AD 99-26-19 Airworthiness Directives; Piper Aircraft, Inc. Airplanes

Makes named: piper. Models named: J-2. Read the applicability below — it usually turns on serial or part numbers too.

This AD applies to Piper Aircraft, Inc. Model J-2 airplanes, serial numbers 500 through 1975, that are: (1) equipped with wing lift struts; and (2) certificated in any category.

Since AD 99-26-19, Amendment 39-11479 (64 FR 72524, December 28, 1999), was issued, the AD format has been revised, and certain paragraphs have been rearranged. As a result, the corresponding paragraph identifiers have changed in this AD, as listed in the following table: Table 1 to Paragraph (f) of This AD—Revised Paragraph Identifiers Requirement in AD 99-26-19 Corresponding requirement in this AD paragraph (a) paragraph (h) paragraph (a)(1) paragraph (i)(1) paragraph (a)(1)(i) paragraph (i)(1)(i) paragraph (a)(1)(ii) paragraph (i)(1)(ii) paragraph (a)(2) paragraph (i)(2) paragraph (a)(2)(i) paragraph (i)(2)(i) paragraph (a)(2)(ii) paragraph (i)(2)(ii) paragraph (a)(3) paragraph (j)(1) paragraph (a)(4) paragraph (j)(2) paragraph (b) paragraph (k) paragraph (b)(1) through (b)(1)(ii) paragraph (l) paragraph (b)(1)(ii)(A) paragraph (l)(1) paragraph (b)(1)(ii)(B) and (b)(1)(iv) paragraph (l)(2) paragraph (b)(1)(ii)(C) and (b)(1)(iv) paragraph (l)(3) paragraph (b)(1)(iii) and (b)(2) paragraph (m)(1) paragraph (b)(3) through (b)(3)(ii) paragraph (m)(2) Paragraph (c) Removed paragraph (d) paragraph (n)(1) paragraph (d)(1) paragraph (n)(1)(i) paragraph (d)(2) paragraph (n)(1)(ii) N/A Paragraph (n)(2)

Unless already done (compliance with AD 99-26-19, Amendment 39-11479 (64 FR 72524, December 28, 1999)), do the following actions within the compliance times specified in paragraphs (h) through (n) of this AD, including all subparagraphs. Properly unsealing and resealing a sealed wing lift strut is still considered a terminating action for the repetitive inspection requirements of this AD as long as all appropriate regulations and issues are considered, such as static strength, fatigue, material effects, immediate and long-term (internal and external) corrosion protection, resealing methods, etc. Current FAA regulations in 14 CFR 43.13(b) specify that maintenance performed will result in the part's condition to be at least equal to its original or properly altered condition. Any maintenance actions that unseal a sealed wing lift strut should be coordinated with the Atlanta Aircraft Certification Office (ACO) through the local airworthiness authority (e.g., Flight Standards District Office). There are provisions in paragraph (o) of this AD for approving such actions as an alternative method of compliance (AMOC).

(1) The subject of this AD was originally prompted by reports of corrosion damage found on the wing lift struts. We are revising AD 99-26-19, Amendment 39-11479 (64 FR 72524, December 28, 1999), because of reports that paragraph (c) had been misinterpreted and caused confusion. This AD removes the language in paragraph (c) of AD 99-26-19, which caused the confusion. (2) This AD clarifies the FAA's intention that if a sealed wing lift strut assembly is installed as a replacement part, the repetitive inspection requirement is terminated only if the seal is never improperly broken. If the seal is improperly broken, then that wing lift strut becomes subject to continued repetitive inspections. We did not intend to promote drilling holes into or otherwise unsealing a sealed strut. This AD retains all the actions required in AD 99-26-19 and this AD does not require any actions over that already required in AD 99-26-19. This AD does not add any additional burden to the owners/operators of the affected airplanes. (3) We are issuing this AD to detect and correct corrosion and cracking on the front and rear wing lift struts and forks, which could cause the wing lift strut to fail. This failure could result in the wing separating from the airplane.

This AD revises AD 99-26-19, Amendment 39-11479 (64 FR 72524, December 28, 1999). AD 99-01-05, Amendment 39-10972 (63 FR 72132, December 31, 1998), which superseded AD 93-10-06, Amendment 39-8586 (58 FR 29965, May 25, 1993), also relates to the subject of this AD.