# AD 76-18-04: Fuel Valve

- Type: Airworthiness directive
- Status: Current
- Products: Piper PA-28-235, PA-32-260, PA-32-300 and PA-32R-300
- Effective: September 10, 1976
- Published: September 7, 1976
- Issued: August 24, 1976
- Superseded by: Nothing supersedes this AD
- Product type: Aircraft, Small airplane
- Amendment: 39-2709
- Registered aircraft: 3,012 may be affected, by airframe or engine model (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA DRS: https://drs.faa.gov/browse/excelExternalWindow/CD18FE09C694A75E8625699E004A91AB.0001
- DRS record last changed: November 21, 2025
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ad/76-18-04

## 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 data sheets (2) (OpenAirDocs)

The type certificate data sheets whose models the AD names.

- [TCDS A3SO](https://openairdocs.org/tcds/A3SO): Piper Aircraft Inc.; names 3 of 13 models: PA-32-300, PA-32R-300, PA-32-260
- [TCDS 2A13](https://openairdocs.org/tcds/2A13): Piper Aircraft Inc.; names 1 of 18 models: PA-28-235

## 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: 3,012 (3,012 by airframe model, 0 by engine model)
- Makers: Piper 3,011, Piper/Valdes-Ervin 1

Models with the most aircraft:

- [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-32R-300](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32r-300): 510 aircraft (airframe model)
- [Piper/Valdes-Ervin PA-28-235](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-valdes-ervin-pa-28-235): 1 aircraft (airframe model)

All 5 models: https://openairdocs.org/ad/76-18-04/models.md
Every aircraft: https://openairdocs.org/ad/76-18-04/aircraft.md

Its text cites no advisory circulars or STCs.

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