Piper PA-32 (Cherokee Six) Series Aeroplanes

AD/PA-32/42 Amdt 3	Wing Structural Fatigue Life Limitation	2/2022

Applicability:	All Piper PA-32 series aircraft, all models.
Requirement:	1. Retire from service:1.1. The wing main spar assembly; and1.2. The bottom cap of the wing main spar box (carry through).OR2. Inspect the lower wing joint for fatigue cracks in accordance with an approved inspection program.Note 1: For Requirement 1, replace retired components in accordance with approved maintenance data; Regulations 42V and 2A of CAR refer.Note 2: For Requirement 2, an acceptable standard for the inspection program is FAR 23.572 (a) (3) Amdt 23-48 or later or an equivalent level of safety approved by CASA.
Compliance:	For models PA-32-260, PA-32-300, PA-32R-300, PA-32S-300, PA-32RT-300, PA‑32RT-300T:For Requirement 1: Retire before 11000 hours component time in service.For Requirement 2: Inspect before 11000 hours component time in service, and thereafter at the intervals specified in the approved inspection program.For models PA-32-301, PA-32R-301, PA-32-301T, PA-32R-301T, PA-32-301FT, PA-32-301XTC:For Requirement 1: Retire before 13700 hours component time in service.For Requirement 2: Inspect before 13700 hours component time in service, and thereafter at the intervals specified in the approved inspection program.Alternative Means Of Compliance or Exclusions approved for AD/PA-32/42 Amdt 2 are approved for AD/PA-32/42 Amdt 3.
	This AD commences on 27 January 2022.

Background:

Fatigue analysis predicts the possibility of cracking in the lower wing joint. Such cracking caused a fatal accident to a similar model with the same style of wing joint.The original issue of this Airworthiness Directive became effective on 29 October 1976.Amendment 1 re-affirmed that all Piper PA-32 series models are subject to the life limit, even those released after the original issue of this Directive. Amendment 1 minimised the structure to be retired by limiting it to the components which comprise the lower wing joint.Amendment 1 provided the possibility of inspection as an alternative to retirement.Amendment 2 became effective on 29 May 2009 and adjusted the life limit for Saratoga models with a semi-tapered wing following a review of Piper fatigue reports.Amendment 3 amends Note 2 of the AD to clarify requirements for inspection programs to satisfy Requirement 2 of the AD.

Piper PA-32 (Cherokee Six) Series AeroplPiper PA-32 (Cherokee Six) Series Aeroplanes

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Piper PA-32 (Cherokee Six) Series Aeroplanes