AD 72-18-06
Applicability
| Type | Manufacturer | Model | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| aircraft | Piper Aircraft Inc. | PA-34-200 | Airworthiness Directives; Piper PA-34-200 Airplanes |
Unsafe Condition
Loose stabilator rib balance weights may become detached, resulting in loss of control.
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Required Actions
Remove stabilator tips and check balance weight assemblies for looseness. If loose, replace AN3H-26A bolts with AN3-27A bolts, new lock nuts, and AN970-3 washers, torqued to 35-40 inch-pounds. If damaged, replace balance weights. Reinstall assemblies and safety wire as required.
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Compliance Time
within the next ten hours time in service after the effective date of this AD
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Affected Aircraft
Piper PA-34-200 airplanes, Serial Numbers 34-E4, and 34-7250001 through 34-7250335
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Federal Register Abstract
Stabilator Rib Balance Weights
Applicability Source Text
Show captured applicability text from the source AD
AD Final Rules - DRS_72-18-06.html Copy URL Print/Save as PDF Document Versions Feedback Details AD Number: 72-18-06 Document Type: AD Final Rules Docket Number: Unknown Subject Heading: Airworthiness Directives; Piper PA-34-200 Airplanes Subject: Stabilator Rib Balance Weights Status: Current Citation: This information is not available. Citation Publish Date: 09/09/1972 Effective Date: 09/09/1972 Make: Piper Aircraft Inc. Model: PA-34-200 Product Type: Aircraft Product Subtype: Small Airplane Affected AD: Superseded AD: Affected By: Superseded By: Service/Office: AIR-700: Compliance & Airworthiness Division Office of Primary Responsibility: AIR-720: Operational Safety Branch CFR Part Reference: Part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: 72-18-06 CITATION: This information is not available. PAGE NUMBER: DOCKET NUMBER: Unknown AMENDMENT: 39-1515 AD NUMBER: 72-18-06 SUBJECT HEADING: Airworthiness Directives; Piper PA-34-200 Airplanes ACTION: SUMMARY: DATES: Effective September 9, 1972. ADDRESSES: FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: REGULATORY TEXT: 72-18-06 PIPER: Amendment 39-1515. Applies to Piper PA-34-200 airplanes, Serial Numbers 34-E4, and 34-7250001 through 34-7250335, certificated in all categories. Compliance required within the next ten hours time in service after the effective date of this AD, unless already accomplished. To provide a positive means of attachment for stabilator tip balance weights accomplish the following: (a) Remove stabilator tips. (b) Check the balance weight assembly attached to each exposed stabilator rib for looseness. If outer lead weight can be moved rotationally against the rib by hand, it is considered loose. (c) If a balance weight is loose, accomplish paragraph (e) before further flight. (d) If balance weights are satisfactorily secured, accomplish paragraph (e) within the next 50 hours time in service after this inspection. (e) When required by paragraph (c) or (d), remove each balance weight assembly from its attach rib, by removing the three bolts attaching the balance weight assembly plate to the stabilator rib. Replace the AN3H-26A bolts and the lock nuts which attach the balance weights to the assembly plate with AN3-27A bolts and new lock nuts with an AN970-3 washer under each bolt head and under each lock nut. MS21044N3 (AN365-1032) lock nuts or equivalent are required. A drilled head bolt and safety wire is not necessary. Torque the nuts to 35-40 inch- pounds. If balance weights show any signs of damage they must be replaced also. NOTE: Attention must be given to insure that the bolt grip length is correct and the nut has proper engagement since the thickness of the lead weights may vary slightly. If necessary, AN3-30A bolts may be substituted for the AN3-27A bolts or AN960-10 washers may be used between the AN970-3 washers and the bolt head and/or between the AN970-3 washer and the lock nut to obtain proper thread engagement. (f) Reinstall each balance weight assembly to the attach rib as originally installed and safety wire as required. Reinstall stabilator tips. This procedure will not require rebalancing of the stabilator. Piper Service Bulletin Number 367 pertains to this same subject. This amendment becomes effective September 9, 1972 and was effective upon receipt for all recipients of the air mail letter dated August 30, 1972 which contained this amendment. FOOTER:
Document Text
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AD Final Rules - DRS_72-18-06.html Copy URL Print/Save as PDF Document Versions Feedback Details AD Number: 72-18-06 Document Type: AD Final Rules Docket Number: Unknown Subject Heading: Airworthiness Directives; Piper PA-34-200 Airplanes Subject: Stabilator Rib Balance Weights Status: Current Citation: This information is not available. Citation Publish Date: 09/09/1972 Effective Date: 09/09/1972 Make: Piper Aircraft Inc. Model: PA-34-200 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: 72-18-06 CITATION: This information is not available. PAGE NUMBER: DOCKET NUMBER: Unknown AMENDMENT: 39-1515 AD NUMBER: 72-18-06 SUBJECT HEADING: Airworthiness Directives; Piper PA-34-200 Airplanes ACTION: SUMMARY: DATES: Effective September 9, 1972. ADDRESSES: FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: REGULATORY TEXT: 72-18-06 PIPER: Amendment 39-1515. Applies to Piper PA-34-200 airplanes, Serial Numbers 34-E4, and 34-7250001 through 34-7250335, certificated in all categories. Compliance required within the next ten hours time in service after the effective date of this AD, unless already accomplished. To provide a positive means of attachment for stabilator tip balance weights accomplish the following: (a) Remove stabilator tips. (b) Check the balance weight assembly attached to each exposed stabilator rib for looseness. If outer lead weight can be moved rotationally against the rib by hand, it is considered loose. (c) If a balance weight is loose, accomplish paragraph (e) before further flight. (d) If balance weights are satisfactorily secured, accomplish paragraph (e) within the next 50 hours time in service after this inspection. (e) When required by paragraph (c) or (d), remove each balance weight assembly from its attach rib, by removing the three bolts attaching the balance weight assembly plate to the stabilator rib. Replace the AN3H-26A bolts and the lock nuts which attach the balance weights to the assembly plate with AN3-27A bolts and new lock nuts with an AN970-3 washer under each bolt head and under each lock nut. MS21044N3 (AN365-1032) lock nuts or equivalent are required. A drilled head bolt and safety wire is not necessary. Torque the nuts to 35-40 inch- pounds. If balance weights show any signs of damage they must be replaced also. NOTE: Attention must be given to insure that the bolt grip length is correct and the nut has proper engagement since the thickness of the lead weights may vary slightly. If necessary, AN3-30A bolts may be substituted for the AN3-27A bolts or AN960-10 washers may be used between the AN970-3 washers and the bolt head and/or between the AN970-3 washer and the lock nut to obtain proper thread engagement. (f) Reinstall each balance weight assembly to the attach rib as originally installed and safety wire as required. Reinstall stabilator tips. This procedure will not require rebalancing of the stabilator. Piper Service Bulletin Number 367 pertains to this same subject. This amendment becomes effective September 9, 1972 and was effective upon receipt for all recipients of the air mail letter dated August 30, 1972 which contained this amendment. FOOTER:
Source: Official FAA Source ↗
Retrieved: Apr 8, 2026
Rights: U.S. Government Public Domain
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