AD 53-04-01
Applicability
| Type | Manufacturer | Model | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| aircraft | Piper Aircraft Inc. | PA-18 | Airworthiness Directives; Piper All Model PA-18 Aircraft |
| aircraft | Piper Aircraft Inc. | PA-18-105 (Special) | Airworthiness Directives; Piper All Model PA-18 Aircraft |
| aircraft | Piper Aircraft Inc. | PA-18-125 (Army L-21A) | Airworthiness Directives; Piper All Model PA-18 Aircraft |
| aircraft | Piper Aircraft Inc. | PA-18-135 | Airworthiness Directives; Piper All Model PA-18 Aircraft |
| aircraft | Piper Aircraft Inc. | PA-18-150 | Airworthiness Directives; Piper All Model PA-18 Aircraft |
| aircraft | Piper Aircraft Inc. | PA-18A | Airworthiness Directives; Piper All Model PA-18 Aircraft |
| aircraft | Piper Aircraft Inc. | PA-18A-135 | Airworthiness Directives; Piper All Model PA-18 Aircraft |
| aircraft | Piper Aircraft Inc. | PA-18A-135 (Restricted) | Airworthiness Directives; Piper All Model PA-18 Aircraft |
| aircraft | Piper Aircraft Inc. | PA-18A-150 | Airworthiness Directives; Piper All Model PA-18 Aircraft |
| aircraft | Piper Aircraft Inc. | PA-18A-150 (Restricted) | Airworthiness Directives; Piper All Model PA-18 Aircraft |
| aircraft | Piper Aircraft Inc. | PA-18A (Restricted) | Airworthiness Directives; Piper All Model PA-18 Aircraft |
| aircraft | Piper Aircraft Inc. | PA-18AS-125 | Airworthiness Directives; Piper All Model PA-18 Aircraft |
| aircraft | Piper Aircraft Inc. | PA-18AS-135 | Airworthiness Directives; Piper All Model PA-18 Aircraft |
| aircraft | Piper Aircraft Inc. | PA-18AS-150 | Airworthiness Directives; Piper All Model PA-18 Aircraft |
| aircraft | Piper Aircraft Inc. | PA-18S | Airworthiness Directives; Piper All Model PA-18 Aircraft |
| aircraft | Piper Aircraft Inc. | PA-18S-105 (Special) | Airworthiness Directives; Piper All Model PA-18 Aircraft |
| aircraft | Piper Aircraft Inc. | PA-18S-125 | Airworthiness Directives; Piper All Model PA-18 Aircraft |
| aircraft | Piper Aircraft Inc. | PA-18S-135 | Airworthiness Directives; Piper All Model PA-18 Aircraft |
| aircraft | Piper Aircraft Inc. | PA-18S-150 | Airworthiness Directives; Piper All Model PA-18 Aircraft |
Unsafe Condition
The control stick may inadvertently pull out of the socket due to the insufficient retention provided by the existing pin and unmodified hole configuration.
AI-generated summary from the source AD text. Verify against the official source before acting.
Required Actions
Continue the existing hole for the retention pin through the control stick and socket, and install an AN 3-14 or AN 3-14A through bolt to prevent the control stick from inadvertently pulling out.
AI-generated summary from the source AD text. Verify against the official source before acting.
Compliance Time
by April 1, 1953
AI-generated summary from the source AD text. Verify against the official source before acting.
Affected Aircraft
Piper Aircraft Inc. PA-18 models including PA-18, PA-18-105 (Special), PA-18-125 (Army L-21A), PA-18-135, PA-18-150, PA-18A, PA-18A-135, PA-18A-135 (Restricted), and others not modified with the control stick retention device incorporating a through bolt.
AI-generated summary from the source AD text. Verify against the official source before acting.
Federal Register Abstract
Control Stick Attachment
Applicability Source Text
Show captured applicability text from the source AD
AD Final Rules - DRS_53-04-01.html Copy URL Print/Save as PDF Document Versions Feedback Details AD Number: 53-04-01 Document Type: AD Final Rules Docket Number: Unknown Subject Heading: Airworthiness Directives; Piper All Model PA-18 Aircraft Subject: Control Stick Attachment Status: Current Citation: This information is not available. Citation Publish Date: 12/04/1956 Effective Date: Make: Piper Aircraft Inc. Model: PA-18 | PA-18-105 (Special) | PA-18-125 (Army L-21A) | PA-18-135 | PA-18-150 | PA-18A | PA-18A-135 | PA-18A-135 (Restricted) ...Show more Product Type: Aircraft Product Subtype: Small Airplane Affected AD: Superseded AD: Affected By: Superseded By: Service/Office: AIR-700: Compliance & Airworthiness Division Office of Primary Responsibility: AIR-720: Operational Safety Branch CFR Part Reference: Part 39 Comments: couldn't find issue date AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES FINAL RULES: 53-04-01 CITATION: This information is not available. PAGE NUMBER: DOCKET NUMBER: Unknown AMENDMENT: AD NUMBER: 53-04-01 SUBJECT HEADING: Airworthiness Directives; Piper All Model PA-18 Aircraft ACTION: SUMMARY: DATES: ADDRESSES: FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: REGULATORY TEXT: 53-04-01 PIPER: Applies to All Model PA-18 Aircraft Which Have Not Had the Control Stick Retention Device Modified to Incorporate a Through Bolt. Compliance required by April 1, 1953. In order to prevent the control stick inadvertently pulling out of the socket, continue the existing hole for the retention pin on the quick detachable control stick spring device through the control stick and socket and install an AN 3-14 or AN 3-14A through bolt. (Piper Service Letter No. 162 dated March 6, 1951, covers this same subject.) FOOTER:
Document Text
Show stored source text (verify against official source)
AD Final Rules - DRS_53-04-01.html Copy URL Print/Save as PDF Document Versions Feedback Details AD Number: 53-04-01 Document Type: AD Final Rules Docket Number: Unknown Subject Heading: Airworthiness Directives; Piper All Model PA-18 Aircraft Subject: Control Stick Attachment Status: Current Citation: This information is not available. Citation Publish Date: 12/04/1956 Effective Date: Make: Piper Aircraft Inc. Model: PA-18 | PA-18-105 (Special) | PA-18-125 (Army L-21A) | PA-18-135 | PA-18-150 | PA-18A | PA-18A-135 | PA-18A-135 (Restricted) ...Show more Product Type: Aircraft Product Subtype: Small Airplane Affected AD: Superseded AD: Affected By: Superseded By: Service/Office: AIR-700: Compliance & Airworthiness Division Office of Primary Responsibility: AIR-720: Operational Safety Branch CFR Part Reference: Part 39 Comments: couldn't find issue date AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES FINAL RULES: 53-04-01 CITATION: This information is not available. PAGE NUMBER: DOCKET NUMBER: Unknown AMENDMENT: AD NUMBER: 53-04-01 SUBJECT HEADING: Airworthiness Directives; Piper All Model PA-18 Aircraft ACTION: SUMMARY: DATES: ADDRESSES: FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: REGULATORY TEXT: 53-04-01 PIPER: Applies to All Model PA-18 Aircraft Which Have Not Had the Control Stick Retention Device Modified to Incorporate a Through Bolt. Compliance required by April 1, 1953. In order to prevent the control stick inadvertently pulling out of the socket, continue the existing hole for the retention pin on the quick detachable control stick spring device through the control stick and socket and install an AN 3-14 or AN 3-14A through bolt. (Piper Service Letter No. 162 dated March 6, 1951, covers this same subject.) FOOTER:
Source: Official FAA Source ↗
Retrieved: Apr 8, 2026
Rights: U.S. Government Public Domain
This site is not affiliated with or endorsed by the FAA. Always verify with official sources.
Related Airworthiness Directives
2025-02-11
final ruleAirworthiness Directives; FS 2001 Corp, FS 2002 Corporation, FS 2003 Corporation, Piper, and Piper Aircraft, Inc. Airplanes
Unsafe Condition: The rudder posts made from 1025 carbon steel can fracture due to fatigue, resulting in a broken rudder and reduced ability of the flight crew to maintain the safe flight and landing of the airplane.
2022-03-15
final ruleAirworthiness Directives; Various Airplanes
Unsafe Condition: The displayed fuel quantity can have an error as much as four gallons/fuel tank with the display indicating four gallons with an empty tank. In the context of this event, the end level effect is th...
2015-08-04 Recurring
final ruleAirworthiness Directives; Various Aircraft Equipped With Wing Lift Struts
Unsafe Condition: Corrosion in wing lift struts and cracks in wing lift strut forks could lead to structural failure of the wing lift system.
2006-12-07
final ruleAirworthiness Directives; Engine Components Inc. (ECi) Reciprocating Engine Cylinder Assemblies
Unsafe Condition: Cracks in the cylinder assemblies and possible engine failure caused by separation of a cylinder head.
