AD 99-12-05 Airworthiness Directives; The New Piper Aircraft, Inc. Models PA- 31, PA-31-300, PA-31-325, PA-31-350, and PA-31P-350 Airplanes

Makes named: piper. Read the applicability below — it usually turns on serial or part numbers too.

The following airplane model and serial numbers, certificated in any category, that are not equipped with the applicable improved design elevators or elevator spar assemblies specified in the ``Replacement Elevator P/N'' and ``Replace Spar P/ N'' columns of the ``Material Required Table'' on page 4 of Piper Service Bulletin No. 998A, dated August 4, 1997: ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Models Serial No. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ PA-31, PA-31-300, and PA-31-325........... 31-2 through 31-8312019 PA-31-350................................. 31-5001 through 31-8553002 PA-31P-350................................ 31P-8414001 through 31P- 8414050 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Note 1: This AD applies to each airplane identified in the preceding applicability provision, regardless of whether it has been modified, altered, or repaired in the area subject to the requirements of this AD. For airplanes that have been modified, altered, or repaired so that the performance of the requirements of this AD is affected, the owner/operator must request approval for an alternative method of compliance in accordance with paragraph (g) of this AD. The request should include an assessment of the effect of the modification, alteration, or repair on the unsafe condition addressed by this AD; and, if the unsafe condition has not been eliminated, the request should include specific proposed actions to address it.

Required as indicated in the body of this AD, unless already accomplished. To prevent failure of the elevator spar caused by fatigue cracking, which could result in reduced airplane controllability, accomplish the following: (a) Upon accumulating 2,500 hours time-in-service (TIS) on each elevator spar assembly or within the next 100 hours TIS after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs later, accomplish the following in accordance with the INSTRUCTIONS section of Piper Service Bulletin No. 998A, dated August 4, 1997: (1) Install access holes for the inspection of the elevator spar; (2) Inspect the elevator spars for cracks; and (3) Inspect the elevator ice protection boots for looseness. (b) If the elevator ice protection boots are found loose during the inspection required by paragraph (a)(3) of this AD, prior to further flight, reinstall or replace the elevator ice protection boots in accordance with the INSTRUCTIONS section of Piper Service Bulletin No. 998A, dated August 4, 1997. (c) If no cracks are found in the elevator spars during the inspection required by paragraph (a)(2) of this AD, reinspect the elevator spars for cracks at intervals not to exceed 100 hours TIS, provided no cracks are found (if cracks are found, refer to paragraphs (d) and (d)(1) of this AD). (d) At whichever of the compliance times presented in paragraphs (d)(1) and (d)(2) of this AD that occurs first, replace each elevator or elevator spar assembly with a part of improved design as specified in the ``Replacement Elevator P/N'' and ``Replace Spar P/ N'' columns of the ``Material Required Table'' on page 4 of Piper Service Bulletin No. 998A, dated August 4, 1997. Accomplish these replacements in accordance with the applicable maintenance manual. (1) Prior to further flight on any elevator spar assembly where any cracks are found during the initial inspection required by paragraph (a)(2) of this AD or any repetitive inspection required by paragraph (c) of this AD; or (2) Within 1,000 hours TIS after the initial inspection required by paragraph (a)(2) of this AD. (e) Replacing both the left and right elevators or elevator spar assemblies with parts of improved design as specified in the ``Replacement Elevator P/N'' and ``Replace Spar P/N'' columns of the ``Material Required Table'' on page 4 of Piper Service Bulletin No. 998A, dated August 4, 1997, is considered terminating action for the repetitive inspection requirement of this AD. (1) This action may be accomplished at any time to terminate the repetitive inspections, but must be accomplished prior to further flight on any elevator spar found cracked or within 1,000 hours TIS after the initial inspection, whichever occurs first. (2) If one elevator spar assembly is replaced prior to further flight when a crack is found, the other elevator spar assembly must still be repetitively inspected every 100 hours TIS until replacement at 1,000 hours TIS after the initial inspection or when cracks are found, whichever occurs first. (f) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with Secs. 21.197 and 21.199 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 21.197 and 21.199) to operate the airplane to a location where the requirements of this AD can be accomplished. (g) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the initial or repetitive [[Page 31689]] compliance times that provides an equivalent level of safety may be approved by the Manager, Atlanta Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), One Crown Center, 1895 Phoenix Boulevard, Suite 450, Atlanta, Georgia 30349. The request shall be forwarded through an appropriate FAA Maintenance Inspector, who may add comments and then send it to the Manager, Atlanta ACO. Note 2: Information concerning the existence of approved alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be obtained from the Atlanta ACO. (h) The installations, inspections, and replacements required by this AD shall be done in accordance with Piper Service Bulletin No. 998A, dated August 4, 1997. This incorporation by reference was approved by the Director of the Federal Register in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. Copies may be obtained from The New Piper Aircraft, Inc., 2926 Piper Drive, Vero Beach, Florida 32960. Copies may be inspected at the FAA, Central Region, Office of the Regional Counsel, Room 1558, 601 E. 12th Street, Kansas City, Missouri, or at the Office of the Federal Register, 800 North Capitol Street, NW, suite 700, Washington, DC. (i) This amendment becomes effective on July 23, 1999. Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on June 2, 1999. Marvin R. Nuss, Acting Manager, Small Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. 99-14535 Filed 6-11-99; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910-13-P