The U.S. aircraft register, updated daily
FAA orders · airworthiness directive · current

59-13-02: Aileron Balance Weight

FAA order 59-13-02 is an airworthiness directive published July 9, 1959. The FAA's subject line: Aileron Balance Weight. It names Piper PA-24 Comanche: about 2,428 aircraft on the U.S. register today, though an order usually covers particular versions or serial numbers rather than every one. System: flight controls.

What it applies to as the FAA lists it

Kind of product
Aircraft
Makes
Piper Aircraft Inc.
Models
PA-24, PA-24-250
On this site
Piper PA-24 Comanche 2,428 registered

Dates and paperwork

Published
July 9, 1959 (signed July 1, 1959)
Docket
Unknown
Status
Current
The FAA's document
Read the order on the FAA's site

The order itself the regulatory text, as published

Show the full text (945 characters)
59-13-02 PIPER: Applies to Models PA-24 and PA-24 "250" Aircraft Serial Numbers 24-1 to 24-978 Inclusive and 24-980. Compliance required within the next 100 hours of operation or by October 1, 1959, whichever occurs first. Service experience indicates that cracks have developed in the aileron balance weight attachment bulkheads. These bulkheads are riveted to the front spar of the aileron and are the supports to which the balance weight arm is attached. To reduce the probability of failure of the aileron balance weight arm attachment install reinforced bulkheads on both ailerons except on Serial Number 24-980 replace the balance weight attachment bulkhead on right aileron only. (Piper Service Bulletin No. 173 also covers this subject and states "Service Kit, Part Number 734-233, is available from your nearest Piper distributor or dealer free of charge if the airframe serial number is included on the purchase order.")

Related safety bulletins advice on the same designs, not orders

2018-11-21SW-18-31 · NAVIGATION, ATTITUDE, AND DIRECTION DATA SYSTEM
2013-05-09NE-13-32 · Propeller Spinner Section
2008-09-17CE-08-50 · Landing Gear Manual Extension System Inspection
2005-07-07CE-05-67 ·
2004-09-15CE-04-88 ·

Source: FAA Dynamic Regulatory System, airworthiness directives. The FAA's document is the authority; the register counts are this site's, from the FAA register of November 6, 2026. Connections as data: /graph/directive/59-13-02.json · aircraft systems.