AD/PA-31/102 Amdt 3 Flap Travel Restriction and Wing Flap Flexible Drive Shaft (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-31/102 Amdt 2 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-31 Series Aeroplanes

AD/PA-31/102 Amdt 3 Flap Travel Restriction and Wing
Flap Flexible Drive Shaft 8/2008

Applicability:

All models PA-31T and PA-31T1 with Serial Nos. referenced in Piper SB No. 741 or subsequent issue of SB No. 741.

Requirement:

Action in accordance with Piper SB No. 741.

Note:  FAA AD 82-27-13 (b) and (c) refer.

Compliance:

In accordance with the Requirement document, with effect from 30 June 1982.

This Amendment becomes effective on 31 July 2008.

Background:

Field reports have been received by the manufacturer indicating flap system malfunctions which were the result of failures of the wing flap flexible shaft assemblies.  Amendment 2 introduced flight manual amendments to cover performance changes introduced by the Service Bulletin.  Amendment 3 clarifies the Serial No. applicability and deletes the reference to flight manual amendments.

James Coyne
Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority

13 June 2008