FAA to modify stabilator AD on Piper twins
The FAA has proposed superseding a 1978 airworthiness directive that ordered stabilator inspections of all Piper PA–23-250 twin-engine airplanes with a new AD that would drop some later-manufactured models from the AD’s provisions and scale back its applicability to others.
The original AD, which “requires repetitively inspecting the stabilator tip tube and weight assemblies for cracks, inspecting for missing rivets and screws, replacing the forward rib/horn assemblies, and reinforcing the mounting,” was issued to prevent stabilator-structure weakening and possible loss of control after routine inspections turned up cracks on stabilators and “abnormal trim tab horn bushing wear.”
The list of affected aircraft should also be adjusted in accordance with Piper service bulletin SB 540B—a February 2021 revision of the service bulletin that covered the stabilator tip tube and the weight assembly inspections, the FAA said.
Members may submit formal comments on the proposed AD until November 1 online or by mail to U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590. Please include “Docket Number FAA-2020-1006; Project Identifier 2019-CE-047-AD” at the beginning of your comments.
