Summary
This document proposes to supersede three existing airworthiness directives (AD's) that apply to certain The New Piper Aircraft, Inc. (Piper) Models PA-31, PA-31-300, PA-31P, PA-31T, and PA- 31T1 airplanes. These AD's currently require you to repetitively inspect and/or modify the elevator structure. The proposed AD would: initially retain the inspection and modification requirements that are currently required; add certain other airplane models to the AD applicability; and require a modification at a certain time period, as terminating action for the currently required repetitive inspections. This action coincides with the Federal Aviation Adminstration's policy of incorporating modifications, when available, that will terminate the need for repetitive inspections. The actions specified by the proposed AD are intended to continue to detect and correct damage to the elevator structure. A damaged elevator structure could lead to reduced or loss of control of the airplane.