AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE

AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE

For the reasons set out in the background section, the CASA delegate whose signature appears below issues the following Airworthiness Directive (AD) under subregulation 39.1 (1) of CAR 1998. The AD requires that the action set out in the requirement section (being action that the delegate considers necessary to correct the unsafe condition) be taken in relation to the aircraft or aeronautical product mentioned in the applicability section: (a) in the circumstances mentioned in the requirement section; and (b) in accordance with the instructions set out in the requirement section; and (c) at the time mentioned in the compliance section.

Aerostar (Piper/Ted Smith) 600 and 700 Series Aeroplanes

AD/TSA-600/46 Main Landing Gear Lower Si AD/TSA-600/46 Main Landing Gear Lower Side Brace 8/2001

AD/TSA-600/46 Main Landing Gear Lower Side Brace 8/2001

Applicability: Model PA-60-600, PA-60-601, PA-60-601P, PA-60-602P, and PA-60-700P aircraft, serial numbers 1 through 1026.

Requirement: Replace both main landing gear lower side brace assemblies with Aerostar part number 400084-001 lower side brace assemblies, in accordance with Instructions Part II Replacement paragraph of Aerostar Service Bulletin SB600-134A, dated 31 March 2000; and the Aerostar Maintenance Manual.

Note: FAA AD 2001-08-10 Amdt 39-12187 refers.

Compliance: Within 50 hours time in service after 9 August 2001, unless already accomplished.

This Airworthiness Directive becomes effective on 9 August 2001.

Background: The FAA received several reports of cracking of the main landing gear lower side brace at the upper bolt lug. Cracking was found during pre-flight inspection, and failure could lead to loss of control of the aircraft. This Directive requires replacement of existing lower side brace assemblies with parts of improved design.

David Alan Villiers

Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority 26 June 2001