# AD 63-24-03: Rudder Trim Tab Control Rod Assembly

- Type: Airworthiness directive
- Status: Current
- Products: Piper PA-23 and PA-23-160
- Effective: November 27, 1963
- Published: November 27, 1963
- Issued: November 20, 1963
- Superseded by: Nothing supersedes this AD
- Product type: Aircraft, Small airplane
- Registered aircraft: 343 may be affected, by airframe or engine model (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA DRS: https://drs.faa.gov/browse/excelExternalWindow/DB5C3D3FFB14AFA6862569970057F4FA.0001
- DRS record last changed: November 21, 2025
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ad/63-24-03

## The airworthiness directive

63-24-03 PIPER: Amdt. 649 Part 507 Federal Register November 27, 1963. Applies to All Models PA-23 and PA-23-160 Aircraft.

Compliance required within the next 50 hours' time in service after the effective date of this AD, unless already accomplished within the past 50 hours' time in service. Every 100 hours' time in service thereafter comply with paragraphs (b), (c), and (d).

Several failures of the rudder trim tab actuating rod, Piper P/N 17271-00, through the bend radius of the forward hooked end and a disconnection due to a lost cotter pin have resulted in free trim tabs oscillating the rudder. Therefore, the following must be accomplished:

  (a) Remove the rudder trim tab control rod assembly from the aircraft.

  (b) Visually inspect for cracks in the area of the hooked end using a magnifying lens of at least 10-power.

  (c) Check the hooked end for wear in excess of 0.040 inch in the area of contact with the jackscrew.

  (d) Rudder trim tab control rods with cracks, or wear in excess of 0.040 inch shall be replaced before further flight.

  (e) Redrill the cotter pin hole in the hooked end to 0.081 inch-diameter and reinstall the rudder trim tab control rod assembly using a roll pin, Piper P/N 480728, and 0.032 inch- diameter steel safety wire, in lieu of the cotter pin.

(Piper Service Letter No. 407, dated October 4, 1963, which pertains to this same subject, outlines and illustrates inspection and installation methods.)

This directive effective November 27, 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 2 of 6 models: PA-23-160, 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: 343 (343 by airframe model, 0 by engine model)
- Makers: Piper 343

Models with the most aircraft:

- [Piper PA-23-160](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-23-160): 188 aircraft (airframe model)
- [Piper PA-23](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-23): 155 aircraft (airframe model)

All 2 models: https://openairdocs.org/ad/63-24-03/models.md
Every aircraft: https://openairdocs.org/ad/63-24-03/aircraft.md

Its text cites no advisory circulars or STCs.

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