ADs Affect Cessna, Piper Fleets

Editorial Staff

Monday, April 11, 2016 at 12:00 AM ET

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Key Takeaways:

The FAA has issued two new direct-to-final-rule Airworthiness Directives (ADs) affecting general aviation aircraft.
One AD targets specific Cessna T310Q, 310Q, and 402B models, shortening the compliance time to 90 days for elevator trim tab hardware replacement, estimated at $100.
The other AD addresses wing-rib cracks in Piper PA-28 Cherokees, expanding the directive to more models, with an estimated inspection cost of $85 and an additional $125 if repairs are needed.
Both ADs have specific compliance deadlines, with the Cessna directive starting April 26 (90 days) and the Piper directive requiring action within 25 flight hours after April 26 (with exceptions for previously covered aircraft).

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The FAA issued two direct-to-final-rule Airworthiness Directives today that affect general aviation airplanes. A Cessna AD addresses the elevator trim tabs in about 5,000 twin-engine T310Q, 310Q, and 402B aircraft. Textron already has issued a service bulletin, but allows up to a year to make the fix — the FAA said today it is shortening that time to 90 days. The clock starts April 26, the effective date of the AD. Replacing the elevator trim push-pull rod hardware should cost about $100, the FAA said. The Piper AD addresses reports of wing-rib cracks found in PA-28 Cherokees, and extends the directive to more models than the previous AD.

The Piper AD affects about 700 airplanes. The cost to operators should be about $85 for an inspection, and another $125 if repairs are needed, the FAA said. The cracks occurred during production, the FAA said, and if not corrected, could result in reduced structural integrity of the wing. Operators must comply with the AD within 25 hours of flying after the effective date of April 26, with the exception of those airplanes listed in the previous AD, which have 25 hours after last Oct. 29 to comply.