COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES Piper PA-31 Series Aeroplanes AD/PA-31/76 Amdt 5 Elevator Down Spring 8/98 Applicability: Models Serial Numbers PA-31, PA-31-300, and PA-31-325 31-2 through 31-8312019 PA-31-350 31-5001 through 31-8553002 PA-31P 31P-1 through 31P7730012 Requirement: 1. For any affected aircraft incorporating a Piper part number (P/N) 42377-02 elevator down spring where the down spring has 900 hours time in service or less, inspect the elevator down spring for cracks or surface deformities in accordance with the Accomplishment Instructions section of Piper Aircraft Service Bulletin 626C. If any cracks or surface deformities are found during any inspection, accomplish the following: (a) For all affected Models PA-31, PA-31-300, PA-31-325, and PA-31-350 aircraft, replace the elevator spring link with a Piper P/N 71086-03 spring link. (b) For all the affected aircraft, replace the elevator down spring with a Piper P/N 71056-02 or P/N 71056-03 elevator down spring. Accomplish this in accordance with Section IV, Surface Controls, of the applicable maintenance manual. 2. Accomplish the following: (a) For all affected Models PA-31, PA-31-300, PA-31-325, and PA-31-350 aircraft, replace the elevator spring link with a Piper P/N 71086-03 spring link in accordance with Section IV, Surface Controls, of the applicable maintenance manual. (b) For all affected aircraft, replace the elevator down spring with a Piper P/N 71056-02 or 71056-03 spring in accordance with the following: (i) For all affected Models PA-31, PA-31-300, PA-31-325, and PA-31-350, accomplish this replacement in accordance with Section IV, Surface Controls, of the applicable maintenance manual. (ii) For the affected Model PA-31P aircraft, accomplish this replacement in accordance with the Instructions section in Piper Service Bulletin 1002. 3. For all affected aircraft, repetitively replace the elevator down spring with a Piper P/N 71056-02 or 71056-03 down spring in accordance with Requirement 2.(b)(i) or 2(b)(ii), as applicable. COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA (Civil Aviation Regulations 1998), PART 39 - 105 CIVIL AVIATION SAFETY AUTHORITY SCHEDULE OF AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES Note: FAA AD 98-08-18 Amdt 39-10467 refers. Compliance: 1. Within 100 hours time in service after 16 July 1998, unless already accomplished, and thereafter at intervals not to exceed 100 hours time in service until the replacement required by Requirement 2 is accomplished. 2. Upon accumulating 1,000 hours time in service on a Piper P/N 42377-02, 71056- 02, or 71056-03 elevator down spring or within 100 hours time in service after 16 July 1998, whichever occurs later. 3. At intervals not to exceed 1,000 hours time in service. This amendment becomes effective on 16 July 1998. Background: Reports were received of failures of the elevator down spring. Failures of the spring were attributed to a breakdown of the cadmium plating, which led to corrosion and subsequent fatigue failure. Amendment 4 relieved the need for on-going repetitive inspections by introducing a life limit on a specified elevator down spring and link. Amendment 5 is issued in response to a new FAA AD which mandates certain requirements of the related Piper service bulletin. Amendment 4 of this airworthiness directive became effective on 9 October 1997. Amendment 3 of this airworthiness directive became effective on 30 November 1986. The original issue of this airworthiness directive became effective in January 1979.