AD/PA-23/91 Elevator Butt Rib and Plate Inspection (Cth)

AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE

For the reasons set out in the background section, the CASA delegate whose signature appears below issues the following Airworthiness Directive (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-23/91 Elevator Butt Rib and Plate - Inspection 9/2008

Applicability:

Model PA-23 with serial numbers 23-1 to 23-1284, and 23-1286.

Requirement:

If elevator assembly P/No. 17058-00 is installed - visually inspect for cracks in elevator butt rib P/No. 17058-3 and elevator butt rib plate P/No. 17058-20.  Replace cracked parts before further flight.  Parts must be assembled and installed to obtain proper alignment, and to prevent distortion and over-torquing of the attachment bolts.  Piper Service Bulletin No. 146B refers.

If elevator assembly P/No. 19446 is installed - no further action is required by this AD.

Note 1:  This inspection was previously included in AD/PA-23/12 Amdt 1.

Note 2:  FAA AD 63-12-02 refers.

Compliance:

Aircraft which have previously been inspected in accordance with AD/PA-23/12 Amdt 1 - at each scheduled inspection for issue of a maintenance release.

Aircraft which have not previously been inspected in accordance with AD/PA-23/12 Amdt 1 - within 100 hours time in service following the effectivity date of this AD and thereafter at each scheduled inspection for issue of a maintenance release.

This Airworthiness Directive becomes effective on 28 August 2008.

Background:

When AD/PA-23/12 Amdt 1 was reviewed it was decided to remove the inspection specified in FAA AD 63-12-02 (Piper SB No. 146B) and use it to create a new AD.  The serial number applicabilities of FAA ADs 63-12-02 and 63-26-03 are different and warrant separate ADs.

David Villiers
Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority

18 July 2008