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Airworthiness Directive Schedule Aeroplanes Piper PA-30 Series (Twin Comanche)

Piper PA-30 Twin Comanche · Airworthiness Directives

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Overview

This document is an Airworthiness Directive (AD) schedule for the Piper PA-30 series aircraft, commonly known as the Twin Comanche. Issued by the Civil Aviation Authority of New Zealand (CAA), it outlines mandatory inspections, modifications, and compliance requirements for various components and systems of the aircraft. The ADs are applicable to specific serial numbers within the PA-30 range and are essential for maintaining the airworthiness of the aircraft. The document serves as a critical reference for aircraft operators, maintenance personnel, and pilots, ensuring that safety standards are upheld and that any potential issues are addressed in a timely manner.

  • The document is an Airworthiness Directive schedule for the Piper PA-30 series (Twin Comanche).
  • Compliance with specific modifications and inspections is mandatory for safety and airworthiness.
  • Key modifications include vacuum pump coupling replacement and stall/airspeed placard revisions.
  • Inspections are required for components like the landing gear and fuel system at specified intervals.
  • The document includes directives for severe icing conditions affecting all PA-30 models.

Document

Source

Originally published by www.aviation.govt.nz. Sprinkle hosts a reference copy with an added summary, specifications and searchable full text.

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Document details

Type
Airworthiness Directives
Year
2018
Pages
10
File size
94 KB
Publisher
www.aviation.govt.nz
How rare is it?
15Piper PA-30 Twin Comanche registered worldwide · 0 active

Common. Rarer than 5% of the aircraft models we track.

Documentation completeness
5/7

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In this document

Vacuum Pump Splined Coupling Replacement - Modification

Applicable to PA-30 aircraft S/N 159 through 166, this directive requires compliance with Piper SB 218. The effective date for this modification is 30 November 1963.

Stall and Airspeed Limitations - Placards Revision - Modification

This modification applies to PA-30 aircraft S/N 30-1 through 30-2000 and mandates compliance with Piper SB 301A before the next flight, effective from 31 October 1970.

Auto-pilot Servo and Bridle Cable Installations - Inspection

Applicable to PA-30 aircraft S/N 30-1255 through 30-2000 equipped with specific automated flight control systems. Compliance is required within the next 100 hours TIS and at every periodic inspection, effective from 31 July 1972.

Alternator System - Modification

This modification affects PA-30 aircraft S/N 30-1717 and 30-1746 through 30-2000, requiring compliance with Piper SB 306 within the next 100 hours TIS if operating under IFR, effective from 31 December 1970.

Emergency Gear Extension Placard - Modification

This modification applies to PA-30 aircraft S/N 30-1717 and 30-1745 through 30-2000, requiring compliance at the next periodic inspection, effective from 31 December 1971.

Landing Gear Extension System - Inspection

This inspection applies to all PA-30 models and requires periodic inspections at specified intervals to ensure the integrity of the landing gear system, effective from 31 January 1978.

Fuel System - Inspection

Applicable to PA-30 aircraft S/N 30-2 through 30-2000, this directive mandates inspections to prevent contamination and deterioration of the fuel system, with compliance required within the next 50 hours TIS.

Severe Icing Conditions – AFM Revision

This directive applies to all PA-30 models and requires revisions to the Aircraft Flight Manual to address severe icing conditions, with compliance due by 10 May 1998.

Safety notes

  • Compliance with ADs is critical for maintaining aircraft safety and airworthiness.
  • Failure to comply with inspection requirements may result in unsafe operating conditions.

Full document text

Issued 28 June 2018 Page 1 of 10 CAA of NZ Airworthiness Directive Schedule Aeroplanes Piper PA-30 Series (Twin Comanche) 28 June 2018 Notes: 1. This AD schedule is applicable to Piper PA-30 aircraft manufactured under FAA Type Certificate No. A1EA. 2. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is the National Airworthiness Authority (NAA) responsible for the issue of State of Design Airworthiness Directives (ADs) for these aircraft. State of Design ADs can be obtained directly from the FAA web site at http://rgl.faa.gov/Regulatory_and_Guidance_Library/rgAD.nsf/MainFrame?OpenFra meSet The date above indicates the amendment date of this schedule. 4. New or amended ADs are shown with an asterisk * Contents DCA/PA30/1 Vacuum Pump Splined Coupling Replacement - Modification .......................................... 2 DCA/PA30/6 Cancelled - Once only inspection, purpose fulfilled ........................................................ 2 DCA/PA30/8 Cancelled – FAA AD 2017-15-05 refers ........................................................................... 2 DCA/PA30/9A Stall and Airspeed Limitations - Placards Revision - Modification .................................... 2 DCA/PA30/10 Auto-pilot Servo and Bridle Cable Installations - Inspection ............................................. 2 DCA/PA30/11 Alternator System - Modification ....................................................................................... 2 DCA/PA30/12 Emergency Gear Extension Placard - Modification........................................................... 2 DCA/PA30/13 Air Flow - Modification ....................................................................................................... 2 DCA/PA30/14A Aileron Nose Rib - Inspection ........................................................................................... 3 DCA/PA30/15A Stabilator Torque Tube Bearing Support Fittings - Inspection .......................................... 3 * DCA/PA30/16B Stabilator Torque Tube Assembly Bolts - Inspection ........................................................ 3 DCA/PA30/17 Fuselage Aft Bulkhead - Inspection .................................................................................. 4 DCA/PA30/18 Stabilator Torque Tube Bearing Block - Inspection .......................................................... 4 DCA/PA30/19 Forward Fin Attachment Channel - Inspection .................................................................. 4 DCA/PA30/20 Electric Trim Switch - Modification .................................................................................... 4 DCA/PA30/21 Aileron Spar - Inspection................................................................................................... 4 DCA/PA30/22 Landing Gear Extension System - Inspection ................................................................... 5 DCA/PA30/23 Fuel Selector Valve - Inspection ....................................................................................... 5 DCA/PA30/24 Fuel System - Inspection .................................................................................................. 5 DCA/PA30/25 Spar Cap - Inspection ....................................................................................................... 6 DCA/PA30/26A Parking Brake Operation - Placard ................................................................................... 6 DCA/PA30/27C Main Landing Gear Sidebrace Stud – Inspection ............................................................. 6 DCA/PA30/28 Severe Icing Conditions – AFM Revision .......................................................................... 8 From 1 October 2012 the Civil Aviation Authority of New Zealand (CAA) will no longer rewrite the text of State of Design ADs. Applicable State of Design ADs will be listed below and you can obtain them directly from the National Airworthiness Authority (NAA) web sites. Links to the NAA web sites are available on the CAA web site at http://www.caa.govt.nz/airworthiness-directives/states-of-design/ If additional NZ ADs need to be issued when an unsafe condition is found to exist in an aircraft or aeronautical product in NZ, they will be added to the list below. ...................................................................... 10 2015-24-05 Fuel System – Inspection................................................................................................ 10 2017-15-05 Heater Exhaust Extension – Inspection .......................................................................... 10 Aeroplanes Piper PA-30 Series (Twin Comanche) Issued 28 June 2018 Page 2 of 10 CAA of NZ DCA/PA30/1 Vacuum Pump Splined Coupling Replacement - Modification Applicability: Model PA-30 S/N 159 through to 166. Requirement: Piper SB 218 Compliance: As detailed Effective Date: 30 November 1963 DCA/PA30/6 Cancelled - Once only inspection, purpose fulfilled DCA/PA30/8 Cancelled – FAA AD 2017-15-05 refers Effective Date: 28 August 2017 DCA/PA30/9A Stall and Airspeed Limitations - Placards Revision - Modification Applicability: Model PA-30 S/N 30-1 through 30-2000. Requirement: Piper SB 301A Compliance: Before next flight Effective Date: 31 October 1970 DCA/PA30/10 Auto-pilot Servo and Bridle Cable Installations - Inspection Applicability: Model PA-30 S/N 30-1255 through 30-2000 equipped with a 111, 111B or 111B-1 automated flight control system installation. Requirement: Piper SB 320A Compliance: Within the next 100 hours TIS and thereafter at every periodic inspection. Effective Date: 31 July 1972 DCA/PA30/11 Alternator System - Modification Applicability: Model PA-30 S/N 30-1717, 30-1746 through 30-2000. Requirement: Piper SB 306 (FAA AD 70-22-05 refers) Compliance: Within the next 100 hours TIS if aircraft operate under IFR Effective Date: 31 December 1970 DCA/PA30/12 Emergency Gear Extension Placard - Modification

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Applicability: Model PA-30 S/N 30-1717, 30-1745 through 30-2000. Requirement: Piper SL 574 Compliance: Next periodic inspection Effective Date: 31 December 1971 DCA/PA30/13 Air Flow - Modification Applicability: Model PA-30 S/N 30-1 through 30-2000. Requirement: Piper SL 558 Compliance: By 31 March 1972 Piper PA-30 Series (Twin Comanche) Issued 28 June 2018 Page 3 of 10 CAA of NZ DCA/PA30/14A Aileron Nose Rib - Inspection Applicability: Model PA-30 S/N 30-1 and up not incorporating Piper kit P/N 763893. Requirement: Inspect per Piper SL (FAA AD 79-20-10 refers) Compliance: At intervals not exceeding 100 hours TIS Effective Date: DCA/PA30/14 - 1 July 1974 DCA/PA30/14A - 9 November 1979 DCA/PA30/15A Stabilator Torque Tube Bearing Support Fittings - Inspection Applicability: Model PA-30 S/N 30-1 through 30-2000 that have not incorporated Piper P/N 760 835 (Hi-Shear Rivet Replacement Kit) on all four stabilator torque tube bearing support fittings. Requirement: To prevent loss of pitch control because of looseness of the stabilator torque tube bearing support fittings, accomplish the following:- Inspect the stabilator torque tube bearing support fittings for looseness per Piper SB 411A. If looseness is found incorporate Piper P/N 760 835 (Hi-Shear Rivet Replacement Kit) on the affected fitting prior to further flight. (FAA AD 94-13-10 refers) Compliance: Within next 100 hours TIS and thereafter at intervals not to exceed 100 hours TIS. Effective Date: DCA/PA30/15 - 3 August 1974 DCA/PA30/15A - 2 September 1994 * DCA/PA30/16B Stabilator Torque Tube Assembly Bolts - Inspection Note: DCA/PA30/16B revised to introduce a terminating action for requirement 2. Applicability Model PA-30 S/N 30-1 through 30-2000. Requirement: To detect corroded stabilator torque tube assembly bolts accomplish the following:- 1. Inspect stabilator attachment bolts (4 places) per Piper SL 667A. Replace bolts found corroded before further flight. (FAA AD 74-13-03 refers) 2. Inspect the following bolts for corrosion paying particular attention to their condition where they pass inside the stabilator torque tube; (a) Bolts (2 places), attaching the balance weight tube to stabilator torque tube assembly. Replace bolts found corroded before further flight. (b) Bolts (2 places), attaching the collar assembly to stabilator torque tube assembly. Replace bolts found corroded before further flight. (Occurrence 95/2477 refers) Compliance: 1. Within next 100 hours TIS after 19 January 1996 (the effective date of DCA/PA30/16A) and thereafter at intervals not to exceed 3 years or 500 hours TIS whichever is the sooner. May be discontinued upon fitment of P/N 502 329 or 502 342 corrosion resistant bolts. 2. Within next 100 hours TIS after 19 January 1996 (the effective date of DCA/PA30/16A) and thereafter at intervals not to exceed 3 years or 500 hours TIS whichever is the sooner. The repetitive inspections per requirement 2.(a) and/or 2.(b) may be discontinued upon fitment of equivalent corrosion resistant bolts approved by the aircraft manufacturer. Piper PA-30 Series (Twin Comanche) Issued 28 June 2018 Page 4 of 10 CAA of NZ Effective Date: DCA/PA30/16 - 30 August 1974 DCA/PA30/16A - 19 January 1996 DCA/PA30/16B - 28 June 2018 DCA/PA30/17 Fuselage Aft Bulkhead - Inspection Applicability: Model PA-30 S/N 30-1 through 30-2000. Requirement: Piper SL 679 (FAA AD 74-16-08 refers) Compliance: Within the next 50 hours TIS and thereafter at intervals not exceeding 100 hours TIS Effective Date: 29 August 1974 DCA/PA30/18 Stabilator Torque Tube Bearing Block - Inspection Applicability: Model PA-30 S/N 30-1 through 30-2000. Requirement: Piper SB 464 (FAA AD 75-27-08 refers) Compliance: Within the next 50 hours TIS Effective Date: 14 November 1975 DCA/PA30/19 Forward Fin Attachment Channel - Inspection Applicability: Model PA-30 S/N 30-1 through 30-2000. Requirement: FAA AD 76-18-05 Compliance: Within the next 50 hours TIS Effective Date: 30 September 1976 DCA/PA30/20 Electric Trim Switch - Modification Applicability: Model PA-30 S/N 30-1717 and 30-1745 through 30-2000 which have Piper kit 760505 embodied per SB 331, or as otherwise detailed in SB 527. Requirement: Piper SB 527 Compliance: Within the next 100 hours TIS Effective Date: 14 December 1976 DCA/PA30/21 Aileron Spar - Inspection Applicability: Model PA-30 S/N 30-2 through 30-2000. Requirement: Piper SL 787 (FAA AD 77-08-01 refers) Compliance: At 1000 hours TTIS and thereafter at intervals not exceeding 100 hours TIS until modified per Piper kit no. 760 914 Effective Date: 9 May 1977 Piper PA-30 Series (Twin Comanche) Issued 28 June 2018 Page 5 of 10 CAA of NZ DCA/PA30/22 Landing Gear Extension System - Inspection Applicability: All model PA-30 Requirement: 1. Inspect per Piper SL 782B. 2. inspect MLG Bungee cords for frayed protective covering, breaks, or soft areas and renew any found defective. 3. Renew Bungee cords. (FAA AD 77-13-21 refers) Compliance: Inspection per (1) and (2) - At 1000 hours TIS and thereafter at intervals not exceeding 1000 hours TIS for (1) and 500 hours TIS or 12 months, whichever is the sooner, for (2). Aircraft with 1000 hours or more TIS shall be initially inspected within next 100 hours TIS, unless already accomplished. Bungee renewal - At intervals not exceeding 500 hours TIS or 3 years, whichever is the sooner. Effective Date: 31 January 1978 DCA/PA30/23 Fuel Selector Valve - Inspection Applicability: Model PA-30 S/N 30-2 through 30-2000. Requirement: Check valve port leakage per Piper SL 851 Part `A'. Renew defective valves before further flight. Compliance: At intervals not exceeding 50 hours TIS. Effective Date: 10 November 1978 DCA/PA30/24 Fuel System - Inspection Applicability: Model PA-30 S/N 30-2 through 30-2000. Requirement: To prevent retention of water, contamination and deterioration of fuel system, accomplish the following: 1. (a) Gain access to and dismantle fuel strainer assembly per Piper Maintenance Manual. (b) Inspect and, if contamination found, flush fuel tanks and system. Renew damaged parts as necessary and reassemble. 2. On inside of hinged access door or adjacent position clearly visible to pilot during pre-flight check install placard which, in letters at least 1/8 inch high, reads: "BEFORE FIRST FLIGHT OF EACH DAY AND AFTER REFUELLING DRAIN FUEL SYSTEM PER FLIGHT MANUAL INSTRUCTIONS". 3. Modify per Piper SL 589. (FAA AD 83-10-01 refers) Compliance: 1. Inspection - Within the next 50 hours TIS and thereafter at intervals not exceeding 50 hours TIS. 2. Placard - Within the next 50 hours TIS. 3. Modification - Within the next 100 hours TIS, unless already accomplished. Effective Date: 24 June 1983 Piper PA-30 Series (Twin Comanche) Issued 28 June 2018 Page 6 of 10 CAA of NZ DCA/PA30/25 Spar Cap - Inspection Applicability: Model PA-30 S/N 30-2 through 30-2000 Requirement: To preclude possible loss of structural integrity, inspect per Piper SB 751. Rectify or replace defective parts before further flight Compliance: Within the next 100 hours TIS Effective Date: 15 July 1983 DCA/PA30/26A Parking Brake Operation - Placard Applicability: Model PA-30 S/N 30-1 through 30-2000. Requirement: To prevent aircraft controllability problems while involved in ground operation because of improper brake operation, accomplish the following:- Install one of the following in a central location on the pilot’s instrument panel in full view of the pilot; (1) A Piper P/N 81090-02 placard; or (2) A Piper P/N 683-107 placard. Note: The above referenced placards both contain the following wording: WARNING NO BRAKING WILL OCCUR IF AIRCRAFT BRAKES ARE APPLIED WHILE PARKING BRAKE HANDLE IS PULLED AND HELD (FAA AD 85-02-05R1 refers) Compliance: Required within 100 hours time-in-service after 22 March 1985 or prior to the next flight after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs later, unless already accomplished. Effective Date: DCA/PA30/26 - 22 March 1985 DCA/PA25/26A - 19 December 1997 DCA/PA30/27C Main Landing Gear Sidebrace Stud – Inspection Applicability Models PA30 series aircraft, all S/N. Note 1: This AD revised to remove note 3. There is no terminating action to the repetitive inspections mandated by this AD for PA-30 aircraft. The larger 5/8” sidebrace stud P/N 78717-02 and bushing cannot be installed in the existing sidebrace bracket assembly. And bracket assembly P/N 95643-06, 95643-07, 95643-08 or 95643-09 cannot be installed on PA-30 aircraft. Requirement: To prevent main landing gear (MLG) collapse due to possible main gear sidebrace stud cracks which if not detected and corrected could result in loss of aircraft control during landing, accomplish the following: Remove both the left and right main gear sidebrace studs from the aircraft per the instructions in the landing gear section of the aircraft MM. Inspect both the main gear sidebrace stud for cracks using Type I (fluorescent) liquid penetrant or magnetic particle inspection methods. Figure 1 of this AD depicts the area where the sidebrace stud is to be inspected. Piper PA-30 Series (Twin Comanche) Issued 28 June 2018 Page 7 of 10 CAA of NZ For any main gear sidebrace stud not found cracked, before to further flight reinstall the stud per the instructions in the Landing Gear section of the applicable MM, and reinspect and replace (as necessary) per this AD. For any main gear sidebrace stud found cracked, before to further flight replace the cracked stud with a serviceable part per the instructions in the Landing Gear section of the applicable MM, and reinspect and replace (as necessary) per this AD. Note 2: Models PA30 series aircraft were fitted with main gear sidebrace studs P/N 22512-00 at production. (FAA AD 97-01-01R1 refers) Compliance: Within the next 100 hours TIS unless previously accomplished and thereafter at intervals not to exceed 1000 hours TIS. Effective Date: DCA/PA30/27A - 14 March 1997 DCA/PA30/27B - 29 September 2011 DCA/PA30/27C - 27 October 2011 Piper PA-30 Series (Twin Comanche) Issued 28 June 2018 Page 8 of 10 CAA of NZ DCA/PA30/28 Severe Icing Conditions – AFM Revision Applicability: All model PA-30. Requirement: To minimise the potential hazards associated with operating the aircraft in severe icing conditions (by providing more clearly defined procedures and limitations associated with such conditions), incorporate the following into the Aircraft Flight Manual (AFM):- 1. Limitations Section of the Aircraft Flight Manual “WARNING Severe icing may result from environmental conditions outside of those for which the aircraft is certificated. Flight in freezing rain, freezing drizzle, or mixed icing conditions (supercooled liquid water and ice crystals) may result in ice build-up on protected surfaces exceeding the capability of the ice protection system, or may result in ice forming aft of the protected surfaces. This ice may not be shed using the ice protection systems, and may seriously degrade the performance and controllability of the aircraft. • During flight, severe icing conditions that exceed those for which the aircraft is certificated shall be determined by the following visual cues. If one or more of these visual cues exists, immediately request priority handling from Air Traffic Control to facilitate a route or an altitude change to exit the icing conditions. • Unusually extensive ice accumulation on the airframe and windshield in areas not normally observed to collect ice. • Accumulation of ice on the upper surface of the wing aft of the protected area. • Accumulation of ice on the engine nacelles and propeller spinners farther aft than normally observed. • Since the autopilot, when installed and operating, may mask tactile cues that indicate adverse changes in handling characteristics, use of the autopilot is prohibited when any of the visual cues specified above exist, or when unusual lateral trim requirements or autopilot trim warnings are encountered while the aircraft is in icing conditions. • All wing icing inspection lights must be operative prior to flight into known or forecast icing conditions at night. This supersedes any relief provided by the Master Minimum Equipment List (MMEL).” 2. Normal Procedures Section of the Aircraft Flight Manual “THE FOLLOWING WEATHER CONDITIONS MAY BE CONDUCIVE TO SEVERE IN-FLIGHT ICING: • Visible rain at temperatures below 0 degrees Celsius ambient air temperature. • Droplets that splash or splatter on impact at temperatures below 0 degrees Celsius ambient air temperature. PROCEDURES FOR EXITINGTHE SEVERE ICING ENVIRONMENT: These procedures are applicable to all flight phases from takeoff to landing. Monitor the ambient air temperature. While severe icing may form at temperatures as cold as -18 degrees Celsius, increased vigilance is warranted at temperatures around freezing with visible moisture present. If the visual cues specified in the Limitations Section of the AFM for identifying severe icing conditions are observed, accomplish the following: Piper PA-30 Series (Twin Comanche) Issued 28 June 2018 Page 9 of 10 CAA of NZ • Immediately request priority handling from Air Traffic Control to facilitate a route or an altitude change to exit the severe icing conditions in order to avoid extended exposure to flight conditions more severe than those for which the aircraft has been certificated. • Avoid abrupt and excessive manoeuvring that may exacerbate control difficulties. • Do not engage the autopilot. • If the autopilot is engaged, hold the control wheel firmly and disengage the autopilot. • If an unusual roll response or uncommanded roll control movement is observed, reduce the angle-of-attack. • Do not extend flaps when holding in icing conditions. Operation with flaps extended can result in a reduced wing angle-of-attack, with the possibility of ice forming on the upper surface further aft on the wing than normal, possibly aft of the protected area. • If the flaps are extended, do not retract them until the airframe is clear of ice. • Report these weather conditions to Air Traffic Control.” Note: This may be accomplished by inserting a copy of this AD in the AFM or by incorporating a manufacturer’s flight manual revision that contains the wording per this AD. 3. Flight Crew Notification Operators must ensure that flight crew are aware of the flight manual revision. (FAA AD 98-04-27 refers) Compliance: By 10 May 1998 Effective Date: 10 April 1998 Piper PA-30 Series (Twin Comanche) Issued 28 June 2018 Page 10 of 10 CAA of NZ From 1 October 2012 the Civil Aviation Authority of New Zealand (CAA) will no longer rewrite the text of State of Design ADs. Applicable State of Design ADs will be listed below and you can obtain them directly from the National Airworthiness Authority (NAA) web sites. Links to the NAA web sites are available on the CAA web site at http://www.caa.govt.nz/airworthiness-directives/states-of-design/ If additional NZ ADs need to be issued when an unsafe condition is found to exist in an aircraft or aeronautical product in NZ, they will be added to the list below. 2015-24-05 Fuel System – Inspection Effective Date: 12 January 2016 2017-15-05 Heater Exhaust Extension – Inspection Applicability: Piper PA-30 aircraft, all S/N. Effective Date: 28 August 2017