AD 78-26-05

78-26-05 PIPER: Amendment 39-3377. Applies to Piper Model PA-36-285 and PA-36-300, Serial Nos. 36-7360001 thru 36-7760123, 36-7760125 thru 36-7860001, 36-7860003, 36-7860007, 36-7860010 thru 36-7860015 36-7860017 thru 36-7860019, 36-7860021 thru 36- 7860024, 36-7860027 thru 36-7860031, 36-7860034, 36-7860036, 36-7860041, 36-7860043 thru 36-7860045, 36-7860047, 36-7860049 thru 36-7860051, 36-7860061 thru 36-7860063, 36- 7860069, 36-7860071, 36-7860073 thru 36-7860079, 36-7860081 thru 36-7860083, 36-7860086 thru 36-7860114 and 36-7860116 and Model PA-36-375, Serial Nos. 36-7802002 thru 36-7802019, 36-7802021 thru 36-7802023, 36-7802025 thru 36-7802029, 36-7802031, 36-7802040 thru 36-7802042 and 36-7802049 certificated in all categories.

To prevent hazards in flight associated with the seizing of rod end bearings in the elevator and aileron control systems, accomplish the following:

(a) Within the next ten hours in service from the effective date of this AD or upon the attainment of 50 hours total time in service whichever is later, unless previously accomplished within the previous 50 hours, and at intervals not to exceed 50 hours in service from the last inspection, inspect and replace the rod end bearings in the elevator and aileron system controls in accordance with the "Instructions Section - Paragraphs 1 thru 5" of Piper Service Bulletin No. 608 dated July 11, 1975, or equivalent.

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

(c) Upon the installation of Heim MSS-3D, -4D and -5D rod end bearings for Piper part numbers 452633, 452590 and 452645, respectively, compliance with the inspection requirements of (a) may be canceled.

(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 is effective December 26, 1978.