AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE For the reasons set out in the background section, the CASA delegate whose signature appears below revokes Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD/PA-31/129 and issues the following 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. Piper PA-31 Series Aeroplanes AD/PA-31/129 Amdt 1 Elevator Structure 12/2001 DM Applicability: Aircraft applicable to Requirements 1, 2, or 3 as specified below: For Requirement 1: Model PA-31 and PA-31-300, serial numbers 31-2 through 31-694 For Requirement 2: Models Serial numbers PA-31P 31P-1 through 31P-7730012 PA-31T 31T-7400002 through 31T-8120104 PA-31T1 31T-7804001 through 31T-8304003 and 31T-1104004 through 31T-1104017 PA-31T2 31T-8166001 through 31T-8166076 and 31T-1166001 through 31T-1166008 PA-31T3 31T-8275001 through 31T-8475001 and 31T-5575001 For Requirement 3: Model PA-31, PA-31-300, and PA-31-325, serial numbers 31-2 through 31-8312019 Model PA-31-350, serial numbers 31-5001 through 31-8452021 and 31-8253001 through 31-8553002. PA-31P-350, serial numbers 31P-8414001 through 31P-8414050. Requirement: 1.a. Inspect the rudder and elevator spars and elevator butt ribs for cracks in accordance with the instructions contained in Piper Service Bulletin (SB) No. 323, dated 21 September 1970. 1.b. If cracks are found in the rudder or elevator structure during any inspection, replace the cracked part, and either continue to re-inspect in accordance with SB No. 323, or incorporate Elevator and Rudder Hinge Replacement Kit No. 760- 465 in accordance with the instructions contained in the kit, revised 25 October 1989. 1.c. Incorporate Elevator and Rudder Hinge Replacement Kit No. 760-465 in accordance with the instructions contained in the kit, revised 25 October 1989. 2.a. Modify the elevator trim tab system and elevator control tube in accordance with the instructions contained in Elevator Trim System Modification Kit No. 760-989, as referenced in Piper SB No. 477A, dated 3 November 1975. Note 1: This modification is retained from AD 76-03-01, and applies to certain Model PA-31T aircraft. If complied with before issue of an Australian Certificate of Airworthiness, no further action is required. 2.b. Incorporate Elevator Butt Rib Refinement Kit, part number 766-219, in accordance with the instructions contained in the kit; as referenced in Piper SB No. 897B, dated 15 July 1997. Note 2: This refinement kit may have been incorporated as specified in Piper SB 897A; in which case, no further action is required. 3. Incorporate Elevator Butt Rib Reinforcement Kit, part number 766-642, in accordance with instructions contained in the kit; as specified in Piper SB No. 1008, dated 30 September 1997. Note 3: If AD/PA-31/126 Amdt 3 is applicable to an aircraft affected by Requirement 3, then the spar replacement required by AD/PA-31/126 Amdt 3 should, if possible, be accomplished before incorporating Kit 766-642. No credit is given for accomplishing Piper SB 864. Note 4: FAA AD 2001-06-01 Amdt 39-12148 refers. Compliance: 1.a. Within 100 hours time in service after the last inspection previously required by AD/PA-31/13 (AD 70-26-06), and thereafter at intervals not to exceed 100 hours time in service; until Piper Kit No. 760-465 is incorporated. 1.b. Before further flight. 1.c. Upon accumulating 2,000 hours total time in service or within 100 hours time in service after 9 August 2001, whichever occurs later. 2.a. and 2.b. Upon accumulating 2.000 hours total time in service or within 100 hours time in service after 9 August 2001, whichever occurs later. 3. Upon accumulating 2,000 hours time in service or within 100 hours time in service after 9 August 2001, whichever occurs later. The compliance times of the original issue of this Directive remain unchanged by this issue. This amendment becomes effective on 10 October 2001. Background: The FAA policy of incorporating modifications, when available, that will terminate the need for repetitive inspections, prompted the issue of FAA AD 2001-06-01, which superseded three existing FAA ADs; and were reflected in CASA Directives. This Directive consolidates the inspection requirements of the previously issued Directives, and requires terminating action for the inspections. Amendment 1 is issued to clarify, as Note 3, the installation interrelationship between the elevator spar and the butt rib reinforcement kit, following information received from the manufacturer. The original issue of this Airworthiness Directive became effective on 9 August 2001. David Alan Villiers Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority 4 October 2001 The above AD is notified in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on 10 October 2001.