EASA AD US-2018-14-01
AFM Change / Placard Installation — Cockpit Area Fuselage Skin — Inspection / Repair
Summary
The Federal Aviation Administration Airworthiness Directive 2018-14-01 is a final rule addressing certain Piper Aircraft, Inc. Model PA-46-600TP (M600) airplanes. It mandates temporary airspeed limitations, placard installation, inspection of rivets on the cockpit canopy fuselage skin, and repair actions to address undersized fasteners found during manufacturing.
What Changed
This new airworthiness directive introduces requirements to insert temporary airspeed limitations into the pilot's operating handbook, install a temporary placard in the cockpit, inspect specific rivets above the left and right cockpit side windows, and replace rivets using repair kits based on inspection findings. It is a newly adopted rule prompted by reports of undersized rivets compromising structural integrity.
Why It Matters
This directive is critical for aviation professionals because undersized rivets in the cockpit area fuselage skin could lead to structural failure or loss of pressurization, posing significant safety risks. Operators and maintenance organizations must comply promptly to ensure continued airworthiness and flight safety of affected Piper M600 airplanes.
What To Do
Affected operators must comply by July 25, 2018, by incorporating temporary airspeed limitations into the POH, installing the specified placard, inspecting the rivets on the cockpit canopy, and performing necessary rivet replacements using approved repair kits. Comments on the directive are accepted until August 24, 2018.
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