SERVICE BULLETIN NO. 1299
Piper PA-23 Apache · Service Bulletins
Overview
This document is Service Bulletin No. 1299 issued by Piper Aircraft, Inc., which addresses the periodic replacement of the main landing gear drag link bolt for specific models of the Piper PA-23 Apache and the PA-23 Aztec. Compliance with this bulletin is considered mandatory, particularly for aircraft that have accumulated 1,000 or more hours of time in service. The bulletin outlines the potential wear on the drag link bolt that may not be detectable during routine inspections, emphasizing the importance of replacing the bolt to prevent fatigue failure and possible main gear collapse. The document provides detailed instructions for the replacement procedure, material requirements, and compliance timelines, ensuring that aircraft owners and maintenance personnel are informed of the necessary actions to maintain safety and airworthiness.
- Compliance is mandatory for PA-23 Apache and Aztec models with 1,000 or more hours TIS on the drag link bolt.
- The drag link bolt must be replaced at the next scheduled maintenance, not exceeding 100 hours TIS.
- Inspect for wear and replace associated hardware as necessary during the procedure.
- Specific part numbers for bolts, cotter pins, washers, and nuts are provided for compliance.
- The bulletin emphasizes the risk of main gear collapse due to undetected wear on the drag link bolt.
Document
Source
Originally published by s3.amazonaws.com. Sprinkle hosts a reference copy with an added summary, specifications and searchable full text.
Document details
- Type
- Service Bulletins
- Year
- 2017
- Pages
- 4
- File size
- 514 KB
- Publisher
- s3.amazonaws.com
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In this document
Compliance Time
Aircraft with main landing gear drag link bolts that have accumulated 1,000 or more hours time in service must comply with this service bulletin at the next scheduled maintenance event, not exceeding the next 100 hours of TIS. Bolts with less than 1,000 hours TIS are not affected until they reach that threshold.
Purpose
The bulletin highlights the risk of wear on the main landing gear drag link bolt, which can develop score marks that may lead to stress concentrations and potential fatigue failure. This emphasizes the need for regular inspection and replacement of the bolt to ensure the safety of the aircraft.
Instructions for Replacement
The document provides a step-by-step guide for replacing the drag link bolt, including jacking the aircraft, disassembling the drag link, inspecting components for wear, reassembling with new parts, and verifying proper operation of the landing gear.
Material Required
Specific parts are listed for replacement, including bolts, cotter pins, washers, and castellated nuts. The bulletin specifies the Piper part codes and quantities required for different serial number ranges of the affected aircraft.
Effectivity Date
The service bulletin is effective upon receipt, indicating that aircraft owners and maintenance facilities should act promptly to ensure compliance.
Safety notes
- Failure to comply with this service bulletin may result in fatigue failure of the drag link bolt and subsequent main gear collapse.
Full document text
Date: January 6, 2017 (M) SERVICE BULLETIN NO. 1299 PIPER CONSIDERS COMPLIANCE MANDATORY Piper Aircraft, Inc. 2926 Piper Drive Vero Beach, FL, U.S.A. 32960 (OVER) Subject: Periodic rePlacement of main landing gear drag link bolt modelS affected: Serial numberS affected: PA-23-150 Apache 23-1 through 23-1176, 23-1178 through 23-1182 PA-23-160 Apache 23-1177, 23-1183 through 23-2046 PA-23-235 Apache 27-505 through 27-622 PA-23-250 Aztec 27-1 through 27-504; 27-2000 through 27-4916; 27-7304917 through 27-8154030 comPliance time: For main landing gear drag links, installed on affected aircraft, that have accumulated 1,000 or more hours time in service (TIS), compliance with this service bulletin is to coincide with the next regularly scheduled maintenance event, but not to exceed the next 100 hours TIS. Main landing gear drag link bolts with less than 1,000 hours TIS are not affected by this service bulletin until either drag link bolt accrues a minimum of 1,000 hours TIS. aPProval: The engineering aspects of this service document have been shown to comply with the applicable Federal Aviation Regulations and are FAA approved. PurPoSe: Under certain conditions, the bolt that fastens the upper and lower main gear (MG) drag links can develop wear in a manner that may not be detectable during routine maintenance and inspection. Specifically, score marks have been discovered around the circumference of the bolt shank, midway along the length of the bolt. By design, the main landing gear drag link bolt is free to rotate inside a set of bushings to allow relative movement between the upper and lower drag links during landing gear strut extension and retraction. Over extensive operating hours, this rotation can generate the score marks described, causing stress concentrations to develop in the bolt, which, if left uncorrected, could result in bolt fatigue failure and subsequent main gear collapse. This service bulletin provides a 1,000 hour recurring requirement for the removal and replacement of this bolt (and associated hardware) and the inspection of the mating bushings. The applicable service manual will be updated to include the contents of this service bulletin at its next revision. ATA/JASC: 3210 Service bulletin no. 1299 Page 2 of 4 inStructionS: NOTE: The following applies to both the left and right main landing gear. 1. Jack the aircraft per Section II of the appropriate service manual. 2. Disassemble the upper drag link from the lower drag link by removing the bolt, and associated hardware, which functions as a hinge pin for the two parts. See Figure 1. 3. Inspect the washers and castellated nuts for corrosion, damage and excessive wear, and replace on condition. Retain all serviceable hardware for later reassembly. Discard the used bolt and cotter pin. 4. Reassemble the upper and lower drag links, using new bolts and new cotter pins as listed in the Material Required section of this service bulletin. Existing nuts and washers may be reused, if they are in serviceable condition. If replacement nuts and/or bolts are required, order and install new parts as listed in the Material Required section of this service bulletin. 5. Lubricate per Section II of the applicable service manual, as required. 6. Verify proper operation of the landing gear. 7. Remove the aircraft from jacks. 8. Make a logbook entry documenting compliance with this service bulletin. Service bulletin no. 1299 Page 3 of 4 REPLACE BOLT & COTTER PIN AT THIS LOCATION UPPER DRAG LINK LOWER DRAG LINK VIEW A−A LEFT MAIN LANDING GEAR SHOWN (RIGHT MAIN LANDING GEAR OPPOSITE) A A FWD UP figure 1 Drag Link Bolt Assembly Location Service bulletin no. 1299 Page 4 of 4 material reQuired: Per aircraft, required or on condition: • On S/Ns 23-1 through 23-1837: Quantity PiPer code deScriPtion 2 (required) 402-356 – or – 691-367 BOLT (AN176-26) BOLT (NAS6606D36) 2 (required) 424-059 COTTER PIN (MS24665-283) A/R (on condition) 407-567 – or – 690-629 WASHER (AN960-616) WASHER (NAS1149F0663P) A/R (on condition) 404-103 CASTELLATED NUT (AN310-6) • On all other affected aircraft: Quantity PiPer code deScriPtion 2 (required) 402-427 – or – 691-327 BOLT (AN177-27) BOLT (NAS6607D38) 2 (required) 424-059 COTTER PIN (MS24665-283) A/R (on condition) 407-568 – or – 690-630 WASHER (AN960-716) WASHER (NAS1149F0763P) A/R (on condition) 404-104 CASTELLATED NUT (AN310-7) availability of PartS: Your Factory Authorized Piper Service Facility effectivity date: This service bulletin is effective upon receipt. Summary: Please contact your Factory Authorized Piper Service Facility to make arrangements for compliance with this service bulletin in accordance with the compliance time indicated. note: Please notify the factory of any address/ownership corrections. Changes should include aircraft model, serial number, and current owner’s name and address. Corrections and/or changes should be directed to: PIPER AIRCRAFT, INC. Attn: Customer Service 2926 Piper Drive Vero Beach, FL 32960