SERVICE LETTER NO. 1095A
Piper PA-32 6X / 6XT · Weight And Balance
Overview
This service letter, numbered 1095A, addresses the classification and disposition of dents caused by hail damage for various Piper aircraft models, including the Piper PA-32 6X and 6XT. It provides updated guidelines for inspecting and classifying dents, as well as corrective actions based on the severity of the damage. The letter is intended for aircraft owners and maintenance personnel to ensure compliance with safety standards and maintain the structural integrity of the aircraft. The document supersedes a previous service letter and includes revisions for clarity and updated procedures.
- Dents must be inspected for depth and diameter, with specific measurement techniques outlined.
- Dents are classified as negligible, minor, or major, each with distinct inspection and repair requirements.
- Negligible dents can be accepted without repair, while minor and major dents require corrective actions.
- Visual inspections for cracks must occur every 250 hours or annually, with more frequent checks for previously classified minor dents.
- A table details the maximum allowable depth of dents based on material thickness, ensuring compliance with safety standards.
Document
Source
Originally published by www.piperowner.org. Sprinkle hosts a reference copy with an added summary, specifications and searchable full text.
Document details
- Type
- Weight And Balance
- Year
- 2020
- Pages
- 5
- File size
- 116 KB
- Publisher
- www.piperowner.org
Most owners only have the POH. Here's the essential set for the Piper PA-32 6X / 6XT.
- Pilot's Operating Handbook / AFM
- Checklist
- Maintenance Manual
- Parts Catalog (IPC)
- Systems & Wiring
- Service Bulletins
- Type Certificate (TCDS)
More Piper PA-32 6X / 6XTmanuals & documents
- SERVICE LETTER NO. 1346Airworthiness Directives
- SERVICE LETTER NO. 1327GSpecifications
- PA32_Info_Rev. C (07/18/19)Wiring Diagram
- FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONSOther Documents
- General Information on PA32 Standby AlternatorsChecklist
- SERVICE BULLETIN NO. 1197DParts Catalog
- 2010 GAMA Statistical Databook & Industry OutlookTraining Manual
- SERVICE BULLETIN NO. 1197BNormal Procedures
- Piper PA28 and PA32 EXP5000 Primary Flight Display Pilot’s GuidePilot's Operating Handbook
- PA-32-301FT / 301XTC MAINTENANCE MANUALPilot's Operating Handbook
- Cherokee Six 300 Information ManualPilot's Operating Handbook
- Service Bulletin for Piper PA-32 6X / 6XTService Bulletins
In this document
Inspection of Dents
This section outlines the procedure for inspecting dents on the aircraft. Inspectors should determine the locations of dents on the fuselage, wings, empennage, control surfaces, and composite components. Measurements should include the maximum depth and diameter of the dents, as well as the distance to the nearest fastener. A visual inspection for cracks and other deformations is also required.
Classification of Dents
Dents are classified into three categories: negligible, minor, and major. Negligible dents must meet specific criteria, including size limitations and distance from fasteners. Minor dents may be closer to fasteners but still require inspection. Major dents exceed the limitations of the other categories and require further action.
Disposition of Dents
This section details the actions to take based on the classification of the dents. Negligible dents can be accepted as is, while minor dents require replacement or specific repairs. Major dents necessitate replacement or FAA-approved repair procedures. Special considerations are given to composite components and control surfaces.
Continued Inspection Requirements
Regardless of the classification, all dents must be visually inspected for cracks every 250 hours or annually. Dents previously classified as minor require more frequent inspections until repaired.
Allowable Depth of Dents
A table is provided that specifies the maximum allowable depth of dents based on the nominal thickness of the material. For thicknesses not listed, a formula is provided to calculate the maximum depth.
Safety notes
- Any cracks discovered in the aircraft structure must be repaired prior to the next flight.
- Movable control surfaces must remain free of body filler or modifications that could affect weight and balance.
Full document text
Piper Aircraft, Inc. 2926 Piper Drive Vero Beach, FL, U.S.A. 32960 Date: September 24, 2020 (S) (M) (OVER) SERVICE LETTER NO. 1095A ATA/JASC: 5100 Service Letter (SL) 1095A supersedes SL 1095 in its entirety. Aircraft that were previously made compliant with SL 1095 are in compliance with SL 1095A. SUBJECT: CLASSIFICATION AND DISPOSITION OF DENTS CAUSED BY HAIL DAMAGE REASON FOR REVISION: SL 1095A improves clarity, updates dent classification and disposition, and adds multiple models. Other changes update the document to the current Piper format. MODELS AFFECTED: SERIAL NUMBERS AFFECTED: PA-28-140/150/160 Cherokee All PA-28-180 Cherokee All PA-28-235 Cherokee Pathfinder All PA-28-236 Dakota All PA-28-151 Warrior All PA-28-161 Cadet All PA-28-161 Warrior II/III All PA-28-180 Archer All PA-28-181 Archer II/III All PA-28-201T Turbo Dakota All PA-28R-180 Arrow All PA-28R-200 Arrow/II All PA-28R-201 Arrow/III All PA-28R-201T Turbo Arrow III All PA-28RT-201 Arrow IV All PA-28RT-201T Turbo Arrow IV All PA-32-260/-300 Cherokee Six All PA-32R-300 Lance All PA-32RT-300/-300T Lance II/Turbo Lance II All PA-32R-301 Saratoga SP/II HP All PA-32R-301T Turbo Saratoga SP All PA-32-301 Saratoga All PA-32-301T Turbo Saratoga All PA-32R-301T Saratoga II TC All PA-32-301FT Piper 6X All PA-32-301XTC Piper 6XT All SERVICE LETTER NO. 1095A PAGE 2 of 5 PA-34-200 Seneca All PA-34-200T Seneca II All PA-34-220T Seneca III All PA-34-220T Seneca IV All PA-34-220T Seneca V All PA-44-180 Seminole All PA-44-180T Turbo Seminole All COMPLIANCE TIME: On condition; then, a repetitive inspection every 250 hours, or annually, whichever comes first APPROVAL: The engineering aspects of this service document have been shown to comply with the applicable Federal Aviation Regulations and are FAA approved. PURPOSE: This service letter provides guidelines for classifying dents to the aircraft surfaces as a result of hail, and establishes corrective action based on the severity of the damage. NOTE: Piper Aircraft makes no representation as to the aesthetic quality resulting from compliance with this service letter. INSTRUCTIONS: 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. 1. Inspection of Dents a. Determine the locations where dents are present. • Metal skin of the fuselage, wings or empennage • Control surfaces • Composite component b. Measure the maximum depth and circumscribable diameter of the dents from the aircraft exterior. For depth measurements on curved surfaces, measure the maximum depth of the dent from the general contour. The dent diameter is measured to the point where the skin material rejoins the general contour. See Figure 1. c. Measure the distance from the circumscribable diameter (defined in Step b) to the nearest fastener. Note the diameter of the fastener. d. Visually inspect the dent area for cracks, abrasions, creases, or abrupt changes in contour within an area encompassing two times the circumscribable diameter. Use a 10X magnifier or an equivalent inspection method. e. Visually inspect adjacent interior structural components for deformation. SERVICE LETTER NO. 1095A PAGE 3 of 5 Figure 1 Dent Profile Definitions Part Dent Maximum Dent Diameter A A Section A-A Dent Depth Max. Dent Dia. Section A-A (Overlapping Dents) Dent Depth Max. Dent Dia. 2. Classification of Dents NOTE: Dents classified as minor or major require an additional inspection of the inner surface of the dent, using criteria defined in Step 1.d. a. Negligible – Must meet all of the following dent limitations: 1) Dents only in the metal skin of the fuselage, wings and empennage (not applicable to control surfaces and substructure such as spars, frames and stringers). 2) Refer to Table 1 to assess the allowable depth of dents for the nominal thickness of the dented material. Dents must have a circumscribable diameter no greater than two (2.0) inches. NOTE: Refer to “Skin Materials and Thickness” figures, in Chapter 51 of the applicable Piper Airplane Maintenance Manual (AMM), or Section IV of the applicable Service Manual or AMM, for the thickness of the structure where a given dent is located. 3) Dents are a minimum distance of two times (2X) the nearest fastener’s diameter from that fastener, when measured from a dent’s circumscribable diameter to the nearest fastener. 4) There are no cracks, abrasions or creases within an area encompassing 2X the dent’s circumscribable diameter. 5) There are no deformations of the interior structure adjacent to the dents. b. Minor – Must meet all of the dent limitations provided under Negligible, except for item 3; the dents may be less than 2X the nearest fastener’s diameter from that fastener. c. Major – Exceed any or all of dent limitations 2, 4 and/or 5, provided under Negligible. d. Composite Components e. Control Surfaces – Do not meet negligible dent limitation 1. SERVICE LETTER NO. 1095A PAGE 4 of 5 3. Disposition of Dents NOTE: For repair guidance (where applicable), see Federal Aviation Administration Advisory Circular AC 43.13-1B. This free document is available for download from the FAA, at https://www.faa.gov/ regulations_policies/advisory_circulars/. a. Negligible – Acceptable as is. Cosmetic repair is not required. b. Minor – The affected parts must be replaced, or they may be repaired as follows: For each fastener that is within a distance of 2X the applicable fastener’s diameter from the edge of any dent, install one matching (same size and type) fastener adjacent to the applicable fastener. New fasteners shall be installed in accordance with the following limitations: • a minimum of 2X the fastener diameter from the edge of the dent • a minimum of 3X the fastener diameter from existing fasteners
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• a minimum of 2X the fastener diameter from any component’s edge c. Major – The affected parts must be replaced, or they may be repaired using FAA-approved procedures. d. Composite Components – Evaluate and disposition per FAA AC 43.13-1B, Chapter 3, “Fiberglass and Plastics,” prior to returning to service. e. Control Surfaces • Replace a control surface if dents exceed any of the negligible dent limitations 2, 4 and/or 5. • Replace a control surface if dents disturb its trailing edge contour or any formed radius. NOTE: Movable control surfaces must remain free of body filler or any other modification that could affect weight and balance. 4. Continued Inspection Requirements Regardless of classification and disposition, visually inspect all dents for cracks every 250 hours, or annually, whichever comes first. Paint cracking around the area of the dent may indicate cracking of the skin and requires further inspection. However, dents previously classified as minor that have not been repaired require a recurring inspection at an interval not to exceed 50 hours time in service, until a suitable repair is accomplished. TABLE 1 ALLOWABLE DEPTH OF DENTS NOMINAL THICKNESS OF MATERIAL MAXIMUM DEPTH OF DENTS 0.012 0.0072 0.016 0.0096 0.020 0.012 0.025 0.015 0.032 0.019 0.040 0.024 0.051 0.030 0.063 0.038 NOTE: The allowable maximum depth of dents for material thicknesses not shown in this table may be determined as follows: Maximum depth is approximately the material thickness divided by 1.666, rounded down to the nearest thousandth (1/1000). SERVICE LETTER NO. 1095A PAGE 5 of 5 MATERIAL REQUIRED: On condition, case-by-case requirements AVAILABILITY OF PARTS: Your Piper Approved Service Center EFFECTIVITY DATE: This service letter is effective upon receipt. SUMMARY: Please contact your Piper Approved Service Center to make arrangements for compliance with this service letter 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. Att’n: Customer Service 2926 Piper Drive Vero Beach, FL 32960 or: CustomerService@piper.com Please include in subject line: “Aircraft ownership update”