2013-02-13: Stabilizer Control System

Adoption of the Amendment Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the Administrator, the FAA amends 14 CFR part 39 as follows: PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES 0 1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows: Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701. Sec. 39.13 [Amended] 0 2. The FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness directive (AD): 2013-02-13 Piper Aircraft, Inc.: Amendment 39-17334; Docket No. FAA- 2012-0731; Directorate Identifier 2012-CE-020-AD. (a) Effective Date This AD is effective March 11, 2013. (b) Affected ADs None. (c) Applicability This AD applies to Models PA-28-236, PA-28-140, PA-28-150, PA- 28-151, PA-28-160, PA-28-161, PA-28-180, PA-28-181, PA-28-201T, PA- 28R-201, PA-28-235, PA-28R-201T, PA-28S-160, PA-28S-180, PA-28R-180, PA-28R-200, PA-28RT-201, PA-28RT-201T, PA-32-260, PA-32-301, PA-32- 301T, PA-32-300, PA-32R-300, PA-32R-301T, PA-32R-301 (SP), PA-32R- 301 (HP), PA-32RT-300, PA-32RT-300T, PA-32S-300, PA-32-301FT, PA-32- 301XTC, PA-34-200, PA-34-200T, PA-34-220T, PA-44-180, and PA-44-180T airplanes, all serial numbers, certificated in any category. (d) Subject Joint Aircraft System Component (JASC)/Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 2740, Stabilizer Control System. (e) Unsafe Condition This AD was prompted by reports of control cable assembly failures that may lead to failure of the horizontal stabilator control system and could result in loss of pitch control. This AD requires inspections of the stabilator control system and replacement of parts as necessary. We are issuing this AD to correct the unsafe condition on these products. (f) Compliance Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, unless already done. (g) Inspection (1) Initially inspect the stabilator control system following instructions 1 through 10 of Piper Aircraft, Inc. Mandatory Service Bulletin No. 1245A, dated November 28, 2012, as follows: (i) If the age of the airplane is at or exceeds 15 years as of March 11, 2013 (the effective date of this AD): At the next annual inspection or within the next 12 months after March 11, 2013 (the effective date of this AD). (ii) If the age of the airplane is less than 15 years as of March 11, 2013 (the effective date of this AD): When the age of the airplane reaches 15 years, then at the next annual inspection or within 12 months after the airplane reaches 15 years of age. (iii) If the age of the airplane cannot be determined as of March 11, 2013 (the effective date of this AD): At the next annual inspection or within the next 12 months after March 11, 2013 (the effective date of this AD). Note for paragraph (g)(1)(i), (g)(1)(ii), and (g)(1)(iii) of this AD: To assist in determining the age of the airplane, you may contact Piper Aircraft, Inc., 2926 Piper Drive, Vero Beach, Florida 32960; telephone: (772) 567-4361; Internet: www.piper.com; or access the FAA airplane registry database at: http://registry.faa.gov/aircraftinquiry/Serial_Inquiry.aspx. (2) After the applicable initial inspection required in paragraph (g)(1) of this AD, repetitively thereafter at intervals not to exceed 2,000 hours time-in-service or 7 years, whichever occurs first, inspect the stabilator control system following instructions 1 through 10 of Piper Aircraft, Inc. Mandatory Service Bulletin No. 1245A, dated November 28, 2012. (h) Repair If any cracks, corrosion, or cable fraying are found during any inspection required in paragraphs (g)(1) or (g)(2) of this AD, before further flight, replace the damaged part with an airworthy part. (i) Credit for Actions Accomplished in Accordance With Previous Service Information This AD provides credit for the actions required in this AD if already done before March 11, 2013 (the effective date of this AD) following Piper Aircraft, Inc. Mandatory Service Bulletin No. 1245, dated May 3, 2012. (j) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs) (1) The Manager, Atlanta Aircraft Certification Office (ACO), FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. In accordance with 14 CFR 39.19, send your request to your principal inspector or local Flight Standards District Office, as appropriate. If sending information directly to the manager of the ACO, send it to the attention of the person identified in the Related Information section of this AD. [[Page 7645]] (2) Before using any approved AMOC, notify your appropriate principal inspector, or lacking a principal inspector, the manager of the local flight standards district office/certificate holding district office. (k) Related Information For more information about this AD, contact Hector Hernandez, Aerospace Engineer, FAA, Atlanta ACO, 1701 Columbia Avenue, College Park, Georgia 30337; telephone: (404) 474-5587; fax: (404) 474-5606; email: hector.hernandez@faa.gov. (l) Material Incorporated by Reference (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference (IBR) of the service information listed in this paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. (2) You must use this service information as applicable to do the actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise. (i) Piper Aircraft, Inc. Mandatory Service Bulletin No. 1245A dated November 28, 2012. (ii) Reserved. (3) For Piper Aircraft, Inc. service information identified in this AD, contact Piper Aircraft, Inc., 2926 Piper Drive, Vero Beach, Florida 32960; telephone: (772) 567-4361; Internet: http://www.piper.com/pages/publications.cfm. (4) You may view this service information at FAA, Small Airplane Directorate, 901 Locust, Kansas City, Missouri 64106. For information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call (816) 329-4148. (5) Youmay view this service information that is incorporated by reference at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of this material at NARA, call 202-741-6030, or go to: http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html.