AD 78-23-01

final rule

Airworthiness Directives; Piper Models PA-28-235, PA-32-260, PA-32-300, PA-32S-300, PA-32R-300, PA-32RT-300 and PA- 32RT-300T Airplanes

AD Number
78-23-01
Status
final_rule
Effective Date
Product Category
aircraft
Docket
Unknown
FR Citation
This information is not available.

Applicability

TypeManufacturerModelDetails
aircraft Piper Aircraft Inc. PA-28-235 Airworthiness Directives; Piper Models PA-28-235, PA-32-260, PA-32-300, PA-32S-300, PA-32R-300, PA-32RT-300 and PA- 32RT-300T Airplanes
aircraft Piper Aircraft Inc. PA-32-260 Airworthiness Directives; Piper Models PA-28-235, PA-32-260, PA-32-300, PA-32S-300, PA-32R-300, PA-32RT-300 and PA- 32RT-300T Airplanes
aircraft Piper Aircraft Inc. PA-32-300 Airworthiness Directives; Piper Models PA-28-235, PA-32-260, PA-32-300, PA-32S-300, PA-32R-300, PA-32RT-300 and PA- 32RT-300T Airplanes
aircraft Piper Aircraft Inc. PA-32R-300 Airworthiness Directives; Piper Models PA-28-235, PA-32-260, PA-32-300, PA-32S-300, PA-32R-300, PA-32RT-300 and PA- 32RT-300T Airplanes
aircraft Piper Aircraft Inc. PA-32RT-300 Airworthiness Directives; Piper Models PA-28-235, PA-32-260, PA-32-300, PA-32S-300, PA-32R-300, PA-32RT-300 and PA- 32RT-300T Airplanes
aircraft Piper Aircraft Inc. PA-32RT-300T Airworthiness Directives; Piper Models PA-28-235, PA-32-260, PA-32-300, PA-32S-300, PA-32R-300, PA-32RT-300 and PA- 32RT-300T Airplanes
aircraft Piper Aircraft Inc. PA-32S-300 Airworthiness Directives; Piper Models PA-28-235, PA-32-260, PA-32-300, PA-32S-300, PA-32R-300, PA-32RT-300 and PA- 32RT-300T Airplanes

Unsafe Condition

Inadvertent fuel drain lever actuation due to improper functioning of the fuel drain lever cover assembly door, which may not prevent access to the lever when closed.

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

Required Actions

Remove and replace the fuel drain lever cover assembly with Piper Kit 763 883V, check door operation for free movement and proper lever access prevention, and record maintenance entries. For affected models, inspections must be done within 50 hours time in service after the effective date, with subsequent checks every 100 hours.

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, and at intervals not to exceed 100 hours time in service from the last check.

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

Affected Aircraft

Piper Models PA-28-235 (serial numbers 28-10003 through 28-10660), PA-32-260, PA-32-300, PA-32S-300, PA-32R-300, PA-32RT-300, and PA-32RT-300T, all serial numbers.

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

Federal Register Abstract

Fuel Drain Assembly

Applicability Source Text

Show captured applicability text from the source AD
AD Final Rules - DRS_78-23-01.html
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AD Number:
78-23-01
Document Type:
AD Final Rules
Docket Number:
Unknown
Subject Heading:
Airworthiness Directives; Piper Models PA-28-235, PA-32-260, PA-32-300, PA-32S-300, PA-32R-300, PA-3...Show more
Subject:
Fuel Drain Assembly
Status:
Current
Citation:
This information is not available.
Citation Publish Date:
11/02/1978
Effective Date:
11/03/1978
Make:
Piper Aircraft Inc.
Model:
PA-28-235 | PA-32-260 | PA-32-300 | PA-32R-300 | PA-32RT-300 | PA-32RT-300T | PA-32S-300
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: 78-23-01
CITATION:   This information is not available.

PAGE NUMBER:  

DOCKET NUMBER:   Unknown

AMENDMENT:   39-3330

AD NUMBER:   78-23-01

SUBJECT HEADING:   Airworthiness Directives; Piper Models PA-28-235, PA-32-260, PA-32-300, PA-32S-300, PA-32R-300, PA-32RT-300 and PA- 32RT-300T Airplanes

ACTION:  

SUMMARY:  

DATES:   Effective November 3, 1978.

ADDRESSES:  

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:  

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:  

REGULATORY TEXT:  
78-23-01 PIPER AIRCRAFT CORPORATION: Amendment 39-3330. Applies to Models PA-28-235, PA-32-260, PA-32-300, PA-32S-300, PA-32R-300, PA-32RT-300 and PA- 32RT-300T airplanes, certificated in all categories.

Compliance is required as indicated.

To prevent inadvertent fuel drain lever actuation, accomplish the following:

(a) On Model PA-28-235 serial numbers 28-10003 through 28-10660, accomplish the following:

(1) Within the next 50 hours time in service after the effective date of this AD, unless already accomplished, remove the fuel drain lever cover assembly Piper Part Number 65196-05, -06, or -07.

(2) Remove snap studs from spar box if installed.

(3) Using existing stud holes in spar box, install new drain cover assembly, Piper Kit 763 883V.

(4) Actuate fuel drain valve handle and insure adequate clearance between the handle and cover assembly.

(5) Make appropriate maintenance record entry.

(b) On Models PA-28-235, PA-32-260, PA-32-300, PA-32S-300, PA-32R-300, PA-32RT-300, and PA-32RT-300T, all serial numbers, accomplish the following:

(1) For airplanes with 300 hours or more time in service, within the next 50 hours time in service from the effective date of this AD, and at intervals not to exceed 100 hours time in service from the last check, check the fuel drain lever cover assembly door to determine whether the door freely opens and closes freely without manual assistance and prevents actuation of the lever when the door is in the closed position.

(2) If the door does not open and close freely or if the door does not prevent access to the lever when it is in the closed position, replace the fuel drain lever cover assembly with a serviceable assembly, and make the appropriate maintenance record entry.

(3) If the door opens and closes freely and prevents access to the lever when it is in the closed position, make the appropriate maintenance record entry.

(c) An alternate method of compliance may be approved by the Chief, Engineering and Manufacturing Branch, Federal Aviation Administration, Southern Region.

The checks in this AD may be accomplished by the pilot and appropriate maintenance record entries made in accordance with FAR 91.173. Replacement must be accomplished by a person authorized by FAR 43.3.

(Piper Service Letter 856 dated September 15, 1978, pertains to paragraph (a).)

This amendment becomes effective November 3, 1978.

FOOTER:

Document Text

Show stored source text (verify against official source)
AD Final Rules - DRS_78-23-01.html
Copy URL
Print/Save as PDF
Document Versions
 Feedback
Details
AD Number:
78-23-01
Document Type:
AD Final Rules
Docket Number:
Unknown
Subject Heading:
Airworthiness Directives; Piper Models PA-28-235, PA-32-260, PA-32-300, PA-32S-300, PA-32R-300, PA-3...Show more
Subject:
Fuel Drain Assembly
Status:
Current
Citation:
This information is not available.
Citation Publish Date:
11/02/1978
Effective Date:
11/03/1978
Make:
Piper Aircraft Inc.
Model:
PA-28-235 | PA-32-260 | PA-32-300 | PA-32R-300 | PA-32RT-300 | PA-32RT-300T | PA-32S-300
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: 78-23-01
CITATION:   This information is not available.

PAGE NUMBER:  

DOCKET NUMBER:   Unknown

AMENDMENT:   39-3330

AD NUMBER:   78-23-01

SUBJECT HEADING:   Airworthiness Directives; Piper Models PA-28-235, PA-32-260, PA-32-300, PA-32S-300, PA-32R-300, PA-32RT-300 and PA- 32RT-300T Airplanes

ACTION:  

SUMMARY:  

DATES:   Effective November 3, 1978.

ADDRESSES:  

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:  

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:  

REGULATORY TEXT:  
78-23-01 PIPER AIRCRAFT CORPORATION: Amendment 39-3330. Applies to Models PA-28-235, PA-32-260, PA-32-300, PA-32S-300, PA-32R-300, PA-32RT-300 and PA- 32RT-300T airplanes, certificated in all categories.

Compliance is required as indicated.

To prevent inadvertent fuel drain lever actuation, accomplish the following:

(a) On Model PA-28-235 serial numbers 28-10003 through 28-10660, accomplish the following:

(1) Within the next 50 hours time in service after the effective date of this AD, unless already accomplished, remove the fuel drain lever cover assembly Piper Part Number 65196-05, -06, or -07.

(2) Remove snap studs from spar box if installed.

(3) Using existing stud holes in spar box, install new drain cover assembly, Piper Kit 763 883V.

(4) Actuate fuel drain valve handle and insure adequate clearance between the handle and cover assembly.

(5) Make appropriate maintenance record entry.

(b) On Models PA-28-235, PA-32-260, PA-32-300, PA-32S-300, PA-32R-300, PA-32RT-300, and PA-32RT-300T, all serial numbers, accomplish the following:

(1) For airplanes with 300 hours or more time in service, within the next 50 hours time in service from the effective date of this AD, and at intervals not to exceed 100 hours time in service from the last check, check the fuel drain lever cover assembly door to determine whether the door freely opens and closes freely without manual assistance and prevents actuation of the lever when the door is in the closed position.

(2) If the door does not open and close freely or if the door does not prevent access to the lever when it is in the closed position, replace the fuel drain lever cover assembly with a serviceable assembly, and make the appropriate maintenance record entry.

(3) If the door opens and closes freely and prevents access to the lever when it is in the closed position, make the appropriate maintenance record entry.

(c) An alternate method of compliance may be approved by the Chief, Engineering and Manufacturing Branch, Federal Aviation Administration, Southern Region.

The checks in this AD may be accomplished by the pilot and appropriate maintenance record entries made in accordance with FAR 91.173. Replacement must be accomplished by a person authorized by FAR 43.3.

(Piper Service Letter 856 dated September 15, 1978, pertains to paragraph (a).)

This amendment becomes effective November 3, 1978.

FOOTER:

Source: Official FAA Source ↗

Retrieved: Apr 8, 2026

Rights: U.S. Government Public Domain

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