Airworthiness Directives; The New Piper Aircraft, Inc. (Formerly Piper Aircraft Corporation) Models PA31, PA31-325, PA31-350, PA31P, PA31T1, and PA31T Airplanes

Resumen

This document proposes to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 80-26-05, which currently requires the following on The New Piper Aircraft, Inc. (Piper) Models PA31, PA31-325, PA31-350, PA31P, PA31T1, and PA31T airplanes: repetitively inspecting the main landing gear (MLG) inboard door hinges and attachment angles for cracks, and replacing any cracked MLG inboard door hinge or attachment angle. The Federal Aviation Administration's policy on aging commuter-class aircraft is to eliminate or, in certain instances, reduce the number of certain repetitive short-interval inspections when improved parts or modifications are available. The proposed action would retain the current repetitive inspections contained in AD 80-26-05, and would require incorporating a MLG inboard door hinge and attachment angle assembly of improved design (part number 47529-32) or approved hinges and angles made of steel as terminating action for the repetitive inspection requirement. The actions specified in the proposed AD are intended to prevent separation of the inboard MLG door from the airplane caused by a cracked inboard door hinge or attachment angle, which, if not detected and corrected, could result i