- Effective
- September 10, 1976
- Published
- September 7, 1976
- Issued
- August 24, 1976
- Models
- PA-28-235, PA-32-260, PA-32-300, PA-32R-300
- Registered aircraft
- 3,012 matched by model
- Product
- Aircraft · Small airplane
- Amendment
- 39-2709
Unofficial copy of the text in the FAA’s Dynamic Regulatory System. The FAA’s own copy is the authoritative one. DRS record last changed November 21, 2025.
Copies of the files this page was built from, with their SHA-256. Retrieved October 18, 2026.
| File | Size | SHA-256 | Original |
|---|---|---|---|
| FAA DRS HTML | 24 KB | 47f47a74…8c1cbb1 | FAA DRS (API key needed) |
On this page
The airworthiness directive
76-18-04 PIPER AIRCRAFT CORPORATION: Amendment 39-2709. Applies to PA-28-235, serial numbers 28-10001 through 28-7610157, equipped with Airborne fuel valve 1-H65- 2, Piper part number 492 259; PA-32-260 serial numbers 32-1 through 32-7600020 equipped with Airborne fuel valve Model 1-H65-2, Piper part number 492 259; PA-32-300 serial numbers 32-40000 through 32-7640109 equipped with Airborne fuel valve Model 1-H65-2, Piper part number 492 259; PA-32R-300 serial numbers 32R-7680001 through 32R-7680423 equipped with Airborne fuel valve Model 1-H65-3, Piper part number 492 262; certificated in all categories.
Compliance required within the next ten hours' time in service after the effective date of this AD, unless already accomplished.
To prevent fuel valve inner port leakage, accomplish the following:
I. Perform the following checks:
1. Fill all fuel tanks to capacity.
2. Actuate the fuel selector valve quick drain handle a minimum of three (3) times. Insure that the handle is actuated through its full travel and release slowly each time.
3. Start engine and run at a 1000 R.P.M. setting with electric fuel pump on.
4. Place fuel selector valve in the OFF position.
5. Continue to run the engine at 1000 R.P.M. until fuel has been exhausted and not to exceed the seven (7) minute duration.
If fuel exhaustion occurs and the engine quits within the seven (7) minute running period, make an appropriate log book entry.
The checks required by this AD may be performed by the pilot. For the requirements regarding the listing of compliance and method of compliance with this AD in the airplane's maintenance record, see FAR 91.173.
II. If the engine continues to run for the full seven (7) minute period, replace the fuel selector valve with the appropriate serviceable fuel valve and repeat Paragraph I.
An equivalent means of compliance with this AD must be approved by the Chief, Engineering and Manufacturing Branch, Federal Aviation Administration, Southern Region.
Piper Service Bulletin No. 519 also pertains to this same subject.
This amendment becomes effective September 10, 1976.
Affected TCDS · 2
The type certificate data sheets for the models this AD names, matched by model and maker.
Registered aircraft · 3,012
Registered aircraft whose airframe or engine model this AD names. Matched by model only, so check each against the AD’s applicability.
| 1948 | 1 |
|---|---|
| 1963 | 87 |
| 1964 | 136 |
| 1965 | 129 |
| 1966 | 277 |
| 1967 | 227 |
| 1968 | 158 |
| 1969 | 172 |
| 1970 | 48 |
| 1971 | 81 |
| 1972 | 122 |
| 1973 | 165 |
| 1974 | 110 |
| 1975 | 133 |
| 1976 | 272 |
| 1977 | 239 |
| 1978 | 102 |
| 1979 | 118 |
| 1980 | 1 |
434 with no year recorded