AD/PA-44/19 Control Wheel Attachment 10/2004 DM

Applicability: Group A aircraft:

Models Serial Numbers

• PA-44-180 Seminole 4496020 through 4496173, and 4496175

Group B aircraft:

• PA-44-180 Seminole 4496174 through 4496176, and 4496180

Requirement: 1. For aircraft listed in Group A of the applicability part of this Directive, with the exception of aircraft listed in Group A that are already modified in accordance with the New Piper Aircraft Service Bulletin (SB) No. 1139, dated 28 August 2003; accomplish the following in accordance with Part I of SB No.1139 dated 9 April 2004:

a. Inspect the control wheel attachment screw for proper thread engagement
(minimum one thread showing past the end of the nut plate), and replace the
screw before further flight if insufficient thread engagement is found.

b. Inspect the nut plate for sufficient locking characteristics. If the screw can
be fully inserted into the nut plate by hand (one thread showing past end of
nut), then replacement of the nut plate is required before further flight.

c. Reassemble the control wheel onto the control wheel shaft and install the
attachment screw using Loctite thread-locking compound.

2. For aircraft listed in Group A or Group B of the applicability part of this Directive, install retainer clip part number 104687-002 in accordance with Part II of SB No. 1139A, dated 9 April 2004.

Note: FAA AD 2004-14-12 Amdt 39-13721 refers.

Compliance:

1. Within 25 hours time in service after 11 August 2004.
2. Within 100 hours time in service after 11 August 2004.

This Airworthiness Directive becomes effective on 11 August 2004.

Background: The FAA received a report that a Model PA-28-181 aircraft crashed after the pilot lost control of the ailerons and elevator. Investigation revealed that the left control wheel single attachment screw had unscrewed from its nut plate, which resulted in the control wheel spinning freely on the control column. Further investigation revealed the screw was too short and the nut plate lacked proper locking characteristics.

FMI: http://casa.gov.au/avreg/aircraft/ad/ADfiles/Under/PA-44/PA-44-019.pdf