Airworthiness Directives for the Piper PA-25 Pawnee

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CAA and EASA Airworthiness Directives (ADs) all owners notified. 1 Lycoming engines Connecting Rod/Bushing inspection US-2024-21-02 Mandatory https://ad.easa.europa.eu/ad/US-2024-21-02 This could affect some tugs. Reciprocating Engine - Connecting Rod Bushing - Inspections / Replacement 2 S-MD Single JS-MD 3 RES Pylon bolts EASA AD 2025-0010 Mandatory https://ad.easa.europa.eu/ad/2025-0010 Powerplant – Engine to Retractable Electric System Pylon Fasteners – Retightening 3 Ventus Powered Sailplanes Ventus-3M EASA AD 2024-0251-E Mandatory https://ad.easa.europa.eu/ad/2024-0251-E Fuel – Wing Fuel Tank Hose – Inspections / Replacement; Placards and Markings – Installation 4 SCHEMPP HIRTH FLUGZEUGBAU Standard Cirrus EASA AD 2024-0242R1 Mandatory https://ad.easa.europa.eu/ad/2024-0242R1 Flight Controls – Horizontal Tailplane Drive Lower Bearing – Modification 5 BRP-ROTAX 912 iSc EASA AD 2025-0019-E Mandatory https://ad.easa.europa.eu/ad/2025-0019-E Engine / Electrical Power – Internal Generator – Inspection / Replacement of Oil Spray Nozzle 6 LAVIA S.A.PA-25 Pawnee ANAC RA-2024-05-01R1 Mandatory https://ad.easa.europa.eu/ad/RA-2024-05-01R1 Corrosion found in the front and rear spars of wings and cracks found in the front spar 7 DG AVIATION DG-300 all variants with winglets EASA AD 2025-0056 Mandatory https://ad.easa.europa.eu/ad/2025-0056 Flight Manual – Supplements – Amendment; Placards and Markings – Cockpit Data Placard and Airspeed Correction Placard – Replacement; Indicating / Recording System – Airspeed Indicator – Modification 8 DG AVIATION DG-1000M EASA AD 2025-0091 Mandatory https://ad.easa.europa.eu/ad/2025-0091 Power Plant – Engine Support Frame – Inspections / Modification; Propeller – Propeller Assembly – Balancing; Engine – Fuel and Control – Powerplant Controllers Software – Modification 9 DG AVIATION DG-1000T EASA AD 2025-0112-E Mandatory https://ad.easa.europa.eu/ad/2025-0112-E Powerplant – Operational Restriction; Flight Manual – Amendment; Placards and Markings – Placards – Installation 10 SCHEMPP HIRTH FLUGZEUGBAU Ventus-3M EASA AD 25-089 Mandatory https://ad.easa.europa.eu/ad/25-089 Fuel – Wing Fuel Tank Hose – Inspections / Replacement / Modification; Placards and Markings – Installation TECHNICAL NEWS SHEET TNS issue 1-2025 27th June 2025 11 LAVIA S.A.PA-25 Pawnee EASA PAD 25-090 Advisory https://ad.easa.europa.eu/ad/25-090 Aircraft Flight Manual - Limitation / Wings – Front and rear spar – Inspections. This is an EASA proposal to make the Eddy Current inspection a 1000 hourly event. Note that Laviasa are Argentina based, so EASA ADs on the PA25 in law do not apply to UK based PA25. EASA are yet to approve an alternative means of compliance to do the Eddy current inspection, because the one mandated by Lavias does not work on Piper built spars. The Australian Gliding Federation of Australia (who have provided all the fatigue analysis data) are now in contact with EASA. 12 M&D All JS-MD 3 RES aircraft 2025-0136-E Mandatory https://ad.easa.europa.eu/ad/2025-0136-E https://www.md-flugzeugbau.de/images/2025/sb-md11-006---propulsion-system-deactivation_signed.pdf Powerplant – Retractable Electric Propulsion System – Operation Prohibition / Sailplane Operation Restriction 13 CAA Safety Directive Number: SD–2024/001V2 Mandatory https://www.caa.co.uk/publication/download/22825 CARBON MONOXIDE detectors All aircraft with a front fire wall must now have a Carbon Monoxide Detector. We have had a report that a new detector found previously undetected carbon monoxide leak in a SF25 Falke. Every annual the exhaust that the heat shroud surrounds MUST be checked for leaks. Either plug the exhaust holes, then put a few PSI in, then put bubble making solution (washing up liquid diluted) and look for bubbles. If you are keen you can remove the exhaust (new gaskets), plug the holes, add a few psi and immerse it in a fish tank and observe any bubbles. 14 Libelle (might apply to other types) LBA AD 87-83 Mandatory https://streifly.de/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/TN201-26.pdf A Libelle that had recently passed a 3000-hour inspection was found to still have Hemp rudder cables that should have been changed by 1987. The link above is to the AD that mandated this inspection. The centre of the cable is rotten hemp string Safety Information 15 SF25c fully swivel tailwheels reported by Sqn Ldr C R Haynes Advisory The SF25c (mostly the newer ones fitted with Rotax engines) have a fully swivelling tailwheel. But you must lock it to match the rudder movement prior to take off. Failure to do this means there is higher chance of tailwheel shimmy. But the plunger that locks it can seize. This is common issue caused by the lack of access to lubricate the parts that need lubrication. I was involved in maintaining one of these on a SF25C that was flying 500 hours year, and it seized in service a few times. To prevent it happening, we found the tailwheel mechanism had to be fully removed, cleaned, checked for wear and reassembled with good lubrication every 200 hours. This is many hours work. And ideally will be an annual event. I recommend you write it into the maintenance program. 16 Tessa Fabric tape Advisory In all my BGA refresher lectures, I advise not to use Tessa Fabric tape. This picture below is all to frequent and explains why. Tessa Fabric tape shrinks hugely in the space of 12 months. Almost everyone that I/quality team checked is found to have restricted control movements. Plus, there is the potential flutter issues if it falls off in flight (like on an ASW20). Some manuals (K21 perhaps) recommend use of Tessa fabric tape. They were written before better tapes (Teflon oven lining tape) and mylar were options. You can deviate from Tessa fabric tape in your maintenance program. Student pilots should be taught that tape in poor condition, like below should not pass a daily inspection. Flutter risk 17 Solo 2350 inflight catastrophic engine failures Advisory