AD 80-14-06, and requires modifying the area at WS 147.5 on both wings as terminating action for the repetitive inspection requirement. The actions specified in this AD are intended to prevent structural failure under certain load conditions caused by cracked areas at WS 147.5, which, if not detected and corrected, could result in loss of control of the airplane.