AD 69-23-03

final rule

Airworthiness Directives; Piper Model PA-18-150 Airplanes

AD Number
69-23-03
Status
final_rule
Effective Date
Product Category
aircraft
Docket
Unknown
FR Citation
This information is not available.

Applicability

TypeManufacturerModelDetails
aircraft Piper Aircraft Inc. PA-18-150 Airworthiness Directives; Piper Model PA-18-150 Airplanes

Unsafe Condition

Lower longerons made from 1025 steel instead of approved 4130 steel could fail, posing a structural hazard.

AI-generated summary from the source AD text. Verify against the official source before acting.

Required Actions

Inspect lower longerons by sanding, applying nitric acid, and testing for 1025 steel reaction. Ground aircraft if 1025 steel is found until approved alteration. Return to service if 4130 steel confirmed.

AI-generated summary from the source AD text. Verify against the official source before acting.

Compliance Time

before further flight

AI-generated summary from the source AD text. Verify against the official source before acting.

Affected Aircraft

Piper Model PA-18-150 airplanes, serial numbers 18-8809 through 18-8851, except 18-8844 and 18-8849.

AI-generated summary from the source AD text. Verify against the official source before acting.

Federal Register Abstract

Lower Longeron Inspection

Applicability Source Text

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AD Final Rules - DRS_69-23-03.html
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AD Number:
69-23-03
Document Type:
AD Final Rules
Docket Number:
Unknown
Subject Heading:
Airworthiness Directives; Piper Model PA-18-150 Airplanes
Subject:
Lower Longeron Inspection
Status:
Current
Citation:
This information is not available.
Citation Publish Date:
11/15/1969
Effective Date:
11/15/1969
Make:
Piper Aircraft Inc.
Model:
PA-18-150
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Superseded AD: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Superseded By: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: 69-23-03
CITATION:   This information is not available.

PAGE NUMBER:  

DOCKET NUMBER:   Unknown

AMENDMENT:   39-871

AD NUMBER:   69-23-03

SUBJECT HEADING:   Airworthiness Directives; Piper Model PA-18-150 Airplanes

ACTION:  

SUMMARY:  

DATES:   Effective November 15, 1969.

ADDRESSES:  

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:  

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:  

REGULATORY TEXT:  
69-23-03 PIPER: Amendment 39-871. Applies to Piper PA-18-150 type airplanes, S/N 18-8809 through 18-8851, except S/N 18-8844 and 18-8849, certificated in all categories.

To determine if the lower longerons are made from 1025 steel or the approved 4130 steel, accomplish before further flight the following inspection:

(a) Remove the rear seat, look downward through the no sag springs and locate the lower fuselage longerons on the left and right sides of the aircraft.

(b) From a point adjacent to the aileron cable pulley measure aft 10 inches on the top of the longeron and perform the following:

(1) Using longitudinal strokes sand the top surface of the right and left lower longerons with No. 80 emery cloth, for an area approximately 3 inches in length and 1/2 inch wide. NOTE: No chemical reaction will occur unless this area is thoroughly cleaned down to the bare metal. Use only longitudinal strokes to remove the paint, primer, metalizing or corrosion from this area.

(2) Wipe specified area with a clean cloth.

(3) Apply one drop of concentrated nitric acid on the sanded area.

(4) If the longeron is 1025 steel, the acid drop will boil and turn a yellowish orange or brown.

(5) Wipe off the acid spot and neutralize the area with baking soda paste.

(6) Wipe surface and wash with water.

(7) Prime and paint the test area.

(8) If the test indicates (as described above) the longeron is 1025 steel, the aircraft is considered unairworthy and must be grounded until the aircraft is altered in accordance with an alteration approved by the Chief, Engineering and Manufacturing Branch, Eastern Region.

(9) The aircraft is considered airworthy, relative to the longeron being 4130 if there is no reaction to the aforementioned acid test, and can be returned to service.

Piper Service Bulletin No. 302, dated October 23, 1969 covers this subject.

This amendment is effective November 15, 1969 and was effective upon receipt for all recipients of the telegram dated October 24, 1969 which contained this amendment.

FOOTER:

Document Text

Show stored source text (verify against official source)
AD Final Rules - DRS_69-23-03.html
Copy URL
Print/Save as PDF
Document Versions
 Feedback
Details
AD Number:
69-23-03
Document Type:
AD Final Rules
Docket Number:
Unknown
Subject Heading:
Airworthiness Directives; Piper Model PA-18-150 Airplanes
Subject:
Lower Longeron Inspection
Status:
Current
Citation:
This information is not available.
Citation Publish Date:
11/15/1969
Effective Date:
11/15/1969
Make:
Piper Aircraft Inc.
Model:
PA-18-150
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: 69-23-03
CITATION:   This information is not available.

PAGE NUMBER:  

DOCKET NUMBER:   Unknown

AMENDMENT:   39-871

AD NUMBER:   69-23-03

SUBJECT HEADING:   Airworthiness Directives; Piper Model PA-18-150 Airplanes

ACTION:  

SUMMARY:  

DATES:   Effective November 15, 1969.

ADDRESSES:  

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:  

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:  

REGULATORY TEXT:  
69-23-03 PIPER: Amendment 39-871. Applies to Piper PA-18-150 type airplanes, S/N 18-8809 through 18-8851, except S/N 18-8844 and 18-8849, certificated in all categories.

To determine if the lower longerons are made from 1025 steel or the approved 4130 steel, accomplish before further flight the following inspection:

(a) Remove the rear seat, look downward through the no sag springs and locate the lower fuselage longerons on the left and right sides of the aircraft.

(b) From a point adjacent to the aileron cable pulley measure aft 10 inches on the top of the longeron and perform the following:

(1) Using longitudinal strokes sand the top surface of the right and left lower longerons with No. 80 emery cloth, for an area approximately 3 inches in length and 1/2 inch wide. NOTE: No chemical reaction will occur unless this area is thoroughly cleaned down to the bare metal. Use only longitudinal strokes to remove the paint, primer, metalizing or corrosion from this area.

(2) Wipe specified area with a clean cloth.

(3) Apply one drop of concentrated nitric acid on the sanded area.

(4) If the longeron is 1025 steel, the acid drop will boil and turn a yellowish orange or brown.

(5) Wipe off the acid spot and neutralize the area with baking soda paste.

(6) Wipe surface and wash with water.

(7) Prime and paint the test area.

(8) If the test indicates (as described above) the longeron is 1025 steel, the aircraft is considered unairworthy and must be grounded until the aircraft is altered in accordance with an alteration approved by the Chief, Engineering and Manufacturing Branch, Eastern Region.

(9) The aircraft is considered airworthy, relative to the longeron being 4130 if there is no reaction to the aforementioned acid test, and can be returned to service.

Piper Service Bulletin No. 302, dated October 23, 1969 covers this subject.

This amendment is effective November 15, 1969 and was effective upon receipt for all recipients of the telegram dated October 24, 1969 which contained this amendment.

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.