Airworthiness Directives; The New Piper Aircraft, Inc. (Formerly Piper Aircraft Corporation), Models PA-31, PA-31-300, PA-31-325, PA-31- 350, PA-31P, PA-31T, and PA-31T1 Airplanes

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This document proposes to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 80-26-05, which currently requires the following on certain The New Piper Aircraft, Inc. (Piper) Models PA-31, PA-31-300, PA-31-325, PA-31-350, PA-31P, PA-31T, and PA-31T1 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 proposed AD results from the Federal Aviation Administration's policy on aging commuter-class aircraft and the determination that an improved design MLG inboard door hinge and attachment assembly (or approved hinges and angles made of steel), when incorporated, will eliminate the need for the currently required repetitive short-interval inspections. The proposed AD would retain the current repetitive inspections contained in AD 80-26-05, and would require installing these improved design or approved steel parts as terminating action for the repetitive inspection requirement. The actions specified in the proposed AD are intended to prevent separation of the MLG inboard door from the airplane caused by a cracked inboard door hinge or attachment angle, which could