AD 2021-04-07 Requires Identifying And Correcting Nonconforming Stall Warning Heat Control Systems

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Piper Aircraft, Inc., (Piper) Models PA-46-350P (Malibu Mirage), PA-46R-350T (Malibu Matrix), and PA-46-500TP (Malibu Meridian) airplanes.

This AD was prompted by a finding of several airplanes with wing assemblies that did not have the proper stall warning heater modification design. Without the proper stall warning heat control modification kit installed, during flights into icing conditions with the landing gear down, ice can form on the stall vane, which may result in failure of the stall warning system. This AD requires identifying and correcting nonconforming stall warning heat control systems. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products. This AD is effective March 30, 2021.

Supplementary Information: The FAA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend 14 CFR part 39 by adding an AD that would apply to all Piper Models PA-46-350P (Malibu Mirage), PA-46R-350T (Malibu Matrix), and PA-46-500TP (Malibu Meridian) airplanes. The NPRM published in the Federal Register on October 28, 2020 (85 FR 68255). The NPRM was prompted by the finding of airplanes without the proper stall warning heater modification design change. In the NPRM, the FAA proposed to require identifying and correcting nonconforming stall warning heat control systems.

The FAA issued AD 2008-26-11, Amendment 39-15777 (73 FR 78934, December 24, 2008) (“AD 2008-26-11”) for certain serial-numbered Piper Model PA-46-350P, PA-46R-350T, and PA-46-500TP airplanes. AD 2008-26-11 requires installing stall warning heat control modification kit part number 88452-002. For those serial-numbered airplanes to which AD 2008-26-11 does not apply, Piper incorporated the modification kit in production.

Since the FAA issued AD 2008-26-11, Piper found 11 airplanes (9 domestic) with the left wing replaced with a wing assembly from salvage that did not have the proper stall warning heater modification design change. Without the proper stall warning heat control modification kit during flights into icing conditions with the landing gear down, ice can form on the stall vane, which may result in failure of the stall warning system. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

This action will not affect AD 2008-26-11 and all actions of that AD will remain in place.

FMI: www.regulations.gov