All Piper PA-31 series aircraft.
This Continued Airworthiness Notice (CAN) alerts operators/maintainers of Piper PA-31 series aircraft of Piper Mandatory SB 1045 dated 18 September 2000 which provides instructions for inspecting the left and right forward wing attach brackets for cracks and requires the replacement of cracked parts with new more durable replacement assemblies.
This CAN is prompted by a report from a New Zealand PA-31-350 aircraft maintainer of finding cracks in the forward wing spar attach brackets. The cracks found on both left and right forward wing attach brackets where similar to that detailed in Piper MSB 1045 which is applicable to PA-31 and PA-31-300 aircraft.
Further investigation revealed fatigue cracks in the floorboard support channels below the front spar attachment bulkheads. The forward spar attachment brackets were repaired by replacement and the floorboard support channels were repaired by removing the damaged section in accordance with AC43.13-1B.
The CAA strongly recommends operators/maintainers of all PA-31 series aircraft review and comply with the manufacturer’s instructions for continued airworthiness in Piper MSB 1045 within the next 100 hours TIS.
All other enquires regarding this CAN should be made to:
Owen Olls
Airworthiness Specialist
Email: ollso@caa.govt.nz
Phone: 04 560 9569
