AD 80-21-11

final rule

Airworthiness Directives; Piper Model PA-44-180 Airplanes

AD Number
80-21-11
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-44-180 Airworthiness Directives; Piper Model PA-44-180 Airplanes

Unsafe Condition

Binding of the aileron push rod which could result in fatigue failure of the rod and possible loss of aileron control

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

Required Actions

Inspect and clean the aileron push rod and bearing ball, lubricate per the Piper PA-44 Service Manual, and if necessary, replace the aileron push rod and bellcrank assembly with new or serviceable parts. Rerig the aileron control system and make appropriate maintenance record entry.

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

Compliance Time

within the next 25 hours time in service after the effective date of this AD

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

Affected Aircraft

Piper Model PA-44-180 (Seminole), serial numbers 44-7995001 through 44-8095027

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

Federal Register Abstract

Left and Right Ailerons

Applicability Source Text

Show captured applicability text from the source AD
AD Final Rules - DRS_80-21-11.html
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AD Number:
80-21-11
Document Type:
AD Final Rules
Docket Number:
Unknown
Subject Heading:
Airworthiness Directives; Piper Model PA-44-180 Airplanes
Subject:
Left and Right Ailerons
Status:
Current
Citation:
This information is not available.
Citation Publish Date:
10/14/1980
Effective Date:
10/17/1980
Make:
Piper Aircraft Inc.
Model:
PA-44-180
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Superseded AD: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Superseded By: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: 80-21-11
CITATION:   This information is not available.

PAGE NUMBER:  

DOCKET NUMBER:   Unknown

AMENDMENT:   39-3938

AD NUMBER:   80-21-11

SUBJECT HEADING:   Airworthiness Directives; Piper Model PA-44-180 Airplanes

ACTION:  

SUMMARY:  

DATES:   Effective October 17, 1980.

ADDRESSES:  

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:  

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:  

REGULATORY TEXT:  
80-21-11 PIPER AIRCRAFT CORPORATION: Amendment 39-3938. Applies to Model PA-44-180 (Seminole), serial numbers 44-7995001 through 44-8095027, airplanes certificated in all categories.

Compliance is required within the next 25 hours time in service after the effective date of this AD, unless already accomplished.

To prevent binding of the aileron push rod which could result in fatigue failure of the rod and possible loss of aileron control, accomplish the following:

NOTE: All instructions apply to both right and left ailerons.

(a) Remove bellcrank access cover on bottom of aft wing near push rod penetration point. Grasp aileron push rod between thumb and forefinger and rotate while moving aileron throughout entire travel. If free rotation of the push rod is evident in all aileron positions, no further action is required. Reinstall access cover.

(b) If push rod appears to be partially free but does not readily rotate and stop, inspect ball end at aileron actuator fitting and bearing ball sandwiched between rod clevis and at bellcrank for paint or other foreign material. Clean and lubricate ball end and bearing ball per the Piper PA-44 Service Manual and repeat Step (a). If requirements of Step (a) are met, no further action is required. Reinstall access cover.

(c) If push rod will not rotate freely throughout the aileron travel, replace the aileron push rod and aileron bellcrank assembly with new or serviceable parts. Rerig the aileron control system in accordance with the Piper PA-44 Service Manual and reinstall access plate.

(d) Make appropriate maintenance record entry.

(e) Compliance may be shown in an equivalent manner if approved by the Chief, Engineering and Manufacturing Branch, FAA, Southern Region.

NOTE: Piper Aircraft Corporation Service Bulletin No. 689 covers this same subject.

This amendment becomes effective October 17, 1980.

FOOTER:

Document Text

Show stored source text (verify against official source)
AD Final Rules - DRS_80-21-11.html
Copy URL
Print/Save as PDF
Document Versions
 Feedback
Details
AD Number:
80-21-11
Document Type:
AD Final Rules
Docket Number:
Unknown
Subject Heading:
Airworthiness Directives; Piper Model PA-44-180 Airplanes
Subject:
Left and Right Ailerons
Status:
Current
Citation:
This information is not available.
Citation Publish Date:
10/14/1980
Effective Date:
10/17/1980
Make:
Piper Aircraft Inc.
Model:
PA-44-180
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: 80-21-11
CITATION:   This information is not available.

PAGE NUMBER:  

DOCKET NUMBER:   Unknown

AMENDMENT:   39-3938

AD NUMBER:   80-21-11

SUBJECT HEADING:   Airworthiness Directives; Piper Model PA-44-180 Airplanes

ACTION:  

SUMMARY:  

DATES:   Effective October 17, 1980.

ADDRESSES:  

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:  

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:  

REGULATORY TEXT:  
80-21-11 PIPER AIRCRAFT CORPORATION: Amendment 39-3938. Applies to Model PA-44-180 (Seminole), serial numbers 44-7995001 through 44-8095027, airplanes certificated in all categories.

Compliance is required within the next 25 hours time in service after the effective date of this AD, unless already accomplished.

To prevent binding of the aileron push rod which could result in fatigue failure of the rod and possible loss of aileron control, accomplish the following:

NOTE: All instructions apply to both right and left ailerons.

(a) Remove bellcrank access cover on bottom of aft wing near push rod penetration point. Grasp aileron push rod between thumb and forefinger and rotate while moving aileron throughout entire travel. If free rotation of the push rod is evident in all aileron positions, no further action is required. Reinstall access cover.

(b) If push rod appears to be partially free but does not readily rotate and stop, inspect ball end at aileron actuator fitting and bearing ball sandwiched between rod clevis and at bellcrank for paint or other foreign material. Clean and lubricate ball end and bearing ball per the Piper PA-44 Service Manual and repeat Step (a). If requirements of Step (a) are met, no further action is required. Reinstall access cover.

(c) If push rod will not rotate freely throughout the aileron travel, replace the aileron push rod and aileron bellcrank assembly with new or serviceable parts. Rerig the aileron control system in accordance with the Piper PA-44 Service Manual and reinstall access plate.

(d) Make appropriate maintenance record entry.

(e) Compliance may be shown in an equivalent manner if approved by the Chief, Engineering and Manufacturing Branch, FAA, Southern Region.

NOTE: Piper Aircraft Corporation Service Bulletin No. 689 covers this same subject.

This amendment becomes effective October 17, 1980.

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.