FAA: Critical PA-28/32 Airworthiness Issue with wing corrosion.
Revised September 30, 2010
Airworthiness
Concern Sheet
Date: December 14, 2016
Full Name Gregory K. (Keith) Noles
Title Engineer
Organization Atlanta Aircraft Certification
Department Airframe, ACE-117A
Address 1701 Columbia Ave.
City State ZIP College Park, GA 30337
Telephone Number 404-474-5551
E-mail gregory.noles@faa.gov
Make, Model, Series, Serial No.:
Piper PA-28-140 / -150 / -160 / -180 / -235, PA-32-260 / -300 airplanes, all serial numbers without lower skin access panel aft of main spar and inboard of Wing Station (WS) 36 rib
Reason for Airworthiness Concern: One report from foreign operator of corrosion on wing main spar lower cap at WS 36 rib found during maintenance
FAA Description of Airworthiness Concern:
Piper issued Service Bulletin (SB) 1244B to inspect the wing aft spar for corrosion. For the inspection, some aircraft required an access panel to be installed. During installation of the access panel on a Piper Model PA-28-140, exfoliation corrosion was found on the wing main spar lower cap aft flange upper surface at the WS 36 rib (see photo).
The Piper airplane models listed above use the same spar assembly and some serial numbers were not manufactured with the access panel as installed per SB 1244B. Without the access panel, corrosion, cracks or other damage may not be detected on the forward side of the aft spar or on the aft side of the main spar. If undetected or uncorrected, corrosion, cracks or other damage could lead to failure of the lower spar and result in loss of control of the airplane.
Piper is proposing a new SB to install the access panel and perform an initial visual inspection on the main spar for corrosion, cracks, or other damage. Note: Access panel will be similar to Piper SB 1244B, available at www.piper.com.
Request for Information:
The FAA requests information regarding this airworthiness concern. In particular, the FAA requests information and supporting data on maintenance history, inspection findings on the area of concern, estimated costs of the access panel installation and inspection, and any other comments that you feel are necessary. Please be specific and detailed. All information should be returned in writing to the FAA (address and email options listed above).
This Airworthiness Concern Sheet (ACS) is intended as a means for FAA Aviation Safety Engineers to coordinate airworthiness concerns with aircraft owner/operators through associations and type clubs. At this time, the FAA has not made a determination on what type of corrective action (if any) should be taken. The resolution of this airworthiness concern could involve an AD action or an SAIB, or the FAA could determine that no action is needed at this time. The FAAs final determination will depend in part on the information received in response to this ACS. The FAA endorses dissemination of this technical information to all manufacturers and requests association and type clubs comments.
Attachments:
Service Difficulty Report
Accident/Incident Data System
Service Letter / Bulletin
Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin
Federal Aviation Administration or National Transportation Safety Board Safety Recommendation
Airworthiness Directive
Alternate Means of Compliance
Other:
Transmittal:
Federal Aviation Administration
Piper Owner Society
Airplane Owners and Pilots Association
Experimental Aircraft Association
Type Certificate Holder
Other: Aeronautical Repair Station Association
Response Requested by:
Emergency (10 days)
Alert (30 days)
Information (90 days)
Date: January 15, 2017
Airworthiness
Concern Sheet
Date: December 14, 2016
Full Name Gregory K. (Keith) Noles
Title Engineer
Organization Atlanta Aircraft Certification
Department Airframe, ACE-117A
Address 1701 Columbia Ave.
City State ZIP College Park, GA 30337
Telephone Number 404-474-5551
E-mail gregory.noles@faa.gov
Make, Model, Series, Serial No.:
Piper PA-28-140 / -150 / -160 / -180 / -235, PA-32-260 / -300 airplanes, all serial numbers without lower skin access panel aft of main spar and inboard of Wing Station (WS) 36 rib
Reason for Airworthiness Concern: One report from foreign operator of corrosion on wing main spar lower cap at WS 36 rib found during maintenance
FAA Description of Airworthiness Concern:
Piper issued Service Bulletin (SB) 1244B to inspect the wing aft spar for corrosion. For the inspection, some aircraft required an access panel to be installed. During installation of the access panel on a Piper Model PA-28-140, exfoliation corrosion was found on the wing main spar lower cap aft flange upper surface at the WS 36 rib (see photo).
The Piper airplane models listed above use the same spar assembly and some serial numbers were not manufactured with the access panel as installed per SB 1244B. Without the access panel, corrosion, cracks or other damage may not be detected on the forward side of the aft spar or on the aft side of the main spar. If undetected or uncorrected, corrosion, cracks or other damage could lead to failure of the lower spar and result in loss of control of the airplane.
Piper is proposing a new SB to install the access panel and perform an initial visual inspection on the main spar for corrosion, cracks, or other damage. Note: Access panel will be similar to Piper SB 1244B, available at www.piper.com.
Request for Information:
The FAA requests information regarding this airworthiness concern. In particular, the FAA requests information and supporting data on maintenance history, inspection findings on the area of concern, estimated costs of the access panel installation and inspection, and any other comments that you feel are necessary. Please be specific and detailed. All information should be returned in writing to the FAA (address and email options listed above).
This Airworthiness Concern Sheet (ACS) is intended as a means for FAA Aviation Safety Engineers to coordinate airworthiness concerns with aircraft owner/operators through associations and type clubs. At this time, the FAA has not made a determination on what type of corrective action (if any) should be taken. The resolution of this airworthiness concern could involve an AD action or an SAIB, or the FAA could determine that no action is needed at this time. The FAAs final determination will depend in part on the information received in response to this ACS. The FAA endorses dissemination of this technical information to all manufacturers and requests association and type clubs comments.
Attachments:
Service Difficulty Report
Accident/Incident Data System
Service Letter / Bulletin
Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin
Federal Aviation Administration or National Transportation Safety Board Safety Recommendation
Airworthiness Directive
Alternate Means of Compliance
Other:
Transmittal:
Federal Aviation Administration
Piper Owner Society
Airplane Owners and Pilots Association
Experimental Aircraft Association
Type Certificate Holder
Other: Aeronautical Repair Station Association
Response Requested by:
Emergency (10 days)
Alert (30 days)
Information (90 days)
Date: January 15, 2017
Scott Sherer
Wright Brothers Master Pilot, FAA Commercial Pilot
Aviation Director, Piper Owner Society Forum Moderator and Pipers Author.
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