AD NUMBER: 2018-07-03

PRODUCT: Certain Piper Aircraft, Inc. Models PA-28-140, PA-28-150, PA-28-151, PA-28-160, PA-28-161, PA-28-180, PA28-181, PA-28-236, PA-28-201T, PA-28R-180, PA-28R-200, PA-28R-201, PA-28R-201T, PA28RT-201, and PA-28RT-201T airplanes.

ACTION: Final rule; request for comments.

SUMMARY: The FAA is superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2018-02-05 for the aircraft listed above.

AD 2018-02-05 required inspecting the fuel tank selector cover to verify the left and right fuel tank selector placards are located at the proper positions and replacing those that are improperly located with new placards.

This AD addresses the same unsafe condition and requires the same actions as AD 2018-02-05, but changes the inspection of the fuel tank selector cover to a preflight check and allows for various fuel selector clocking configurations. This AD was prompted by our determination to allow the owner/operator (pilot) holding at least a private pilot certificate to perform the preflight check.

The FAA is issuing this AD to allow the pilot to do a preflight check of the fuel selector placards.

DATES: This AD is effective April 20, 2018. Comments must be received by May 21, 2018.

COST: The FAA estimates that this AD affects 17,957 airplanes, of U.S. registry. Since this AD allows the owner/operator (pilot) holding at least a private pilot certificate to perform the required preflight check of the fuel tank selector placards, there is a reduction in cost associated with this AD.

The FAA estimates the following costs to do any necessary replacements that will be required based on the results of the preflight check of the left and right fuel tank selector placards for proper installation inspection. The agency has no way of determining the number of aircraft that might need this replacement. If replacement is necessary, the estimated cost is $51.76 for parts and labor.

FMI: AD