# AD 78-12-06: Nose Landing Gear Wheel Assembly

- Type: Airworthiness directive
- Status: Current
- Products: Piper PA-31T
- Effective: May 9, 1979
- Published: May 7, 1979
- Issued: April 25, 1979
- Superseded by: Nothing supersedes this AD
- Product type: Aircraft, Small airplane
- Amendment: 39-3461
- Registered aircraft: 87 may be affected, by airframe or engine model (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA DRS: https://drs.faa.gov/browse/excelExternalWindow/E3682BA9470FB43F86256E120055A275.0001
- DRS record last changed: November 21, 2025
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ad/78-12-06

## The airworthiness directive

78-12-06 PIPER: Amendment 39-3242 as amended by amendment 39-3461. Applies to Piper Aircraft Corporation Model PA-31T aircraft, S/N 31-7620012 and up, certificated in all categories, equipped with nose landing gear wheel assembly, Piper P/N 551-778, Cleveland P/N 40-120A.

To detect cracks in the nose landing gear wheel, accomplish the following:

  (a) Prior to next flight visually check the nose wheel cup and flange area for cracks. If a crack is found, replace the wheel with an airworthy part of the same P/N or Piper P/N 551- 758, B. F. Goodrich P/N 3-1331, equipped with a tubeless tire, size 18 x 4.4, 6 ply rating or Piper P/N 551-782, B. F. Goodrich P/N 3-1076. Check may be accomplished by pilot.

  (b) Repeat paragraph (a) prior to each flight.

  (c) When wheel of Piper P/N 551-758, B. F. Goodrich P/N 3-1331 or Piper P/N 551- 782, B. F. Goodrich P/N 3-1076 is installed, repeat inspections of paragraph (b) may be discontinued.

  (d) Record results of each check in aircraft log or continuous inspection manual.

Amendment 39-3242 was effective June 22, 1978.

This amendment 39-3461 is effective May 9, 1979.

## Affected data sheets (1) (OpenAirDocs)

The type certificate data sheets whose models the AD names.

- [TCDS A8EA](https://openairdocs.org/tcds/A8EA): Piper Aircraft Inc.; names 1 of 6 models: PA-31T

## 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: 87 (87 by airframe model, 0 by engine model)
- Makers: Piper 87

Models with the most aircraft:

- [Piper PA-31T](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-31t): 87 aircraft (airframe model)

All 1 models: https://openairdocs.org/ad/78-12-06/models.md
Every aircraft: https://openairdocs.org/ad/78-12-06/aircraft.md

Its text cites no advisory circulars or STCs.

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