AD/PA-23/70 Amdt 2 Stabilator Tip Tube and Weight Assembly Inspection and Modification (Cth)

AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE

On the effective date specified below, and for the reasons set out in the background section, the CASA delegate whose signature appears below revokes Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD/PA-23/70 Amdt 1 and issues the following AD under subregulation 39.001(1) of CASR 1998.  The AD requires that the action set out in the requirement section (being action that the delegate considers necessary to correct the unsafe condition) be taken in relation to the aircraft or aeronautical product mentioned in the applicability section: (a) in the circumstances mentioned in the requirement section; and (b) in accordance with the instructions set out in the requirement section; and (c) at the time mentioned in the compliance section.

Piper PA-23 (Apache and Aztec) Series Aeroplanes

AD/PA-23/70 Amdt 2 Stabilator Tip Tube and Weight
Assembly - Inspection and Modification 2/2009

Applicability:

All model PA-23-250 with serial numbers 27-7654001 and up.

Requirement:

1.    Serial numbers 27-7654001 to 27-7754057.  Inspect both stabilator tip tube and weight asssemblies for cracks in accordance with Piper SB No. 540A.

Note 1:  USA AD 78-02-03 (Amdt 39-3128) paragraph (a)(1)(iii) refers.

2.    Serial numbers 27-7754058 and up.  Inspect both stabilator tip tube and weight asssemblies for cracks in accordance with Piper SB No. 540A.

Note 2:  USA AD 78-02-03 (Amdt 39-3128) paragraph (a)(2) refers.

Compliance:

At each scheduled inspection for issue of a maintenance release following the date of effectivity of this Amendment.  Periodic inspections are no longer mandatory when Piper kit 763 987 is installed.

Compliance with Amendment 1 of this AD constitutes compliance with this amendment.

This Amendment becomes effective on 12 February 2009.

Background:

The original issue of this AD in 1977 specified once-only action in accordance with Piper SB No. 540; and serial numbers up to 27-7554057.

Amendment 1 in 1977 added once-only action in accordance with Piper SB No. 547.

In accordance with USA AD 78-02-03 this Amendment introduces a periodic inspection and expands the serial number applicability.  The requirement document is Piper SB No. 540A.  Reference to Piper SB No. 547 has been omitted.

David Punshon
Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority

23 December 2008