# AD 72-14-07: Bolts in Stabilator Hinge Fittings

- Type: Airworthiness directive
- Status: Current
- Products: Piper PA-28-140, PA-28-150, PA-28-160, PA-28-180, PA-28-235, PA-28R-180, PA-28R-200, PA-32-260, PA-32-300 and PA-34-200
- Effective: July 7, 1972
- Published: July 7, 1972
- Issued: June 23, 1972
- Superseded by: Nothing supersedes this AD
- Product type: Aircraft, Small airplane
- Amendment: 39-1478
- Registered aircraft: 12,571 may be affected, by airframe or engine model (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA DRS: https://drs.faa.gov/browse/excelExternalWindow/42887412A3345664862569990050F690.0001
- DRS record last changed: November 21, 2025
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ad/72-14-07

## The airworthiness directive

72-14-07 PIPER: Amdt. 39-1478. Applies to the following airplanes certificated in all categories:

PA-28-140 Serial Nos. 28-20001 thru 28-7225389 PA-28-150/-160/-180 Serial Nos. 28-03 and 28-1 thru 28-7205256 PA-28-235 Serial Nos. 28-10001 thru 28-7210018 PA-28R-180 Serial Nos. 28R-30002 thru 28R-7130013 PA-28R-200 Serial Nos. 28R-35001 thru 28-R-7235217 PA-32-260 Serial Nos. 32-03, 32-04 and 32-1 thru 32-7200031 PA-32-300 Serial Nos. 32-15, 32-21 and 32-40000 thru 32-7240103 PA-34-200 Serial Nos. 34-E4 and 34-7250001 thru 34-7250242

Compliance required within the next 100 hours time in service after the effective date of this AD, unless already accomplished.

To insure properly tightened bolts on the stabilator hinge attachment fittings, which are secured to the aft fuselage bulkhead, accomplish the following:

  (a) Remove tail cone fairing and closeout panel from aft fuselage bulkhead to gain access to the twelve (12) fitting attachment nuts.There are six bolts and nuts per fitting.

  (b) Inspect around bolt holes in bulkhead and fitting for cracks, deformation, or other damage.

  (c) Torque nuts to a value of 35-40 inch pounds and reinstall closeout panel and tail cone fairing.

Piper Service Letter No. 614 pertains to this same subject.

This amendment becomes effective 7 July 1972.

## Affected data sheets (3) (OpenAirDocs)

The type certificate data sheets whose models the AD names.

- [TCDS 2A13](https://openairdocs.org/tcds/2A13): Piper Aircraft Inc.; names 7 of 18 models: PA-28R-180, PA-28-150, PA-28-140, PA-28R-200, PA-28-160, PA-28-180, PA-28-235
- [TCDS A3SO](https://openairdocs.org/tcds/A3SO): Piper Aircraft Inc.; names 2 of 13 models: PA-32-300, PA-32-260
- [TCDS A7SO](https://openairdocs.org/tcds/A7SO): Piper Aircraft Inc.; names 1 of 5 models: PA-34-200 (Seneca)

## 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: 12,571 (12,571 by airframe model, 0 by engine model)
- Makers: Piper 12,570, Piper/Valdes-Ervin 1

Models with the most aircraft:

- [Piper PA-28-140](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-140): 4,258 aircraft (airframe model)
- [Piper PA-28-180](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-180): 3,504 aircraft (airframe model)
- [Piper PA-28R-200](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28r-200): 1,223 aircraft (airframe model)
- [Piper PA-32-300](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32-300): 992 aircraft (airframe model)
- [Piper PA-28-235](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-235): 859 aircraft (airframe model)
- [Piper PA-32-260](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32-260): 650 aircraft (airframe model)
- [Piper PA-28R-180](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28r-180): 536 aircraft (airframe model)
- [Piper PA-28-160](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-160): 253 aircraft (airframe model)
- [Piper PA-34-200](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-34-200): 172 aircraft (airframe model)
- [Piper PA-28-150](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-150): 123 aircraft (airframe model)
- [Piper/Valdes-Ervin PA-28-235](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-valdes-ervin-pa-28-235): 1 aircraft (airframe model)

All 11 models: https://openairdocs.org/ad/72-14-07/models.md
Every aircraft: https://openairdocs.org/ad/72-14-07/aircraft.md

Its text cites no advisory circulars or STCs.

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