The FAA has published notice of its intent to supersede an airworthiness directive (AD) issued in May 2000 on certain Piper Aircraft Inc. models PA–46–310P and PA–46–350P airplanes equipped with a Lewis or Transicoil turbine inlet temperature (T.I.T.) gauge and associated probe.
The proposed AD would retain the actions required by the prior AD (99– 5–04 R1), and add some PA–46R–350T airplanes to the list of affected aircraft. The new AD also proposes expanding applicability to include other T.I.T. systems, and incorporating new service information.
The AD now in effect requires “calibrating the T.I.T. system; replacing any T.I.T. system that fails the calibration test; repetitively replacing the T.I.T. probe on certain Model PA–46–350P airplanes; and inserting a copy of the AD into the pilot’s operating handbook (POH) for certain airplanes.” Since the FAA issued that AD, “the manufacturer has revised related service information and added an airplane model to the list of affected airplanes,” said the notice of proposed rulemaking.
The FAA says that the new AD is proposed “to prevent improper engine operation caused by improperly calibrated T.I.T. indicators or defective T.I.T. probes, which could result in engine damage/failure with consequent loss of control of the airplane.”
Comments on the proposal, Docket No. FAA–2010–1295, will be accepted until Feb. 14, 2011.
The FAA estimates that 898 U.S.-registered airplanes would be affected.
