Fri, Aug 23, 2013
Nearly 7,000 Airplanes Affected By The New AD
The FAA plans to supersede an existing AD that applies to certain Piper Aircraft Models PA-28-140, PA-28-150, PA-28-160, PA-28-180, PA-28R-180, and PA-28R-200 airplanes. AD 71-21-08, Amendment 39-1312 (36 FR 19572, October 8, 1971) currently requires replacement of the fuel selector valve cover. Since issuing the AD 71-21-08, the FAA has learned of similar fuel selector valve issue exists in additional serial numbered airplanes not identified in the existing AD. The proposed AD would add additional airplanes to the AD's applicability section and changes the compliance time of the required actions.
A safety event in 2011 caused the loss of a Model PA-28-180C airplane and the serious injury to one occupant. A subsequent FAA investigation revealed eight additional PA-28 series events dating from 1999 to the present were the result of a similar fuel selector valve assembly issue. Additionally, the FAA was unable to determine and locate records of notification when Piper Service Letter (SL) 590, dated May 25, 1972, and Piper Service Bulletin (SB) 840, dated June 19, 1986, were released indicating a similar fuel selector valve issue existed in additional serial numbered airplanes not identified in AD 71-21-08.
The FAA says that although reliable internal records do not exist for events prior to 1995, it is likely that the AD and Piper service information referenced above was released due to the frequency of similar events occurring during the periods in which the documents were released. Piper has indicated the majority of the airplanes added to the applicability of this NPRM have likely already complied with the proposed action.
The expanded AD is estimated to affect 6,928 airplanes of U.S. registry. The estimated cost of repair is $42.50 to have the airplane inspected, and $640.50 to $646.50 per airplane, including labor, to purchase the appropriate kit from Piper and have it installed.
The proposed AD is open for comments until October 4.
(Piper PA-28-140 Cherokee pictured in file photo)
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