1AD/PA-31/125 - Electrical Wiring and Fuel Line Chafing

COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY

SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES

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Piper PA-31 Series Aeroplanes

AD/PA-31/125 Electrical Wiring and Fuel Line Chafing 2/95 DM

Applicability: All PA-31 series aircraft.

Requirement: Inspect all electrical wiring in the leading edge of both wings between the fuselage and engines, including the area directly behind both engine firewalls, for signs of electrical wire chafing. During the inspection pay special attention to the wiring located between WS 54 to WS 58.5. Repair or replace any chafed wiring prior to further flight. Submit a MDR on any wiring found chafed.

Compliance: At the next inspection after 23 December 1994 or by 28 February 1995, whichever occurs first.

Background: An in-flight fire in the leading edge of a PA-31-310 wing has been reported.

The fire occurred when chafing between an alternator output lead and/or the starter motor cable and the main tank fuel supply line occurred.

The chafing also caused complete electrical failure and shut down of an engine.

Subsequently, several other PA 31 aircraft were inspected by the operator. One exhibited a similar chafing problem.