# AD 76-18-05: Forward Fin Attachment

- Type: Airworthiness directive
- Status: Current
- Products: Piper PA-30 and PA-39
- Effective: September 10, 1976
- Published: September 2, 1976
- Issued: August 26, 1976
- Superseded by: Nothing supersedes this AD
- Product type: Aircraft, Small airplane
- Amendment: 39-2715
- Registered aircraft: 960 may be affected, by airframe or engine model (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA DRS: https://drs.faa.gov/browse/excelExternalWindow/C0B01143F3F18EAC8625699E004A9275.0001
- DRS record last changed: November 21, 2025
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ad/76-18-05

## The airworthiness directive

76-18-05 PIPER: Amendment 39-2715. Applies to Models PA-30, Serial Nos. 30-1 through 30-2000, and PA-39, Serial Nos. 39-1 through 39-155 certificated in all categories.

To prevent possible hazards in flight associated with cracks in the radius of the bend relief holes of the forward fin attachment channel assembly accomplish the following within the next 50 hours in service from the effective date of this AD unless previously accomplished.

a. Visually inspect the forward fin attachment channel P/N 22903-00 around the radius of the bend relief cutouts for cracks using a magnifying glass of at least five power or an approved equivalent inspection.

b. Cracked parts must be replaced with a part of the same number or equivalent that has been inspected in accordance with this AD and found acceptable prior to further flight, except that the Airplane may be flown in accordance with FAR 21.197 to a base where a repair can be made.

c. Equivalent inspections and parts must be approved by the Chief, Engineering and Manufacturing Branch, FAA, Eastern Region.

(Piper Service Letter No. 777 refers to this subject.)

This amendment is effective September 10, 1976.

## Affected data sheets (1) (OpenAirDocs)

The type certificate data sheets whose models the AD names.

- [TCDS A1EA](https://openairdocs.org/tcds/A1EA): Piper Aircraft Inc.; names 2 of 3 models: PA-30, PA-39

## 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: 960 (960 by airframe model, 0 by engine model)
- Makers: Piper 960

Models with the most aircraft:

- [Piper PA-30](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-30): 878 aircraft (airframe model)
- [Piper PA-39](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-39): 82 aircraft (airframe model)

All 2 models: https://openairdocs.org/ad/76-18-05/models.md
Every aircraft: https://openairdocs.org/ad/76-18-05/aircraft.md

Its text cites no advisory circulars or STCs.

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