The FAA is proposing an AD related to the miss drilling of holes in the control wheels of several models of Piper Aircraft (PA-28 AD, PA-34 AD, PA-44 AD, PA-32 AD SEE BELOW) affecting nearly 42,000 aircraft. Oops!
According to the FAA it is a mistake in manufacturing that has now been corrected. FAA estimates $40 to inspect the problem, however their estimate to fix the problem for repair/replacement cost to involve 16 hours of labor at a total cost of about $1430 per airplane and oh yeah $150 for the part.
This AD applies to the following airplane models and serial numbers that are certificated in any category:
Models
Serial Nos.
PA–28–140
28–20001 through 28–26946 and 28–7125001 through 28–7725290.
PA–28–150
28–03; 28–1 through 28–4377; and 28–1760A.
PA–28–160
28–03; 28–1 through 28–4377; and 28–1760A.
PA–28–180
28–03; 28–671 through 28–5859; and 28–7105001 through 28–7205318.
PA–28S–160
28–1 through 28–1760 and 28–1760A.
PA–28S–180
28–671 through 28–5859 and 28–7105001 through 28–7105234.
PA–28–235
28–10001 through 28–11378; 28–7110001 through 28–7210023; 28E–11 and 28–7310001 through 28–7710089.
PA–28–236
28–7911001 through 28–8611008 and 2811001 through 2811050.
PA–28–151
28–7415001 through 28–7715314.
PA–28–161
2841001 through 2841365; 28–7716001 through 28–8216300; 28–8316001 through 28–8616057; 2816001 through 2816109; 2816110 through 2816119; and 2842001 through 2842305.
PA–28–180
28–E13 and 28–7305001 through 28–7505260.
PA–28–181
28–7690001 through 28–8690056; 28–8690061; 28–8690062; 2890001 through 2890205; 2890206 through 2890231; and 2843001 through 2843672.
PA–28–201T
28–7921001 through 28–7921095.
PA–28R–180
28R–30002 through 28R–31270 and 28R–7130001 through 28R–7130013.
PA–28R–200
28R–35001 through 28R–35820; 28R–7135001 through 28R–7135229; and 28R–7235001 through 28R–7635545.
PA–28R–201
28R–7737002 through 28R–7837317; 2837001 through 2837061; and 2844001 through 2844138.
PA–28R–201T
28R–7703001 through 28R–7803374 and 2803001 through 2803012.
PA–28RT–201
28R–7918001 through 28R–7918267 and 28R–8018001 through 28R–8218026.
PA–28RT–201T
28R–7931001 through 28R–8631005 and 2831001 through 2831038.
PA–32–260
32–03; 32–04; 32–1 through 32–1297; and 32–7100001 through 32–7800008.
PA–32–300
32–15; 32–21; 32–40000 through 32–40974; and 32–7140001 through 32–7940290.
PA–32S–300
32S–15; 32S–40000 through 32S–40974; and 32S–7140001 through 32S–7240137.
PA–32R–300
32R–7680001 through 32R–7880068.
PA–32RT–300
32R–7885002 through 32R–7985106.
PA–32RT–300T
32R–7787001 and 32R–7887002 through 32R–7987126.
PA–32R–301 (SP)
32R–8013001 through 32R–8613006; 3213001 through 3213028; and 3213030 through 3213041.
PA–32R–301 (HP)
3213029; 3213042 through 3213103; 3246001 through 3246217; 3246219; 3246223; 3246218; 3246220 through 3246222; and 3246224 through 3246244.
PA–32R–301T
32R–8029001 through 32R–8629008 and 3229001 through 3229003.
PA–32–301
32–8006002 through 32–8606023; 3206001 through 3206019; 3206042 through 3206044; 3206047; 3206050 through
3206055; and 3206060.
PA–32–301T
32–8024001 through 32–8424002.
PA–32R–301T
3257001 through 3257483.
PA–32–301FT
3232001 through 3232074.
PA–32–301XTC
3255001 through 3255014; 3255026, 3255015 through 3255025; 3255027; and 3255051.
PA–34–200
34–E4 and 34–7250001 through 34–7450220.
PA–34–200T
34–7570001 through 34–8170092.
PA–34–220T
34–8133001 through 34–8633031; 3433001 through 3433172; 3448001 through 3448037; 3448038 through 3448079; 3447001 through 3447029; and 3449001 through 3449377.
PA–44–180
44–7995001 through 44–8195026; 4495001 through 4495013; and 4496001 through 4496251.
Here is the link to the FAA Advisory Circular 20-27G, on Certification and Operation of Amateur-Built Aircraft, which tells amateur builders on how to properly certify each step of the building process and help those guys, like me who would have to do the builder assist program to not only finish, but to get it right! According to the rule existing kits will be grandfathered in under the new rules.
Thanks to our GA lobbists at AOPA and EAA for getting these things done right for us pilots and aircraft owners!
I just read an article in the Wall Street Journal describing the increasing demand for crop dusting pilots or ‘aerial applicators’ as the are politically correctly called these days. Anyhow it was the brilliance of a flight instructor slapping you on the back of the head telling you to get your head out of the airplane and get ahead of the airplane and fly.
This ‘Mr. Dusty Dowd’, (no relation to Matt Dowd in Eli Stone I am sure) is an example of things that used to be right in this country! That is maybe he is harsh or like a military sergeant, but he wants you to learn right and be your best; not expect to be entitled or get things handed to you.
Check out the article for a chuckle and a good pilot story…bring back any memories of your flight instructor? Let me know
The Dassault Falcon can now get into to more international airports in London and Switzerland just to name a few now that it has certification for steep approaches or approaches with slopes of more than 6 degrees. This furthers the utility and convenience of general aviation travel for the business executive or personal traveler.
Well this may be the one and only time you will ever see me blogging about Oprah Winfrey, much less giving her props. That is not to say I don’t like harpO, but hey I am a male so generally speaking I am not her demographic so I guess it is okay huh?
Well Miss harpO did give a nice speech to the listeners at Duke University Commencement about the ‘American Dream’ and benefits of owning a corporate jet. I think as a non pilot, but certainly as an avid aviation user and beneficiary Oprah conveyed what all we pilot types know. Aviation, specifically general aviation and plane ownership, provides not only and incredible freedom and control of travel, but also can be a great business tool and an object of reward and pleasure from the fruits of your labor.
Thanks again Oprah for the ‘boost for GA’ although I wish my wings were a Bombardier Global Express, I will settle for just being able to get a Cherokee or Bonanza to get me there for now.
Okay so this is classic! Newest SAIB from the FAA is regarding FAME, yeah FAME (Fatty Acid Methyl Ester) in jet fuel.
Yeah a SAIB Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin, that means what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger right?
No it means that thank the Lord it is not an AD to cause you more billable hours at the mechanic, but according to the FAA it is “the airworthiness concern is not an unsafe condition that would warrant airworthiness directive (AD) action under Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) part 39″ so now that we cleared that up if you use Jet A, you might oughta read this one…
It is a small strip not too wide and not too long (Northwest Regional Airport, Roanoke, TX) and yes you are supposed to look, announce and keep your freaking radio’s on…you know who you are!
The reality is currency and staying ahead of the airplane usually prevents these kind of mistakes, legal to fly vs proficient is quite different. I am glad no one was hurt for a bone head mistake. We all as pilots have done dumb things, but this really puts into perspective runway incursions and being aware of your surrondings.
I would like to hear the pilots versions once the FAA gets done with them. Hope you have AOPA legal service plan, I would be more worried about the FAA repercussions than the insurance claims. On a lighter note, this is a great little airport, with a great resturant on the field, just be aware it is uncontrolled airspace and lot of weekend warriors are flying on the sunny days…case in point I do believe.
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