Service difficulty report · Spar · Piper PA31350

Difficulty date
June 7, 1997
Submitted
March 26, 2000
Operation
Air carrier
Make and model
Piper PA31350
Part
Spar
Part number
311409
Condition
Cracked
Location
Elevator
Component
Piper · 311409
Stage of operation
IN
Nature of condition
O
Precautionary procedure
K

As reported to the FAA. Reports are unverified, and codes are left as the FAA publishes them.

What was found

(CAN) WHILE CARRYING OUT A SKIN REPAIR A VISUAL INSPECTION OF THE ELEVATOR SPAR REVEALED A CRACK IN THE SPAR. THE CRACK WAS FOUND TO BE STARTING AT THE TOP FLANGE AND THROUGH THE UPPER RIVET HOLE, DOWN THE FORWARD FACE OF THE SPAR AND STOPPED AT THE LOWER RIVET HOLE FOR THE HINGE BRACKET. THIS INSPECTION IS DETAILED IN PIPER MANDATORY SERVICE BULLETIN 998. AS THE AREA IS DIFFICULT TO INSPECT, UNLESS CARRYING OUT PIPER MSB 998 THE SUBMITTER FEELS THAT AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE ACTION SHOULD BE TAKEN TO ENFORCE COMPIANCE FOR THE MSB.

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