# AD 63-12-02: Elevator Rib Cracks

- Type: Airworthiness directive
- Status: Current
- Products: Piper PA-23
- Effective: June 7, 1963
- Published: June 7, 1963
- Issued: May 31, 1963
- Superseded by: Nothing supersedes this AD
- Product type: Aircraft, Small airplane
- Registered aircraft: 155 may be affected, by airframe or engine model (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA DRS: https://drs.faa.gov/browse/excelExternalWindow/A75ABD34B839EB63862569970057F25B.0001
- DRS record last changed: November 21, 2025
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ad/63-12-02

## The airworthiness directive

63-12-02 PIPER: Amdt. 572 Part 507 Federal Register June 7, 1963. Applies to Model PA-23 Aircraft Serial Numbers 23-1 Through 23-1284, and 23-1286.

Compliance required as indicated.

Due to cracks being found in the P/N 17058-3 elevator butt rib and the P/N 17058-20 elevator butt rib doubler plate, which parts are incorporated in the P/N 17058-00 elevator assembly originally installed on the above serial numbered aircraft, the following shall be accomplished:

  (a) Within the next 50 hours' time in service after the effective date of this AD, unless already accomplished within the last 50 hours' time in service, and within every 100 hours' time in service thereafter visually inspect for cracks, elevator butt rib, P/N 17058-3 and elevator butt rib plate, P/N 17058-20 on the P/N 17058-00 elevator assembly. Replace cracked parts before further flight.

  (b) After P/N 19446 elevator assembly is installed, the inspection specified in (a) is no longer required.

  (c) Parts shall be assembled and installed to obtain proper alinement and to prevent distortion and over-torquing of the attachment bolts.

(Piper Service Bulletin No. 146B, dated October 25, 1962, pertains to this same subject.)

This directive effective June 7, 1963.

## Affected data sheets (1) (OpenAirDocs)

The type certificate data sheets whose models the AD names.

- [TCDS 1A10](https://openairdocs.org/tcds/1A10): Piper Aircraft Inc.; names 1 of 6 models: PA-23

## Registered aircraft it may apply to (OpenAirDocs)

Matched by airframe and engine model; the AD's applicability may narrow it by serial number, part number or equipment.

- Aircraft: 155 (155 by airframe model, 0 by engine model)
- Makers: Piper 155

Models with the most aircraft:

- [Piper PA-23](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-23): 155 aircraft (airframe model)

All 1 models: https://openairdocs.org/ad/63-12-02/models.md
Every aircraft: https://openairdocs.org/ad/63-12-02/aircraft.md

Its text cites no advisory circulars or STCs.

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