# Piper Service Bulletin 1279: Revision A - Rights: © Piper. Filed by the FAA in regulations.gov docket FAA-2016-5432; AD 2016-07-21 incorporates this document by reference. Not covered by OpenAirDocs’ CC0 dedication. - Document: [Piper Service Bulletin 1279](https://openairdocs.org/service-documents/piper/sb-1279.md) - Title as filed: Piper Service Bulletin 1279A - Pages: 4 - PDF: https://openairdocs.org/files/sha256/c9/9e/c99e55623ff8b74d56b86f02ef589a77221b0a9c10de1c10eb6307a2f45abcfd - Page: https://openairdocs.org/service-documents/piper/sb-1279/file/c99e55623ff8 ## Text Each page's text from the PDF; open the PDF at a page with #page=N. ### Page 1 (OVER) SERVICE BULLETIN Date: March 3, 2016 (S) NO. 1279A Service Bulletin (SB) 1279A supersedes SB 1279 in its entirety. Aircraft that have previously complied with SB 1279 are in compliance with SB 1279A. SUBjECT: WINg RIB INSpECTIoN AT RIghT SIdE WS 140.09 REASoN foR REVISIoN: SB 1279A expands the affected serial numbers. ModELS AffECTEd: SERIAL NUMBERS AffECTEd: PA-28-161 Warrior III 2842010 through 2842395 PA-28-181 Archer III 2843021 through 2843775, 2843779 through 2843791 PA-28R-201 Arrow 2844004 through 2844152 CoMpLIANCE TIME: To coincide with the next regularly scheduled maintenance event, but not to exceed the next 25 hours time in service pURpoSE: This service bulletin provides instructions for a one-time inspection of the right wing rib at wing station (WS) 140.09 for cracks. Left undetected, a crack in this rib could propagate to a critical length, potentially resulting in structural failure of the wing and loss of control of the aircraft. SAfETy INTENT: The safety intent of this service bulletin is to inspect for cracks on the right wing rib at WS 140.09, and, for any cracks found, to develop a suitable repair on an individual basis. pIpER CoNSIdERS CoMpLIANCE MANdAToRy ATA: 5712 Piper Aircraft, Inc. 2926 Piper Drive Vero Beach, FL, U.S.A. 32960 ### Page 2 SERVICE BULLETIN No. 1279A pAgE 2 of 4 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: The following instructions apply only to the right wing. NOTE: Temporary removal of adjacent access plates and inspection panels will facilitate this inspection. Refer to the applicable Airplane Maintenance Manual, Section 6-00-00, Access and Inspection Provisions. 1. RC – Locate the wing rib at WS 140.09, which is positioned aft of the main wing spar. Refer to Figure 1. 2. RC – The inspection described below shall be accomplished using a 10X magnifier, a mirror and a suitable light source, or other equipment capable of providing equal or better resolution. RC – Conduct a detailed visual inspection of the web area identified in View A–A for cracks. Check the inboard and outboard surfaces of the web, with special emphasis on the bend radii common to the stiffening bead and the web of the rib. a. If no crack is found, proceed to Step 3. RC – WARNINg: ANY CRACKS DISCOVERED IN THE AIRCRAFT STRUCTURE MUST BE REPAIRED PRIOR TO THE NEXT FLIGHT. FLIGHT WITH KNOWN CRACKS IN THE AIRCRAFT STRUCTURE IS NOT PERMITTED. AN AIRPLANE WITH A CRACK IN THE STRUCTURE MAY NO LONGER MEET ITS TYPE DESIGN AND MAY NO LONGER POSSESS ITS TYPE DESIGN STRENGTH. b. RC – If a crack is found, an FAA approved repair must be accomplished prior to next flight. At the operator’s discretion, assistance can be provided by contacting Piper Customer Service at (+1) 772-299-2141 or customer.service@piper.com to develop a suitable repair. Piper’s normal business hours are 7:30 am to 4:30 pm (Eastern US), Monday through Friday. c. Upon completion of the repair, proceed to Step 3. 3. Make a logbook entry documenting compliance with this service bulletin. ### Page 3 SERVICE BULLETIN No. 1279A pAgE 3 of 4 figure 1 Plan View, Right Wing WS 140.090 WS 207.650 OUTBD FWD AIRCRAFT SKIN TOP SURFACE A A MAIN SPAR AREA OF INSPECTION VIEW A−A LOOKING INBOARD INTERMEDIATE RIB AT W.S. 140.09 FWD UP ### Page 4 SERVICE BULLETIN No. 1279A pAgE 4 of 4 MATERIAL REQUIREd: On condition, contact: Piper Customer Service (+1) 772-299-2141 or customer.service@piper.com Normal business hours are 7:30 am to 4:30 pm (Eastern US), Monday through Friday. AVAILABILITy of pARTS: Y our Factory Authorized Piper Service Facility EffECTIVITy dATE: This service bulletin is effective upon receipt. SUMMARy: Applicable factory participation is limited to new aircraft in warranty at the time of compliance. Factory participation will remain in effect for a period of time not to exceed 180 days from the date of this service bulletin. 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 --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain, except the copies of manufacturers’ service documents, which belong to their rights holders.