# AD 77-08-01: Aileron Spar Cracks

- Type: Airworthiness directive
- Status: Current
- Products: Piper PA-24, PA-24-250, PA-24-260, PA-24-400, PA-30 and PA-39
- Effective: April 18, 1977
- Published: March 30, 1978
- Issued: March 6, 1978
- Superseded by: Nothing supersedes this AD
- Product type: Aircraft, Small airplane
- Amendment: 39-2871
- Registered aircraft: 3,192 may be affected, by airframe or engine model (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA DRS: https://drs.faa.gov/browse/excelExternalWindow/23E39A518733EFE28625699E004A9AD5.0001
- DRS record last changed: November 21, 2025
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ad/77-08-01

## The airworthiness directive

77-08-01 PIPER: Amendment 39-2871. Applies to Models PA-24, PA-24-250 and PA- 24-260, Serial Nos. 24-1 through 24-5047; Model PA-24-400, Serial Nos. 26-2 through 26-148; Model PA-30, Serial Nos. 30-2 through 30-2000; Model PA-39, Serial Nos. 39-1 through 39- 155; certificated in all categories except aircraft incorporating Piper Kit number 760 914.

To prevent possible hazards in flight associated with aileron spar cracks, accomplish the following:

  (a) Within the next 100 hours in service from the effective date of this AD or upon the attainment of 1000 total hours in service, whichever is later, and at intervals not to exceed 100 hours in service from the last inspection, inspect and alter as necessary in accordance with the instructions sections of Piper Service Letter No. 787 dated December 1, 1976, or equivalent.

  (b) Upon the incorporation of Aileron Outboard Hinge Bracket Replacement, Piper Kit No. 760 914 or equivalent, compliance with the requirements of thisAD may be dispensed with.

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

  (d) Upon submission of substantiating data by an owner or operator through an FAA Maintenance Inspector, the Chief, Engineering and Manufacturing Branch, FAA, Eastern Region may adjust the inspection intervals specified in this AD.

This amendment becomes effective April 18, 1977.

## Affected data sheets (2) (OpenAirDocs)

The type certificate data sheets whose models the AD names.

- [TCDS 1A15](https://openairdocs.org/tcds/1A15): Piper Aircraft Inc.; names 4 of 4 models: PA-24, PA-24-260, PA-24-250, PA-24-400
- [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: 3,192 (3,192 by airframe model, 0 by engine model)
- Makers: Piper 3,192

Models with the most aircraft:

- [Piper PA-24-250](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-24-250): 1,222 aircraft (airframe model)
- [Piper PA-30](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-30): 878 aircraft (airframe model)
- [Piper PA-24-260](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-24-260): 590 aircraft (airframe model)
- [Piper PA-24](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-24): 345 aircraft (airframe model)
- [Piper PA-39](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-39): 82 aircraft (airframe model)
- [Piper PA-24-400](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-24-400): 75 aircraft (airframe model)

All 6 models: https://openairdocs.org/ad/77-08-01/models.md
Every aircraft: https://openairdocs.org/ad/77-08-01/aircraft.md

Its text cites no advisory circulars or STCs.

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