FAA orders · airworthiness directive · current

78-10-03: Fuel Venting

FAA order 78-10-03 is an airworthiness directive in force since May 23, 1978. The FAA's subject line: Fuel Venting. It names Piper J-3 Cub, Piper J4 Cub Coupe, Piper J5 Cub Cruiser, Piper PA-11 Cub Special, Piper PA-12 Super Cruiser, Piper PA-14, Piper PA-16 Clipper, Piper PA-18 Super Cub, Piper PA-20 Pacer, Piper PA-22 Tri-Pacer and Colt: about 13,247 aircraft on the U.S. register today across them, though an order usually covers particular versions or serial numbers rather than every one. System: other and general.

What it applies to as the FAA lists it

Kind of product: Aircraft
Makes: FS 2001 Corp.; FS 2002 Corp.; FS 2003 Corp.; Piper Aircraft Inc.
Models: AE-1, HE-1, J5A-80, J5A (Army L-4F), J5B (Army L-4G), J5C, PA-14, PA-12, PA-12S, J-3, J3C-40, J3C-50, J3C-50S, J3C-65S, J3F-50, J3F-50S, J3F-60, J3F-60S, J3F-65 (Army L-4D), J3F-65S, J3L, J3L-65 (Army L-4C), J3L-65S, J3L-S, J3P, J4, J4A, J4A-S, J4B, J4E (Army L-4E), J4F, PA-11, PA-11S, PA-16, PA-16S, PA-18, PA-18-105 (Special), PA-18-125 (Army L-21A), PA-18-135, PA-18-150, PA-18A, PA-18A-135, PA-18A-135 (Restricted), PA-18A-150, PA-18A-150 (Restricted), PA-18A (Restricted), PA-18AS-125, PA-18AS-135, PA-18AS-150, PA-18S, PA-18S-105 (Special), PA-18S-125, PA-18S-135, PA-18S-150, PA-20,...
On this site: Piper J-3 Cub 3,806 registered
Piper J4 Cub Coupe 197 registered
Piper J5 Cub Cruiser 294 registered
Piper PA-11 Cub Special 443 registered
Piper PA-12 Super Cruiser 1,247 registered
Piper PA-14 100 registered
Piper PA-16 Clipper 276 registered
Piper PA-18 Super Cub 3,621 registered
Piper PA-20 Pacer 323 registered
Piper PA-22 Tri-Pacer and Colt 2,940 registered

Dates and paperwork

In force since: May 23, 1978
Published: May 18, 1978 (signed May 9, 1978)
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 (1,159 characters)

78-10-03   PIPER:  Amendment 39-3212.  Applies to all J-3, J-4, J-5, PA-11, PA-12, PA-14, PA-16, PA-18, PA-20 and PA-22 type aircraft. \n\n\tCompliance required within the next 10 hours in service after effective date of this AD unless already accomplished. \n\n\tIn order to prevent inadequate fuel venting, accomplish the following: \n\n\t(a)\tModify fuel caps and inspect fuel tank inlet rubber seal in accordance with Piper Service Bulletin No. 522 dated September 28, 1976, (former AD 77-09-09 Sketch 1) or approved equivalent. AD 78-10-03 \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\t(b)\tDrill 2 additional vent holes .098 inch diameter through locking cam of fuel cap (Sketch 2) in accordance with instructions of Piper Service Bulletin No. 573 dated February 8, 1978, or approved equivalent. \n\n\t(c)\tUpon compliance with (b), vibro-etch Part No. 60707-04 as shown in Sketch 2. \n\n\t(d)\tEquivalent alterations must be approved by Chief, Engineering and Manufacturing Branch, FAA Eastern Region. \n\n\t(Piper Service Bulletins Nos. 522 and 573 pertain to this subject.) \n\n\tAmendment 39-3212 cancels AD 77-09-09. \n\n\tThis amendment is effective May 23, 1978.

Related safety bulletins advice on the same designs, not orders

2018-11-21SW-18-31 · NAVIGATION, ATTITUDE, AND DIRECTION DATA SYSTEM

2013-05-09CE-13-30 · IGNITION SYSTEM Toggle Style Magneto Switches on the Left Side Cabin Adjacent to the Pilot Seat

2013-02-06CE-13-14 · Fuselage Cracking at Aft Tail Post Weld Joint on Piper Model PA-18 (L-21) Airplanes

2005-07-07CE-05-67 ·

2001-07-11CE-01-30 ·

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 October 5, 2026. Connections as data: /graph/directive/78-10-03.json · aircraft systems.