AD 2014-23-03 Airworthiness Directives; Piper Aircraft, Inc.

Makes named: piper. Models named: PA-31P. Read the applicability below — it usually turns on serial or part numbers too.

This AD applies to Piper Aircraft, Inc. Model PA-31P airplanes, serial numbers 31P-1 through 31P-80 and 31P-7300110 through 31P-7730012, that are certificated in any category.

Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, unless already done.

(1) Within the next 60 hours time-in-service (TIS) after December 18, 2014(the effective date of this AD) or within the next 6 months after December 18, 2014 (the effective date of this AD), whichever occurs first, and repetitively thereafter at intervals not to exceed 60 hours TIS or 6 months, whichever occurs first, inspect the parts as specified in table 1 of paragraph (g)(1) of this AD, if installed. Table 1 of Paragraph (g)(1) of This AD: Inspection for Piper and Lycoming Exhaust System Parts Product/part nomenclature Make Model/part No. With a light and mirror or other method capable of achieving an equivalent visual resolution, inspect for the following conditions Airplane Piper PA-31P Engine Lycoming TIGO-541-E series Pipe, exhaust, right-rear Lycoming 78012 Bulges, cracks, and exhaust leak stains. Pipe, exhaust, left-rear Lycoming 78008 Bulges, cracks, and exhaust leak stains. Pipe, rear exhaust adapter Lycoming LW-13027 Bulges, cracks, and exhaust leak stains. Tail pipe assembly, upper Piper 46323-05 Bulges, cracks, and exhaust leak stains. Tail pipe assembly, lower Piper 48788-05 Bulges, cracks, and exhaust leak stains. V-band coupling Lycoming LW-12093-5 Cracks and exhaust leak stains. V-band coupling Piper 555-366 or 557-369 Cracks and exhaust leak stains. Isolator (CA-3383-1) Piper 467-442 Cracks, looseness, and distortion. Bracket—isolator, upper Piper 47014-02 Cracks, looseness, and distortion. Bracket—isolator, lower Piper 47013-02 Cracks, looseness, and distortion. (2) If any damage is found in any inspection required in paragraph (g)(1) of this AD, before further flight, do the corrective actions, as applicable, in paragraphs (g)(2)(i) through (g)(2)(iv). (i) Replace Piper v-band couplings exhibiting cracks and/or exhaust leak stains with airworthy parts following Piper Aircraft, Inc. Mandatory Service Bulletin No. 644E, dated May 9, 2012. Replace Lycoming v-band couplings exhibiting cracks and/or exhaust leak stains with airworthy parts following Lycoming Service Instruction No. 1238B, Revision B, dated January 6, 2010. Note to paragraphs (g)(2)(i) and (h)(2)(iii): During replacement of v-band couplings, we recommend not opening the v-band coupling more than the MINIMUM diameter necessary to clear coupled flanges. It is recommended to replace any locknuts and/or mating couplings with airworthy parts when locknuts do not exhibit a prevailing torque when installed. (ii) Replace Lycoming exhaust system parts exhibiting bulges, cracks, and/or exhaust leak stains with airworthy parts following Lycoming Service Instruction No. 1320, dated March 7, 1975; or Textron Lycoming Service Instruction No. 1391, dated October 5, 1979, as applicable. (iii) Replace Piper tail pipe assembly parts exhibiting bulges, cracks, and/or exhaust leak stains with airworthy parts following Piper Aircraft, Inc. Mandatory Service Bulletin No. 644E, dated May 9, 2012. (iv) Replace Piper isolators and brackets exhibiting cracks, looseness and/or distortion following Piper Aircraft Corporation Service Bulletin No. 462A, dated November 3, 1975; and Piper Aircraft, Inc. Mandatory Service Bulletin No. 492A, dated May 29, 2012.

This AD was prompted by reports of exhaust system failures, new service information issued by the manufacturer, and the tailpipe v-band coupling used for terminating action is obsolete. We are issuing this AD to prevent the possibility of an in-flight powerplant fire due to an exhaust system failure.

This AD supersedes AD 76-06-09, Amendment 39-3325 (43 FR 50417, October 30, 1978).