# AD 78-23-09: Control Wheels

- Type: Airworthiness directive
- Status: Current
- Products: Piper PA-38-112
- Effective: November 13, 1978
- Published: November 9, 1978
- Issued: October 27, 1978
- Superseded by: Nothing supersedes this AD
- Product type: Aircraft, Small airplane
- Amendment: 39-3342
- Registered aircraft: 442 may be affected, by airframe or engine model (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA DRS: https://drs.faa.gov/browse/excelExternalWindow/E25C562451C069D08625699E004AE3F2.0001
- DRS record last changed: November 21, 2025
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ad/78-23-09

## The airworthiness directive

78-23-09 PIPER: Amendment 39-3342. Applies to Piper Model PA-38-112 Serial Nos. 38-78A0001, 38-78A0004 thru 38-78A0016, 38-78A0018 thru 38-78A0040, 38-78A0042 thru 38-78A0224, 38-78A0226 thru 38-78A0232, 38-78A0234 thru 38-78A0236, 38-78A0238 thru 38-78A0250, 38-78A0252 thru 38-78A0266, 38-78A0268, 38-78A0270 thru 38-78A0273, 38-78A0276, 38-78A0277, 38-78A0279 thru 38-78A0284, 38-78A0286 thru 38-78A0289, 38-78A0291, 38-78A0298, 38-78A0315 thru 38-78A0318, 38-78A0324, 38-78A0326, 38-78A0329 certificated in all categories.

To prevent possible separation of the control wheel from the control shaft, accomplish the following:

Before further flight, unless already accomplished, inspect and alter or replace the pilot and co-pilot control wheels in accordance with the "Instructions" section of Piper Service Bulletin No. 609 dated June 17, 1978, or equivalent which must be approved by the Chief, Engineering and Manufacturing Branch, FAA, Eastern Region.

Upon submission of substantiating data through an FAA Maintenance Inspector, the compliance time specified in this AD may be adjusted by the Chief, Engineering and Manufacturing Branch, FAA, Eastern Region.

The affected airplanes may be flown in accordance with FAR 21.197 to a location where the AD compliance procedures can be accomplished.

This amendment is effective November 13, 1978.

## Affected data sheets (1) (OpenAirDocs)

The type certificate data sheets whose models the AD names.

- [TCDS A18SO](https://openairdocs.org/tcds/A18SO): Piper Aircraft Inc.; names 1 of 1 models: PA-38-112

## 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: 442 (442 by airframe model, 0 by engine model)
- Makers: Piper 442

Models with the most aircraft:

- [Piper PA-38-112](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-38-112): 442 aircraft (airframe model)

All 1 models: https://openairdocs.org/ad/78-23-09/models.md
Every aircraft: https://openairdocs.org/ad/78-23-09/aircraft.md

Its text cites no advisory circulars or STCs.

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