AD 80-17-06

80-17-06 PIPER AIRCRAFT CORPORATION: Amendment 39-3874. Applies to Model PA-31 and PA-31-325 airplanes, Serial Numbers 31-7401201 through 31-8012072; and PA-31-350 airplanes, Serial Numbers 31-7405401 through 31-8052162 certificated in all categories.

Compliance is required as indicated unless already accomplished.

To prevent the possible use of incorrect airspeed information during normal and emergency operations and to insure accessibility to emergency landing gear extension placards and operating equipment, accomplish the following within the next 50 hours time in service after the effective date of this AD:

(a) Check for the following placards on these airplanes to insure they are correct and accessible:

(1) Piper PA-31 Serial Numbers 31-7401201 through 31-8012072.

On top right side of instrument panel: THIS AIRCRAFT MUST BE OPERATED AS A NORMAL CATEGORY AIRPLANE IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE OPERATING LIMITATIONS STATED IN THE FORM OF PLACARDS, MARKINGS AND MANUALS. NO ACROBATIC MANEUVERS (INCLUDING SPINS) APPROVED.

For Serial Numbers 31-7401201 through 31-7612110 FOR TYPES OF OPERATION SEE AIRPLANE FLIGHT MANUAL

For Serial Numbers 31-7712001 through 31-8012072 FOR TYPES OF OPERATION SEE PILOT'S OPERATING HANDBOOK

On top left side of instrument panel: For Serial Numbers 31-7401201 through 31-7612110 MINIMUM CONTROL SPEED 85 MPH MAXIMUM SPEED LANDING GEAR OPERATION 150 MPH DESIGN MANEUVERING SPEED 183 MPH SEE AIRPLANE FLIGHT MANUAL FOR ADDITIONAL SPEEDS

For Serial Numbers 31-7712001 through 31-7712103 MINIMUM CONTROL SPEED 76 KIAS MAXIMUM SPEED LANDING GEAR OPERATION 129 KIAS DESIGN MANEUVERING SPEED 159 KIAS SEE PILOT'S OPERATING HANDBOOK FOR ADDITIONAL SPEEDS

For Serial Numbers 31-7812001 through 31-8012072 MINIMUM CONTROL SPEED 76 KIAS MAXIMUM 5P. LG - RET. 129 KIAS EXTEND 156 KIAS DESIGN MANEUVERING SPEED 159 KIAS SEE PILOT'S OPERATING HANDBOOK FOR ADDITIONAL SPEEDS

On floor between pilot and copilot seats, check the following two placards for accessibility: EMERGENCY GEAR EXTENSION REMOVE COVER EXTENSION INSTRUCTIONS ON REVERSE SIDE

On underside of emergency gear extension door: EMERGENCY GEAR EXTENSION 1. PLACE GEAR SELECTOR IN DOWN POSITION. 2. PULL EMERGENCY PUMP HANDLE OUT AS FAR AS POSSIBLE. 3. PUMP HANDLE UP AND DOWN UNTIL ALL 3 GREEN LIGHTS COME ON. CONTINUE PUMPING UNTIL PRESSURE BUILDS UP AND SELECTOR HANDLE RETURNS TO NEUTRAL.

(2) Piper PA-31-325, Serial Numbers 31-7512001 through 31-8012072.

On top right side of instrument panel: THIS AIRCRAFT MUST BE OPERATED AS A NORMAL CATEGORY AIRPLANE IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE OPERATING LIMITATIONS STATED IN THE FORM OF PLACARDS, MARKINGS AND MANUALS. NO ACROBATIC MANEUVERS (INCLUDING SPINS) APPROVED.

For Serial Numbers 31-7512001 through 31-7612110 FOR TYPES OF OPERATION SEE AIRPLANE FLIGHT MANUAL

For Serial Numbers 31-7712001 and UP FOR TYPES OF OPERATION SEE PILOT'S OPERATING HANDBOOK

On left side, center of pilot's panel: For Serial Numbers 31-7512001 through 31-7612110 MINIMUM CONTROL SPEED 85 MPH MAXIMUM SPEED LANDING GEAR OPERATION 150 MPH DESIGN MANEUVERING SPEED 183 MPH SEE AIRPLANE FLIGHT MANUAL FOR ADDITIONAL SPEEDS

For Serial Numbers 31-7712001 through 31-7712103 MINIMUM CONTROL SPEED 71 KIAS MAXIMUM SPEED LANDING GEAR OPERATION 127 KIAS DESIGN MANEUVERING SPEED 155 KIAS SEE PILOT'S OPERATING HANDBOOK FOR ADDITIONAL SPEEDS

For Serial Numbers 31-7812001 through 31-8012072 MINIMUM CONTROL SPEED 71 KIAS MAXIMUM 5P. LG - RET. 127 KIAS EXTEND 152 KIAS DESIGN MANEUVERING SPEED 155 KIAS SEE PILOT'S OPERATING HANDBOOK FOR ADDITIONAL SPEEDS

On floor between pilot and copilot seats, check the following two placards for accessibility: EMERGENCY GEAR EXTENSION REMOVE COVER EXTENSION INSTRUCTIONS ON REVERSE SIDE

On underside of emergency gear extensiondoor: EMERGENCY GEAR EXTENSION 1. PLACE GEAR SELECTOR HANDLE IN DOWN POSITION. 2. PULL EMERGENCY PUMP HANDLE OUT AS FAR AS POSSIBLE. 3. PUMP HANDLE UP AND DOWN UNTIL ALL 3 GREEN LIGHTS COME ON. CONTINUE PUMPING UNTIL PRESSURE BUILDS UP AND SELECTOR HANDLE RETURNS TO NEUTRAL.

On pedestal adjacent engine controls (when air conditioning is installed): AIR CONDITIONING OFF FOR SINGLE ENGINE OPERATION

Above airspeed indicator: For Serial Numbers 31-7512001 through 31-7612110 ABOVE 12,000 FEET REDUCE VNE SPEED 3 MPH PER 1,000 FEET

For Serial Numbers 31-7712001 through 31-8012072 ABOVE 12,000 FEET REDUCE VNE SPEED 2.6 KTS PER 1,000 FEET

Adjacent to airspeed indicator: For Serial Numbers 31-7512001 through 31-7612110 ABOVE 21,000 FEET REDUCE VNO SPEED 3 MPH PER 1,000 FEET

For Serial Numbers 31-7712001 through 31-8012072 ABOVE 21,000 FEET REDUCE VNO SPEED 2.6 KTS PER 1,000 FEET

(3) Piper PA-31-350, Serial Numbers 31-7405401 through 31-8052162.

On top right side of instrument panel: THIS AIRCRAFT MUST BE OPERATED AS A NORMAL CATEGORY AIRPLANE IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE OPERATING LIMITATIONS STATED IN THE FORM OF PLACARDS, MARKINGS AND MANUALS. NO ACROBATIC MANEUVERS (INCLUDING SPINS) APPROVED.

For Serial Numbers 31-7405401 through 31-7652176 FOR TYPES OF OPERATION SEE AIRPLANE FLIGHT MANUAL

For Serial Numbers 31-7752001 and UP FOR TYPES OF OPERATION SEE PILOT'S OPERATING HANDBOOK

On top left side of instrument panel: For Serial Numbers 31-7405401 through 31-7652176 MINIMUM CONTROL SPEED 90 MPH MAXIMUM SPEED LANDING GEAR OPERATION 150 MPH DESIGN MANEUVERING SPEED 186 MPH SEE AIRPLANE FLIGHT MANUAL FOR ADDITIONAL SPEEDS

For Serial Numbers 31-7752001 through 31-7752201 MINIMUM CONTROL SPEED 76 KIAS MAXIMUM SPEED LANDING GEAR OPERATION 128 KIAS DESIGN MANEUVERING SPEED 160 KIAS SEE PILOT'S OPERATING HANDBOOK FOR ADDITIONAL SPEEDSFor Serial Numbers 31-7852001 through 31-8052162 MINIMUM CONTROL SPEED 76 KIAS MAXIMUM SP. LG - RET. 128 KIAS EXTEND 153 KIAS DESIGN MANEUVERING SPEED 160 KIAS SEE PILOT'S OPERATING HANDBOOK FOR ADDITIONAL SPEEDS

On floor between pilot and copilot seats, check the following two placards for accessibility: EMERGENCY GEAR EXTENSION REMOVE COVER EXTENSION INSTRUCTIONS ON REVERSE SIDE

On underside of emergency.gear extension door: EMERGENCY GEAR EXTENSION 1. PLACE GEAR SELECTOR HANDLE IN DOWN POSITION. 2. PULL EMERGENCY PUMP HANDLE OUT AS FAR AS POSSIBLE. 3. PUMP HANDLE UP AND DOWN UNTIL ALL 3 GREEN LIGHTS COME ON.CONTINUE PUMPING UNTIL PRESSURE BUILDS UP AND SELECTOR HANDLE RETURNS TO NEUTRAL

On pedestal adjacent engine controls (when air conditioning is installed): AIR CONDITIONING OFF FOR SINGLE ENGINE OPERATION

(b) If aircraft is equipped with floor runners to protect carpeting, an opening must be cut in the runner to match opening in carpet in order to provide access to Emergency Gear Extension Cover.

(c) Replace incorrect or missing placards with correct placards.

NOTE: Placards may be obtained from Piper Aircraft Corporation, Lakeland Division 3000 Medula Road, Lakeland, Florida 33803, telephone (813) 646-2911.

(d) When (a) through (c) above are accomplished, make an appropriate maintenance record entry. These actions may be accomplished by a pilot as provided in FAR 43.3(h).

An equivalent method of compliance may be approved by the Chief, Engineering and Manufacturing Branch, Federal Aviation Administration, Southern Region.

NOTE: Piper Service Bulletin 688 pertains to this subject.

This amendment becomes effective August 13, 1980.