2025-02-11: Rudder Structure

1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows: Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701. 2. The FAA amends § 39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness directive: 2025-02-11 FS 2001 Corp, FS 2002 Corporation, FS 2003 Corporation, Piper, and Piper Aircraft, Inc.: Amendment 39-22944; Docket No. FAA-2023-1893; Project Identifier AD-2023-00389-A. (a) Effective Date This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective March 20, 2025. (b) Affected ADs None. (c) Applicability This AD applies to all airplane models specified in table 1 to paragraph (c) of this AD, certificated in any category, that are not equipped with a rudder having a rudder post made from 4130N low-alloy steel. Note 1 to paragraph (c): Most parts manufacturer approval (PMA) rudders are equipped with a rudder post made from 4130N low-alloy steel. This can be verified by reviewing the individual PMA. Note 2 to paragraph (c): Piper Service Bulletin 1379B, dated May 7, 2024, contains information on how to determine whether a rudder post is made from 4130N low-alloy steel. This is not the only way to determine this and this AD does not require the use of this service bulletin. Table 1 to Paragraph ( c )-Applicable Airplane Models Type certificate holder Airplane model FS 2001 Corp J5A (Army L-4F), J5A-80, J5B (Army L-4G), J5C, AE-1, HE-1. FS 2002 Corporation PA-14. FS 2003 Corporation PA-12, PA-12S. Piper Aircraft, Inc J3C-40, J3C-50, J3C-50S, J3C-65, J3C-65S, PA-11, PA-11S. Piper Aircraft, Inc J3F-50, J3F-50S, J3F-60, J3F-60S, (Army L-4D) J3F-65, J3F-65S. Piper Aircraft, Inc J3L, J3L-S, J3L-65 (ARMY L-4C), J3L-65S. Piper Aircraft, Inc J4, J4A, J4A-S. Piper Aircraft, Inc J4E (ARMY L-4E). Piper J4F. Piper Aircraft, Inc PA-15. Piper Aircraft, Inc PA-16, PA-16S. Piper Aircraft, Inc PA-17. Piper Aircraft, Inc PA-18, PA-18S, PA-18 "105" (Special), PA-18S "105" (Special), PA-18A, PA-18 "125" (Army L-21A), PA-18S "125", PA-18AS "125", PA-18 "135" (Army L-21B), PA-18A "135", PA-18S "135", PA-18AS "135", PA-18 "150", PA-18A "150", PA-18S "150", PA-18AS "150", PA-19 (Army L-18C), PA-19S. Piper Aircraft, Inc PA-18A (Restricted), PA-18A "135" (Restricted), PA-18A "150" (Restricted). Piper Aircraft, Inc PA-20, PA-20S, PA-20 "115", PA-20S "115", PA-20 "135", PA-20S "135". Piper Aircraft, Inc PA-22, PA-22-108, PA-22-135, PA-22S-135, PA-22-150, PA-22S-150, PA-22-160, PA-22S-160. (d) Subject Joint Airplane System Component (JASC) Code 5540, Rudder Structure. (e) Unsafe Condition This AD was prompted by reports of broken rudders. The FAA is issuing this AD to address fatigue loading and corrosion of rudder posts made from 1025 carbon steel which, if not addressed, could result in a broken rudder and consequent reduced ability of the flight crew to maintain the safe flight and landing of the airplane. (f) Compliance Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, unless already done. (g) Required Actions (1) At the applicable compliance time for the category type for your airplane specified in table 2 to paragraph (g)(1) of this AD, replace the rudder with a rudder that is equipped with a rudder post made from 4130N low-alloy steel. Table 2 to Paragraph ( g )(1)-Compliance Times Category type Compliance time Category I Airplanes: Airplanes having both a rudder post mounted beacon light and a 150 or greater horsepower (hp) engine installed Within 2 years after the effective date of this AD. Category II Airplanes: Airplanes having either a rudder post mounted beacon light or a 150 or greater hp engine installed Within 3 years after the effective date of this AD. Category III Airplanes: All airplanes not in Category I or Category II that do not have a rudder post mounted beacon light and have an engine less than 150 hp and greater than 100 hp installed Within 5 years after the effective date of this AD. Category IV Airplanes: All airplanes not in Category I, II, or III that do not have a rudder post mounted beacon light and have an engine of 100 hp or below installed Within 10 years after the effective date of this AD. (2) As of the effective date of this AD, do not install any rudder that is equipped with a rudder post made from 1025 carbon steel on any airplane. (h) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs) (1) The Manager, West Certification Branch, 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 West Certification Branch, send it to the attention of the person identified in paragraph (i)(1) of this AD. Information may be emailed to: AMOC@faa.gov . (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. (i) Additional Information (1) For more information about this AD, contact Joseph Zuklic, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 2200 South 216th Street, Des Moines, WA 98198; phone: (206) 231-3858; email: joseph.r.zuklic@faa.gov. (2) For material identified in this AD that is not incorporated by reference, contact Piper Aircraft, Inc., 2926 Piper Drive, Vero Beach, FL 32960; phone: (772) 299-2141; website: piper.com. You may view this material at the FAA, Airworthiness Products Section, Operational Safety Branch, 901 Locust, Kansas City, MO 64106. For information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call (817) 222-5110. (j) Material Incorporated by Reference None. Issued on January 31, 2025. Steven W. Thompson, Acting Deputy Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Airplane Certification Service. [FR Doc. 2025-02528 Filed 2-12-25; 8:45 am]BILLING CODE 4910-13-P