AD/PA-31/29 - Elevator Balance Weight Attach Bolts - Inspection - CANCELLED

This document cancels a previous aviation safety rule (Airworthiness Directive AD/PA-31/29) that applied to Piper PA-31 series aircraft.

What the original rule required: The directive previously required a one-time inspection of the bolts attaching the elevator balance weights (counterweights that help stabilize the aircraft's tail control surfaces). Aircraft owners had to complete this inspection within 100 hours of flying time after January 1974, following the manufacturer's Service Bulletin No. 681.

Why it is being cancelled: Since the compliance deadline passed over 30 years ago, all affected aircraft would have been inspected and modified long ago. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority has cancelled the directive effective 31 July 2008 because the requirement is now obsolete.

Who is affected: Owners and operators of Piper PA-31 series aeroplanes. No action is required—the cancellation simply removes a redundant rule from the aviation safety regulations.