SERVICE BULLETIN NO. 540B

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Date: February 9, 2021 (M) SERVICE BULLETIN NO. 540B PIPER CONSIDERS COMPLIANCE MANDATORY Piper Aircraft, Inc. 2926 Piper Drive Vero Beach, FL, U.S.A. 32960 (OVER) ATA/JASC: 5510 Service Bulletin (SB) 540B supersedes SB 540A in its entirety. Aircraft that were previously made compliant with SB 540A must continue the recurring inspections mandated by SB 540B, regardless of prior maintenance and repair history. SUBJECT: INSPECTION AND REINFORCEMENT OF STABILATOR TIP TUBE AND WEIGHT ASSEMBLY REASON FOR REVISION: SB 540B expands serial number effectivity and mandates a recurring inspection of all affected aircraft. Other changes are to bring the document up to current format. MODELS AFFECTED: SERIAL NUMBERS AFFECTED: PA-23-250 (Six-Place) Aztec “F” 27-7654001 through 27-7954121 COMPLIANCE TIME: If not already accomplished, the initial inspection is to coincide with the next regularly scheduled maintenance event, but not to exceed the next ten (10) hours time in service. Thereafter, inspection is on a recurring basis at a frequency interval not to exceed 100 hours time in service. APPROVAL: The engineering aspects of this service document have been shown to comply with the applicable Federal Aviation Regulations and are FAA approved. PURPOSE: Field reports indicate that cracks have been found in the stabilator tip tube and weight assembly installed on the affected aircraft, regardless of prior maintenance and repair history. If not identified and addressed, this condition could result in separation of the weight from the tube. This service bulletin provides instructions to inspect the stabilator tip tube and weight assembly for cracks, and provides options to address any cracks discovered. SAFETY INTENT: The safety intent of this service bulletin is to require inspections to prevent the separation of weight assemblies from the stabilator tip tubes, which could result in an unsafe flying condition. CONFIGURATION DESCRIPTION: Incorporating this service bulletin will ensure that if cracks should develop in stabilator tip tubes and weight assemblies, the cracks are repaired appropriately. SERVICE BULLETIN NO. 540B PAGE 2 of 6 INSTRUCTIONS: NOTE: Some steps in these instructions are identified as “required for compliance” (RC). If this service bulletin is mandated by an airworthiness directive (AD), the steps identified as RC must be done to comply with the AD. Steps not identified as RC are recommended and may be deviated from, done as a part of other actions, or done with accepted methods different from those given in this service bulletin, if the RC steps can be done and the airplane can be put back in a serviceable condition. WARNING: ANY CRACKS DISCOVERED IN THE AIRCRAFT STRUCTURE MUST BE REPAIRED PRIOR TO THE NEXT FLIGHT. AN AIRPLANE WITH CRACKS IN ITS STRUCTURE DOES NOT MEET ITS TYPE DESIGN AND NO LONGER POSSESSES ITS REQUIRED TYPE DESIGN STRENGTH. NOTE: The temporary removal of some components and/or access panels may be required in order to accomplish the instructions in this service bulletin. NOTE: These instructions apply to both the left and right stabilator tip tube and weight assemblies. NOTE: The kits and service replacements for some components mentioned in this service bulletin are not currently available. If repair or replacement is necessary, some other FAA approved replacement or repair may be required. Contact Piper Customer Service for assistance at (+1) 772-299-2141 or CustomerService@piper.com. Piper’s normal business hours are Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (Eastern). Part I. Inspection NOTE: The repair or replacement of the tip tube and weight assembly does not alleviate the recurring inspection mandated by this service bulletin. 1. RC – Prior to inspection, wipe surfaces clean using a soft cloth dampened with isopropyl alcohol, mineral spirits, naphtha, or another suitable cleaning agent or method. 2. RC – If Stabilator Balance Weight Replacement Kit, Piper P/N 763-987, is installed, and Stabilator Nose Rib Installation Kit, P/N 761-141, is not, then modification of the nose rib may be required. Refer to Piper Service Letter 807, latest revision, to identify the affected aircraft. 3. RC – For serial numbers (S/Ns) 27-7654001 through 27-7954035 if Stabilator Balance Weight Replacement Kit, Piper P/N 763-987, is not installed: examine the inspection areas identified in Figure 1. Perform the inspection using a 10X magnifier, a mirror, and a suitable light source or other equipment capable of providing equal or better resolution. • If cracks are found, repair the tube and weight assembly as described in Part II, prior to next flight. • If no cracks are found, then proceed to Part III. NOTE: Figure 1 shows a stabilator tip tube and weight assembly after repair. NOTE: At the discretion of the owner/operator, the repair described in Part II may be accomplished on a stabilator tip tube and weight assembly without cracks. However, the recurring inspection mandated by this service bulletin shall still apply. If the repair described in Part II has already been accomplished, and repair is necessary, then some other FAA approved repair is required. Contact Piper Customer Service for assistance at (+1) 772- 299-2141 or CustomerService@piper.com. Piper’s normal business hours are Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (Eastern). 4. RC – For S/Ns 27-7954036 through 27-7954121; and for S/Ns 27-7654001 through 27-7954035 if Stabilator Balance Weight Replacement Kit, P/N 763-987, is installed: examine the inspection areas identified in Figure 2. Perform the inspection using a 10X magnifier, a mirror, and a suitable light source or other equipment capable of providing equal or better resolution. • If cracks are found, then repair is necessary prior to next flight. Contact Piper Customer Service for assistance at (+1) 772-299-2141 or CustomerService@piper.com. Piper’s normal business hours are Mon-