68-21-03: Exhaust Tailpipe Assemblies
FAA order 68-21-03 is an airworthiness directive in force since October 28, 1968. The FAA's subject line: Exhaust Tailpipe Assemblies. It names Piper PA-23 Apache and Aztec: about 1,314 aircraft on the U.S. register today, though an order usually covers particular versions or serial numbers rather than every one. System: engine.
What it applies to as the FAA lists it
- Kind of product
- Aircraft
- Makes
- Piper Aircraft Inc.
- Models
- PA-23-250 (Navy UO-1), PA-E23-250
- On this site
- Piper PA-23 Apache and Aztec 1,314 registered
Dates and paperwork
- In force since
- October 28, 1968
- Published
- October 11, 1968 (signed October 3, 1968)
- 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 (1,421 characters)
68-21-03 PIPER: Amendment 39-667. Applies to Model PA-23-250 and PA-E23-250 Aircraft Serial Nos. 27-2505 through 27-3858 that Incorporate AiResearch Turbosupercharged Lycoming IO-540-J4A5 or IO-540-C4B5 Engines Installed in accordance with Supplemental Type Certificate No. SA909WE or SA978WE, or in accordance with Piper Aircraft Corporation Drawing No. 32016.
Compliance required within 10 hours of aircraft operations after the effective date of this Airworthiness Directive, unless previously accomplished.
To preclude failures of the exhaust tailpipe assemblies, AiResearch P/N 286-P23-060-5 and P/N 286-P23-060-9:
(a) Visually inspect both the left and right hand engine tailpipes for cracks or deformation. If a crack or deformation is found in either tailpipe, retire the affected tailpipe assembly and replace with a new tailpipe assembly of the same part number.
(b) Visually inspect both the left and right hand engine tailpipes for sufficient clearance betweenthe tailpipes and the firewalls and between the tailpipes and the cowl flaps in accordance with AiResearch Aviation Service Company Service Bulletin No. 14.1.8 dated April 25, 1968, or later FAA approved revisions. If sufficient clearance does not exist, install AiResearch Kit P/N 301-P23-063 and adjust for sufficient clearance in accordance with the above service bulletin.
This amendment becomes effective October 28, 1968.
Related safety bulletins advice on the same designs, not orders
2018-11-21SW-18-31 · NAVIGATION, ATTITUDE, AND DIRECTION DATA SYSTEM
2017-02-21CE-17-08 · Main Landing Gear Drag Link Bolt
2012-09-17CE-12-44 · Exhaust systems
2008-01-09CE-08-11 · Landing Gear
2005-07-07CE-05-67 ·
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 4, 2026. Connections as data: /graph/directive/68-21-03.json · aircraft systems.
