SERVICE NO.

983

- Piper Aircraft Corporation

2926 Piper Drive
Vero Beach, Florida, U.S.A. 32960 -
BULLETIN
PIPER CONSIDERS
COMPLIANCE MANDATORY
DATE: May 25, 1995 (M

SUBJECT: Station 49.5 Frame I n s p e c t i o n

MODELS AFFECTED: SERIAL NUMBERS AFFECTED:

PA-34-220T Seneca Ill 34-8133001 through 34-8633031,

3433001 through 3433233
PA-34-220T Seneca Ill (28V) 3448001 through 3448014 & 3448016

COMPLIANCE TIME: At the next regularly scheduled maintenance event, but not to exceed the next one
hundred (100) hours time in service and at each subsequent (100) hour time in service thereafter.
NOTE:
I n s t a l l a t i o n of Bracket Assembly Piper Part Number 83335-02 will
relieve the repetitive inspection requirements noted above.

PURPOSE: Reports indicate that aircraft used under certain conditions or that have been
damaged due to hard landings or other severe service may develop cracks in the area around the nose gear
mount upper bolt hole on the station 49.5 aluminum frame. Left uncorrected, this crack may propagate
and affect the structural integrity of the frame & bulkhead separating the cabin & nose area, (49.5 frame )
and wrinkle the aircraft skin in the affected area. Suspect aircraft are those principally used for training;
operated primarily out of rough, uneven or grass strips; or with damage history. To provide an
improvement for aircraft subject to severe operation, Piper has developed a new and improved
reinforcement bracket assembly to strengthen the affected area.

This Service Bulletin provides instructions for initial and repetitive inspections and if necessary the
installation of a new and improved reinforcement bracket assembly, which when installed will relieve the
repetitive inspection requirements in the Compliance Time above.

APPROVAL: The technical contents of this Service Bulletin have been approved by the F.A.A.

INSTRUCTIONS:

INSPECTION (Refer to Sketch A & C)

1 . Gain access to the 49.5 bulkhead by removing instruments and avionics as necessary to allow a clear
inspection of the existing aluminum support ribs as shown on sketch A. (Ribs are similar to the ribs on
the new bracket as shown on sketch C)
2. Inspect the aluminum support ribs in the areas shown on sketch A. Look for signs of buckling,
distortion or cracks. If aluminum ribs ARE found to be cracked or distorted, further inspection is
required. Proceed to instruction 4.

(OVER)
A T A CODE: 5310
PAGE 2 O F 6 SERV'CE BULLETIN NO. 983

INSTRUCTIONS: ( C o n t ' d ) ./
Inspection (Cont'd)
3. Should NO evidence of damage be found per the above, no further inspection is necessary at this time.
Refer to the repetitive Compliance Time above and make an appropriate logbook entry of compliance with
this Service Bulletin. (Installation of new bracket below will relieve the repetitive inspection )
4. Remove the necessary interior pieces in the baggage compartment to gain access to the upper nose gear
mount tube and bolt. Look for cracks extending from either or both sides of the mount tube pad. If cracks
are found and when disassembly affords, stop drill cracks with drill bits up to . I 9 1 diameter. (see sketch
"C" for inspection location). Proceed to installation below.
Installation:
1 . For installation instructions see page 6 of this Service Bulletin.
2 . Upon c o m p l e t i o n of t h e P I N 83335-02 bracket installation, re-install t h e i n t e r i o r pieces,
instruments, panels, avionics and all removed items from the nose baggage compartment.
3. Where applicable, perform a functional check of all items removed.
4. Make an appropriate logbook entry of compliance with this Service Bulletin.

MATERIAL REQUIRED: As determined by inspection, order one (1) each Bracket

Assembly Piper Part Number 83335-02, 32 ea. Rivet, Piper Part Number 522-659 (CR3243-5-2),
11 ea. Rivet, Piper Part Number 522-655 (CR3243-4-2), 8 ea. Rivet, Piper Part Number 522-651
(CR3242-4-3), and 4 ea. Rivet, Piper Part Number 420-624 (CR3243-5-2).
NOTE: Rivets may be obtained locally.

AVAILABILITY OF PARTS: Your Piper Field Service Facility

EFFECTIVITY DATE: This Service Bulletin is effective upon receipt.

SUMMARY: There is no factory participation for this Service Bulletin.
Please contact your Factory Piper Field Service Facility to make arrangements
for compliance with this Service Bulletin in accordance with the compl~ance
time indicated.
NOTE If you are no longer in ossession of this aircraft, please forward this information to the present
$
ownerloperator and notify the actory of addresslownership corrections. Changes should include aircraft
model, serial number, current owner's name and address.
CorrectionsIChanges should be directed to: Piper Aircraft Corporation
ATTN: Customer Services
2926 Piper Drive
Vero Beach, Florida 32960
SERVICE B U L L E T I N NO. 983
If d e f o r m a t i o n or c r a c k i n g are
present in Fig. 1, inspect the frame
behind the gear mount in the areas
shown for cracks above or below
the bolt hole.
SKETCH A
PAGE 3 OF 6
Inspect for deformation and cracks
in this area on either of the existing
If the brackets are deformed or
cracked, installation of the new
p/n 83335-02 is mandatory.
At"
FORWARD
 SERVICE BULLETIN N O - 983 PAGE 5 O F 6

Figure (above) shows Nose Gear Upper Attachment where cracks may
appear coming from beneath the mounting pad.
Figure (below) shows the installation of the new PIN 83335-02 Bracket.

SKETCH C
PAGE 6 OF 6 SER-VICE BULLETIN NO. 983

INSTALLATION O F PIN 83335-02 BRACKET ASSY.

AT 49.5 F R A M E

INSTRUCTIONS: (Refer to Sketch A & B as required.)

1. Remove the windshield and windshield collar, refer to the Maintenance Manual as
necessary.
NOTE:
When removing or replacing the windshield refer to Chapter 56 of Maintenance Manual.

2. Remove the center instrument panel, brackets, and instrumentation as necessary to

gain access to the 49.50 frame and bulkhead.
3 . Remove enough fabric from the center forward area of the glareshield to allow the
installation of the upper rivets in the p/n 83335-02 bracket.
4. Remove the interior pieces of the nose baggage area as necessary to gain access to
thc ncse gear mount bolts and oP;=er p ~ r t i o nof tha 49.50 f:arnc cnd bulkhead. (Sketch C
shows sircraft with nose cone remov~u".It is NOT 17ecessai-yiG remove the nose cone.)
5. Support the aircraft with jack only enough to neutralized the weight on the nose gear.
6 . Remove the center nose gsar mounting bolt.
7 . From inside the aircraft, remove the two existing aluminum angles, remove the flat
steel reinforcement plate attached to the bulkhead. Discard these items.
8. If a. crack exists in the upper center frame above the center bolt, stop drill at each
end of the crack. (Note this may require further disassembly of the nose gear mount.)
9. Remove the four nutplates that retain the windshield collar, two either side of the
bolt hole. Keep the nutplates for later installation.
10. Install the PIN 83335-02 bracket. Insert the center mount bolt to help align and
hold bracket. Do not torque at this time. Refer to attached sketch "B" to install
appropriate rivets. Except for four (4) holes each side of the bracket, it will be necessary
to backdrill through existing holes to pick up the remaining holes to allow rivets to be
installed. All rivets are to be dipped in zinc chromat5 (or equivalent) and installed wet. It
will be necessary to drill open the nutplate holes to approximately .19Iu or as matched
to the existing holes in the frame. Touch up opened holes 'with zinc chromate primer (or
equivalent). Reinstall nutplates with appropriate fasteners.
11. With bracket installed, torque the upper center gear mount bolt (AN7-21A) to 550 to
600 inch pounds. (634 to 691 kg-cm). Check the remaining five gear mounting bolts (AN
6) and assure that they are torqued to 240 to 270 inch pounds. (277 to 311 kg-cm)
Torque stripe or mark each bolt.
I2. Repair or replace black glareshield material as necessary.
7 3. R a i i 7 ~ t & tviiiidshielb
l ~ i i dvurlndshieid i x i i a i referling io tile iviainier~anceidarluai
(Chapter 56) as necessary.
14. Reinstall the center instrument panel, brackets, and associated instrumentation as
required.