AD 63-24-03
Applicability
| Type | Manufacturer | Model | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| aircraft | Piper Aircraft Inc. | PA-23 | Airworthiness Directives; Piper All Models PA-23 and PA-23-160 Aircraft |
| aircraft | Piper Aircraft Inc. | PA-23-160 | Airworthiness Directives; Piper All Models PA-23 and PA-23-160 Aircraft |
Unsafe Condition
Failures of the rudder trim tab actuating rod, Piper P/N 17271-00, through the bend radius of the forward hooked end and disconnections due to a lost cotter pin have resulted in free trim tabs oscillating the rudder.
AI-generated summary from the source AD text. Verify against the official source before acting.
Required Actions
Remove the rudder trim tab control rod assembly, visually inspect for cracks using a 10-power magnifying lens, check for wear exceeding 0.040 inch in the jackscrew contact area, replace cracked or worn rods before flight, redrill the cotter pin hole to 0.081 inch-diameter, and reinstall with a roll pin and 0.032 inch-diameter steel safety wire.
AI-generated summary from the source AD text. Verify against the official source before acting.
Compliance Time
within the next 50 hours' time in service after the effective date of this AD, unless already accomplished within the past 50 hours' time in service. Every 100 hours' time in service thereafter
AI-generated summary from the source AD text. Verify against the official source before acting.
Affected Aircraft
Piper Aircraft Inc. models PA-23 and PA-23-160 aircraft.
AI-generated summary from the source AD text. Verify against the official source before acting.
Federal Register Abstract
Rudder Trim Tab Control Rod Assembly
Applicability Source Text
Show captured applicability text from the source AD
AD Final Rules - DRS_63-24-03.html Copy URL Print/Save as PDF Document Versions Feedback Details AD Number: 63-24-03 Document Type: AD Final Rules Docket Number: Unknown Subject Heading: Airworthiness Directives; Piper All Models PA-23 and PA-23-160 Aircraft Subject: Rudder Trim Tab Control Rod Assembly Status: Current Citation: Federal Register: November 27, 1963 Citation Publish Date: 11/27/1963 Effective Date: 11/27/1963 Make: Piper Aircraft Inc. Model: PA-23 | PA-23-160 Product Type: Aircraft Product Subtype: Small Airplane Affected AD: Superseded AD: Affected By: Superseded By: Service/Office: AIR-700: Compliance & Airworthiness Division Office of Primary Responsibility: AIR-720: Operational Safety Branch CFR Part Reference: Part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: AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES FINAL RULES: 63-24-03 CITATION: [Federal Register: November 27, 1963] PAGE NUMBER: DOCKET NUMBER: Unknown AMENDMENT: AD NUMBER: 63-24-03 SUBJECT HEADING: Airworthiness Directives; Piper All Models PA-23 and PA-23-160 Aircraft ACTION: SUMMARY: DATES: Effective November 27, 1963. ADDRESSES: FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: REGULATORY TEXT: 63-24-03 PIPER: Amdt. 649 Part 507 Federal Register November 27, 1963. Applies to All Models PA-23 and PA-23-160 Aircraft. Compliance required within the next 50 hours' time in service after the effective date of this AD, unless already accomplished within the past 50 hours' time in service. Every 100 hours' time in service thereafter comply with paragraphs (b), (c), and (d). Several failures of the rudder trim tab actuating rod, Piper P/N 17271-00, through the bend radius of the forward hooked end and a disconnection due to a lost cotter pin have resulted in free trim tabs oscillating the rudder. Therefore, the following must be accomplished: (a) Remove the rudder trim tab control rod assembly from the aircraft. (b) Visually inspect for cracks in the area of the hooked end using a magnifying lens of at least 10-power. (c) Check the hooked end for wear in excess of 0.040 inch in the area of contact with the jackscrew. (d) Rudder trim tab control rods with cracks, or wear in excess of 0.040 inch shall be replaced before further flight. (e) Redrill the cotter pin hole in the hooked end to 0.081 inch-diameter and reinstall the rudder trim tab control rod assembly using a roll pin, Piper P/N 480728, and 0.032 inch- diameter steel safety wire, in lieu of the cotter pin. (Piper Service Letter No. 407, dated October 4, 1963, which pertains to this same subject, outlines and illustrates inspection and installation methods.) This directive effective November 27, 1963. FOOTER:
Document Text
Show stored source text (verify against official source)
AD Final Rules - DRS_63-24-03.html Copy URL Print/Save as PDF Document Versions Feedback Details AD Number: 63-24-03 Document Type: AD Final Rules Docket Number: Unknown Subject Heading: Airworthiness Directives; Piper All Models PA-23 and PA-23-160 Aircraft Subject: Rudder Trim Tab Control Rod Assembly Status: Current Citation: Federal Register: November 27, 1963 Citation Publish Date: 11/27/1963 Effective Date: 11/27/1963 Make: Piper Aircraft Inc. Model: PA-23 | PA-23-160 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: AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES FINAL RULES: 63-24-03 CITATION: [Federal Register: November 27, 1963] PAGE NUMBER: DOCKET NUMBER: Unknown AMENDMENT: AD NUMBER: 63-24-03 SUBJECT HEADING: Airworthiness Directives; Piper All Models PA-23 and PA-23-160 Aircraft ACTION: SUMMARY: DATES: Effective November 27, 1963. ADDRESSES: FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: REGULATORY TEXT: 63-24-03 PIPER: Amdt. 649 Part 507 Federal Register November 27, 1963. Applies to All Models PA-23 and PA-23-160 Aircraft. Compliance required within the next 50 hours' time in service after the effective date of this AD, unless already accomplished within the past 50 hours' time in service. Every 100 hours' time in service thereafter comply with paragraphs (b), (c), and (d). Several failures of the rudder trim tab actuating rod, Piper P/N 17271-00, through the bend radius of the forward hooked end and a disconnection due to a lost cotter pin have resulted in free trim tabs oscillating the rudder. Therefore, the following must be accomplished: (a) Remove the rudder trim tab control rod assembly from the aircraft. (b) Visually inspect for cracks in the area of the hooked end using a magnifying lens of at least 10-power. (c) Check the hooked end for wear in excess of 0.040 inch in the area of contact with the jackscrew. (d) Rudder trim tab control rods with cracks, or wear in excess of 0.040 inch shall be replaced before further flight. (e) Redrill the cotter pin hole in the hooked end to 0.081 inch-diameter and reinstall the rudder trim tab control rod assembly using a roll pin, Piper P/N 480728, and 0.032 inch- diameter steel safety wire, in lieu of the cotter pin. (Piper Service Letter No. 407, dated October 4, 1963, which pertains to this same subject, outlines and illustrates inspection and installation methods.) This directive effective November 27, 1963. 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.