Piper PA-31 Navajo — Airworthiness Directives

This document is an Airworthiness Directive (AD) issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) of Australia concerning the Piper PA-31 series of aircraft. The directive addresses safety concerns related to the rudder torque tube assembly and rudder rib, highlighting the necessity for inspections and potential repairs to prevent corrosion-related failures. The AD outlines specific compliance requirements and timelines for inspections, ensuring that operators maintain the airworthiness of their aircraft. It is crucial for operators of the PA-31 series to adhere to these directives to ensure safety and compliance with aviation regulations.

• The directive applies to multiple Piper PA-31 models including PA-31, PA-31-300, PA-31-325, PA-31-350, PA-31P, PA-31P-350, PA-31T, PA-31T1, PA-31T2, and PA-31T3.
• Operators must install an inspection hole in the rudder skin or use an existing tooling hole for inspection.
• Visual inspections for corrosion must be conducted in accordance with Piper SB No. 1105A.
• If corrosion is detected, the affected components must be replaced or repaired as per FAA AD 2003-24-07.
• Compliance with the directive is required within 150 hours of service after February 19, 2004, and at intervals not exceeding 12 months thereafter.