Piper SB 1273: Revision A

SERVICE

BULLETIN Date: October 22, 2015 (M) NO. 1273A

PIPER CONSIDERS

COMPLIANCE MANDATORY Piper Aircraft, Inc.

2926 Piper Drive Vero Beach, FL, U.S.A. 32960 ATA: 5300 (OVER) Service Bulletin (SB) 1273A supersedes SB 1273 and SB 636A in their entirety. Aircraft that have previously complied with SB 636A must also comply with SB 1273A. Aircraft that have previously complied with SB 1273 are already in compliance with SB 1273A.

Subject: bulkheAd ModificAtion At fuSelAge StAtion 317.75 ReASon foR ReviSion: SB 1273A specifies Piper Kit No. 764-028 Rev. 10/26/2015, whereas SB 1273 specified Rev. 04/03/2015. Kit 764-028 Rev. 10/26/2015 contains radius block configuration options which may provide a better fit on some aircraft.

ModelS Affected: SeRiAl nuMbeRS Affected:

PA-31/PA-31-300/325 Navajo 31-2 thru 31-900; 31-7300901 thru 31-8312019 PA-31-350 Chieftain/T -1020 31-5001 thru 31-5004; 31-7305005 thru 31-8553002 coMpliAnce tiMe: For aircraft with 2,000 or more hours of time in service (TIS), compliance is to coincide with the next regularly scheduled maintenance event, but not to exceed the next 100 hours TIS.

AppRovAl: The engineering aspects of this service document have been shown to comply with the applicable Federal Aviation Regulations and are FAA approved.

puRpoSe: A review of service history reveals that cracks may develop in the bulkhead assembly located at fuselage station (FS) 317.75, Piper part number (P/N) 40682-008. This service bulletin provides instructions for repair of these cracks, as well as installation of structure which has been shown to prevent cracks from developing.

SAfety intent: The safety intent of this service bulletin is to reduce the likelihood of cracks developing in the bulkhead assembly at FS 317.75. If not identified and repaired, such a crack in the airframe structure could expand to a critical length and result in loss of structural integrity of the vertical fin front spar attachment.

SeRvice bulletin no. 1273A pAge 2 of 6 configuRAtion deScRiption: Incorporating this service bulletin results in installing a doubler and supporting structure on the forward upper surface of the bulkhead assembly located at FS 317.75. Depending on the existing configuration of the aircraft, this doubler may replace a smaller doubler at the same location. For some aircraft, the required doubler may already be installed. For these aircraft, no airframe modification is required.

inStRuctionS:

NOTE: Some steps in these instructions are identified as “required for compliance” (RC). If this service bulletin is mandated by an airworthiness directive (AD), the steps identified as RC must be done to comply with the AD. Steps not identified as RC are recommended and may be deviated from, done as a part of other actions, or done with accepted methods different from those given in this SB, if the RC steps can be done and the airplane can be put back in a serviceable condition.

NOTE: Temporary removal of some components and/or access panels may be required in order to accomplish the instructions described in this service bulletin.

NOTE: The part number naming convention used by Piper has changed over the years. A dash number with zeros in front is equivalent to the same dash number with no zeros in front. For example, part number (P/N) 40682-008 is equivalent to P/Ns 40682-08 and 40682-8. All three part numbers describe the same part.

part i. inspection and Repair

1. RC – Gain visual access to the bulkhead assembly at FS 317.75, as shown in Figure 1, Sheet 1.

2. RC – Inspect

a. Prior to inspection, wipe surfaces clean using a soft cloth dampened with isopropyl alcohol, mineral spirits, naphtha, or other suitable cleaning agent or method.

b. Examine the area shown in View A–A labeled “INSPECTION AREA” for cracks. The inspection shall be accomplished using a 10X magnifier, a mirror and a suitable light source or other equipment capable of providing equal or better resolution.

3. RC – Assess inspection results

a. If a crack is found, follow repair instructions described in Piper Kit P/N 764-028 Rev. 10/26/2015, “Bulkhead Reinforcement and Drag Angle Installation.” Repairs must be accomplished prior to next flight.

WARning: FLIGHT WITH KNOWN CRACKS IN THE AIRCRAFT STRUCTURE IS NOT ALLOWED. AN

AIRPLANE WITH A CRACK IN STRUCTURE NO LONGER MEETS ITS TYPE DESIGN AND MAY NO LONGER POSSESS ITS TYPE DESIGN STRENGTH. ANY CRACKS DISCOVERED IN THE AIRCRAFT STRUCTURE MUST BE REPAIRED PRIOR TO THE NEXT FLIGHT.

b. If no cracks are found, complete one of the following steps:

1) Prior to next flight: accomplish Part II – Modification.

2) Continuing inspection until modification

a) Make a logbook entry documenting the initial inspection.

b) Within 500 hours TIS, accomplish Part II – Modification.

Until modification is accomplished, the inspection from Step 2 must be performed on a recurring basis, at an interval not to exceed every 100 hours TIS. Make a logbook entry for each recurrent inspection. If any cracks are found during any inspection, they must be repaired prior to the next flight.

SeRvice bulletin no. 1273A pAge 3 of 6 figure 1, Sheet 1 Aft Fuselage Inspection Area FS

317.75 WL 0 A A B B FWD UP

BULKHEAD ASSEMBL Y VIEW A−A LOOKING AFT AT FS 317.75

INSPECTION AREA

INSPECTION

AREARIVET(TYPICAL) NOTE: Fuselage skins omitted for clarity.

RBL

4.70 LBL

4.70 BL

00.00

SeRvice bulletin no. 1273A pAge 4 of 6 figure 1, Sheet 2 Aft Fuselage Inspection Area CONFIGURATION 1 FWD VIEW C−C

BULKHEAD

ASSEMBL Y 40682-008

DOUBLER 40682-010

RADIUS BLOCK 40682-011

FUSELAGE SKIN & DOUBLER SPACER 40682-009 CONFIGURATION 2 C C See Part II, Step 1.b.2), for disposition CONFIGURATION 3 VIEW B−B LOOKING AFT AT F .S. 317.75 CONFIGURATIONS 1 – 3

SeRvice bulletin no. 1273A pAge 5 of 6 part ii. Modification

1. RC – Examine the existing configuration of the bulkhead assembly at FS 317.75. Match it with one of the three configurations shown in View B–B. Complete Step a., b. or c., depending on the existing configuration.

a. Configuration 1: Order Piper Kit P/N 764-028 Rev. 10/26/2015, “Bulkhead Reinforcement and Drag Angle Installation,” and install per kit instructions.

b. Configuration 2: Order Piper Kit P/N 764-028 Rev. 10/26/2015, “Bulkhead Reinforcement and Drag Angle Installation,” and install per kit instructions, with the following exceptions:

1) Remove these parts from the airplane, and discard:

• P/N 40682-009 Spacer

• P/N 40682-010 Doubler – Reinforcement

• P/N 40682-011 Block – Radius

2) Removal of the parts listed in Step 1), above, results in two (2) open holes not addressed by the instructions in Piper Kit P/N 764-028 Rev. 10/26/2015. These holes are identified in View B–B, illustration “Configuration 2” with the text “See Part II, Step 1.b.2), for disposition.”

a) At the two fastener locations, match drill 0.144 inch diameter holes in the new P/N 71681-002 Reinforcement Doubler to match existing holes in the P/N 40682-008 Bulkhead Assembly.

b) Install NAS1739B4-3 rivets (or other industry standard rivets of equivalent or higher strength) through the reinforcement doubler and bulkhead assembly.

3) Discard the following kit components, which are already installed on the airplane:

• P/N 71059-006 Angle – Drag, Left

• P/N 71059-007 Angle – Drag, Right

c. Configuration 3: No rework is required. Piper Kit P/N 764-028, “Bulkhead Reinforcement and Drag Angle Installation,” has already been installed.

2. Make a logbook entry documenting compliance with Part II of this service bulletin.

SeRvice bulletin no. 1273A pAge 6 of 6 MAteRiAl ReQuiRed: On condition, one (1) each per aircraft, Piper P/N 764-028 Rev. 10/26/2015, Bulkhead Reinforcement and Drag Angle Installation Kit AvAilAbility of pARtS: Y our Factory Authorized Piper Service Facility effectivity dAte: This service bulletin is effective upon receipt.

SuMMARy: Please contact your Factory Authorized Piper Service Facility to make arrangements for compliance with this service bulletin in accordance with the compliance time indicated.

note: Please notify the factory of any address/ownership corrections. Changes should include aircraft model, serial number, and current owner’s name and address.

Corrections and/or changes should be directed to:

PIPER AIRCRAFT, INC.

Attn: Customer Service 2926 Piper Drive Vero Beach, FL 32960