Piper PA-23 Apache/Aztec

Airworthiness Directives; Piper Aircraft, Inc. Airplanes

The FAA is superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 78-02-03, which applied to all Piper Aircraft, Inc. (Piper) Model PA-23-250 airplanes. AD 78-02-03 required repetitively inspecting the stabilator tip tube and weight assemblies for cracks, inspecting for missing rivets and screws, replacing the forward rib/horn assemblies, and reinforcing the mounting. Since AD 78-02-03 was issued, Piper developed a newly-designed stabilator, which is not subject to the unsafe condition, and revised its service information. This AD retains the actions of AD 78-02-03, but reduces the applicability and requires the actions in the revised service information. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

Airworthiness Directives; Piper Aircraft, Inc. Airplanes

We are superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 69-13-03 for all Piper Aircraft, Inc. Models PA-23, PA-23-160, PA-23-235, PA-23-250, PA-E23-250, and PA-30 airplanes. AD 69-13-03 required inspection of the heater exhaust extension, replacement of the extension as necessary, and overhaul of the combustion heater assembly. This AD retains the inspection of the heater exhaust extension with replacement of the extension as necessary and removes the overhaul requirement of the combustion heater assembly. This AD was prompted by a recently issued AD that applies to the Meggitt (Troy), Inc. combustion heaters, and the combustion heater AD incorporates corrective actions for the heater that contradict the overhaul requirement of AD 69-13-03. We are issuing this AD to continue to address the unsafe condition on these products and avoid potential contradiction of actions.

Airworthiness Directives; Piper Aircraft, Inc. Airplanes

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Piper Aircraft, Inc. Models PA-23-250, PA-24-250, PA-24-260, PA-24-400, PA-30, PA-31, PA-31-300, PA-31P, PA-39, and PA-E23-250 airplanes. This AD was prompted by an accident caused by fuel starvation where the shape of the wing fuel tanks and fuel below a certain level in that tank may have allowed the fuel to move away from the tank outlet during certain maneuvers. This AD requires installing a fuel system management placard on the airplane instrument panel and adding text to the Limitations Section of the pilot's operating handbook (POH)/airplane flight manual (AFM). We are issuing this AD to correct the unsafe condition on these products.

Airworthiness Directives; Piper Aircraft, Inc. Airplanes

We are revising an existing airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Piper Aircraft, Inc. Models PA-23, PA-23-160, PA-23-235, PA-23- 250, PA-23-250 (Navy UO-1), PA-E23-250, PA-31, PA-31-300, PA-31-325, PA-31-350, PA-31P, PA-31P-350, PA-31T, PA-31T1, PA-31T2, PA-31T3, PA- 42, PA-42-720, and PA-42-1000 airplanes that are equipped with a baggage door in the fuselage nose section (a nose baggage door). That AD currently establishes life limits and replacement requirements for safety-critical nose baggage door components and repetitive inspections and lubrication of the nose baggage door latching mechanism and lock assembly. This new AD removes the requirement for the nose baggage door compartment interior light inspection and retains the other requirements from AD 2009-13-06, Amendment 39-15944. This AD was prompted by further investigation and a request for an alternative method of compliance (AMOC). We are issuing this AD to correct the unsafe condition on these products.

Airworthiness Directives; Piper Aircraft, Inc. PA-23, PA-31, and PA-42 Series Airplanes

We are adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Piper Aircraft, Inc. (Piper) PA-23 series airplanes and all PA-31 and PA-42 series airplanes. This AD establishes life limits for safety- critical nose baggage door components. This AD also requires you to replace those safety-critical nose baggage door components and repetitively inspect and lubricate the nose baggage door latching mechanism and lock assembly. This AD results from several incidents and accidents, including fatal accidents, where the nose baggage door opening in flight was listed as a causal factor. We are issuing this AD to detect and correct damaged, worn, corroded, or non-conforming nose baggage door components, which could result in the nose baggage door opening in flight. The door opening in flight could significantly affect the handling and performance of the aircraft. It could also allow baggage to be ejected from the nose baggage compartment and strike the propeller. This failure could lead to loss of control.

Airworthiness Directives; The New Piper Aircraft, Inc. Models PA-23-235, PA-23-250, and PA-E23-250 Airplanes

The FAA adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) that supersedes Airworthiness Directive (AD) 74-06-01, which applies to certain The New Piper Aircraft, Inc. (Piper) Models PA-23-235, PA-23- 250, and PA-E23-250 airplanes equipped with Garrett Aviation Services (Garrett) (formerly AiResearch) turbosuperchargers installed under supplemental type certificate (STC) SA852WE, SA909WE, or SA978WE; or installed under Piper Aircraft Drawing Number 32016. AD 74-06-01 currently requires you to replace turbosupercharger oil tanks, install fire shrouds, seal all openings in the fire shrouds, and add drainage provisions in the oil tank fairings for airplane serial numbers 27-1 through 27-2504; and add drainage provisions in the air scoops on serial numbers 27-2505 and higher. This AD requires you to replace the oil reservoir and related hoses with a fireproof oil tank and fire- shielded hoses. This AD results from a report of a fatal accident related to the breakdown of the turbocharger oil reservoir following a fire in the engine nacelle. We are issuing this AD to prevent turbosupercharger oil reservoirs with inadequate fire resistance from failing when exposed to flame or exhaust gases. This failure could lead to an in-flight fire within the nacelle area penetrating the firewall and subsequent failure of the wing spar.

Airworthiness Directives; the New Piper Aircraft, Inc. Models PA-23, PA-23-160, PA-23-235, PA-23-250, and PA-E23-250 Airplanes

This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) that applies to certain The New Piper Aircraft, Inc. (Piper) Models PA-23, PA-23-160, PA-23-235, PA-23-250, and PA-E23-250 airplanes that do not incorporate a certain design flap control torque tube or torque tube assembly. This AD requires you to repetitively inspect the flap control torque tube for cracks, corrosion, wear, or elongation of the attachment bolt holes (referred to as damage); and requires you to replace any damaged torque tube with either an improved design flap control torque tube or flap control torque tube assembly. The repetitive inspections will no longer be necessary when the improved design torque tube or torque tube assembly is installed. This AD is the result of several reports of damage found in the flap control torque tube on the affected airplanes. The actions specified by this AD are intended to detect and correct damage to the flap control torque tube, which could result in failure of the flap operating system. If such failure occurred during landing or takeoff, then a split flap condition could occur with potential loss of control of the airplane.

Airworthiness Directives; The New Piper Aircraft, Inc. PA-23, PA- 24, PA-28, PA-32, and PA-34 Series Airplanes

This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) that applies to certain The New Piper Aircraft, Inc. (Piper) PA-23, PA-24, PA-28, PA-32, and PA-34 series airplanes that incorporate certain Facet (manufactured by the Purolator Products Company) induction air filters. This AD requires replacing these induction air filters. This AD results from reports of cracking, splitting, crumbling, and deterioration (referred to as damage hereon) of Facet/Purolator induction air filters manufactured between a certain time period. The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent pieces of a damaged induction air filter from being ingested into the engine, which could result in reduced or loss of engine power.

Airworthiness Directives; The New Piper Aircraft Corporation Models PA-23, PA-23-160, PA-23-235, PA-23-250, PA-E23-250, PA-30, PA- 39, PA-40, PA-31, PA-31-300, PA-31-325, PA-31-350, PA-34-200, PA-34- 200T, PA-34-220T, PA-42, PA-42-720, PA-42-1000 Airplanes

This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) that applies to The New Piper Aircraft Corporation (Piper) Models PA-23, PA- 23-160, PA-23-235, PA-23-250, PA-E23-250, PA-30, PA-39, PA-40, PA-31, PA-31-300, PA-31-325, PA-31-350, PA-34-200, PA-34-200T, PA-34-220T, PA- 42, PA-42-720, PA-42-1000 airplanes. This action requires revising the FAA-approved airplane flight manual (AFM) to specify procedures that will prohibit flight in severe icing conditions (as determined by certain visual cues), limit or prohibit the use of various flight control devices while in severe icing conditions, and provide the flight crew with recognition cues for, and procedures for exiting from, severe icing conditions. This AD is prompted by results of a review of the requirements for certification of these airplanes in icing conditions, new information on the icing environment, and icing data provided currently to the flight crew. The actions specified by this AD are intended to minimize the potential hazards associated with operating these airplanes in severe icing conditions by providing more clearly defined procedures and limitations associated with such conditions.

Airworthiness Directives; The New Piper Aircraft, Inc. (Formerly Piper Aircraft Corporation) PA23, PA31, PA31P, PA31T, and PA42 Series Airplanes

This amendment supersedes Airworthiness Directive (AD) 86-17- 07, which currently requires replacing all hydraulic hoses with hydraulic hoses of an improved design on certain The New Piper Aircraft, Inc. (Piper) PA23, PA31, PA31P, PA31T, and PA42 series airplanes. This AD action will require inspecting for improperly manufactured hydraulic hoses replaced during a specific time frame and replacing all affected hydraulic hoses. An incorrect designation of a Piper Model PA31-310 and a Piper Model PA23-150 airplane prompted the proposed AD action. The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent hydraulic hose failure which could cause loss of hydraulic capabilities resulting in a gear-up landing and possible loss of the airplane.