AD 78-12-06
Applicability
| Type | Manufacturer | Model | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| aircraft | Piper Aircraft Inc. | PA-31T | PIPER Model PA-31T Aircraft All Categories |
Unsafe Condition
Cracks in the nose landing gear wheel assembly, specifically in the cup and flange areas, could lead to wheel failure.
AI-generated summary from the source AD text. Verify against the official source before acting.
Required Actions
Visually inspect the nose wheel cup and flange area for cracks prior to next flight and before each subsequent flight. Replace cracked wheels with specified airworthy parts (Piper P/N 551-758, B.F. Goodrich P/N 3-1331, Piper P/N 551-782, or B.F. Goodrich P/N 3-1076) equipped with tubeless tires. Discontinue inspections after installing approved replacements and record all checks in the aircraft log.
AI-generated summary from the source AD text. Verify against the official source before acting.
Compliance Time
prior to next flight
AI-generated summary from the source AD text. Verify against the official source before acting.
Affected Aircraft
Piper Aircraft Inc. Model PA-31T aircraft, serial numbers 31-7620012 and up, equipped with nose landing gear wheel assembly (Piper P/N 551-778 or Cleveland P/N 40-120A).
AI-generated summary from the source AD text. Verify against the official source before acting.
Federal Register Abstract
Nose Landing Gear Wheel Assembly
Applicability Source Text
Show captured applicability text from the source AD
AD Final Rules - DRS_78-12-06.html Copy URL Print/Save as PDF Document Versions Feedback Details AD Number: 78-12-06 Document Type: AD Final Rules Docket Number: Unknown Subject Heading: PIPER Model PA-31T Aircraft All Categories Subject: Nose Landing Gear Wheel Assembly Status: Current Citation: This information is not available. Citation Publish Date: 05/07/1979 Effective Date: 05/09/1979 Make: Piper Aircraft Inc. Model: PA-31T Product Type: Aircraft Product Subtype: Small Airplane Affected AD: Superseded AD: Affected By: Superseded By: Service/Office: AIR-700: Compliance & Airworthiness Division Office of Primary Responsibility: AIR-720: Operational Safety Branch CFR Part Reference: Part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: 78-12-06 CITATION: This information is not available. PAGE NUMBER: DOCKET NUMBER: Unknown AMENDMENT: 39-3461 AD NUMBER: 78-12-06 SUBJECT HEADING: PIPER Model PA-31T Aircraft All Categories ACTION: SUMMARY: DATES: Effective May 9, 1979. ADDRESSES: FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: REGULATORY TEXT: 78-12-06 PIPER: Amendment 39-3242 as amended by amendment 39-3461. Applies to Piper Aircraft Corporation Model PA-31T aircraft, S/N 31-7620012 and up, certificated in all categories, equipped with nose landing gear wheel assembly, Piper P/N 551-778, Cleveland P/N 40-120A. To detect cracks in the nose landing gear wheel, accomplish the following: (a) Prior to next flight visually check the nose wheel cup and flange area for cracks. If a crack is found, replace the wheel with an airworthy part of the same P/N or Piper P/N 551- 758, B. F. Goodrich P/N 3-1331, equipped with a tubeless tire, size 18 x 4.4, 6 ply rating or Piper P/N 551-782, B. F. Goodrich P/N 3-1076. Check may be accomplished by pilot. (b) Repeat paragraph (a) prior to each flight. (c) When wheel of Piper P/N 551-758, B. F. Goodrich P/N 3-1331 or Piper P/N 551- 782, B. F. Goodrich P/N 3-1076 is installed, repeat inspections of paragraph (b) may be discontinued. (d) Record results of each check in aircraft log or continuous inspection manual. Amendment 39-3242 was effective June 22, 1978. This amendment 39-3461 is effective May 9, 1979. FOOTER:
Document Text
Show stored source text (verify against official source)
AD Final Rules - DRS_78-12-06.html Copy URL Print/Save as PDF Document Versions Feedback Details AD Number: 78-12-06 Document Type: AD Final Rules Docket Number: Unknown Subject Heading: PIPER Model PA-31T Aircraft All Categories Subject: Nose Landing Gear Wheel Assembly Status: Current Citation: This information is not available. Citation Publish Date: 05/07/1979 Effective Date: 05/09/1979 Make: Piper Aircraft Inc. Model: PA-31T 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: 78-12-06 CITATION: This information is not available. PAGE NUMBER: DOCKET NUMBER: Unknown AMENDMENT: 39-3461 AD NUMBER: 78-12-06 SUBJECT HEADING: PIPER Model PA-31T Aircraft All Categories ACTION: SUMMARY: DATES: Effective May 9, 1979. ADDRESSES: FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: REGULATORY TEXT: 78-12-06 PIPER: Amendment 39-3242 as amended by amendment 39-3461. Applies to Piper Aircraft Corporation Model PA-31T aircraft, S/N 31-7620012 and up, certificated in all categories, equipped with nose landing gear wheel assembly, Piper P/N 551-778, Cleveland P/N 40-120A. To detect cracks in the nose landing gear wheel, accomplish the following: (a) Prior to next flight visually check the nose wheel cup and flange area for cracks. If a crack is found, replace the wheel with an airworthy part of the same P/N or Piper P/N 551- 758, B. F. Goodrich P/N 3-1331, equipped with a tubeless tire, size 18 x 4.4, 6 ply rating or Piper P/N 551-782, B. F. Goodrich P/N 3-1076. Check may be accomplished by pilot. (b) Repeat paragraph (a) prior to each flight. (c) When wheel of Piper P/N 551-758, B. F. Goodrich P/N 3-1331 or Piper P/N 551- 782, B. F. Goodrich P/N 3-1076 is installed, repeat inspections of paragraph (b) may be discontinued. (d) Record results of each check in aircraft log or continuous inspection manual. Amendment 39-3242 was effective June 22, 1978. This amendment 39-3461 is effective May 9, 1979. 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.