AD 78-01-02

final rule

Airworthiness Directives; Piper Models PA-31, PA-31-325, and PA-31-350 Airplanes

AD Number
78-01-02
Status
final_rule
Effective Date
Product Category
aircraft
Docket
Unknown
FR Citation
This information is not available.
Technical illustration of an aircraft flight control surface and actuator
Problem area Flight controls

Applicability

TypeManufacturerModelDetails
aircraft Piper Aircraft Inc. PA-31 Airworthiness Directives; Piper Models PA-31, PA-31-325, and PA-31-350 Airplanes
aircraft Piper Aircraft Inc. PA-31-325 Airworthiness Directives; Piper Models PA-31, PA-31-325, and PA-31-350 Airplanes
aircraft Piper Aircraft Inc. PA-31-350 Airworthiness Directives; Piper Models PA-31, PA-31-325, and PA-31-350 Airplanes

Unsafe Condition

Adverse stability or handling qualities due to incorrect tension in the elevator bungee spring.

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

Required Actions

Inspect the elevator bungee spring for correct tension (30 lb. ±1 lb. for PA-31, 37 lb. ±1 lb. for PA-31-325 and PA-31-350). If tension is incorrect, alter the link per Piper Service Bulletin No. 549 or equivalent approved by the FAA. Submit substantiating data through an FAA Maintenance Inspector for compliance time adjustment.

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

Compliance Time

within the next 25 hours in service after the effective date of this Airworthiness Directive unless already accomplished

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

Affected Aircraft

Piper Models PA-31 (serial nos. 31-7612001-080, 31-7612082-091, 31-7612096, 31-7612099, 31-7612101-102, 31-7612104-105, 31-7612107-108), PA-31-325 (same serial ranges as PA-31), and PA-31-350 (serial nos. 31-7652001-015, 31-7652017-162, 31-7652164-170)

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

Federal Register Abstract

Elevator Bungee

Applicability Source Text

Show captured applicability text from the source AD
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AD Number:
78-01-02
Document Type:
AD Final Rules
Docket Number:
Unknown
Subject Heading:
Airworthiness Directives; Piper Models PA-31, PA-31-325, and PA-31-350 Airplanes
Subject:
Elevator Bungee
Status:
Current
Citation:
This information is not available.
Citation Publish Date:
01/03/1978
Effective Date:
01/03/1978
Make:
Piper Aircraft Inc.
Model:
PA-31 | PA-31-325 | PA-31-350
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: 78-01-02
CITATION:   This information is not available.

PAGE NUMBER:  

DOCKET NUMBER:   Unknown

AMENDMENT:   39-3107

AD NUMBER:   78-01-02

SUBJECT HEADING:   Airworthiness Directives; Piper Models PA-31, PA-31-325, and PA-31-350 Airplanes

ACTION:  

SUMMARY:  

DATES:   Effective January 3, 1978.

ADDRESSES:  

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:  

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:  

REGULATORY TEXT:  
78-01-02 PIPER: Amendment 39-3107. Applies to Piper Models PA-31 and PA-31-325 Serial Nos. 31-7612001 thru 31-7612080, 31-7612082 thru 31-7612091, 31-7612096, 31-7612099, 31-7612101, 31-7612102, 31-7612104, 31-7612105, 31-7612107 and 31-7612108, PA-31-350 Serial Nos. 31-7652001 thru 31-7652015, 31-7652017 thru 31-7652162, and 31-7652164 thru 31-7652170 certificated in all categories.

To prevent adverse stability or handling qualities due to incorrect tension in the elevator bungee, accomplish the following within the next 25 hours in service after the effective date of this Airworthiness Directive unless already accomplished.

(a) Inspect the elevator bungee spring for correct tension, (30 lb. + 1 lb. for model PA-31 and 37 lb. + 1, -0 for models PA-31-325 and PA-31-350).

(b) If the tension is not correct, before further flight alter the link in accordance with the "Instructions" section of Piper Service Bulletin No. 549 dated February 16, 1977, or equivalent approved by the Chief, Engineering and Manufacturing Branch, FAA, Eastern Region.

(c) Upon submission of substantiating data through an FAA Maintenance Inspector, the Chief, Engineering and Manufacturing Branch, FAA, Eastern Region may adjust the compliance time specified above.

This amendment is effective January 3, 1978.

FOOTER:

Document Text

Show stored source text (verify against official source)
AD Final Rules - DRS_78-01-02.html
Copy URL
Print/Save as PDF
Document Versions
 Feedback
Details
AD Number:
78-01-02
Document Type:
AD Final Rules
Docket Number:
Unknown
Subject Heading:
Airworthiness Directives; Piper Models PA-31, PA-31-325, and PA-31-350 Airplanes
Subject:
Elevator Bungee
Status:
Current
Citation:
This information is not available.
Citation Publish Date:
01/03/1978
Effective Date:
01/03/1978
Make:
Piper Aircraft Inc.
Model:
PA-31 | PA-31-325 | PA-31-350
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: 78-01-02
CITATION:   This information is not available.

PAGE NUMBER:  

DOCKET NUMBER:   Unknown

AMENDMENT:   39-3107

AD NUMBER:   78-01-02

SUBJECT HEADING:   Airworthiness Directives; Piper Models PA-31, PA-31-325, and PA-31-350 Airplanes

ACTION:  

SUMMARY:  

DATES:   Effective January 3, 1978.

ADDRESSES:  

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:  

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:  

REGULATORY TEXT:  
78-01-02 PIPER: Amendment 39-3107. Applies to Piper Models PA-31 and PA-31-325 Serial Nos. 31-7612001 thru 31-7612080, 31-7612082 thru 31-7612091, 31-7612096, 31-7612099, 31-7612101, 31-7612102, 31-7612104, 31-7612105, 31-7612107 and 31-7612108, PA-31-350 Serial Nos. 31-7652001 thru 31-7652015, 31-7652017 thru 31-7652162, and 31-7652164 thru 31-7652170 certificated in all categories.

To prevent adverse stability or handling qualities due to incorrect tension in the elevator bungee, accomplish the following within the next 25 hours in service after the effective date of this Airworthiness Directive unless already accomplished.

(a) Inspect the elevator bungee spring for correct tension, (30 lb. + 1 lb. for model PA-31 and 37 lb. + 1, -0 for models PA-31-325 and PA-31-350).

(b) If the tension is not correct, before further flight alter the link in accordance with the "Instructions" section of Piper Service Bulletin No. 549 dated February 16, 1977, or equivalent approved by the Chief, Engineering and Manufacturing Branch, FAA, Eastern Region.

(c) Upon submission of substantiating data through an FAA Maintenance Inspector, the Chief, Engineering and Manufacturing Branch, FAA, Eastern Region may adjust the compliance time specified above.

This amendment is effective January 3, 1978.

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.