SERVICE 1161C NO.
Piper Aircraft, Inc.
2926 Piper Drive
BULLETIN
Vero Beach, FL, U.S.A. 32960
PIPER CONSIDERS
COMPLIANCE MANDATORY
Date: November 17, 2022 (S) (M)
SUBJECT:
Service YOUR SUBJECT
Bulletin (SB) 1161C supersedes SB1161B in its entirety. HERE
Aircraft that were previously made compliant with
SB 1161B are in compliance with SB1161C, until the next regularly scheduled maintenance event.
MODELS AFFECTED: SERIAL NUMBERS AFFECTED:
SUBJECT:
PA-xxx ModelName RIB ASSEMBLY
xxxxxxx INSPECTION AND MODIFICATION –
through xxxxxxx
FORWARD AND AFT WING RIBS, WS 49.25
PA-xxx (END, .125 after) xxxxxxx through xxxxxxx
REASON FOR REVISION: SB1161C expands the area of inspection to include both
COMPLIANCE TIME: To coincide with the next regularly scheduled maintenance event, but not to
forward and aft wing rib assemblies at WS 49.25
exceed the next 100 hours time in service
MODELS AFFECTED: SERIAL NUMBERS AFFECTED:
APPROVAL: The engineering aspects of this service document have been shown to comply
Group A: with the applicable Federal Aviation Regulations and are FAA approved.
PA-28R-180 Arrow 28R-30002 through 28R-31270;
28R-7130001 through 28R-7130013
PURPOSE: Enter WHAT, then WHY: In certain aircraft (NOT “it has been discovered”)
PA-28R-200 Arrow 28R-35001 through 28R-35820;
... happens.
28R-7135001 though 28R-7135229
PA-28R-200
Group A. Arrow II Group like this 28R-7235001 through 28R-7635545
PA-28R-201 Arrow III 28R-7737002 through 28R-7837317;
• A bullet
2837001 through 2837061;
• Ending bullet (0.125 SPACE
2844001AFTER.
throughManually
2844171decrease if needed.)
PA-28R-201T Turbo Arrow III 28R-7703001
NOTE: First para of SECTION note.through
(Manually28R-7803374;
reduce SPACE BELOW to 0.042
2803001 note.)
when multi-paragraph through 2803012
PA-28RT-201 Arrow IV Second para28R-7918001 through
of note (0.125 SPACE 28R-7918267;
AFTER. Manually decrease as
needed.) 28R-8018001 through 28R-8218026
PA-28RT-201T Turbo Arrow IV 28R-7931001 through 28R-8631005;
INSTRUCTIONS: 2831001 through 2831038
PA-32R-300 Lance 32R-7680001 through 32R-7880068
1. Start instructions here. Ximporessi corestium raturio. Et rem ipsam cus sendis vellaccum apidemp orest,
PA-32RT-300 Lance II 32R-7885002 through 32R-7985106
ipsanda niatiorupta dolorem de voluptate et destestrum et explic te odi officaest vid ut omnias expedigent
PA-32RT-300T Turbo Lance II
omnistiam ipsapie nihitae. 32R-7787001; 32R-7887002 through 32R-7987126
PA-32R-301 Saratoga SP 32R-8013001 through 32R-8613006;
2. Upta et ium non porrovit derum non cum rempedi gnitatium voluptur, ut pe id maximus sa voloritisiti ilia sum
3213001 qui
rem faccum aut in ra quidellut lab inciti con rem esequaerum through
dio. 3213028;
3213030 through 3213041
a. Upta et ium non porrovit derum non cum rempedi gnitatium voluptur.
PA-32R-301T Turbo Saratoga SP 32R-8029001 through 32R-8629008;
b. Maximus sa voloritisiti ilia sum rem faccum aut in ra quidellut lab inciti con rem esequaerum qui dio.
3229001 through 3229003
NOTE:
PA-32R-301 SaratogaThis is a note... [customized to 0.042 in
II HP “Space 3213042
3213029; After” for through
bullets.] 3213103;
• This is a Note bullet. 3246001 through 3246244
PA-32R-301T Saratoga II TC 3257001 through 3257407; 3257409 through 3257493
PA-34-200 Seneca 34-7250001 through 34-7450220
PA-34-200T Seneca II 34-7570001 through 34-8170092
ATA/JASC: 5712
(OVER)
SERVICE BULLETIN NO. 1161C PAGE 2 of 6
PA-34-220T Seneca III 34-8133001 through 34-8633031;
3433001 through 3433172;
3448001 through 3448037
PA-34-220T Seneca IV 3448038 through 3448079;
3447001 through 3447029
PA-34-220T Seneca V 3449001 through 3449508
PA-44-180 Seminole 44-7995001 through 44-8195026;
4495001 through 4495013;
4496001 through 4496409
PA-44-180T Seminole 44-8107001 through 44-8207020
Group B:
PA-28R-201 Arrow III 2844172 and up
PA-32R-301T Saratoga II TC 3257494 and up
PA-34-220T Seneca V 3449509 and up
PA-44-180 Seminole 4496410 and up
COMPLIANCE TIME:
Part I. Detailed Inspection
Group A: Initial compliance with Part I is to coincide with the next regularly scheduled
maintenance event, but not to exceed the next 50 hours time in service. After the
initial inspection, recurring inspections in compliance with Part I shall be performed
at 500-hour intervals.
Performing the structural modifications described in the repair kit instructions will
eliminate the repetitive detailed inspection requirements of this service bulletin, if
the kit instructions are marked as drawing number (Dwg. No.) 88373, revision
“J” (or later).
At owner/operator discretion, installation of Kit P/N 767-397 or 767-398, as
applicable, with kit instructions marked Dwg No. 88373, revision J (or later),
may be accomplished prior to the discovery of a crack, in order to eliminate the
recurring inspection requirements described in part 1 of this service bulletin.
NOTE: Installation of Kit P/N 767-397 or 767-398, as applicable, with kit
instructions marked Dwg. No. 88373, revision prior to “J,” does not
relieve the recurring inspection requirements.
Group B: Compliance is at the discretion of the owner/operator, upon discovery of cracks or
other damage in the forward or aft wing rib assemblies at wing station 49.25.
Part II. Standard Inspection
Groups A & B: Compliance with Part II is to coincide with the existing 100 hour maintenance
requirements
APPROVAL: The engineering aspects of this service document have been shown to comply
with the applicable Federal Aviation Regulations and are FAA approved.
SERVICE BULLETIN NO. 1161C PAGE 3 of 6
PURPOSE:
Group A: Under certain conditions, the rib assemblies on the forward and aft side of the
main wing spar at wing station (WS) 49.25 may develop a crack, located vertically
along the bend radius of the flange common to the main wing spar and the side
brace attach fitting.
A crack in the wing rib assembly as described, if not repaired, could compromise
the ability of the rib to support the spar web and carry torsional shear loads,
thereby reducing the shear buckling capability of the spar web and torsional
strength of the wing.
This service bulletin provides a schedule for inspection to detect the presence
of cracks, and announces the availability of service kits, which include the parts
and instructions to repair the aft rib assembly, if a crack is discovered. It also
announces the availability of replacement rib assemblies that, where installed, will
relieve the recurring inspections described in Part I of this service bulletin
Group B: The detailed inspection requirements applicable to airplanes in Group A do not
apply to airplanes in Group B. However, should damage occur to airplanes in Group
B, due to a hard landing or some other cause, this service bulletin announces the
availability of a repair kit, provided that the damage is within the limits specified in
the Instructions section of this service bulletin.
INSTRUCTIONS:
WARNING: FLIGHT WITH KNOWN CRACKS IN THE AIRCRAFT STRUCTURE IS NOT ALLOWED. AN
AIRPLANE WITH A CRACK IN STRUCTURE MAY NO LONGER MEET ITS TYPE DESIGN AND
MAY NO LONGER POSSESS ITS TYPE DESIGN STRENGTH. ANY CRACKS DISCOVERED
IN THE AIRCRAFT STRUCTURE MUST BE REPAIRED PRIOR TO THE NEXT FLIGHT.
Part I. Detailed Inspection
For the initial 50 hour inspection, and at each 500 hour interval thereafter:
NOTE: Perform the following instructions per the appropriate service/maintenance manual, when required.
1. Place the aircraft on jacks, and perform the following disassembly and inspection on the LH and RH wings.
2. Remove the main landing gear side brace by removing the five bolts that fasten it to the wing structure. Retain
the hardware for reassembly.
3. Inspect the aft rib assembly (LH wing and RH wing) for evidence of cracks in the bend radius of the flange
common to the main spar web (as shown in Figure 1), using dye penetrant inspection techniques. Use guidance
from FAA Advisory Circular AC43.13-1B.
• If a crack is detected, identify the path of propagation. Determine if trimming will remove all the material
affected by the crack, as illustrated in Figure 1.
• If so, then install the appropriate kit (see Material Required section of this service bulletin). Kit installation
will eliminate the recurring inspection requirements mandated by Part I of this service bulletin.
• If not, then replacement of the aft rib assembly is mandated.
• If a replacement Rib Assembly – Aft Wing – WS 49.25, P/N 78475-000 through 78475-009, is
installed, this does not relieve the recurring inspection requirements of this service bulletin.
However, the recurring inspections as described in Part I are relieved if the applicable kit P/N
767-397 or 767-398 is also installed, and if the kit instructions are marked drawing number 88373,
revision J (or later).
• If a replacement Rib Assembly – Aft Wing – WS 49.25, P/N 78475-010 or higher, as defined in
Table 1, is installed, this relieves the recurring inspection requirements described in Part I of
this service bulletin.(Installation of either kit P/N 767-397 or 767-398 is not required, in this case.)
• If a crack is not detected, then the recurring inspection requirements mandated by Part I of this service
bulletin can be eliminated by installing the appropriate kit (see the Material Required section of this service
bulletin).
SERVICE BULLETIN NO. 1161C PAGE 4 of 6
NOTE: Prior to installing a kit, verify that the instructions are marked Dwg No. 88373, revision J (or later).
4. Reassemble the main landing gear side brace, using existing hardware, after initial inspection and after 500
hour inspections or when disassembly was required.
5. Verify proper functioning of the landing gear.
6. Remove the airplane from jacks.
7. Make a logbook entry documenting compliance with Part I of this service bulletin, noting the accomplishment
of the recurring inspection, or the structural modification of the LH and/or RH wing per kit instructions, as
applicable.
TABLE 1
REPLACEMENT RIB ASSEMBLY
IF THE ORIGINAL THEN THE SERVICE
PART NUMBER IS: PART NUMBER IS:
78475-000 78475-014
78475-001 78475-015
78475-002 78475-016
78475-003 78475-017
78475-004 78475-018
78475-005 78475-019
78475-006 78475-012
78475-007 78475-013
78475-008 78475-010
78475-009 78475-011
NOTE: Refer to the appropriate Piper Airplane Parts Catalog
to determine the applicable original part number.
Part II. Standard Inspection
1. As part of the normal 100 hour recurring maintenance requirements:
Inspect the forward and aft rib assemblies (LH and RH) for evidence of cracks at the location shown in Figure
1, except the inspection shall be limited to a visual examination of observable portions of the flange bend radii.
Removal of the main landing gear side brace is not required at the 100 hour inspection interval.
If a crack is detected in the aft rib, proceed to Part I, Detailed Inspection.
If a crack is detected in the forward rib, repair or replacement of the forward rib assembly is mandated. Piper
does not offer a standard for the forward rib assembly.
NOTE: Prior to visual inspection, wipe surfaces clean using a soft cloth dampened with isopropyl alcohol,
mineral spirits, naphtha, or other suitable cleaning agent.
NOTE: This visual inspection shall be accomplished using a 10X magnifier, a mirror and a suitable light
source or other equipment capable of providing equal or better resolution.
2. Make a logbook entry documenting compliance with Part II of this service bulletin.
SERVICE BULLETIN NO. 1161C PAGE 5 of 6
MAIN SPAR
AFT RIB ASSEMBLY
FORWARD RIB ASSEMBLY
DETERMINE THAT TRIMMING
THE RIB BACK TO THIS LINE
WILL REMOVE ALL THE MATERIAL
AFFECTED BY THE CRACK.
MAIN AREA TO INSPECT FOR
CRACKS OF THE FLANGE BEND
RADIUS (See Note)
VISUALLY INSPECT FORWARD RIB
ASSEMBLY FLANGE AND ASSOCIATED
BEND RADIUS FOR CRACKS.
UP
FWD
NOTE: Applicable to the initial 50 hour inspection and 500 hour recurring
inspection. Not applicable to the recurring 100 hour inspection.
LOOKING OUTBOARD AT LEFT WING, WS 49.25
(RIGHT WING OPPOSITE)
Figure 1
Determine if trimming will remove all material affected by cracks or damage in the aft rib assembly
SERVICE BULLETIN NO. 1161C PAGE 6 of 6
MATERIAL REQUIRED: Per aircraft,
One (1) each,on[Part
condition (refer
Name], to Part
Piper I, Step 3):per aircraft
P/N [xxxxxx],
• Up to two (2) each, Rib Assembly – Aft Wing – WS 49.25, P/N 78475-010
MATS. REQUIRES, MULTI.: Peroraircraft:
higher per Table 1.
• Up to one (1) each:
• One (1) each, [Part Name], Piper P/N [xxxxxx]
• Kit P/N 767-397, Kit – Rib Repair, LH
• Three (3) each, [Part Name], Piper P/N [xxxxxx]
• Kit P/N 767-398, Kit – Rib Repair, RH
AVAILABILITY OF PARTS: Your Piper Approved Service Center
AVAILABILITY OF PARTS: Your Piper Approved Service Center
Find your local service center at https://www.piper.com/
Find your local service center at https://www.piper.com/
EFFECTIVITY DATE: This service bulletin is effective on March 6, 2023.
EFFECTIVITY DATE: This service bulletin is effective on March 6, 2023.
SUMMARY: REMOVE: first para below used only when offering warranty and, rarely, modified
SUMMARY: Applicable factory participation is limited to new aircraft in warranty at the time of
if Warranty wants to
compliance. Factory participation will remain in effect for a period of time not to
exceed 180factory
Applicable days from the date is
participation of limited
this service
to newbulletin.
aircraft in warranty at the time of
compliance. Factory participation will remain in effect for a period of time not to
Please contact your Piper Approved Service Center to make arrangements for
exceed 180 days from the effectivity date of this service bulletin.
compliance with this service bulletin in accordance with the compliance time
indicated.
Please contact your Piper Approved Service Center to make arrangements for
compliance with this service bulletin in accordance with the compliance time
NOTE: Please notify the factoryindicated.
of any address/ownership corrections. Changes should include aircraft model,
serial number, and current owner’s name and address.
NOTE: Please notify the factory of any address/ownership corrections. Changes should include aircraft model,
Corrections and/or changes should be directed to:
serial number, and current owner’s name and address.
PIPER AIRCRAFT, INC.
Corrections and/or changes should Att’n:
be directed to: Service
Customer
2926
PIPERPiper Drive INC.
AIRCRAFT,
Vero Beach,
Attn: CustomerFL Service
32960
or:
2926 Piper Drive
[email protected]
Vero Beach, FL 32960
Please
or: include in subject line: “Aircraft ownership update”
[email protected]
Please include in subject line: “Aircraft ownership update”
