AD 92-15-14

92-15-14 PIPER AIRCRAFT CORPORATION: Amendment 39-8308. Docket No. 91-CE-98-AD.

Applicability: Model PA-46-310P airplanes (serial numbers (S/N) 46-8408001 through 46-8608067 and S/N 4608001 through 4608140) and Model PA-46-350P airplanes (S/N 4622001 through 4622118), certificated in any category.

Compliance: Required within the next 100 hours time-in-service after the effective date of this AD, unless already accomplished.

To prevent failure of the air-driven attitude gyro and autopilot systems caused by an undetected low vacuum, accomplish the following:

(a) Install vacuum gauge markings in accordance with the INSTRUCTIONS section in Part II of Piper Service Bulletin No. 947A, dated October 29, 1991.

(b) Incorporate whichever of the following reports that is applicable into the limitations section of the Airplane Flight Manual, and operate the airplane accordingly:

Model Report PA-46-310P REPORT: VB-1200, page 2-4, Issued: January 11, 1984, Revised: October 14, 1991 PA-46-310P REPORT: VB-1300, page 2-4, Issued: July 1, 1986, Revised: October 14, 1991 PA-46-350P REPORT: VB-1332, page 2-4, Issued: June 15,1988, Revised: October 14, 1991

(c) Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with FAR 21.197 and 21.199 to operate the airplane to a location where the requirements of this AD can be accomplished.

(d) An alternative method of compliance or adjustment of the compliance time that provides an equivalent level of safety may be approved by the Manager, Atlanta Aircraft Certification Office, 1669 Phoenix Parkway, Suite 210C, Atlanta, Georgia 30349. The request shall be forwarded through an appropriate FAA Maintenance Inspector, who may add comments and then send it to the Manager, Atlanta Aircraft Certification Office.

NOTE: Information concerning the existence of approved alternative methods of compliance with this AD, if any, may be obtained from the Atlanta Aircraft Certification Office.

(e) The installation required by this AD shall be done in accordance with Piper Service Bulletin No. 947A, dated October 29, 1991. This incorporation by reference was approved by the Director of the Federal Register in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR Part 51. Copies may be obtained from the Piper Aircraft Corporation, 2926 Piper Drive, Vero Beach, Florida 32960. Copies may be inspected at the FAA, Central Region, Office of the Assistant Chief Counsel, Room 1558, 601 E. 12th Street, Kansas City, Missouri, or at the Office of the Federal Register, 1100 L Street, NW; Room 8401, Washington, DC.

(f) This amendment becomes effective on August 22, 1992.