# AD 78-01-02: Elevator Bungee

- Type: Airworthiness directive
- Status: Current
- Products: Piper PA-31, PA-31-325 and PA-31-350
- Effective: January 3, 1978
- Published: January 3, 1978
- Issued: December 19, 1977
- Superseded by: Nothing supersedes this AD
- Product type: Aircraft, Small airplane
- Amendment: 39-3107
- Registered aircraft: 562 may be affected, by airframe or engine model (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA DRS: https://drs.faa.gov/browse/excelExternalWindow/6610E3ABC3E85C348625699D004F6739.0001
- DRS record last changed: November 21, 2025
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ad/78-01-02

## The airworthiness directive

78-01-02 PIPER: Amendment 39-3107. Applies to Piper Models PA-31 and PA-31-325 Serial Nos. 31-7612001 thru 31-7612080, 31-7612082 thru 31-7612091, 31-7612096, 31-7612099, 31-7612101, 31-7612102, 31-7612104, 31-7612105, 31-7612107 and 31-7612108, PA-31-350 Serial Nos. 31-7652001 thru 31-7652015, 31-7652017 thru 31-7652162, and 31-7652164 thru 31-7652170 certificated in all categories.

To prevent adverse stability or handling qualities due to incorrect tension in the elevator bungee, accomplish the following within the next 25 hours in service after the effective date of this Airworthiness Directive unless already accomplished.

  (a) Inspect the elevator bungee spring for correct tension, (30 lb. + 1 lb. for model PA-31 and 37 lb. + 1, -0 for models PA-31-325 and PA-31-350).

  (b) If the tension is not correct, before further flight alter the link in accordance with the "Instructions" section of Piper Service Bulletin No. 549 dated February 16, 1977, or equivalent approved by the Chief, Engineering and Manufacturing Branch, FAA, Eastern Region.

  (c) Upon submission of substantiating data through an FAA Maintenance Inspector, the Chief, Engineering and Manufacturing Branch, FAA, Eastern Region may adjust the compliance time specified above.

This amendment is effective January 3, 1978.

## Affected data sheets (1) (OpenAirDocs)

The type certificate data sheets whose models the AD names.

- [TCDS A20SO](https://openairdocs.org/tcds/A20SO): Piper Aircraft Inc.; names 3 of 4 models: PA-31, PA-31-325, PA-31-350

## 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: 562 (562 by airframe model, 0 by engine model)
- Makers: Piper 562

Models with the most aircraft:

- [Piper PA-31-350](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-31-350): 399 aircraft (airframe model)
- [Piper PA-31-325](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-31-325): 137 aircraft (airframe model)
- [Piper PA-31](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-31): 26 aircraft (airframe model)

All 3 models: https://openairdocs.org/ad/78-01-02/models.md
Every aircraft: https://openairdocs.org/ad/78-01-02/aircraft.md

Its text cites no advisory circulars or STCs.

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