Piper PA-42 Cheyenne III/400

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. PA-42 Series Airplanes

This document adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) that applies to all The New Piper Aircraft, Inc. (Piper) PA-42 series airplanes that are equipped with pneumatic deicing boots. This AD requires you to revise the Airplane Flight Manual (AFM) to include requirements for activation of the airframe pneumatic deicing boots. This AD is the result of reports of in-flight incidents and an accident (on airplanes other than the affected Piper airplanes) that occurred in icing conditions where the airframe pneumatic deicing boots were not activated. The Piper PA-42 series airplanes have a similar type design (as it relates to airframe pneumatic deice boots) to the incident and accident airplanes. The actions specified by this AD are intended to assure that flight crews activate the pneumatic wing and tail deicing boots at the first signs of ice accumulation. This action will prevent reduced controllability of the aircraft due to adverse aerodynamic effects of ice adhering to the airplane prior to the first deicing cycle.

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. Models PA- 31T, PA-31T1, PA-31T2, PA-31T3, PA-42, PA-42-720, and PA-42-1000 Airplanes

This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) that applies to all The New Piper Aircraft, Inc. (Piper) Models PA-31T, PA- 31T1, PA-31T2, PA-31T3, PA-42, PA-42-720, and PA-42-1000 airplanes. This AD requires amending the Limitations Section of the airplane flight manual (AFM) to prohibit the positioning of the power levers below the flight idle stop while the airplane is in flight. This AFM amendment will include a statement of consequences if the limitation is not followed. This AD results from numerous incidents and five documented accidents involving airplanes equipped with turboprop engines where the propeller beta was improperly utilized during flight. The actions specified by this AD are intended to prevent loss of airplane control or engine overspeed with consequent loss of engine power caused by the power levers being positioned below the flight idle stop while the airplane is in flight.

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.

Airworthiness Directives; The New Piper Aircraft, Inc. PA31, PA31P, PA31T, and PA42 Series Airplanes

This amendment adopts a new airworthiness directive (AD) that applies to The New Piper Aircraft, Inc. (Piper) PA31, PA31P, PA31T, and PA42 series airplanes. This action requires inspecting for cracks beneath and in the area of the inboard aileron hinge bracket on the aileron spar and rib using dye penetrant methods, replacing any cracked aileron spar or rib, and replacing the inboard aileron hinge bracket with a hinge bracket of improved design. Several reports of cracks in the vicinity of the inboard aileron hinge bracket, aileron spar, and aileron rib prompted this proposed action. The actions specified by the proposed AD are intended to prevent structural failure of the aileron caused by cracks in the area of the inboard aileron hinge bracket, which, if not detected and corrected, could result in loss of control of the airplane.