Piper AD Affects 34,000 Aircraft
A new Airworthiness Directive (AD) was issued by the FAA to correct an unsafe condition on select models of Piper PA-28, PA-32, PA-34, and PA-44 aircraft. The AD, prompted by reports of control cable assembly failures that could result in loss of pitch control, requires inspections of the stabilator control system and replacement of parts as necessary.
The AD goes into effect on March 11, 2013, and affects more than 34,000 aircraft of U.S. registry. For more details on the inspection procedures required with this AD, go to
http://go.usa.gov/4yMz, or click the AD link from
http://www.faa.gov.
FAA Issues SAIB for Piper Super Cub
On February 6, 2013, the FAA issued a Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin (SAIB) alerting owners and operators of Piper PA-18 (L-21) airplanes of cracking discovered in the weld joint of the aft fuselage tail post. If undetected, the cracking could become significant and result in a potential safety of flight hazard such as loss of control of the lower rudder hinge or tail wheel.
The FAA recommends the affected Piper airplane models that have accumulated 1,000 hours total time in service (TIS) be inspected using a fluorescent penetrant and/or x-ray within the next 100 hours TIS in the fuselage tail post area, and then be repeated every 1,000 hours TIS. These inspections are particularly important if the aircraft is subject to operation in severe turbulence, towing, or on rough terrain. The SAIB also provides guidance on recommended inspections for various Piper airplane models with similar tail post configurations. For more information as well as a detailed x-ray view of a damaged area, go to
http://go.usa.gov/4VjF.
From FDA to FAA The need for careful evaluation of a drug’s effects is the reason for the FAA’s general policy of waiting a year after a drug receives FDA approval before it will be considered for use by airmen. A drug that successfully and effectively treats a particular condition on the ground may not be safe or suitable for use in the flying environment.
Learn more about how the FAA evaluates drugs for aeromedical use in the Jan/Feb 2013 issue of
FAA Safety Briefing at
http://1.usa.gov/FAA_ASB.
Produced by the
FAA Safety Briefing editors,
http://www.faa.gov/news/safety_briefing/
Address questions or comments to:
SafetyBriefing@faa.gov.
Follow us on Twitter @FAASafetyBrief or
http://www.twitter.com/SafetyBrief
http://www.twitter.com/SafetyBrief
