AD/PA-23/93 Nose Baggage Door (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-23/93 Nose Baggage Door 9/2009

Applicability:

Model PA-23, PA-23-160, PA-23-235, PA-23-250, PA-23-250 (Navy UO-1) and
PA-E23-250 aircraft, all serial numbers; and equipped with a baggage door in the fuselage nose section (a nose baggage door).

Requirement:

1.    In accordance with Instructions Part I of Piper Aircraft Inc. Service Bulletin
No. 1194A, dated 10 November 2008, or later FAA approved revision:

a.     Inspect the nose baggage door assembly for damaged, worn, corroded or non-conforming components.

b.    Replace life-limited components specified in the service information.

c.     Install or inspect, as applicable, the nose baggage placard following the service information.  As an alternative to using part number 100700-079 placard, a placard may be fabricated (using at least 1/8-inch letters) with the words in Figure 1 of this Directive.  The placard installation is directly above the nose baggage door handle.

2.    In accordance with Instructions Part II of Piper Aircraft Inc. Service Bulletin
No. 1194A, dated 10 November 2008, or later FAA approved revision:

a.     Lubricate and inspect all nose baggage door latching and locking components for damaged, worn, corroded or non-conforming components.

b.    Verify the key can only be removed from the lock assembly in the locked position.

If damaged, worn, corroded or non-conforming components are detected during any inspection required by this Directive, before further flight, repair/replace the affected components in accordance with Piper Aircraft Inc. Service Bulletin No. 1194A, dated 10 November 2008, or later FAA approved revision.

CLOSE AND LOCK
NOSE BAGGAGE DOOR
BEFORE FLIGHT

1.   CLOSE DOOR FULLY AGAINST DOOR FRAME

2.   PRESS DOOR HANDLE FLUSH WITH SKIN, AND ROTATE KEY INTO LOCKED POSITION

3.   REMOVE KEY

4.   PUSH ON FORWARD END OF DOOR HANDLE, TO CONFIRM THAT HANDLE IS LOCKED AND SECURE

Figure 1. - Nose Baggage Door Placard

Note:  FAA AD 2009-13-06 Amdt 39-15944 refers.

Compliance:

1.    Initially, within 1,000 hours time in service since all life-limited components were installed new following the Requirement document, or within 100 hours time in service after 27 August 2009, whichever occurs later; and, repetitively thereafter at intervals not to exceed 1,000 hours time in service.

2.    Initially, within 100 hours time in service after 27 August 2009, and repetitively thereafter at intervals not to exceed 100 hours time in service.

This Airworthiness Directive becomes effective on 27 August 2009.

Background:

The FAA received reports from several incidents and accidents, including fatal accidents, where the nose baggage door opening in flight was listed as a causal factor. The door opening during 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.

David Villiers
Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority

15 July 2009